3500 rear springs on 2500

Hoginedgewood · July 16, 2023

My research so far says springs are different, and no spring stops for the added pack of additional springs, im curious if the bolts go all the way through the frame for the stops.

Another JR · July 16, 2023

https://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/263711-is-there-a-difference-between-the-frames-for-a-2500-and-3500/

Hoginedgewood · July 21, 2023

The gm parts direct lists these springs for 2500 and 3500, does it not include the overload springs?

Another JR · July 21, 2023

I would suggest contacting whatever dealer or online seller you plan to buy from. As you can see due to the generic diagram it’s not clear what exactly comes when you order the spring set. They probably can tell you.

I would suggest buying heavy stuff like springs from your local dealer if there is one that comes close on total price (part plus shipping). That way you know it will arrive undamaged and you can pick it up when convenient.

The stops and bolts obviously are sold separately from the springs. The nut for the stop bolt attachment to the frame was not readily visible. It wasn’t clear to me from MTU’s messages exactly what the nut arrangement is. It’s either a free nut recessed in a tube I could see within the frame, or there is a nut welded into the frame at the end of the tube. The fact that the tube is there makes me think there’s a free nut in there. I’ll get a mirror tomorrow and see if I can look into one of the frame tubes and see the nut arrangement.

Another JR · July 21, 2023

I crawled under my truck to look at how the overload bumper bracket bolts are set up and what the access looks like.

The rear bracket bolts have free nuts and washers inside the frame and access holes allowing you to get a socket on the nut. You would probably need to remove the shock on one side for adequate access to one of the nuts. The first two pictures show the hole in the frame and the nut inside the lower hole.

The front bracket bolts are different. They have welded nut plate arrangements of some kind on the inner side wall of the frame tube with an internal support tube to prevent the box frame tube from being compressed when you tighten the bolt. The big question is whether the 2500 frame has these welded nut plates. Reading MTU’s post again, he said the frames are the same but they left out the bolts, so I suspect the nut plate/tube parts are there. You can’t see the left side nut plates because the tank is in the way, but you can feel them. The right side nut plates are easy to see if you get under the truck and look from the center at the center facing wall of the frame. The third picture shows one of the nut plates on the right side.

Hoginedgewood · July 22, 2023

20 hours ago, Another JR said:

I would suggest contacting whatever dealer or online seller you plan to buy from. As you can see due to the generic diagram it’s not clear what exactly comes when you order the spring set. They probably can tell you.

I would suggest buying heavy stuff like springs from your local dealer if there is one that comes close on total price (part plus shipping). That way you know it will arrive undamaged and you can pick it up when convenient.

The stops and bolts obviously are sold separately from the springs. The nut for the stop bolt attachment to the frame was not readily visible. It wasn’t clear to me from MTU’s messages exactly what the nut arrangement is. It’s either a free nut recessed in a tube I could see within the frame, or there is a nut welded into the frame at the end of the tube. The fact that the tube is there makes me think there’s a free nut in there. I’ll get a mirror tomorrow and see if I can look into one of the frame tubes and see the nut arrangement.

Exactly my concern, i was wondeRing if the bolts went all the way through the frame.

Another JR · July 22, 2023

2 minutes ago, Hoginedgewood said:

Exactly my concern, i was wondeRing if the bolts went all the way through the frame.

Did you see my post immediately prior to this one?

Hoginedgewood · July 22, 2023

18 hours ago, Another JR said:

I crawled under my truck to look at how the overload bumper bracket bolts are set up and what the access looks like.

The rear bracket bolts have free nuts and washers inside the frame and access holes allowing you to get a socket on the nut. You would probably need to remove the shock on one side for adequate access to one of the nuts. The first two pictures show the hole in the frame and the nut inside the lower hole.

The front bracket bolts are different. They have welded nut plate arrangements of some kind on the inner side wall of the frame tube with an internal support tube to prevent the box frame tube from being compressed when you tighten the bolt. The big question is whether the 2500 frame has these welded nut plates. Reading MTU’s post again, he said the frames are the same but they left out the bolts, so I suspect the nut plate/tube parts are there. You can’t see the left side nut plates because the tank is in the way, but you can feel them. The right side nut plates are easy to see if you get under the truck and look from the center at the center facing wall of the frame. The third picture shows one of the nut plates on the right side.

My springs are 2005, no overloads.

the front stops look like 3 hole and the rear 4? Is that what you see?

Another JR · July 23, 2023

9 hours ago, Hoginedgewood said:

My springs are 2005, no overloads.

the front stops look like 3 hole and the rear 4? Is that what you see?

Yes. I didn’t look at it carefully enough before. 4 bolts per rear and 3 per front stop bracket.

Hoginedgewood · July 23, 2023

On 7/21/2023 at 7:26 PM, Another JR said:

I crawled under my truck to look at how the overload bumper bracket bolts are set up and what the access looks like.

The rear bracket bolts have free nuts and washers inside the frame and access holes allowing you to get a socket on the nut. You would probably need to remove the shock on one side for adequate access to one of the nuts. The first two pictures show the hole in the frame and the nut inside the lower hole.

The front bracket bolts are different. They have welded nut plate arrangements of some kind on the inner side wall of the frame tube with an internal support tube to prevent the box frame tube from being compressed when you tighten the bolt. The big question is whether the 2500 frame has these welded nut plates. Reading MTU’s post again, he said the frames are the same but they left out the bolts, so I suspect the nut plate/tube parts are there. You can’t see the left side nut plates because the tank is in the way, but you can feel them. The right side nut plates are easy to see if you get under the truck and look from the center at the center facing wall of the frame. The third picture shows one of the nut plates on the right side.

so the tubes are only on the front? and the front has 3 bolts. I don't have those tubes and won't re engineer. I greatlly appreciate your time walking me through what you have.

My camper arrived yesterday. still waiting on the tie downs.

so the tubes are only on the front? and the front has 3 bolts. I don't have those tubes and won't re engineer. I greatlly appreciate your time walking me through what you have.

My camper arrived yesterday. still waiting on the tie downs.

Edited July 23, 2023 by Hoginedgewood

Another JR · July 23, 2023

3 hours ago, Hoginedgewood said:

There would be some benefit to switching to the heavier springs even if you don’t install the overload springs. My understanding is that my spring pack has an extra leaf relative to a 2500.

Hoginedgewood · July 23, 2023

6 hours ago, Another JR said:

There would be some benefit to switching to the heavier springs even if you don’t install the overload springs. My understanding is that my spring pack has an extra leaf relative to a 2500.

https://www.generalspringkc.com/leaf-springs/chevrolet-gmc/chevy-gmc-truck/3-4-ton-20-2500/2011-2018/

so this site has 2700 and 3400 lb leafsprings for my 22 2500HD, how do I know what I currently have is rated at?

Another JR · July 24, 2023

3 hours ago, Hoginedgewood said:

https://www.generalspringkc.com/leaf-springs/chevrolet-gmc/chevy-gmc-truck/3-4-ton-20-2500/2011-2018/

so this site has 2700 and 3400 lb leafsprings for my 22 2500HD, how do I know what I currently have is rated at?

Those are aftermarket I assume.

Your oem springs would be rated at least as high as your RGAWR, but beyond that I don’t know. Your best bet may be to ask forum user MTU.

Hoginedgewood · July 24, 2023

11 hours ago, Another JR said:

Those are aftermarket I assume.

Your oem springs would be rated at least as high as your RGAWR, but beyond that I don’t know. Your best bet may be to ask forum user MTU.

called general spring, he wasn't sure where they get those numbers but says 2700 = stock.

i'm sure empty ride quality will suffer, but looks like direction i'm leaning.