Is there a difference between the frames for a 2500 and 3500?

[carkhz316]

On 7/20/2023 at 8:55 AM, Pryme said:

Congrats on the new truck. Might want to take a second and pull that rear diff fill plug and see if it’s low. Everyone who’s checked has reported them low. 

How low is everyone finding them? I know the spec if wierdly enough .2-.4" BELOW the fill hole, which I admittedly disregard and just fill the to the hole level.

[Jettech1]

2 hours ago, carkhz316 said:

How low is everyone finding them? I know the spec if wierdly enough .2-.4" BELOW the fill hole, which I admittedly disregard and just fill the to the hole level.

I squeezed an entire quart into my rear diff with no oil coming out the fill hole afterwards....They are really low from the factory!

[spickett]

I'm stuck on the Chevy vs GMC and 2500 vs 3500 series. I have a 2021 2500 w Z71 Silverado and it rides so rough. I'm wondering if a Denali would ride smoother. A Denali comes with the X31 so I'm afraid not. I figure a 3500 would be worse with more leaf springs, but the tires are 2" bigger at 20" instead of my 18". I'm so confused. Anyone know what 2024 HD would ride smoothest? 

[Pryme]

51 minutes ago, spickett said:

I'm stuck on the Chevy vs GMC and 2500 vs 3500 series. I have a 2021 2500 w Z71 Silverado and it rides so rough. I'm wondering if a Denali would ride smoother. A Denali comes with the X31 so I'm afraid not. I figure a 3500 would be worse with more leaf springs, but the tires are 2" bigger at 20" instead of my 18". I'm so confused. Anyone know what 2024 HD would ride smoothest? 

A S class Mercedes or 7 series bimmer will ride smooth. Not gonna be smooth in a vehicle with a super strong frame and the suspension designed to tow 20k plus pounds riding on 10ply tires pumped to 70psi

[madweazl]

10 hours ago, spickett said:

I'm stuck on the Chevy vs GMC and 2500 vs 3500 series. I have a 2021 2500 w Z71 Silverado and it rides so rough. I'm wondering if a Denali would ride smoother. A Denali comes with the X31 so I'm afraid not. I figure a 3500 would be worse with more leaf springs, but the tires are 2" bigger at 20" instead of my 18". I'm so confused. Anyone know what 2024 HD would ride smoothest? 

 

Our 3500 rides considerably better than our '16 Ram 2500. I think the spring packs are very forgiving over the small bump/road imperfections and firm up quickly further in the suspensions travel. The front is very forgiving even with the "heavy duty front springs/camper package." I don't have any experience with previous GM trucks but it is considerably better than our Thuren/Fox equipped Ram (which had a really nice ride quality). 

[Jettech1]

The spring packs are the exact same from the 2500 and 3500 trucks.  The only difference is the overload springs on the 3500's in the rear and tighter spring bars for the front suspension.  Those are the only differences between the 2 models.

[MTU Alum]

On 9/15/2023 at 1:19 AM, Jettech1 said:

The spring packs are the exact same from the 2500 and 3500 trucks.  The only difference is the overload springs on the 3500's in the rear and tighter spring bars for the front suspension.  Those are the only differences between the 2 models.

That's not true.  While the 2500 is a two stage and 3500 is a three stage, the second stage (bottom leaf) engages quicker on a 3500 vs a 2500.  The main four leaf pack is similar between both, the rest is different.  

 

#iworkforGM

[Jettech1]

6 hours ago, MTU Alum said:

That's not true.  While the 2500 is a two stage and 3500 is a three stage, the second stage (bottom leaf) engages quicker on a 3500 vs a 2500.  The main four leaf pack is similar between both, the rest is different.  

 

#iworkforGM

Good to know.  Thank you for educating me.

Edited September 16, 2023 by Jettech1

[American Pride]

Hello, I have a 2021 GMC Denali 2500HD CCSBSRW I have the Plow Prep and Camper package. Is the front torsion bars and wiring the only difference?  Why would it say camper if its only the torsion bars? any assistance with this would be greatly appreciated.

[Another JR]

There is a plow package that increases the FGAWR by using different torsion bars. They can be 400 or 800 lbs higher capacity depending on the truck configuration. There is a front camper springs package that raises the FGAWR 400 lbs higher than the base rating for your configuration. You would have one package or the other - not both. 
 

I think there also is a camper wiring package that puts a trailer connector in the bed of the truck. You could have this in addition to a plow package. 

[Another JR]

Another difference is the plow package eliminates the variable louvers in front of the radiator. 

[Jettech1]

16 minutes ago, Another JR said:

Another difference is the plow package eliminates the variable louvers in front of the radiator. 

That difference right there has me a bit confused.  I get the whole snow plowing thing, I used to do it for my boss when I was a teenager when he was out of town and I get how it blocks most of the air getting into the front of the engine.  But let's say you don't plow and have the plow package.  Why would they eliminate the louvers?  Back than it was the radiator that was the first thing exposed if you didn't have A/C.  But like most everything today the first thing in the way is the condenser.

Edited January 6 by Jettech1

[Another JR]

My guess is a truck sold with a plow package isn’t counted against them in some EPA standard for overall company model range fuel efficiency. The reason for the louvers as I understand it is to gain a very slight aerodynamic drag reduction when maximum cooling isn’t needed. If that truck isn’t part of the company’s compliance with the standard, why not save the production costs, from the point of view of the company. 

[MTU Alum]

14 hours ago, American Pride said:

Hello, I have a 2021 GMC Denali 2500HD CCSBSRW I have the Plow Prep and Camper package. Is the front torsion bars and wiring the only difference?  Why would it say camper if its only the torsion bars? any assistance with this would be greatly appreciated.

The camper it references is a pickup camper.  You need higher FGAWR for pickup campers because they often go over FGAWR.  The larger torsion bars help with roll with a pickup camper.  

[Ozark Dually]

On 1/6/2024 at 2:06 PM, MTU Alum said:

The camper it references is a pickup camper.  You need higher FGAWR for pickup campers because they often go over FGAWR.  The larger torsion bars help with roll with a pickup camper.  

 

I went for the the option "VYU" on my 2024 3500HD Long bed Dually.

the option "VYU" is "Snow plow prep / camper package.

 

All Features Included With Snow Plow Prep / Camper Package:

 

• Power feed to accommodate a backup and roof emergency light
• A single 220-amp alternator
• Heavy-duty front springs
• Under body skid plates to help protect the transfer case from debris