2500/3500 Denali visual differences?

[gemarsh]

Any thing I'm missing on how a person can visually tell a 3500 from a 2500 from the outside (minus the drw) on the Denali's, besides counting leaves? 

[Mic_]

2 hours ago, gemarsh said:

Any thing I'm missing on how a person can visually tell a 3500 from a 2500 from the outside (minus the drw) on the Denali's, besides counting leaves? 

 

 

truck stance or heighth

[MTU Alum]

You have to look at rear leaf spring or mass capability table.  3500 have three stage leaf and 2500 have two stage leaf.   Nominal ride heights arw the same.  3500 have 80 psi rear tire pressure where 2500 have 70 psi rear pressure.

 

#iworkforGM

[nards444]

none to the naked eye

[sweatandsteel]

4 hours ago, MTU Alum said:

You have to look at rear leaf spring or mass capability table.  3500 have three stage leaf and 2500 have two stage leaf.   Nominal ride heights arw the same.  3500 have 80 psi rear tire pressure where 2500 have 70 psi rear pressure.

 

#iworkforGM

If you put 3500 rear springs on a 2500, would everything else be the same besides the tire pressure mentioned?

[MTU Alum]

Gas engine yes, Diesel engine no.  Diesel 3500 get 12" rear axle.  

 

#iworkforGM

[MTU Alum]

The rear shock is different as well on both engines.

 

#iworkforGM

Edited January 27, 2022 by MTU Alum

[gemarsh]

Thanks for the replies.

 

I'm kinda surprised that gm didn't make it easier to differentiate between the two Denalis. I am going to assume the High country is in the same boat, as is the AT4/Denali. 

 

This will make driving around used lots, looking at trucks for sale, a little harder in the future.

[Guest Phobby]

3500 helper leafs in the rear which are easy to spot, rear brakes are larger on DRW, DRW rear wheel wells are metal on all models- no carpeted liners even on Denali, camper front torsion bars on my truck has only a 1/2” rake front to rear- it’s more on 2500s, not sure about the 3500 SRW but the DRW only has a 32” tire factory, 2500s are 34” tires, 

[Guest Phobby]

On 1/26/2022 at 9:46 PM, sweatandsteel said:

If you put 3500 rear springs on a 2500, would everything else be the same besides the tire pressure mentioned?

Changed leaf’s, added the helper leaf contacts off the frame, axle for dual tires to support the weight (I’ve seen 2500 wheels crack), larger breaks. 
2500 to 3500 SRW capacity is really close bc tires and wheels limit capability. 

[Dunn]

pretty tough to tell, badging and subtle ones mentioned above......

[Mic_]

i git to think the frames got to be thicker/wider ???

 

 

 

.

[GMC4Zee]

For my 3500 AT4 it says "AT4 HD" and for the 2500 it would say "2500HD AT4". But that was for the 2021's. Might have changed for 2022. Also I think Denali's only come as crew cabs.

[TheElementalCashew]

16 hours ago, GMC4Zee said:

For my 3500 AT4 it says "AT4 HD" and for the 2500 it would say "2500HD AT4". But that was for the 2021's. Might have changed for 2022. Also I think Denali's only come as crew cabs.

 

My 2021 2500 AT4 also just says AT4 HD. 

[f8l vnm]

besides the 2500 HD vs 3500 HD on the door, nothing different to the eye.