What is the difference between a truck labled HD vs. one not labled. I got my '06 Megacab 3500 used so I did not have the pleasure of interacting with the dealer and mfg. for options. Mine is labled HD. Recently when buying front brake pads at NAPA I was asked " is it HD". I thought they were all the same ( little that I know ) and he said they were not. So now I'm curious to find out just what the HD package may have included. I don't know if it makes any difference regarding brake pads but the NAPA computers had to know.

Thanks,
Roger in NJ

 

Joining in & waiting for the answer.

 

The napa books may be considering the Cab and Chassis as the "HD" version which would have totally different front end components.

 

i bought a new tailgate (they come naked), and scraped the HD lettering off the old one to keep ...i guess i will take them to NAPA next take as a form of identificaion....


...i dont know either....

parts computers are subject to the "GIGO" software law also, is all i can say...

 

I always though if it had a diesel engine under the hood it was HD, then I saw some 2500's with out HD badges, then one day I to noticed several 2500's that had HEMI engines with HD badges.

But then my local NAPA store told me my 2006 did not have the 48 re auto trans (they never heard of it nor was it listed in books or computer) so I had either the 545 or 46re auto transmission.

 

Still hoping to get a definitive answer from a Dodge head out there. But, using the trusty GOOGLE the only info I can find, and certainly not the definitive answer, seems to be that the 2500's and 3500's were offered with 2 weight configurations. I cannot find just what they were, however. It seems that with the heavier config. there would have been stiffer suspension and heavier frame rails.

Hoping that we can find out for sure but so far that's the direction I'm finding my inquiries heading.

Still Lookin,
Roger in NJ

 

I dont know of any difference in the HD and non-HD Megas.

 

believe it was just a sales tatic i have not seen any difference on my 3 3rd gens

 

Looking at the original sticker on my Heavy Duty badged truck, I don't see anything referring to the HD status/equipment.

 

They have 1/2 ton megacabs. They are on the 3/4-1ton chassis so I'd imagine the brakes would be the same, but that's the only thing I can think of.

He/She pulled up Megacab and it offered SD (1500) or HD (2500/3500)

 

Steeelblitzkrieg has most of it right. Dodge based the Mega Cab series on the 3/4-ton (2500 series) for the 1/2, 3/4, and 1-ton models. This allowed customers to get a megcab in the 1500 series. In order to achieve this for the 1500 (non-HD), Dodge stole some parts from the HD (2500/3500) series trucks. In the 1500 megacab, along with the HD chassis you get a real, solid-axle (instead of IFS as in all other 1500's) and eight-lug axle for the front of the 1/2-ton (1500) series. The 3/4- and 1-ton versions are a bit more robust than the 1/2-ton in the suspension department, but they can haul substantially heavier loads than the 1500 as well.

Another way to look at it is this-if you ordered a 1/2 ton megacab you CANNOT get a diesel, you would have to order a megacab on the 2500/2500 chassis (aka heavy duty). In essence with the 1/2ton megacab you are getting a 1500 except it uses the chassis and SOME (not all) running gear from the 2500/3500 HD. This of course resulted in what the OP stated, you can have a 1500 megacab but it is not HD, it is considered a 1500 by Dodge.

 

But what about Quad cabs?

 

its cuz gm and ford call theirs hd and super duty its a sales ploy thats all

 

1500 Quad Cabs did NOT use the HD/2500 frame. The Quad Cab 1500 used the 1500 chassis and had IFS. Also it was just NOT a marketing thing. Due to the size and weight of a 1500 Megacab Dodge had to use some heavier components, such as the chassis and front axle, form the 2500/3500 series. The Megacab was offered in 1500 line to get more customers, those who did not want or need a diesel or the whole HD package. It allowed a lower price point when you compare a megacab 1500 vs. a Megacab 2500/3500.

 

This is accurate. The 1500 Megas are like the old "heavy half" half ton trucks that had a heavier running gear on em.