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Gm Awd Vans 1500 Or 2500?

katoom400

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katoom400 New Member

katoom400

Posted
Posted

Hi,

 

I've been trying to find out just what the exact differences are between the 1500 and 2500 AWD vans. I've asked this before and gotten the typical generic responses: "the 2500 is a heavier duty truck"......I know the 2500 has more towing capacity and possibly 8 lug wheels. One person suggested that the only difference was heavier rear springs? I'm currently looking at 2 used 2003 vans, one is a 1500 at a good price the other is 2500 @ about 2k more (less miles). I've always owned heavy duty vans, but never a GM, the salesman tells me it's heavier duty, the owner can't give me real specs so I would like to know, really what the differences are in the tranny\driveline and suspension of the AWD vans?

 

Also why did GM stop offering the AWD in the 2500 series after 04?

 

Thanks,

 

Andy

katoom400 New Member

katoom400

Posted
  • Author
Posted

 

 

Thanks, I save searched the net and found the same info. what I'm looking for is actual differences in drivetrain/brakes and so on, what actually makes it a "heavier duty" truck than the 1500 awd. so far I find nothing other than possibly heavier rear springs.

 

From what I see there the towing capacity is the same? perhaps a 2500 non AWD is beefier?

 

Thanks,

 

Andy

Kodiak450 Senior Enthusiast

Kodiak450

Posted
Posted

I'm not 100% positive GM's 2500's vans are the same as their trucks, but I would assume they were built with same options in mind.

Such as tranny cooler, bigger brakes, the 8 lugs you mentioned, and ofcoarse the bigger engine. I know Ford , years ago made a van with 4wd, and it looked really cool too! The difference with springs between 1500 and 2500 is there are 2 additional on the 2500, and 3500 would have 3 additional compared to a 1500.

katoom400 New Member

katoom400

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I'm not 100% positive GM's 2500's vans are the same as their trucks, but I would assume they were built with same options in mind.

Such as tranny cooler, bigger brakes, the 8 lugs you mentioned, and ofcoarse the bigger engine. I know Ford , years ago made a van with 4wd, and it looked really cool too! The difference with springs between 1500 and 2500 is there are 2 additional on the 2500, and 3500 would have 3 additional compared to a 1500.

 

 

Yep, the only difference I can see is the 8 lugs and the rear springs, it's odd that the towing capacity is the same?

 

I currently have a 03 e350 extended club wagon that works great for my needs but sucks in the snow. who knows, maybe snow tires and weight would do the trick. I have an uphill driveway that I can't get out of in 1" of snow.

 

going to a GM AWD means I have to settle for the short van. Quigley does a 4wd conversion for the ford, but it's 10-11k.

 

If I can live with the shorter van then the GM is the way to go, and if there isn't much difference between the 1500 and 2500 then I open up a lot of options. seems that only 5% of the awd vans are 2500's.

 

Thanks,

 

Andy

sonjaab Senior Enthusiast

sonjaab

Posted
Posted

I must note that the 2500 specs. that I posted are for the 5.3

engine 2500. I have not found specs for the 6.0 equipped

2500 and i can only assume that a 6.0 model would have a

higher tow and load rating also.

 

The 8 lug rear in the 2500 vs. the 6 lug in the 1500 would also

clue me in to the 2500 having the bigger rear/spring combos

also.

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