Any real differences between a 2500 and a 3500 besides stiffer spring packs in the rear? Same axles, brakes, and other running gear?

I think there is only a few hundred bucks difference in cost.

Thanks!

 

You also get roof lights with the 3500, and significant changes in towing capacity.

I think everything else, other than springs, is the same.

 

Not sure what all the differences are but if you plan on towing a 5th wheel the extra 1100 lbs of GVRW comes in handy really quick. With a full tank of fuel and no passengers my truck is running about 7800 lbs. With a 2500 that would only leave about 1000 lbs for passengers, cargo, pin weight, and misc. I find the ride better than what my '93 F250 had.

It is a little more difficult to install a 5th wheel hitch due to the location of the overload spring brackets

 

2500 has 9000lb.GVW, 3500 SRW has 9900 GVW and 3500 dually has 11,000 GVW, I believe. Diffs on 2500 6spd. are same as 3500. This is for '04, not '04.5. Don't know if there's a difference. Installed Timbrens and pull around 15K regularily. No problem. Looked at 3500 SRW, but all had clearance lights.

 

that would have made the decision for me too, but in the other direction

 

My dads 03 SO 235hp 3500 5 spd looks like it has a bigger rear end than my 04.5 2500 6spd? I ordered the 11.5" AAM and it says it on the build sheet but there is a diffrence, at least between these two trucks.

 

oops, I forgot that the clearance lights for the 2500' are an option and standard on any 3500. I got the lights on my 2500.

 

I like my clearance lights! I just wish they put the tailgate lights on it that come on a dually......

 

Thanks for everyone’s help!

I'm not ready to take the plunge yet but wanted to explore all the options. Seems the 6-speed trucks are a lot harder to find than I thought they would be. Entering the 3500 srw into the equation may increase my chances of finding one I would think. I just didn’t want to be surprised by anything different. I guess the clearance lights aren't all that bad. I probably wouldn't order them on a 2500 but I wouldn't mind them on a 3500. I think it probably bumps up the intimidation factor a couple notches.

 

I bought a 2003 3500 in single and dually. I kinda wish the SRW was a 2500 because you feel every stinkin' bump in the road. The dually actually sits a couple of inches higher than the SRW. I only paid $600.00 more for the 3500's over the 2500's so I said what the heck. Other than GVW and towing cap. there isn't much diff. between the 3/4 and 1 ton. I did see a 3500 with no clearance light the other day, only thing I can figure is maybe it had the Hemi in it or the guy took them off. BTW the SRW is 9,900 GVW and the dually is 12,000 GVW.

 

For 04+ 3500 SRW is a 2500 with overload springs and clearance lamps. Only differences in 03 was rear end size (10.5" vs 11.5").

The extra 900# in the GVW is related to the springs and IMHO moreso to marketing...............

so if you want to get a 2500 and put timbrens or overload springs on it you would be just as well off.

 

The 2500 with the 4:10 gears has the 11.5" rear end.

The same truck with 3.73 gears has the 10.5" rear end.

 

DOT doesn't require the tailgate lights on the SRW, as the width isn't in the class the DRW is in. The extra lights on the fenders and tailgate are required due to overall width of the DRW. If you like the lights on the tail gate, they are really easy to instal -- one wire and two screws. I have seen new DRW 3500 tailgates for $250 or so, if you want the more expensive route, but then all the correct mounting and wiring holes are there. I put the 3 light bar on my trailer and a hitch lift. both took about 15 minutes to do, including the wire splice for the trailer and the trailer connector for my lift. When I get pics, I will add them to my gallery.

Saw a nice newer GMC today that had the cool LED bars flush mounted in the tailgate, in a three light pattern. Very nicely done.

 

can't beat the side to side stability of the dually over the single wheel truck and often the duals will span smaller pot holes instead of bump in and out. BUT THE INCREASED weight disbursement of the dually foot print seems to be slipperier on the wet or some snow. The back end can come around in the rain, no problem..sty

 

I didn't know 4.10's had anything to do with it... i thought it was SO AUTO gets 10.5"... I know SO 5spd gets 11.5"... and all HO's auto or 6spd..... for 2004, with no SO's everyone SHOULD get an 11.5...