Diff. between K2500HD and K3500? (SRW)

Paul Pendergraft · February 16, 2003

I have a 96 GMC K2500 and my brother was looking at

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymot....2540250 which is a 99 Chevrolet K3500.

Like this K3500, my K2500 also has the semi-floating rear axle. My truck has a GVR of 8600# (code C6P) and I would like to know the GVR on the K3500. If it grosses out the same as the K2500, then what makes it a K3500?? Do the

K3500's have a beefier frame? My K2500 has the heavy duty front suspension (code F60), the 4L80E Transmission (code MT1) with HD cooler (code KNP), my rear axle has the code of G80 (Positraction??) with a 4.10 ratio (code GT5). With all these heavy duty options, why isn't my truck either a

2500HD or a 3500?? Did they even make a HD back in 96? Not that it's really important, but I'm semi-anal retentive and would like to know. :-)

Thanks for all answers.

hunting4deere · February 17, 2003

I had a 95 and 96 chevy K3500 with a 454 auto trans and 4.10 locking diff.(single rear wheels) If i'm not mistaken the K3500 Single rear wheels GVWR is 9200lbs. and both of mine had the a full floating axle (14 bolt).

3500duramax · March 28, 2003

I think the 3500 might be a little more beffier and you have the duals in the back to keep you on the road when your pullin a heavy load. Thats bout the only reason we bought a dually if with pulling big trailers with tractors and livestock trailers the extra wheels will keep you from swerving and fishtailing all over the place.

robsawatsky · March 29, 2003

A 96 2500 with 8600 lb GVW is an HD model. The LD didn't come with the HD 4L80E tranny or with the C6P payload option.

Even the 5.7 l engine has different ratings between the 2500LD and 2500HD in 96 (5 HP and 10 lb-ft LESS in the HD; go figure).

The 96 3500 has 9000 - 10000 lbs GVW.

Stepside Z · March 30, 2003

If I remember correctly the big difference is, on trucks equipped with the 350 had semi floating rears and trucks with 454/diesels had full floating rears. I hope this helps.