Does anyone know if a 2500 frame is same as 1500

Boones · July 28, 2003

Hello, this is only my second post but the response from the first was great, seem like a lot of knowledgeable people on this board...

I just bought a 2000 crewcab short bed (only made in 99 and 00) 2500. I want to lower the truck and run 18 or 20' wheels. I want to switch over to a 5 lug 1/2 ton set up as the choice for 8 lug wheels is limited and look bulky. I have heard the lower control arms are the same but the uppper A arm, spindle and disk are different. I would also swap out the 14 bolt rear end for a half ton unit.

Does anyone know if it the frame is the same so I can swap the 1500 components over..

If not, does anyone know if the front 2500 suspenion is the same as one the 8 lug 3500 duallys. (it looks like the same rear end) so I know what dropped spindles to buy

Thanks for the help, Boones

Shaners · July 29, 2003

I would be nervous about putting a 1/2 rear end behind the 7.4L that you have in your truck, unless you have one built so that it is bullit-proof...

BDBWTE · July 29, 2003

The hangers should be the same and pinion angle on the rear axle. by the way if your selling that 14 bolt E-mail me. No matter if it's the Semi Floater 9.75" or the 10.5" Full Floater. I wouldn't think you would have problem changing around wheel hubs and the A-arms. Not sure why you wouldn't just lower it as it sits but to each his own. By the way hope you don't pour to much money into that 10 bolt rear end. Lot's of power plus big tires and heavy wheels and just a dash of a locker and the 10 bolt will spill it's guts out on the concrete.

Boones · July 29, 2003

Well last night I decided to keep the factory suspenion and lower it with the available bolt in suspension products. It looks like BellTech makes a number of items to lower it a few inches.

I was not worried about the 10 bolt as the motor in this thing does not seem to impressive to me and I was not planning on hammering it.

99-2door · July 31, 2003

Well last night I decided to keep the factory suspenion and lower it with the available bolt in suspension products. It looks like BellTech makes a number of items to lower it a few inches.

I was not worried about the 10 bolt as the motor in this thing does not seem to impressive to me and I was not planning on hammering it.

The frames are indeed different. The 2500hd (8-lug) is much heavier built. The suspension components will bolt up though. The spindles on the 2500 are different than a 3500 dually.