11 replies to this topic

[mhagger]

For the crew cab short bed are the bodies the same? Engines? A salesperson told me that their was an additional leaf in the suspension and a ride hieght difference (roughly equivalent to a 2" lift) but I have a tendency not to believe all sales guys. Just looking at the 6.0 L engines.

[HD2007]

If you are talking new trucks, the 1500 is a 1/2T and the 2500HD is a 3/4T. They have different engines, transmissions, rear axles, front suspension, and brakes. Not to mention front end sheet metal. The 1500 has several engine combinations from a 4.3L V6 to the 6.0L VMax. The 2500HD has either a 6.0L gas or 6.6L DuraMax. The 1500 has a 4speed transmission, the 2500HD has a 6. The 1500 has disc/drum brakes the 2500 has all disc. The 1500 has a semi floating axle, the 2500HD has a full floating axle. The 1500 has a coil over shock front suspension - the 2500HD has torsion bars. The exception is the 1500 with the VMax package that puts a heavy duty transmission (still 4speed) and a larger rear end (still semi floating). Both trucks are designed for work - the 2500HD will just tow and haul almost twice as much as the 1500.

Don't believe what the salesman tells you - go to the Chevy Truck web site and compare them for yourself.

[mhagger]

Ok, is the 6.0L in the 1500 the same as the 2500 6.0? How does the ride compare? I assume it is a little stiffer in the 2500. Is the interior the same?

[DarrenWS6]

Ok, is the 6.0L in the 1500 the same as the 2500 6.0? How does the ride compare? I assume it is a little stiffer in the 2500. Is the interior the same?

same engine yeah, probably same transmission, but suspensions are different & the frame on the 2500HD is much stronger for towing power, and the 2500HD will have a larger rear and larger brakes, just more muscle than the 1500. Interiors should be the same ( Dont know alot about NBS just yet ) If its a daily driver your looking for and dont plan to tow and work it hard, go for the 1500, if you do plan to work it hard, 2500 is the better way to go

[justin95]

The 1500 is weak compared to the 2500HD. And technically 1500 = 1/2 ton, 1500HD & 2500 = 3/4 ton, & 2500HD = 1 ton. Not sure if they even have the 1500HD & 2500 on the brand new trucks though.

[DarrenWS6]

The 1500 is weak compared to the 2500HD. And technically 1500 = 1/2 ton, 1500HD & 2500 = 3/4 ton, & 2500HD = 1 ton. Not sure if they even have the 1500HD & 2500 on the brand new trucks though.

the 2500HD is a 3/4 ton

[justin95]

Well, I guess you could say the 2500HD is a "light" 1 ton or a regular 1 ton, it just depends on how you look at it. OBS 1 tons are = 9200GVW and the NBS are 9900 I think.

[HD2007]

On the new trucks there is no 1500HD instead they have the VMax package for Ext and Crew cab models in the LT1, LT2, and LTZ trim levels. The 6.0L VMax is an alum block and has displacement on demand, the 6.0L in the 2500HD is an iron block and does not have displacement on demand, but has variable valve timing. The Vmax has a tad bit more HP and Torque as well as a higher compression ratio.

The interiors are the same. There are some different options between the two trucks however.

A 1500 has a payload around 1600lbs, a 2500HD is around 3400lbs, and a 3500HD SRW is around 4000lb and DRW around 5000lbs GVWRs are from 6400 to 7300 for a 1500, 9200 for the 2500HD and 9900/11400 for the 3500HD SRW/DRW.

There is also a difference in bed lengths between a 1500 and the 2500HD. The 1500 has a short box of 69" a 78" regular and 96" long. The Crew cab can have only a short box, the std cab comes in reg and long and the ext cab is offered in all three bed sizes.

The 2500HD has only the std and long beds (same length as above) The regular cab comes in long box only while the Ext and Crew cab can have reg or long.

[RideoutKSC]

Technically, the half tons have something called "Active Fuel Management," not displacement on demand. Both 6.0 engines in the Vmax and the 2500 make 367 hp.

If you want to do some plowing, prepare on getting a Fisher Homesteader plastic plow for the 1500. But SnowWay makes a 7.5 foot plow that fits the half ton.

[Ranger]

Technically, the half tons have something called "Active Fuel Management," not displacement on demand. Both 6.0 engines in the Vmax and the 2500 make 367 hp.

AFM and DOD are the same thing, GM decided to change the name after some apparent confusion on the DOD.

I think the 2500 6.0L makes a bit less HP.

[RideoutKSC]

Technically, the half tons have something called "Active Fuel Management," not displacement on demand. Both 6.0 engines in the Vmax and the 2500 make 367 hp.

AFM and DOD are the same thing, GM decided to change the name after some apparent confusion on the DOD.

I think the 2500 6.0L makes a bit less HP.

Oh yea I think it's something like 353...I wonder why the 3/4 tons don't have AFM? I heard that the 1/2 tons with 3.73's get better mileage than the 3.42's with the AFM in both trucks. Anyone confirm this?

[Steveman]

The 1500s have the brand new fully boxed frames, while the 2500s have the frame that was used in the OBS but it is just reinforced in some areas, but the frame is stronger then the 1500s. Also with the 2500 you can get the newer 6-speed transmissions (4 speed for 1500s) and you can get the Duramax diesel. The 1500s have coil-over front suspension (better ride), while the 2500s have just regular leaf springs. The front end, the grill and bumper, are a little larger on the 2500s to allow for a larger radiator for the diesels, this is the case regardless of what engine you get (gasoline or diesel).