Overall the springs are not heavier. In fact my brother says his 3500 sqauts down quicker than the 2500 until it hits the overloads.

My 03 2500 door sticker says 5200 lbs front, 6000 lbs rear. Max GVW 9000.

My brothers 03 3500 srw says 5200 front, 6150 lbs rear. Max GVW 9900.

It just seems like a numbers game.

FYI--My oem rear springs part # end with 514AE rated for 2,600 lbs each.

There are companies that makes springs rated for 2,800 each (oem part # ends with 320AF) and 3,300 lbs each.

My brother and I are thinking of going the 2,800 lb each route instead of airbags. I have airbags already and am not too impressed.

 

Not the same application, but I just retrofitted f-550 springs to an f-350 cab chasis brush truck we have in our fire dept. fleet and it turned out great. I had to convince the Chief springs were the way to go over air bags and he/we couldn't be happier with the result.

 

Just my opinion but a 2500 long bed will haul more weight than a 3500 short bed just because you can position it better. Just my observation.

The 3500 doesn't use the tire monitoring system the 2500 uses, has slightly different rear springs, and is rated for a few hundred pounds more so you can put more in the bed or pin legally.


Before buying I'd add it all up and decide if you should go to a 3500 or 3500 drw. Think insurance, registration, and taxes change a bit if you go past 10,000 lbs.