2500vs2500hd

[manitobajim]

Hi everyone! I am brand new to this site, and have a question that I would like answered.....The difference between 2500 and 2500HD. I have owned several older GM trucks and the classifications were fairly clear, 1500=half ton,2500=3/4, ton 3500=1 ton....with the exception of the 88-98 light duty 2500, that had the 6-lug wheels vs the 8-lug of the regular 3/4ton. I have decided to bite the bullet and buy a newer one, so...The truck I am looking at purchasing is a 2004 2500,with a 6.0, 4.10s, 4x4 ex-cab. I do need to pull a trailer now and then and was wondering if there was a huge diffrence between the two, as they have the same 8-lug wheels, same gear ratios,same ride height,etc,etc Thanks for the help!!

[revrnd]

I didn't realize that they were still building the "2500" in '04. My '04 is the HD.

[rodram]

the 2004 2500 you are looking at is identical (except for the 2500 badge) to the 1500HD from 2002-2003 and 2005 to the early 2007OBS.... for some reason in 2004 GM decided to call this truck a 2500, then they went back to the 1500HD designation

 

... I think the 2500 in 2004 came in the three cab options (regular, extended and crew) ... while the 1500HD's were only available in crewcab... but with this crewcab you get a 6.5 ft long box

 

it will be a great truck for towing...

 

the GVW on this truck is 8600 lbs; while the GVW on the 2500HD will be 9200 lbs ... so the suspension is a little different and the max towing capacity increases from 10,300 lbs to 12,000 lbs.

... there is the same 300 hp 6L engine

... not sure of differences in the transmissions....

[manitobajim]

the 2004 2500 you are looking at is identical (except for the 2500 badge) to the 1500HD from 2002-2003 and 2005 to the early 2007OBS.... for some reason in 2004 GM decided to call this truck a 2500, then they went back to the 1500HD designation

 

... I think the 2500 in 2004 came in the three cab options (regular, extended and crew) ... while the 1500HD's were only available in crewcab... but with this crewcab you get a 6.5 ft long box

 

it will be a great truck for towing...

 

the GVW on this truck is 8600 lbs; while the GVW on the 2500HD will be 9200 lbs ... so the suspension is a little different and the max towing capacity increases from 10,300 lbs to 12,000 lbs.

... there is the same 300 hp 6L engine

... not sure of differences in the transmissions....

 

Thanks alot! You would have to think that the cooling system and tranny should be the same as the 2500HD,no? I am a little concerned....the fifth wheel I pull once in a blue moon may be to much for it.......Air bags and an Aux. fan should take care of it.....Thanks again Rod....

[Kodiak450]

With that Gen truck, it has a taller frame. It's 2" taller then 2500's from late 90's and before. Also that generation truck is a very good truck. Came with lots of standard goodies, like 4:10's, massive aluminum drive shaft. You'll like that truck alot! In late 04 GM revised the manifold bolts, so you may or may not have the revised manifold bolts, in turn they tend to break off at the head. Other then that, I have no complaints from my 03.

 

How much you purchasing it for? Mileage? Also there is a recall on dash instrument panel, and GM will replace it for no cost provided you are under 75k. If over that GM charges you for labor which is 1/2 hr to 1 hour tops! I'm thinking about getting an 06-07 crew cab not to far down the road. I need another plow truck for my business. Probably go with 8.1 liter if I can find one, if not maybe the duramax.

[rodram]

[Thanks alot! You would have to think that the cooling system and tranny should be the same as the 2500HD,no? I am a little concerned....the fifth wheel I pull once in a blue moon may be to much for it.......Air bags and an Aux. fan should take care of it.....Thanks again Rod....

 

If you are at all concerned about the transmission... then have an aftermarket transmission cooler installed... it can't hurt ... and can only make the transmission run at a cooler stable temperature.

[manitobajim]

With that Gen truck, it has a taller frame. It's 2" taller then 2500's from late 90's and before. Also that generation truck is a very good truck. Came with lots of standard goodies, like 4:10's, massive aluminum drive shaft. You'll like that truck alot! In late 04 GM revised the manifold bolts, so you may or may not have the revised manifold bolts, in turn they tend to break off at the head. Other then that, I have no complaints from my 03.

 

How much you purchasing it for? Mileage? Also there is a recall on dash instrument panel, and GM will replace it for no cost provided you are under 75k. If over that GM charges you for labor which is 1/2 hr to 1 hour tops! I'm thinking about getting an 06-07 crew cab not to far down the road. I need another plow truck for my business. Probably go with 8.1 liter if I can find one, if not maybe the duramax.

Thanks, man! yeah i dont think i'll have any problems, I used to to work the shit outta my older 3/4ton chevys....The 8.1 is a sweet mill! I almost bought an 01 dually with the 8.1, Awsome! What did I do instead? Bought a dodge diesel.....That was the first and LAST used diesel i will ever buy! The truck has 90,000 kms on it and i'm getting a pretty good deal for up here, anyways!Did you order that exahust from somewhere,or did you have it custom made? Sounds pretty good!

[manitobajim]

[Thanks alot! You would have to think that the cooling system and tranny should be the same as the 2500HD,no? I am a little concerned....the fifth wheel I pull once in a blue moon may be to much for it.......Air bags and an Aux. fan should take care of it.....Thanks again Rod....

 

If you are at all concerned about the transmission... then have an aftermarket transmission cooler installed... it can't hurt ... and can only make the transmission run at a cooler stable temperature.

 

I'll do that for sure, thanks again!

[jro909]

Hd got a little beefier suspension, an oil and trans cooler

 

2500 is just the light duty version of the HDs nothen major just minor capability differences

[Kodiak450]

With that Gen truck, it has a taller frame. It's 2" taller then 2500's from late 90's and before. Also that generation truck is a very good truck. Came with lots of standard goodies, like 4:10's, massive aluminum drive shaft. You'll like that truck alot! In late 04 GM revised the manifold bolts, so you may or may not have the revised manifold bolts, in turn they tend to break off at the head. Other then that, I have no complaints from my 03.

 

How much you purchasing it for? Mileage? Also there is a recall on dash instrument panel, and GM will replace it for no cost provided you are under 75k. If over that GM charges you for labor which is 1/2 hr to 1 hour tops! I'm thinking about getting an 06-07 crew cab not to far down the road. I need another plow truck for my business. Probably go with 8.1 liter if I can find one, if not maybe the duramax.

Thanks, man! yeah i dont think i'll have any problems, I used to to work the shit outta my older 3/4ton chevys....The 8.1 is a sweet mill! I almost bought an 01 dually with the 8.1, Awsome! What did I do instead? Bought a dodge diesel.....That was the first and LAST used diesel i will ever buy! The truck has 90,000 kms on it and i'm getting a pretty good deal for up here, anyways!Did you order that exahust from somewhere,or did you have it custom made? Sounds pretty good!

 

 

I ordered it, paid $600 plus for it. I added alot of goodies on my 2500HD.

[ATMINF]

One other note is that I think the rear on the LD2500 (or 1500HD) are a 9.5inch 14 bolt SF, not the 10.5inch 14bolt FF found on the 2500HDs. So with that info I am not sure how much weight it can carry as a 5th wheel tow rig.

[builderpaul]

Hd got a little beefier suspension, an oil and trans cooler

 

2500 is just the light duty version of the HDs nothen major just minor capability differences

 

The major differance is the 2500HD has the full float rear end. Much stronger than the semifloat in the 2500. This is what gives it higher gvw and gcvw ratings.