1500 HD?

Danielbean · March 15, 2013

I recently bought a 2007 GMC Sierra 1500 ext cab SLT. I had to replace a couple of things in it and when I went to auto part store and they were asking for make and model and what not they asked if it was an HD, didn't know the 1500's came in HD, is that possible. What classifies it as an HD? I just found out the other day it has a Z85 suspension with a 3.73 rear. One other question why are they referred to as 1/2 on and 3/4 ton trucks?

Badass69 · March 15, 2013

Your truck is not a 1500 HD. That was actually a model in the previous bodystyle trucks to yours and since both the GMT800 and GMT900 were built in 2007 that would be the confusion. Your truck is a GMT900 btw if you don't know lol. Just order parts for an 08 and that would probably solve that issue. The parts place would need to know your truck is a 1500 series and it is NOT a Classic....... but I have found that the systems most parts places use are useless. I as an example can't order parts for my 05 1500HD in the drivetrain and get the right parts from Napa..... as I get half ton junk all the time. So instead I just order the parts for my 04 2500 light duty and will get the right stuff everytime as they are identical in every way anyhow.

The only caveat is if they consider the Vortec Max in your bodystyle an "HD" which who knows, they may. But telling them the truck has a 5.3 V8 should fix that problem. That said most times they ask you all this useless information, open the page and it shows all options regardless of the options they asked you anyhow.

A 2500 and 1500 is a payload capacity thing based on the chassis and suspension. A three quarter ton is a much heavier model truck.

Big Whiskey · March 15, 2013

As stated above, your truck is not a 1500HD. But yes, they do exist. However, they were only available in the 1999-2006 body style (GMT 800) models....although I'm not sure exactly what years. To tell them from a regular 1500....the 1500HD and plain 2500 (without the HD) had the 6.0 engine, 8-lug axles, and 3:73 gears....without the higher ride height of the 2500HD's (I think there's a difference in the frame). To the un-trained eye, a 1500HD or light duty 2500 looks like a 1500 chassis with a 6.0 and 8-lug rims.

Badass69 · March 15, 2013

As stated above, your truck is not a 1500HD. But yes, they do exist. However, they were only available in the 1999-2006 body style (GMT 800) models....although I'm not sure exactly what years. To tell them from a regular 1500....the 1500HD and plain 2500 (without the HD) had the 6.0 engine, 8-lug axles, and 3:73 gears....without the higher ride height of the 2500HD's (I think there's a difference in the frame). To the un-trained eye, a 1500HD or light duty 2500 looks like a 1500 chassis with a 6.0 and 8-lug rims.

I will clear it up for you. 1500HD's were built from 2001 through 2003 and then from 2005 through 2007 ( classic bodystyle of course). 2004 is an odd duck as they only had 2500 light duties availalbe that year and no 1500 HD's. Gm subsequently released the half ton crew cab in 04 so rumor was that was why they kyboshed the 1500 HD. However the truck was popular and it is cheaper to insure being badged as a half ton ( look in my sig, I own both lol). In the 1999 to 2003 model years they had the 2500 light duty available the whole time. 2005 on the 2500 light duty model was dropped entirely.

Gear ratio is arbitrary. You could get either 373 or 410 in either the 1500HD or the 2500 LD. It vastly changes the legal tow capacity too. 373's nets you 7900 lbs on the 1500HD and 410's gets you 9900 lbs..... no other difference. The 2500 LD's laughably are a wee bit higher even though the truck is identical in every way beyond the badge on the door. They are 8300 lbs for 373 or 10300 for 410's.

Why did they drop the truck in the new models? I think really it has to do with the Vortec Max half tons. They carry the same if not higher tow rating than any of the light duty 2500's and 1500HD's ever did..... thus not needed. They Vortec Max was released in 2006 in the GMT800's and I guess proved it was able to replace the 1500HD's and supposedly get better fuel economy..... which I find laughable but okay. The 2500 light duty and 1500 HD will always be a better truck IMHO than any Vmax..... bigger brakes, heavier suspension and most important.... a 4L80E transmission.

The frame difference is simple. Up front the frame is identical between the 1500HD/2500 and 2500HD trucks. The cab mounts on the 2500HD's are welded on 2" higher on the rail. The 1500HD/2500 and 2500HD all use 8" C channel.... until you get to where the bed mounts. On the 2500HD the 8" channel is maintained all the way to the rear of the truck. On the 1500HD and 2500 they neck down to 6" channel under the box. There is your 2" of height difference for the rear of the truck. I have owned multiples of all of the above and physically measure this because I got tired of internet theories that just are not true. The reason for this 2" body lift? Simple, the Duramax and Allison trans needed more clearance to fit in the truck. The brakes, front CV's, front differential and entire front suspension is identical from 1500HD/2500LD to the 2500HD. I know..... I ordered 2500HD parts for my 05 1500HD and they fit lol. The only different is the hub opening on the 2500HD's rotor is larger on the rear brakes..... that's it.

The 2500 LD and 1500 HD are the only GM trucks I will bother buying anymore until I run out of clean low mile units...... after that it's on to a different brand lol.

Danielbean · March 15, 2013

Thanks for the responses all very helpful info

Big Whiskey · March 16, 2013

Great post, Notamember. Thanks for the info. I learned something today!

tyhuck · March 16, 2013

As stated above, your truck is not a 1500HD. But yes, they do exist. However, they were only available in the 1999-2006 body style (GMT 800) models....although I'm not sure exactly what years. To tell them from a regular 1500....the 1500HD and plain 2500 (without the HD) had the 6.0 engine, 8-lug axles, and 3:73 gears....without the higher ride height of the 2500HD's (I think there's a difference in the frame). To the un-trained eye, a 1500HD or light duty 2500 looks like a 1500 chassis with a 6.0 and 8-lug rims.

Dont forget the 1500HD was only available in a crew cab model, but it was the only crew cab 1500 series that was available with a 6.5' bed. The 2500 Non-HD were available in anything from a single cab long bed, to a crew cab short bed. To get the long bed crew you had to upgrade to a 2500HD.

I had an 06 Sierra 2500 Non-hd, and that thing was classified by my insurance company as a 1500HD. I sure do miss that truck, asside from it being a 2wd.

Badass69 · March 16, 2013

GM dropped the 2500 light duty trucks after the 2004 model year..... They even removed the information about them from the owners manuals. A 2006 2500 light duty is a 1500 HD.... thus why it was classified that way.

My 04 and 05 are identical in every single way... but one is a 2500 and one is a 1500 HD. When insurance runs it through the 04 comes up a 2500 and the 05 is a 1500 HD.

GM did not have a crew cab model truck that was actually a half ton prior to the 2004 model year...... thus badging what really was a light duty 2500 a "1500 HD" they had something to offer in the half ton segment.

tyhuck · March 16, 2013

If they classified them as a 1500HD, why did they still badge them as a 2500? Ive seen several on Autotrader and such that are 05 and 06 that are badged 2500. I know they are the same as the 1500HD, but hwy wouldnt GM just go ahead and badge them as such? (Im not disagreeing with you, just asking a general question toward GM).

Chris · March 16, 2013

05-06 someone changed the badge. The only had the 1500 HD available

Badass69 · March 16, 2013

If they classified them as a 1500HD, why did they still badge them as a 2500? Ive seen several on Autotrader and such that are 05 and 06 that are badged 2500. I know they are the same as the 1500HD, but hwy wouldnt GM just go ahead and badge them as such? (Im not disagreeing with you, just asking a general question toward GM).

Dunno. I look at hundreds of these trucks and have yet to see one beyond 2004 with a 2500 badge on it that is not an HD....... that and GM has zero documentation of such a truck existing post 2004 model year. Post your old trucks VIN as I am guessing GM will coincide with the insurance company. And hundreds is probably an understatement as I am constantly searching for reasonable priced low mileage ones.

tyhuck · March 17, 2013

I dont have the vin anymore, and if I do, i have no idea where it is.

I bought it used from the original owner, who was a mechanic at the original dealership that sold it. I actually checked with him and he said it was badged a 2500 when he bought it off the lot, so either GM did it, or the dealer did it before it hit the lot.

It didnt really matter to me what badges it had since they were the same truck, but I know Ive seen several and according to the vin it was classed as a 1500HD according to the insurance company, so Im assuming it was the same in GMs database.

Only thing I can figure is that GM had some old badges left over, so they were using them up before they fazed out the line completely and changed the body style.

Mine was a GMC if that mattered. I know sometimes they do things with the sierra that they dont do with the silverado, and vice-versa.

Chris · March 17, 2013

My ex-step dad has the odd ball 04 2500.

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Badass69 · March 17, 2013

My ex-step dad has the odd ball 04 2500. Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using Xparent Red Tapatalk 2

I do too. It's even the same color as your truck lol.

Badass69 · March 17, 2013

I dont have the vin anymore, and if I do, i have no idea where it is.

I bought it used from the original owner, who was a mechanic at the original dealership that sold it. I actually checked with him and he said it was badged a 2500 when he bought it off the lot, so either GM did it, or the dealer did it before it hit the lot.

It didnt really matter to me what badges it had since they were the same truck, but I know Ive seen several and according to the vin it was classed as a 1500HD according to the insurance company, so Im assuming it was the same in GMs database.

Only thing I can figure is that GM had some old badges left over, so they were using them up before they fazed out the line completely and changed the body style.

Mine was a GMC if that mattered. I know sometimes they do things with the sierra that they dont do with the silverado, and vice-versa.

No idea. Probably a dealer add on like the Vortec 327 badges the first run of GMT800's had up here. Or the Vortec Max badges on 5.3 powered 1/2 tons etc. Mine are all Sierra's.... not a Chev fan other than the 06 and 07 front end..... or the 05 2500HD's had it as well.

They built oddities nobody cares about.... like the 05 Vortec High Output B4V code ( LQ9/65E/14 bolt) I am going to likely buy. Most people have zero clue as to what they are, or that they even existed. It's a GMC, loaded with every option available and has 27000 original miles. Can't pass that up.