Differences between a CTD 2500 Auto SRW and a CTD 3500 Auto? SRW
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From: Northern VA
I had a 2500 D-Max before, and went with a 3500 CTD this time to get the overload springs and door sticker. My RV was around 10,000# and I used my overload springs every time I hooked up.
The 3500 mega was cheaper than some quad cab 2500 models, so it worked out for me.
The 3500 mega was cheaper than some quad cab 2500 models, so it worked out for me.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Kuna, Idaho
There isn't enough difference in 2500 and 3500SRW to get the 3500SRW.. I have it because the rest of the truck is what I wanted. I plan to ditch the overloads for airbags anyhow. You can get a SRW 3500 with AL wheels, no difference there...
IIRC the DRW uses the same alxe, just narrower, so the limit on payload is your tires.
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From: Indiana
That is odd.....my '04 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 3500 only costs $90 more per year (State Farm), compared to my '04 Dakota Quad Cab 4x4; I too have great credit and a great driving record........
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From: Alta Loma, CA
Yeah, my insurance is cheaper with my $46,000 Megacab than it was with my $33,000 Titan. Ancillary costs of owning a vehicle will vary by location so making a blanket statement regarding them is unwise and inaccurate.
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From: Ft. Carson, CO
Correction, a DRW axle has 2" longer hub's on each side. For a total of a 4" wider axle. I'm pretty sure the tubes and diff. are the same though. I know this b/c my truck was a dually and I made it a true SRW. And when we swapped axles we measured the axles and hubs. They had to do that b/c of the offset of a dually wheel to clear the leaf springs, if not the tire would be in the spring, literally. And if you go to Dodge.com and build a truck, the 2500's come with a 10.5 rear. I'm not sure about when that all happened and if it applies to 07 and up, but I know it's true in an 07 and 08 2500. And I'm pretty sure that you have to buy a dually to get the 11.5 rear now. Wether it be a 2500 or 3500 srw, I think they all have the 10.5 rear, and yes, i know they don't make a 2500 dually, I'm just making the point.
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From: Ft. Carson, CO
how can I take my overloads out? That consist of the top pack and the lower 1" thick leafs right? If so i'd like to do that b/c I don't pull anything and would like a better ride and a little better traction.
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From: Alta Loma, CA
And if you go to Dodge.com and build a truck, the 2500's come with a 10.5 rear. I'm not sure about when that all happened and if it applies to 07 and up, but I know it's true in an 07 and 08 2500. And I'm pretty sure that you have to buy a dually to get the 11.5 rear now. Wether it be a 2500 or 3500 srw, I think they all have the 10.5 rear, and yes, i know they don't make a 2500 dually, I'm just making the point.
Most likely a error on the web page. The a HEMI 2500 comes with the 10.5 AAM, but Cummins equipped 2500s have the 11.5 AAM. I'm 99% certain if this.
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From: Alta Loma, CA
Remove the spring pack from the truck, disassemble the pack, remove the springs you don't want, reassemble the pack, reinstall pack on the truck. You're going to need new u-bolts and probably shorter bolts to hold the springs together.
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Why would taking the overloads off,make your truck ride better? They don't even come into play until 2000lbs is in the bed.
I drove a 2500,then a 3500SRW over the same 20 mile loop when I bought my truck. As far as my butt could tell,there wasn't a bit of difference in how they rode.
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From: Alta Loma, CA
Why would taking the overloads off,make your truck ride better? They don't even come into play until 2000lbs is in the bed.
I drove a 2500,then a 3500SRW over the same 20 mile loop when I bought my truck. As far as my butt could tell,there wasn't a bit of difference in how they rode.
I drove a 2500,then a 3500SRW over the same 20 mile loop when I bought my truck. As far as my butt could tell,there wasn't a bit of difference in how they rode.
That's all true on a smooth road, but once you start flexing the suspension those overloads become quite the nuisance.
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In my experience there is no reason to buy a 3500 SRW unless you are pushing the GVWR and afraid to get caught by the man.
The 3500 DRW does have a heavier axle and spring pack.
I have examined and called many dealers in the last year as I had to make the same decision (2500 or 3500). The over load springs and bump stops are the only difference. However, I do believe that the 3500's do ride better but that will be taken care of by the air bags listed below.
I went with the 2500 for these reasons.
1. The 2500 was $1000 cheaper then the exact same truck only a 3500.
2. For $250 I can put air bag helper springs on the rear and actually get a better payload then the 3500SRW.
3. I have great credit and a decent driving record and the 3500 was still $450 more a year for insurance. PS. don't tell the insurance company idiots that a 2500 can pull just as much weight as a 3500 or my rate will go up.
4. I can't do a blank blank thing about the crappy fuel economy but I don't have to pay for a 3500 when a 2500 will do.
5. My buddy got a 3500 so now I can laugh at him because I have extra money for fuel.
Thanks
The 3500 DRW does have a heavier axle and spring pack.
I have examined and called many dealers in the last year as I had to make the same decision (2500 or 3500). The over load springs and bump stops are the only difference. However, I do believe that the 3500's do ride better but that will be taken care of by the air bags listed below.
I went with the 2500 for these reasons.
1. The 2500 was $1000 cheaper then the exact same truck only a 3500.
2. For $250 I can put air bag helper springs on the rear and actually get a better payload then the 3500SRW.
3. I have great credit and a decent driving record and the 3500 was still $450 more a year for insurance. PS. don't tell the insurance company idiots that a 2500 can pull just as much weight as a 3500 or my rate will go up.
4. I can't do a blank blank thing about the crappy fuel economy but I don't have to pay for a 3500 when a 2500 will do.
5. My buddy got a 3500 so now I can laugh at him because I have extra money for fuel.
Thanks
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Kuna, Idaho
Why would taking the overloads off,make your truck ride better? They don't even come into play until 2000lbs is in the bed.
I drove a 2500,then a 3500SRW over the same 20 mile loop when I bought my truck. As far as my butt could tell,there wasn't a bit of difference in how they rode.
I drove a 2500,then a 3500SRW over the same 20 mile loop when I bought my truck. As far as my butt could tell,there wasn't a bit of difference in how they rode.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,737
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From: Kuna, Idaho
Correction, a DRW axle has 2" longer hub's on each side. For a total of a 4" wider axle. I'm pretty sure the tubes and diff. are the same though. I know this b/c my truck was a dually and I made it a true SRW. And when we swapped axles we measured the axles and hubs. They had to do that b/c of the offset of a dually wheel to clear the leaf springs, if not the tire would be in the spring, literally. And if you go to Dodge.com and build a truck, the 2500's come with a 10.5 rear. I'm not sure about when that all happened and if it applies to 07 and up, but I know it's true in an 07 and 08 2500. And I'm pretty sure that you have to buy a dually to get the 11.5 rear now. Wether it be a 2500 or 3500 srw, I think they all have the 10.5 rear, and yes, i know they don't make a 2500 dually, I'm just making the point.
ALL 3500's, hemi or cummins, have a 11.5... The base axle on the 2500 is the 10.5, as the base motor is the hemi... Look under what comes with the cummins it says 11.5" axle.
6.7-Liter Cummins® Turbo Diesel Engine
Package includes >>
* BLUETEC Ultra-Clean Diesel System
* 750-Ampere Maintenance-Free Battery
* Overhead Console w/Trip Computer & E-info Center
* 11.50 Rear Axle
* Hood Insulation
* BLUETEC Diesel Badge
* Diesel Exhaust Brake
* Electronically-Controlled Throttle
* Current Generation Engine Controller
* Tow Hooks
* 5.5 Additional Gallons of Diesel
* GVW Rating 9,000 Pounds
You can tell by the GVW thats a 3/4, not a 1 ton.
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From: Kuna, Idaho
Legally and technically no... but the ONLY difference, physically, in a 2500 and SRW3500 is the overloads... so the airbags are an overload... so you can safely use 3500SRW limits on a 2500. That is what is being said... A 2500 is the best way to go most of the time... but sometimes a 3500SRW is better... like my case, I found a 3500SRW with 10K on it, when all the 2500's had 30K+... I think I will take the 3 year old truck with 10K miles, even if its not any better than a 2500.
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From: Alta Loma, CA
