What is the difference from the 1500, 2500 and the 3500? I know in the ford world the f150 looks totally different from the f250 and f350. Our trucks share the same skin. What is the difference under skin? Is the frame beefed up or is it just brakes, suspension and rear end?

 

Alot of things basically the size of the axle's,gearing,springs,etc... The 1500 hundred is big the 2500 is bigger and the 3500 is the biggest.

 

Watchout! There once was a fella named BillyRae who asked if a 2500 was a 3/4 or 1 ton and some fellas on this site rode him so much he never has come back. Your best bet is to check the Dodge site for truck specs.

 

1500 4x4 - independant front suspension (IFS)
2500-3500 4x4 - solid front axle (beefier)

1500 - weight capacity - who cares
2500-3500 - more weight capacity

1500 - towing - who knows
2500-3500 - towing - a lot more than 1500

3500 - most towing capacity

also, 2500-3500 have bigger axles, beefier drivetrain, heavy duy suspension, blah blah

other then that the interior and skins are basically the same

 

Ram 1500 = Silverado 2500
Ram 2500 = Silverado 3500
Ram 3500 = GMC TopKick

 

lol

Well I guess there isn't much difference from the 3500 and 2500 other then springs (if you don't get the extra two wheels ).

 

Also the 3500 you can order with a transmission heater. You can't get that in the 1500 or the 2500.

 

Ah I wouldn't be too upset. The admins raped my signature already. Seems like there is alot of good info here but I am sure there are other CTD forums out there

 

what about the frames? is the 1500 frame the same width as a 2500 just thinner metal or is the 1500 frame narrower?

 

Doesn't the 3500 SRW come with the 11.5" axle versus 10.5" in the 2500? I know the DRW has the 11.5".

 

You have to look at the build code or options the truck came with. Some of the 2500 came with 11.5 rear axles. I know mine did.

If you really look at what the differences are between the 2500 and 3500 srw is mainly the payload.

 

I can't answer the questions about the 1500. Like somebody else already said, though.........who cares? It is a lot less truck in a lot of ways from our Cummins powered rigs.


I think some of the info on this thread about 2500s and 3500s is not completely accurate.

The 2500s and 3500s are identical mechanically except on the 3500s they have the two overload springs on the rear. Same axles, same springs, same frame, same shocks, same engine, same transmissions.

The 3500 duallys have the two extra rear wheels which increases their GVWR up to 12,200 because of the extra tire capacity. It has nothing to do with the truck frame or springs.

The GVWR on the 2500s is 9000lbs. The SRW 3500s is increased up to 9900lbs due to the extra two overload springs.

All of the trucks are RATED to pull the same weight (GCWR) based on the axle gear ratio. It is 21,000lbs for 3.73 gears and 23,000lbs for 4.10 gears. It doesn't matter if it is a dually, 2500 or whatever. That is the rating for truck and trailer. The dually will offer better stability and allow you to add more cargo weight (such as a heavy 5th wheel tongue weight).

All Cummins powered trucks from 04.5 on up have the 11.5'' ring gear AAM rear axles.

The 03 and 04 trucks had the 11.5 also if they are the "HO" models or have the 6speed NV5600 trannies or 48re autos.

Only the hemi powered trucks or "SO" Cummins model trucks (03/04) have the 10.5'' rear axle gear.

 

the reason i asked about the 1500 frame was, could you stick a CTD in a reg cab short bed 1500 to build a lighter weight race truck?

 

I think Banks Power put one in a Dakota truck that currently holds the world diesel record speed at Bonneville Salt Flats at like 222 mph or so. Somebody may have a link to that article.

I would guess that you could put a Cummins in a 1500 truck, but it would definately be a strain on the stock components. You would have to basically rebuild the whole truck to handle the extra weight. Remember the Cummins weighs right about 1000lbs by itself. Personally, I would just get a short bed, single cab 2500 and go from there.

 

Like these auto's don't create enough heat already.