2500HD Question

[dgrammer]

Just curious here and may be asking an off the wall question. I haven't had a chance to look under the front end of a 2500HD, but with the issue's of leveling out a 1500 what is different about the front end of a 2500HD that makes the front end higher and level with the rear end?

 

Also, after reading several posts on the torsion bar adjustments, there is a local sport truck store here that says they tighten them up all the time without any problems. Supposedly they give each one about 3 turns which raises the front end about 1" with very little effects to the ride comfort. Any comments on this?

 

 

Thanks

[mdub]

Just curious here and may be asking an off the wall question. I haven't had a chance to look under the front end of a 2500HD, but with the issue's of leveling out a 1500 what is different about the front end of a 2500HD that makes the front end higher and level with the rear end?

 

Also, after reading several posts on the torsion bar adjustments, there is a local sport truck store here that says they tighten them up all the time without any problems. Supposedly they give each one about 3 turns which raises the front end about 1" with very little effects to the ride comfort. Any comments on this?

 

 

Thanks

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

On the 2500HD, the frame is much heavier and taller compared to the 1500 frame. The result is that the 2500HD body sits higher with respect to the ground. You'll notice there is significantly more frame showing under the body of the 2500HD. Also, the stiffer rear leaf springs likely add some height to the truck.

 

I asked the same question when I purchases my Z71, and ended up installing the 3" body lift to match the body height of the 2500HD. Surprisingly, not a single person has noticed the increased exposure of the frame under my truck, likely because there are so many 2500HDs around with even more frame showing. Of course, I also installed the "gap guards" which helped clean up the gap in the fender wells.

[dgrammer]

That makes some sense I guess. But with a body lift, how did you do your bumpers? That would leave a gap there and my brush guard wouldn't look right without alot of custom fabing.

[Daubs]

HD's have a body lift to make room for the Allison transmission.

 

You can crank the t-bars to get rid of nose-down look. I've done it to two of my 1500's and my 2500HD. Doesn't make ride any worse in my opinion.

 

HD frame is beefier than light duty frame.

[mdub]

That makes some sense I guess. But with a body lift, how did you do your bumpers? That would leave a gap there and my brush guard wouldn't look right without alot of custom fabing.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

The Performance Accessories Silverado/Sierra 1500 body lift kit comes with new bumper brackets that raise the front/rear bumpers accordingly. On the front, you cannot notice the bumper has been re-mounted any different than the factory look. If you have the rear factory trailer hitch, there will be some 3" round spacers that fill the gap between the hitch and bumper. IMO, that's the only somewhat cheesy part of the body lift, but I honestly think very few people notice. Considering the bumper modifications, I cringe at the thought of colliding into something with my front or rear bumpers.

 

You are correct about the increased difficulty of installing a grille guard on a body-lifted truck. Since most mount to the frame, the mounting brackets would need modification... I would just say no to that idea.

 

Also IMO, nerf bar mounting brackets should be modified to fit a body lifted truck. There is nothing more cheesy than a body lifted truck with nerf bars that sit > 3" below the body. Doesn't seem that difficult to modify the mounting brackets on the nerfs since the brackets are pretty well hidden. I haven't done a lot of research, but it may be easier to modify 2500HD nerf bar brackets to fit a 1500 body-lifted truck.

 

Another issue is tow hook installation since the bumper is raised with respect to the frame-mounted tow hooks. To solve this problem, I modified a set of 2500HD hooks.

 

BTW, the 2500HD does not come with a "body lift" as we normally view body lift kits... in other words, there are no factory-installed spacers between the body and frame. If you look at a 2500HD up close, you will see the only difference is the taller frame that gives the effect of a body lift. The body and box still fasten directly to the frame. It's a real stretch to think GM would approve a factory body lift, even though their trucks desperately need a lift and more aggressive look.

[sk]

HD's have a body lift to make room for the Allison transmission.

 

... snip ...

 

HD frame is beefier than light duty frame.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

The part about the body lift is not true; the part about the beefier frame is. The reason that the HD's sit higher is that the frame rail itself is 2" taller. This is to add strength and make clearance for the Allison. The body mounts are actually the same height as the 1500/1500HD/2500. The black filler piece between the bumper and the grille is 2" taller on the 2500HD/3500 as well to make up the difference.

 

 

Scott