When I ordered mine in late 04 it turned out to be more expensive than a Laramie DWR.

 

I know folks who have paid at little s $380.00 from the dealer (installed).

 

Its very simple just put 3500 badges on it and u have a 1 ton truck, magic huh?

 

We've seen them with 5500 badges.

 

Hey guys (and gals), thanks for your responses!
Just a point of clarification, I want to keep her SRW, and I do have the OEM Jacobs exhuast brake kit installed, your right, I would leave home with out it.
I'm really glad to know that just the rear spring packs need to be upgraded as that seems to be the only difference between the 2500 and 3500.
I sort of wanted to keep the rig stock-or more accurately upgraded with stock parts. I've read about the airbags, but the folks who provided the info on the other weight bearing parts; I would appreciate it if you could provide a link to their webpages, eg. "timbrens". Also the folks with OEM overloads from the dealer that make the difference for 2500/3500. do you happen to have the part #'s?
Thanks, Michael (OFTR).

 

The real difference is just the rear overloads, but the airbags would more than make up for it.
It is only $300 more for the 3500, which on my 05 was great because you got the clearance lights standard. My 07 doesn't have the clearance lights, and the dealer told me its an option now. So really I paid $300 more for overloads, but I get to rib my buddy a little bit about having a little 2500 and I've got the Big 1-ton. Ahh, he knows their the same.

 

Just do a Google search on "Timbrens". It will give you a listing for Michigan Truck Spring or something like that. That's where most of us get ours. There were a couple sets here in the classifieds recently too....

 

If you're hung up on the mfr's rated load capacities, there's another difference. It's on the sticker in the door jamb. No matter what mods you make to a 2500, you cannot legally change the rated capacity of the truck unless there's some way to petition it with the DOT. I ordered mine as a 3500 because it only cost $300 more and came with the cab markers. I also tow a 5th wheel occasionally and IF the gov't ever starts enforcing "overload" limits, mine will have a higher rating than the "equivalent" 2500.

 

Dodge starts with a 1-ton, takes out two springs and calls it a 3/4-ton.

Chevy starts with a 3/4 ton, adds two springs and calls it a 1-ton.