2500 Vs. 1500

[1999 Tahoe 4x4]

I understand there is quite some differences between 2500 and 1500 models.

 

Obviously the transmission, rear axle and rear suspension are different. I think the front differential and axles are different too but I'm not sure. E.g. I belive the front drive shaft is the same. Is the transfer case the same too?

 

So what chassis parts are different?

 

Additionally I think the frame on the 2500 is stronger too.

 

In what terms? Thickness of steels or frame width etc.?

 

Can anybody discuss some specifics

[svensk]

I understand there is quite some differences between 2500 and 1500 models.

 

Obviously the transmission, rear axle and rear suspension are different. I think the front differential and axles are different too but I'm not sure. E.g. I belive the front drive shaft is the same. Is the transfer case the same too?

 

So what chassis parts are different?

 

Additionally I think the frame on the 2500 is stronger too.

 

In what terms? Thickness of steels or frame width etc.?

 

Can anybody discuss some specifics

Yep, pretty much everything but the body is different. I believe the transfer case on 3/4 tons and bigger is a heavy duty one as well.

[Draenor]

Yep, pretty much everything but the body is different.

[unit731]

2008 GMC Sierra Regular Cab 1500 4x4 Long Bed WT

 

I also looked at the 2500. From my vantage, the frame was huge and the muffler was bigger (I think). The body looked the same. And one thing I noticed was that the tires were 16" - at least on the one I looked at.

 

Since I do not do any towing (although I did opt for the towing package), I went with the 1500.

 

Ford started this a few years ago. They found it too difficult or costly to make a standard F150 jump to an F250 or F350 - so Ford came out with a completely different truck.

 

GM chose a different route, making a completely different frame but using the same body. Ford has two different trucks. GM has two different trucks but the body is shared. I think.

 

The end result is the F150 is really cheapened. The F250 F350 is a real solid truck.

 

Same thing for Silverado/Sierra. Others may have differing opinions.

[2000DV4.8]

The frame on the 2500HD is taller, stiffer, and stronger (this is why the HD's sit about 2" higher than the 1500). They also have different engine options (on the NBS it's DMAX, or 6.0L). They have a 14 bolt full floating rear axle, a stronger transmission, and stronger front suspension components. etc etc...

 

For the most part, the body is the same, except for small things like the hood and grille, but the HD's are offered in different bed/cab combinations. (For example, Crewcab Longbed)

[GeoHawk]

Also, on the GMT-900 trucks (2007+) the 1500's use coil spring front ends with control arms. The 2500's still use torsion bars.

[1999 Tahoe 4x4]

...pretty much everything but the body is different...

 

...the frame was huge...

 

...the frame on the 2500HD is taller, stiffer, and stronger (this is why the HD's sit about 2" higher than the 1500)...

Thanks everybody, that is what I suspected. So in other words it would be a major project to turn a 1500 truck into a real 2500 (since it is so much more that just axles + transmission)

 

The reason why I'm asking is because the whole issue is on my mind since I saw some really nice but heavy bumpers on the web. On the webpage they stated that these bumpers were only for 2500 frames and up.