maybe yall would know the answer?

bad habit z71 · May 3, 2003

Ok i was wondering what the difference between a 2500 and 1500 Light Duty trucks? Springs? shocks? engines? How about betweena 1500 HD and 1500 Z71? The reason i ask is i tow everynow and then and lately i've pulled a 8,500 pound load with my truck and i know i'm over the limit.

I usually use a 1 ton truck but sometimes its unavailable and im kinda SOL. I was wondering if you can beef up a 1500 4x4 to haul a little more. I only have 3.73s and a 5.3 I thinkin about overload springs to help with the sag.

99silveradoz71 · May 4, 2003

This was discussed not that long ago. Maybe try a search for it. The 1500HD is the same frame rating and payload as the obs 2500's would be if I recall. It's all a matter of GM re-naming a few things and such. As you get up to a higher load truck, the engine options increase.

Shaners · May 4, 2003

The 1500HD and 2500LD are basically the same... The biggest difference is that the one is a crewcab and the other is not. Both have the 6.0L engine and the 4L80E tranny, and both have the otion of 3.73 or 4.10 rear gears. I bgelieve the GVW of both trucks to be about 8600#'s.

Either of those trucks would pull your load fine... They have a better tranny and better brakes than a 1500 series truck. The suspension is also better suited for what you want to do.

You can beef up your 1500's rear suspension with an extra leaf, but you still won't have the drivetrain/brakes to handle the heavy loads.

BlackSilver · May 8, 2003

The 1500, mainly because of the transmission and brakes, is a poor vehicle for towing loads in the range you mention.

The 1500HD is really a 3/4 ton chassis with stronger tranny, better brakes, stiffer frame, all of which it shares with 2500LD. (Don't ask me why they call it a "1500"!)

The biggest engine you can get in a 1500 is the 5.3L.

If you REALLY want a towing vehicle, go to the 2500HD.