2500 vs 2500HD

[BlackSilver]

Given the very limited selection of trims and very minor price difference, does Chevy sell any 2500's (vs 2500HD)?

[HillHound]

There are alot of 2500s in this area. Alot of them are reg cab long beds. I think they're easy to miss since they look almost like a 1500 except for the "2500" badge. Usually there's nothing impressive about them to draw any attention. A couple of local utilities have some 2500s for repair trucks.

 

If you look at tow/cargo capacities, the GM 2500 is about the same as an F250 or Dodge 2500 which are all 3/4 tons.

 

The 2500HDs are about the same as a Ford F350 SRW and Dodge 3500 which of course are non-dually 1 tons. I think Dodge is offereing a SRW 3500 for '04 now too.

[BDBWTE]

There are alot of 2500s in this area. Alot of them are reg cab long beds. I think they're easy to miss since they look almost like a 1500 except for the "2500" badge. Usually there's nothing impressive about them to draw any attention. A couple of local utilities have some 2500s for repair trucks.

 

If you look at tow/cargo capacities, the GM 2500 is about the same as an F250 or Dodge 2500 which are all 3/4 tons.

 

The 2500HDs are about the same as a Ford F350 SRW and Dodge 3500 which of course are non-dually 1 tons. I think Dodge is offereing a SRW 3500 for '04 now too.

I don't understand how a 2500LD can haul less than a 2500HD their is the same amount of springs. We have a 2500LD HD....yes that right they only made them in the 2wd reg. cab. long bed trim. It has the same number of springs, same axle as my HD. The notable difference is the size of the frame, but common how many frames have you see break. Plus that 2500LD frame is stronger than any pre hydroformed frame in a 1 ton truck so I think it will be fine. I think GM made my frame stupidly big for looks or a body lift.

[CMNTMXR81]

Bd, Hydroforming is CONSIDERABLY stronger than any conventional frame building process. Anytime you cut, bolt, weld or other method of joining one piece to another, that joint will, majority of the time, be the weakest link. Hydroforming eliminates this weakness in the heavy areas of the frame.

 

A 2500 (or 2500LD as you call it) frame, axles, springs, etc all have lesser capacity than an HD. Period, nada, end of story.

 

2500/2500LD is a real 3/4 ton truck. 2500HD is a single rear wheel 1 ton.

 

GM markets the HD as that and not a 3500 because most people associate a 1 ton truck with with a rubber floored, AM radio'd, bench seated work implement. With the market burgening with ford's F250 SD and Dodge's 2500 Heavy Duty GM had to get into the game and market an equally equipped truck without that work implement stigma, hence the name 2500HD.

 

With that said, we sold a lot of 2500/2500LD's. Primarily to fleets, utility companies, civil services (fire, ambulance, police), etc. The 2500HD is aimed more at the private sector than the 2500/2500LD which is why you don't see as many on the road.

[HillHound]

BDBWTE,

 

I dunno for sure why that is. Looking at the 03 book, the GVWR for a 2500HD is 9200lbs and the 2500 & 1500HD is rated for 8600lbs. A GM 3500 has a GVWR of 11,400lbs.

 

Looking at Fords, an F250 has a GVWR of 8800lbs and a SRW 4x4 F350 is 9900lbs. A 350 dually is 11500lbs.

 

So I'm not sure why GM rates them the way they do. Somebody will know.

 

Wanna know something really stupid concerning F250 and F350 SRWs?? The only difference between the two is that the F350 has a 4 inch metal block between the rear axle and leafs while the F250 has a 2 inch spacer block! This extra 2" of steel block adds the magic 1100lbs to the GVWR sticker and a few hundred $$ to the window sticker! Shock, frame, drivetrain etc are identical.

[HillHound]

Somebody will know.

See what I mean...CMNTMXR's right on cue before I finished the last post!

[Chevyfreek]

If I am not mistaking the front IFS unit is stonger as well with a larger ring gear diameter and stronger half shafts on the 2500HD. On the 01' & 02' HD's the front grill and bumper were much larger and the hood was larger as well. You also get a transmission oil cooler and a trans temp gauge. I love the look of the 01' and 02' HD's over the new ones. That was the great thing about the HD's when they were released there was a difference in the look of the truck over the 2500LD's. The 03' models only have a larger bumper for the HD's, everything else is the same. I think Chevy messed up when they did not make the look of the LD's and the HD's different for the 03' and now 04' model year... Just my opinion!

[antig24]

I just wonder where the SRW3500 for 2004 will match up at and how will it be different from a 2500HD?

[robsawatsky]

The current 2500 is equivalent to the old body style 2500 (heavy duty) 8600 lbs GVWR. The used to make a true light duty 3/4 ton 2500 (7200 lbs GVWR) but dropped that a couple of years ago. What is now called the 2500HD is equivalent to the lightest GVWR old style 3500 (i.e a 1 ton).

 

Why all the variety? Who knows. I think it would have made more sense to keep the 7200 lb GVWR 2500 and skip over the 8600 lb version and go straight to the 2500HD.

[Hecktorx]

One nice thing about the 2500LD is the fact that you can get 6.0l, stronger trans and rear axle without getting all the extra weight of the HD frame. It's a nice option for someone who wants a bigger motor in a lighter chassis. Had they offered a 2500 in a regular cab with a nice trim level, I would have bought one of those instead of my Z71.

 

At work, we had a 99 gmc 2500LD 4x4 reg. cab. When the lease was up, it was replaced with a 6l HD. They HD is a tougher truck but it doesn't get up and go like the 99 did.

 

Kenny

[BDBWTE]

Rodger that guys..

 

I realize their is differences between the trucks but we work our 2500 8600 truck the same as our 2500HD's and it seems to be doing fine. Alas I do know that the frame is stronger as well as the under pinnings. But being is the 2500 has a stronger frame than previous 1 tons, I think it will be fine.

[sonjaab]

The 1st bunch of HDs the frame is 3 inches higher to fit the Diesel/Allie

combo. Thats why the bulge in the hood. New 03 front end design no

bulge needed. On the burbs and such use the smaller frame so no

Allie trans. with the 8.1 motor.

Well thats what I read at least ...................

 

My o1 LD x-cab, short box, 4x4 has the 8 bolt wheels on it.

Some folks say NO it should have 6 bolts. Who knows...........

 

I bought the LD because NO GM dealer would do the GM employee

deal on a HD in 01. The LD had more work goodies on it ie: plow

prep, locker, trailer tow, best of all the auto-trac 4 wd !!!!!!!!!

 

It was $$$$$$ cheaper than a HD too.....PLUS $2500 rebate AND

2.9% interest at the time when the HDs were sticker price and no

incentives either.

 

SO NO complaints so far......This bad boy WORKS hard daily snow

plowing, towing, and hauling ...................geo

[Mr Mojo]

I wanted the 2500HD for the height. In NJ 4WD isn't really necessary as long as you have ground clearance.

 

People see the 8 lug wheels and say,"now that's a real truck"

 

It's good to hear that nowadays.

 

I wanted an '02 HD, but my timing was off and when I saw the '03's I almost threw up, but after a while(and the great deal I got), I bought one and it doesn't look tha bad anymore.

[LARSONEM]

Another thing with the 2500 vs the 2500HD. Both come standard with the 6.0L but the 2500 has a 3.73 axle vs the 4.10 for the 2500HD.

[Bob G.]

As far as skipping the 8600lb GVWR, I would rather have it than the 7200lb GVWR due to the weight of my crew cab. Also, when I lived in California in the 80's, trucks with a GVWR of 8600 or more were smog exempt. I'm not sure if that is true anymore.

 

Bob G.