Difference btwn 2500HD and 3500HD SRW

[Moyses]

Hey folks, I'm going to order my truck this week and I'm in doubt between the 2500 and the 3500 SRW. I would like to know what the differences are between them. I've looked in several places and haven't found it. I'm not a towing guy but I like to be prepared if I need to. I will use it for trips with the family and daily use in the city. From what I saw, the price difference is very small between them. I'm ordering the Denali Ultimate.

[Another JR]

There are other recent threads on this, but here’s a summary as I remember it. 
 

The rear spring pack on the 3500 has one additional leaf. The 3500 rear spring system also has an overload spring where the 2500 does not. The 3500 GVWR and payload rating are higher (obviously). My 3500 cclb gas has a payload rating of 4,055 lbs. Typical 2500s have 3000 to 3400 I think - others may jump in with actual numbers. 
 

Because of the suspension difference, the 3500 has a bit stiffer ride at a given weight versus a 2500. The rear seat especially feels the stiffer ride when the truck is empty. With my 1800 lb slide-in camper in the bed the truck rides nicely.  The 20 inch wheels on a Denali will make the ride even stiffer versus 18s. 
 

The rear tire pressure monitoring system alarm point is about 10 psi higher on the 3500, limiting how low you can set the rear tires for empty running to 63 psi without getting a warning. I wish I could go to about 55 when empty (I have 18 inch wheels).  On the 2500 you can. 
 

If you have a diesel, I believe the 3500 has a slightly larger rear differential ring and pinion gear set 12” versus 11.5” on everything else. 
 

On the 3500 you can only have the huge moose antler towing mirrors. They seriously obscure the view to the right to see pedestrians at intersections. Make sure you drive trucks with both the standard and towing mirrors. This might be a big factor for you. On the 2500 the towing mirrors are optional. 
 

The 3500 has the much cooler “3500” emblem on the doors. However if you get the Denali there is no emblem so you constantly have to tell people it’s a 3500 if you want to be cool. 

[Pryme]

7 hours ago, Another JR said:

There are other recent threads on this, but here’s a summary as I remember it. 
 

The rear spring pack on the 3500 has one additional leaf. The 3500 rear spring system also has an overload spring where the 2500 does not. The 3500 GVWR and payload rating are higher (obviously). My 3500 cclb gas has a payload rating of 4,055 lbs. Typical 2500s have 3000 to 3400 I think - others may jump in with actual numbers. 
 

Because of the suspension difference, the 3500 has a bit stiffer ride at a given weight versus a 2500. The rear seat especially feels the stiffer ride when the truck is empty. With my 1800 lb slide-in camper in the bed the truck rides nicely.  The 20 inch wheels on a Denali will make the ride even stiffer versus 18s. 
 

The rear tire pressure monitoring system alarm point is about 10 psi higher on the 3500, limiting how low you can set the rear tires for empty running to 63 psi without getting a warning. I wish I could go to about 55 when empty (I have 18 inch wheels).  On the 2500 you can. 
 

If you have a diesel, I believe the 3500 has a slightly larger rear differential ring and pinion gear set 12” versus 11.5” on everything else. 
 

On the 3500 you can only have the huge moose antler towing mirrors. They seriously obscure the view to the right to see pedestrians at intersections. Make sure you drive trucks with both the standard and towing mirrors. This might be a big factor for you. On the 2500 the towing mirrors are optional. 
 

The 3500 has the much cooler “3500” emblem on the doors. However if you get the Denali there is no emblem so you constantly have to tell people it’s a 3500 if you want to be cool. 

This topic has come up plenty lately. Mtu alum and Newdude both already posted the true difference and it’s not additional leaves. Both trucks have the same five leaf pack with one being an overload. 
 

My 2500 has a payload of 3,519

[CRApex]

1 hour ago, Pryme said:

This topic has come up plenty lately. Mtu alum and Newdude both already posted the true difference and it’s not additional leaves. Both trucks have the same five leaf pack with one being an overload. 
 

My 2500 has a payload of 3,519

Here is MTU's comment:

 

While the 2500 is a two stage and 3500 is a three stage, the second stage (bottom leaf) engages quicker on a 3500 vs a 2500.  The main four leaf pack is similar between both, the rest is different. -Credit to MTU Alum

 

[Pryme]

6 minutes ago, CRApex said:

Here is MTU's comment:

 

 

While the 2500 is a two stage and 3500 is a three stage, the second stage (bottom leaf) engages quicker on a 3500 vs a 2500.  The main four leaf pack is similar between both, the rest is different. -Credit to MTU Alum

 

So they both have a four leaf pack and both have overload spring but slight differences. I know my 2500 has five total leaves. I mean there has to be some  difference to account for the 500+ pound payload increase the 3500 sees. 

[Moyses]

10 hours ago, Another JR said:

There are other recent threads on this, but here’s a summary as I remember it. 
 

The rear spring pack on the 3500 has one additional leaf. The 3500 rear spring system also has an overload spring where the 2500 does not. The 3500 GVWR and payload rating are higher (obviously). My 3500 cclb gas has a payload rating of 4,055 lbs. Typical 2500s have 3000 to 3400 I think - others may jump in with actual numbers. 
 

Because of the suspension difference, the 3500 has a bit stiffer ride at a given weight versus a 2500. The rear seat especially feels the stiffer ride when the truck is empty. With my 1800 lb slide-in camper in the bed the truck rides nicely.  The 20 inch wheels on a Denali will make the ride even stiffer versus 18s. 
 

The rear tire pressure monitoring system alarm point is about 10 psi higher on the 3500, limiting how low you can set the rear tires for empty running to 63 psi without getting a warning. I wish I could go to about 55 when empty (I have 18 inch wheels).  On the 2500 you can. 
 

If you have a diesel, I believe the 3500 has a slightly larger rear differential ring and pinion gear set 12” versus 11.5” on everything else. 
 

On the 3500 you can only have the huge moose antler towing mirrors. They seriously obscure the view to the right to see pedestrians at intersections. Make sure you drive trucks with both the standard and towing mirrors. This might be a big factor for you. On the 2500 the towing mirrors are optional. 
 

The 3500 has the much cooler “3500” emblem on the doors. However if you get the Denali there is no emblem so you constantly have to tell people it’s a 3500 if you want to be cool. 

 

About the mirrors, they are the same on 2024 Denali HD models. The emblem, both have just a little plate on front bumper. They are pretty looking good truck. About the suspension and rear axle, I dont know NOTHING. But thanks for helping.

[Another JR]

I may be using the wrong terminology, but by “overloads” I meant the separate leaf spring above the main spring pack that engages its own set of bumpers on brackets bolted the frame. There was quite a bit of discussion about the 2500 not having this spring and not having the frame mounted bump stops for it. A person was wanting to add that spring and the bumpers to his 2500. 

[Jettech1]

On 9/25/2023 at 9:20 AM, Pryme said:

So they both have a four leaf pack and both have overload spring but slight differences. I know my 2500 has five total leaves. I mean there has to be some  difference to account for the 500+ pound payload increase the 3500 sees. 

From my research and from what newdude said, the 5 leaf spring packs are identical in the 2500 and 3500 trucks.  The only difference is the 3500's get the 2 extra springs above the spring pack and the overload bumpers for them.  Those 2 extra springs are what increases the payload over the 2500's.  I could be wrong as I've been before, but my research says I'm right.

[Another JR]

There are multiple part numbers of rear spring packs. Remember that thread?

[Jettech1]

59 minutes ago, Another JR said:

There are multiple part numbers of rear spring packs. Remember that thread?

You are correct.  Most of the differences that I've seen include the overload springs that are attached to the "basic" 2500 springs.  Then we get into the long bed springs vs. the short bed springs.  They also have different Part numbers for reasons unknown to me.  But getting back to the basic 2500 spring pack, that's what I'm referring to.

[Dunn]

I have a 2500 and if I was to do it again I would seriously look @ 3500 long bed ....Ride is similar have heard  though a hair stiffer and you get extra capacity.....TPMS sensor is a bummer for 3500s as I run my 2500 pretty low for DD.....it helps more than anything to soften sharp hits.....still for HD truck it rides pretty friggen nice......remember my buddy buying a new Ford F350 some years ago and that thing rode like a brick....

 

Have 23 high country 2500 and am @ 3495lbs for payload on a gas motor.....diesels will be less of course...as well as higher trims

 

 

Edited September 28 by Dunn

[mrtizzom]

My 3500 gasser LT that's pretty much loaded has a payload of 4,040 lbs. I tend to agree with everyone here on the differences(frame, rear end, overload springs, no torque management in 1st gear). For the extra $1100, i'd go with the 3500 again all day long. I aired down the rear tires to 65ish and the ride is much better than at 80. No regrets at all on this truck.

[Jettech1]

14 hours ago, mrtizzom said:

My 3500 gasser LT that's pretty much loaded has a payload of 4,040 lbs. I tend to agree with everyone here on the differences(frame, rear end, overload springs, no torque management in 1st gear). For the extra $1100, i'd go with the 3500 again all day long. I aired down the rear tires to 65ish and the ride is much better than at 80. No regrets at all on this truck.

I wish I had bought a 3500 to begin with.  But they were non existent when I was looking last year.  As a hint, drop the rear tires to 55 and the fronts to 65.  Makes them ride like a caddy...lol....

[Another JR]

Dropping the rears to 62 triggers the TPMS low pressure warning on a 3500. 

[Jettech1]

2 minutes ago, Another JR said:

Dropping the rears to 62 triggers the TPMS low pressure warning on a 3500. 

And there again the differences between the 2 models.  I'm glad you posted this for the 3500 owners!