2500 Vs 2500hd

LowRyter · October 19, 2007

I have a 1999 Silverado 2500 with 6.0L. Does anyone know what the difference between that & the 2500HD?

Genuinefine409 · October 19, 2007

I have a 1999 Silverado 2500 with 6.0L. Does anyone know what the difference between that & the 2500HD?

I think there a some differences in springs and what not, the HD's are 9200GVWR and the reg 2500 is 8600GVWR I think as well. I'm not sure about in 99 but in some older trucks, not all 2500's had the heavy rear in them. some where just semi floating instead of full floating.

tweba99 · October 19, 2007

You have the same truck as me then (if it is the new body style). The difference are that the HD's are technically all built like 3500's. The frame is bigger, the rear end is a "full floating" axle whereas your is a "semi float", the springs on the rear and the front suspension is heavier like a 3500 truck and the hood and grill are different to compensate for the taller frame. Beside that, the engine, transmission and transfer case are the same.

wellinghurst · October 20, 2007

I could be wrong but I think the exhaust if different for some reason. The HD has a 2 in and 2 out muffler, but the non-HD has 2 in and 1 out. Not sure if this really matters or not, but I know I read that somewhere...

moloss · October 20, 2007

as mentioned above.....semifloating rear axle vs full floating.....the HD has a different frame (for the allision).....but the HD is heavier so even though the gvwr is greater the actual pay load you can carry is within about 300#'s.....if your just comparing 2500 vs 2500HD with the 6.0 there really isn't much difference......I used to own a 2003 2500, it was a great truck and I would of kept it exect I needed a crew cab instead of an extended cab......hope this helps.

tweba99 · October 20, 2007

I could be wrong but I think the exhaust if different for some reason. The HD has a 2 in and 2 out muffler, but the non-HD has 2 in and 1 out. Not sure if this really matters or not, but I know I read that somewhere...

You are wrong and misread somewhere.

Ranger · October 20, 2007

They're both 2 in 1 out...My HD only had one tailpipe but the muffler had 2 pipes going in.

Genuinefine409 · October 20, 2007

They're both 2 in 1 out...My HD only had one tailpipe but the muffler had 2 pipes going in.

I believe the muffler is 2 in and 2 out, the pipes join together after the muffler to form a single tailpipe.

doverarjim · October 21, 2007

In 99 they did not make a HD it came out in the 2500 in 01. They did make a 3500 HD from I think 97 or 98 and then did not have a HD until 01.

The 99 2500 is a 7200 GVW truck not the old body style 2500 which is the 8600 GVW truck. If you have the 6.0L motor then you have a new body style (at that time) truck. If it has a 5.7L then it is a old (at that time ) body style. Your 99 2500 will have front and rear disc brakes, a old style will have drum on the back.

When you go to get parts make sure you tell them new body style and it is a 2500 and be ready for a wet behind the ears kid to try and tell you that they did not put a 6.0L in your truck, don't get mad just tell them to look for the Silverado!!

wellinghurst · October 21, 2007

I could be wrong but I think the exhaust if different for some reason. The HD has a 2 in and 2 out muffler, but the non-HD has 2 in and 1 out. Not sure if this really matters or not, but I know I read that somewhere...

You are wrong and misread somewhere.

I stand corrected. They are both 2 in and 2 out, the joined into a single tailpipe.

steiny93 · October 22, 2007

Two other differences:

2500 could get the 3.73 rear end, 2500hd with the 6.0 only available with the 4.10

2500 could also get the auto 4wd vs. the 2500hd which can only get the 2h, 4h, 4l system

HI85WH1 · October 23, 2007

Two other differences:
2500 could get the 3.73 rear end, 2500hd with the 6.0 only available with the 4.10

2500 could also get the auto 4wd vs. the 2500hd which can only get the 2h, 4h, 4l system

I'll chime in because I previously owned a 99 Silverado 2500 4x4. (Original Owner)

6.0, 4L80E, 9.5 rear (semi-float) with 4.10's and the Autotrac active transfer case (push-button, 2WD, 4WDLo and 4WDHi, Neutral)

From what I recall of the sales brochure, the 4x4 was the only way to get 4.10s with the 6.0 (Same applies now to the Vortec MAX)

The original window sticker indicated it to be "HD"... please read below, it was/is 8600lb GVW

It was discussed on another board... here: http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/genera...ado-2500hd.html

Whole image of the window sticker

Close-up of the upper left... note the "HD" in the header.

Close-up of the right side... note GVW near the bottom (#8600)

Now... pic of the truck itself:

LowRyter · October 24, 2007

Mine looks almost identical. But it's a standard 2500 not an HD. I am going to get a "lightweight" 5th wheel RV Toy Hauler. My truck pulled a small 5th wheel by its previous owner. It also has airlift overrider springs.

It appears that the the 2500 HD is built similiar to a one ton, while the 1500HD & the standard 2500 are built similiarly. I havent seen an item for item diference in the builds.

HI85WH1 · October 25, 2007

Keep in mind ther is NO BADGING that indicates 2500 HD. Only indication was the window sticker...

GVWR was 8600, Tow rating for that truck was 10K.

It did its work well. The person I sold it to has a landscaping company and I have NEVER seen the truck without a trailer since he bought it... usually carrying two good sized lawn mowers.

It usually saw 7K regularly with me transporting my POS' from place to place

tweba99 · October 25, 2007

It appears that the the 2500 HD is built similiar to a one ton, while the 1500HD & the standard 2500 are built similiarly. I havent seen an item for item diference in the builds.

You are correct that the 2500 HD's (the ones with an HD badge) are built like 1 tons. The 1500 HD is built like a 2500 except it still has a 1500 frame. The regular 2500 has a frame between the 1500 and the 2500 HD and of course it has the 2500 drive train/suspension.