Gmt900 1500 Vs 2500

[unit731]

I purchased a NBS GMT900 1500 for one reason as I thought the height of the 2500 would be harder to get in and out of. Higher.

 

But I was at dealership the other day and while waiting I looked at new trucks. I saw a 2500 and noticed that the height actually looked the same. I did notice that the tires were 16 inch. So subtracting the one inch on bottom of tire and one inch on top of tire - that makes it 2 inches lower.

 

I did notice that the 2500 had a massive frame and huge muffler/exhaust.

 

Let's for arguments sake, say a base 1500 vs a base 2500. What is the difference in cost/price?

 

And then examine the resale value of a 1500 vs a 2500.

[unit731]

[Woodcutter]

I purchased a NBS GMT900 1500 for one reason as I thought the height of the 2500 would be harder to get in and out of. Higher.

 

But I was at dealership the other day and while waiting I looked at new trucks. I saw a 2500 and noticed that the height actually looked the same. I did notice that the tires were 16 inch. So subtracting the one inch on bottom of tire and one inch on top of tire - that makes it 2 inches lower.

 

I did notice that the 2500 had a massive frame and huge muffler/exhaust.

 

Let's for arguments sake, say a base 1500 vs a base 2500. What is the difference in cost/price?

 

And then examine the resale value of a 1500 vs a 2500.

 

Basically, 2500 has much higher GVW and possible towing capacities (depending on motor & gears), much lower MPG, a stiffer suspension and higher MSRP and resale.

 

Also, 17-inch tires aren't necessarily taller than 16-inchers. Generally this is true, but it depends on the section width (245, 265) and aspect ratio (70, 75, 85, etc.).

 

Oh, and I forgot, the 1500s have a 4-speed tranny and the 2500s have a 6-speed.

[VMax2007]

But I was at dealership the other day and while waiting I looked at new trucks. I saw a 2500 and noticed that the height actually looked the same. I did notice that the tires were 16 inch. So subtracting the one inch on bottom of tire and one inch on top of tire - that makes it 2 inches lower.

 

Huh? Disregarding tire sizes, the difference in "height" between a 16 inch wheel and 17 inch wheel is not 2 inches, it's 1/2 inch. The difference is based on the radius, not the diameter, radius equals dia/2. Therefore, the radius of a 16 inch wheel is 8 inches and the radius of a 17 inch wheel is 8.5 inches.

[pm26]

But I was at dealership the other day and while waiting I looked at new trucks. I saw a 2500 and noticed that the height actually looked the same. I did notice that the tires were 16 inch. So subtracting the one inch on bottom of tire and one inch on top of tire - that makes it 2 inches lower.

 

Huh? Disregarding tire sizes, the difference in "height" between a 16 inch wheel and 17 inch wheel is not 2 inches, it's 1/2 inch. The difference is based on the radius, not the diameter, radius equals dia/2. Therefore, the radius of a 16 inch wheel is 8 inches and the radius of a 17 inch wheel is 8.5 inches.

 

 

That's not quite correct. Those 16 inch heavy duty tires found on the 2500 series typically have 80 aspect ratio, which means a higher sidewall than a 70 ratio tire. So it is not just the difference in rim diameters.

 

A 245/80R16 tire height is: 245 X 0.80 X 2 + 16 X 25.4 = 798.4 mm = 31.4 inches

 

A 265/70R17 tire height is: 265 X 0.70 X 2 + 17 X 25.4 = 802.8 mm = 31.6 inches

 

So these tires are practically identical in height, despite the rim being one inch less in diameter for the 16 inch tire. An 85 aspect ratio 16 inch tire would be taller than a 17 inch tire of 0.7 aspect ratio.

[pm26]

I noticed that 2500 series trucks have 3.73 gears as standard instead of 4/10s.

[VMax2007]

But I was at dealership the other day and while waiting I looked at new trucks. I saw a 2500 and noticed that the height actually looked the same. I did notice that the tires were 16 inch. So subtracting the one inch on bottom of tire and one inch on top of tire - that makes it 2 inches lower.

 

Huh? Disregarding tire sizes, the difference in "height" between a 16 inch wheel and 17 inch wheel is not 2 inches, it's 1/2 inch. The difference is based on the radius, not the diameter, radius equals dia/2. Therefore, the radius of a 16 inch wheel is 8 inches and the radius of a 17 inch wheel is 8.5 inches.

 

 

That's not quite correct. Those 16 inch heavy duty tires found on the 2500 series typically have 80 aspect ratio, which means a higher sidewall than a 70 ratio tire. So it is not just the difference in rim diameters.

 

 

That's why I said "disregarding tire sizes". Obviously the OD of the tire dictates overall axle height, but I was clarifying Unit's Geometry error.

[svensk]

I noticed that 2500 series trucks have 3.73 gears as standard instead of 4/10s.

That's because of the 6spd tranny they can only have a 3.73 max.

[slimjim2525]

I noticed that 2500 series trucks have 3.73 gears as standard instead of 4/10s.

That's because of the 6spd tranny they can only have a 3.73 max.

 

Why would you only be able to get 3.73's with a 6 speed? You can't get 4.10's with a 6 speed? This makes no sense.

[jrrod2004]

that is incorrect with the 6speed and the 3.73s. for the 2008 Silverado 2500HD Reg. Cab Long Box WT Regular Cab Long Box 2WD, you can get the Transmission, , 6-speed automatic, heavy-duty, electronically controlled with overdrive and tow/haul mode (MYD) with the Rear axle, , 4.10 ratio (GT5) for an additional $100.00. dont believe me? call any dealer or go online and price it.....by chance were you referring the the D-Max/Allison setup? If you were, then you are correct regarding the 3.73s, but that is not on the base 2500HD.

[svensk]

that is incorrect with the 6speed and the 3.73s. for the 2008 Silverado 2500HD Reg. Cab Long Box WT Regular Cab Long Box 2WD, you can get the Transmission, , 6-speed automatic, heavy-duty, electronically controlled with overdrive and tow/haul mode (MYD) with the Rear axle, , 4.10 ratio (GT5) for an additional $100.00. dont believe me? call any dealer or go online and price it.....by chance were you referring the the D-Max/Allison setup? If you were, then you are correct regarding the 3.73s, but that is not on the base 2500HD.

I was told that's why the 6spd in the denali can't have 4.10's. Must be wrong then since GM offers it in the HD versions...

[jrrod2004]

nah, I think because of the additional tolerances of the transfer case is the reason why as well as the trans itself.

[svensk]

nah, I think because of the additional tolerances of the transfer case is the reason why as well as the trans itself.

You talking about because the active transfer case in the denali is so different from a standard 4x4?

[iminaquagmire]

Isn't the 2500 and 3500 frame still the old GMt800 platform? I thought that they did not redesign the frame for the HD models. That right there would change the stance because of the different suspension setup.

[2017HD]

The Denali is a special breed of truck - it has AWD and 3.42 gears all around. It also has the 6.2L and 6 speed. Its not designed for towing or hauling and the numbers reflect it.

 

A 2500HD is a full 3/4T truck with towing capacity around 12,000 lbs and a CGWR of 18,000 (6L gas/4.10 gears). It has disc/disc brakes, full floating rear axle, 3,000 lb payload etc. Yes the frame is a modified GMT800, this was done to allow for all the different WBs required for the cab/bed choices. The 2500 will ride stiffer than a 1500 when empty - but the ride is not that bad. The 2500 has the same cab and probably the step in height is about the same - within an inch or so.

 

The 1500 VMax has a similar engine (alum vs iron block) they put a larger rear axle (not sure if it is full float or not) and the 4speed out of the old 3/4T. This increases the drivetrain power for more towing, the payload stays at the same 1600 lbs.

 

I priced out both a 1500 VMax and the 2500HD with similar equipment and the difference was around 500.00 more for the 2500HD - mine stickered around 34K. I don't worry about resale as I hang on to a rig for at least 9-10 years - they are well used but not abused.