aside from the dual vs. single wheels, what gives the 1 ton the ability to have a heavier GVW. i guess my question is, are the brakes, frame, suspension etc. different between the two trucks? i know the power plant and drive train are the same. just wondering ???<br><br>david h

 

Bigger brakes on the back of the 3500.

 

Could be but the differences must be small or my brain is (DUH). I couldn't tell much difference between mine and my friends 2500 that I can remember anyway. Course, that aint sayin much.<br>Cool, just heard Kentucky Thunder is playing at the Innsbrook Pavillion here in Richmond.<br>Super Chevy show at Dinwiddie. So much to do, so little time.<br>State fair in Richmond.

 

[quote author=Cattle Hauler link=board=11;threadid=5586;start=0#48920 date=1033824985]<br>The 1-ton also has an exter leaf spring doesn't it? or big springs?<br>[/quote] <br><br> <br> Not if you get the Camper package.

 

well, i have the camper package with the extra leaf spring and sway bar so i guess the only difference is the brakes and the dual tires. any opinon on exhaust brakes in order to upgrade?

 

The model year 2000 2500's and 3500's both have 12.125 X 3.5 rear brakes.

 

Neither the 2500 or 3500 show a Camper Package as an option in 2003. Only show Trailer Tow, AHC for both.

 

I had DTT Pacbrake installed last summer,and I really like it. We went to Tennessee, North and South Carolina, and Georgia this summer pulling the fiver (11.5K lbs). The e-brake really gave some peace of mind through the mountains. The reason I had the brake installed in the first place was that our plans were to go to Colorado, but we ended up going south instead. I really liked the brake in the Smokies, but I think that I would LOVE the brake in the Rockies. If you are not planning on towing in the mountains, I can see where you might want to consider other mods first.<br><br>DeWain

 

Jacobs E-Brake here. Worked flawlessly for three years now. From and rear brakes are like new at 109000 miles and I pull 20 to 26000 pounds. Got a two speed switch mounted on the gear shift to turn off and on as needed. After the fuel pressure gauge, go for the brake and then from there.

My truck only has four leaves under the back. Springs, not tree leafs.

 

Here's what I have been able to figure out. The 3500 has overloads in the rear and always has a Dana 80. Mine is a chassis cab so mine is different than all of them. Mine has 13.5 X 3.5 brakes supposedly a heavier trans and clutch(13 inch so I've been told at the ***********) and a beefier front suspension as well as a larger frame. I measured mine compared to my buddies 3500 and at the thickest point(just in front of the front leaf spring mount) is nearly 3 inches thicker. I just wish the chassis cab was available with an extended cab.

 

I didn't know about the extra crossmember. Does anybody know about the trans and clutch being different in the chassis cab? I am only going by what the *********** salesman told me. They will tell you anything. He did seem very knowledgeable about the truck and the equipment on it. I just can't seem to find the info anywhere.

 

Need to watch what years you are discussing. The 2003 models have added a true 3/4 ton which will be lighter. Before that the 3/4 ton was essentially the same as the 1 ton. So far as pulling goes the transfer case is not a criteria as while towing it is normally straight through. I use my light duty transfer case to manover in low range all the time with the heavy loads. Just be easy on it.<br><br>I will give you a tip on using low range with the front axle disconnected. It can be shifted easily into high range while moving at 10 or 20 mph. Push in the clutch, PUT THE TRANS IN NEUTRAL, and ease it into high range. No grind or problem. I generally go up to 10 or 15 and shift to high in second gear. I have a vacuum switch to shut off the front axle engagement for low use. Do all my loaded backing in low range.

 

Haulin in Dixie<br>Are you telling me my HD2500 2001.5 4x4 Dodge is really a one ton, man I am going to have to run back to the www.rv.net site and tell &quot;brucec&quot; that my truck is just as big as his Chevy 2500HD that he claims is really a SRW 1 ton. <br><br>And interesting issue here is that with 245x75x16 tires rated at 3042lbs each and the rear axle is rated at 6084 lbs. Well mine came with 265x75x16 rated at 3415 lbs each. Which should up the rear axle rating given that the springs and rear axle are both rated at 6500 lbs. Wish they would have put this on the door post along with a 9200 GVWR rating in place of the 8800 GVWR sticker. I wonder what would happen if one asked DC for a sticker to match the optional larger tires???? It appears that is what GM did with the 2500HD to get the 9200 lb GVWR. Truck weighs 7K all by itself, &quot;add trailer to overload!!!&quot;<br>SNOKING