1500 vs 1500hd Whats different?

crasher22 · December 29, 2005

Hi everyone

I am looking at getting a 06 crew cab next month but was wondering what were the differnces between the 1500 and the 1500hd?

-The truck will be used to pull a 3500lb trailer during the summer ( weekends)( I live in british columbia so I do encounter hills )

- Mostly driven on the highway ( 10,000 miles a year)

I like the look of the 1500 crew cab with the 5'8 box and I really do not need more box space.

How is the power of the 5.3 compared to the 6.0?

How is real world fuel milage of the 5.3 and the 6.0?

Is there still problem with piston slap in the 06?

Thanks for the help.

Any other items I should beaware of before I make my choice let me know

Ben · December 29, 2005

It's a "fake" half ton for folks who need a 3/4 ton, but won't buy anything other than a "half ton".

So marketing has modified the badging with "HD".

It's also not truely a 3/4 ton, but kinda sorta.

8,200 lb GVWR vs 8,600 lb GVWR.

Similarly a 2500HD is a fake 1 ton in 3/4 ton badging.

crasher22 · December 29, 2005

Now are there any mechanical differences such as brakes?

Ben · December 29, 2005

Yes, larger frame, larger brakes, larger GAWR, larger tranny, larger diff, etc.

Forgot, that is the difference between a half ton and larger trucks.

Towing a 3K lb trailer (actual weight) is well within a half ton's capacity.

Anything over 5K lb trailer (actual weight) will be at the limits of a half ton.

It's best to go by the GVWR than the badging. Even Ford has fake half tons with their marketing badge "Super Duty". It's the next higher class.

Typically a "half ton" is in the 7K lb range GVWR. A "3/4 ton" is in the 8K lb range. A "1 ton" is in the 9K lb range.

asilverblazer · December 29, 2005

1500=1/2 ton

1500HD and 2500=5/8 ton

2500HD=3/4 ton

Differences between 1500HD and 1500 are heavier frame and suspension, larger brakes, and if I recall the HD gets the 4L80E. I get confused on this stuff but I think those are the basics.

Sounds like the 1500 will handle your needs sufficiently a 3500lb trailer is not that much for the truck. Trailer brakes, larger transmission cooler, and keeping it out of overdrive will do the trick. If the additional power of the 6.0 is what you are after the Vortec Max would be even better.

Even if the piston slab is still there, which I think it is, it is not detrimental to the engine.

I was a little slow posting the response what he said. /\

PaulieK · December 29, 2005

Hi everyone
I am looking at getting a 06 crew cab next month but was wondering what were the differnces between the 1500 and the 1500hd?

-The truck will be used to pull a 3500lb trailer during the summer ( weekends)( I live in british columbia so I do encounter hills )

- Mostly driven on the highway ( 10,000 miles a year)

I like the look of the 1500 crew cab with the 5'8 box and I really do not need more box space.

How is the power of the 5.3 compared to the 6.0?

How is real world fuel milage of the 5.3 and the 6.0?

Is there still problem with piston slap in the 06?

Thanks for the help.

Any other items I should beaware of before I make my choice let me know

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The main difference is that the 1500 is a 1/2 ton truck as compared to the 1500 HD which is rated as a 3/4 ton truck. I have a truck with the 6.0 and it had plenty of power but I can not compare it to a 5.3 as I have never owned one. My crew cab came with a 6'6" box but that may be because of the quadrasteer option on the truck. The gas mileage I get on my 6.0 crew cab is about 14 MPG on the Highway and aboout 11 iin the city. As far as piston slap goes, my truck has 25,000 miles on it and I have never heard any piston slap.

crasher22 · December 29, 2005

Thanks for the help, it looks like a 1500 for me.

Has anyone here driven a truck with the vortec max in it, if so how was the power?

Once again thanks for the help

chris_kucia · December 30, 2005

Might also want to check with your insurance agent.

When I was looking at my Sierra (1500), there was another truck I was looking at - a year older but a 2500. The insurance was significantly more expensive for the 2500. My agent didn't know why.

Perhaps the 1500HD is a way to get a more powerful truck, without the insurance hit.

Wouldn't be the first time an automaker used creative means to get around high insurance rates for their vehicles...

pm26 · December 30, 2005

I test drove both a 1500 crew cab and 1500 HD crew cab. The 1500 comes with a short 5'8" bed, while the 1500HD crew cab gets a 6'6" bed. This makes the 1500 HD even less maneuvearable than the regular 1500 crew cab, because the wheelbase is longer.

The 1500 HD comes with a heavy duty 4 speed auto tranmsission, and transmission oil temperature gauge (if you order the tow package). I noticed that the 1500 HD sits lower than the 2500 HD which makes for easier entry/exit (especially 4X4 versions). It is sort of a plush version of the 2500 HD truck, more designed for commuting than heavy duty service. The 1500HD springs are stiffer than those on a regular 1500, and therefore the ride is somewhat harsher.

The 1500 HD truck also comes with 3.73 rear end gears vs 4.11 for the 2500HD, which should help fuel economy somewhat.

About fuel economy: The 1500 with a 5.3 liter V8 will definitely give you better fuel economy that the 6.0 liter. My neighbor had a 2004 2500HD 4X4 crew cab with a 6.0 engine and 4.11 gears. His mileage was about 11-13 MPG. He traded in that truck because of piston slap which he could not stand. He bought a 2004 extended cab 1500 Z71 with 5.3 engine and 3.73 gears. His reported mileage is about 15-17 MPG. BTW, he tows an 8000 lb trailer short distances with his Z71 without a problem. But he admitted that his former truck was a better tow truck. 8000 lb trailer is pushing it to the limits with a 1500 truck, but this is in Florida where we do not have hills.

My advice: get a regular 1500 truck with a 5.3 liter V8. It has plenty of power to tow a 3500 lb trailer. Anything bigger is an overkill. For about 10 years I towed my 4500 lb boat/trailer short distances with a compact Nissan 4x4 V6 pickup without any problems.

About brakes: the 1500 series come with rear drum brakes, while 1500HD and up use disc brakes on all wheels.

Nick R · December 30, 2005

Also don't forget about the new vortec max package on the 1500 short crew. It gets the 345hp 6.0 out of the silverado SS, 4L70E transmission( same first gear ration as the 4L60E and deeper than the 4L80E) 4.10 gear with a locking diif in a 9(1/2" rear axle ( same as 1500Hd) fx3 electric ride control for towing, 6400 gvw, 17mpg epa rated vs 12-13 mpg with 1500hd. Might be worth another look

pm26 · December 30, 2005

Also don't forget about the new vortec max package on the 1500 short crew. It gets the 345hp 6.0 out of the silverado SS, 4L70E transmission( same first gear ration as the 4L60E and deeper than the 4L80E) 4.10 gear with a locking diif in a 9(1/2" rear axle ( same as 1500Hd) fx3 electric ride control for towing, 6400 gvw, 17mpg epa rated vs 12-13 mpg with 1500hd. Might be worth another look

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

17 MPG? I barely get that with my '06 Crew Z71 with regular 5.3 cast iron block and 3.73 gears, and only when driving very conservatively.

Nevermind - I see now that it's EPA rated 17 MPG. The real world mileage is probably more like 12 or 13 MPG. My truck has EPA rating of 19 MPG highway which I do not think is realistic.

crasher22 · December 30, 2005

Thanks for the help, I have been looking for a vortec max but the only ones I have found were pretty plain, but I am still looking

pm26 · December 30, 2005

Thanks for the help, I have been looking for a vortec max but the only ones I have found were pretty plain, but I am still looking

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think there is one on E-bay right now. It is a new 4X4 LT2 crew cab for about $ 31K (MSRP over $40K). However, they mention that the truck had about $700 damage in transit (repaired by dealer). Search for "2006 Silverado".