What Is My Truck?

sahls01gmc · February 14, 2011

I have an 01 GMC 2500 (NON HD) SLT 4x4. What is the major difference between it, and an HD?

And what are some good suggestions to beef up my truck enough to match an HD?

Thanks

James

2kvrt · February 14, 2011

your truck has an 8600 gvw vs 9200lb the 2500HD comes with. HD has a beefier suspension and bigger frame rails. More engine options. yours only comes with the 6.0. 2500hd have 4:10 gear ration Standard. Will have the AutoTrak T-case (like the 1/2 tons and 2000 Silverado body 2500's used) instead of the 261/263 that the HD's are equipped with. 9.5 rear axle instead of the 10.5 or 11.5 that the HD's use.Non HD 2500's were only available with the 6.0. Most were 3.73 equipped. Usually set lower to the ground stock....dead giveaway for a 2500 at a glance

snake428 · February 15, 2011

Acctually the HD and non HD run the same spring combos. The extra hieght of the HD comes from the gussets being welded 2 in higher on the frame. The non HD will have a smaller frame starting at the rear axle. The transfer case is the lighter of the two and the rear end is a bit smaller. All depends on your combo alot of non HD's with 6.0s do come with 4.10s to make up for the lower amounts of power compared to the 8.1 and Dmax.

mybaby2500 · February 15, 2011

How can you use your VIN to look up what your truck has in it, rear end, tcase, etc.?

sahls01gmc · February 15, 2011

Thanks guys for the responses!

I definitely notice the height difference, and I get asked that every time I go to O'Reilly's. Basically, an HD can haul 600 more pounds, and rides 2" higher? I know overall there are more differences, but that's just the jist of it.

Would a 2" body lift be the same as the factory HD 2" higher height? Also, how much lift am I looking at getting to fit a stock H2 wheel/tire?

Mybaby2500, what kind of lift do you have? How is the ride quality compared to stock?

James