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

BCGM · March 18

Could you fellas explain the louvers in the front of the HD's ? Do all of the 2500 HD and 3500 HD's have this ?

What do they do ? Do they open and close automatically or are they stationary ?

Thank You !

carkhz316 · March 19

They're active aero shutters and are purely for fuel economy. They close at highway speeds or when additional airflow and cooling isn't required. They are present on trucks without the snow plow prep package, and omitted from those with the option.

Pryme · March 19

Yeah I don’t have any such thing. I have plow prep. One less thing I don’t want or need.

bruceb58 · March 19

In the Fords, they close initially to allow the engine to warm up faster and then open up. Are they not doing the exact same ting?

BCGM · March 20

On 3/18/2024 at 5:42 PM, carkhz316 said:

They're active aero shutters and are purely for fuel economy. They close at highway speeds or when additional airflow and cooling isn't required. They are present on trucks without the snow plow prep package, and omitted from those with the option.

Thank You for the explanation !

Rick_ · March 21

On 9/7/2023 at 8:42 PM, 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?

My 3500HD with the Snowplow prep, Z71, and Gooseneck/5th Wheel Package is the roughest riding truck I have ever owned. (I didn't order the truck, just bought it off the lot.) I'm not sure why they spec such a high rear tire pressure as it seems backwards from what I ran my Cummins/2500 RAMs - 65/80 F/R compared to 75/45 F/R on the RAM. But, the rears heat up a bunch when towing and will hit 90psi without running very hard at all.

Another JR · March 22

On 3/21/2024 at 7:21 AM, Rick_ said:

My 3500HD with the Snowplow prep, Z71, and Gooseneck/5th Wheel Package is the roughest riding truck I have ever owned. (I didn't order the truck, just bought it off the lot.) I'm not sure why they spec such a high rear tire pressure as it seems backwards from what I ran my Cummins/2500 RAMs - 65/80 F/R compared to 75/45 F/R on the RAM. But, the rears heat up a bunch when towing and will hit 90psi without running very hard at all.

If you have snowplow prep then your front springs are stiffer and you have a higher FGAWR. It’s definitely noticeable in the ride. If you don’t actually plow you might want to consider swapping in the standard springs for your truck configuration. I changed my front springs from camper package to standard. The pair of springs cost around $600 from the dealer (cheapest way actually because they are so heavy to ship) and it took me a couple of hours. The hardest part was figuring out how I wanted to jack and support the front of the truck for the first time. I posted a “project report” here about two years ago with photos.

bruceb58 · March 22

38 minutes ago, Another JR said:

If you have snowplow prep then your front springs are stiffer and you have a higher FGAWR. It’s definitely noticeable in the ride. If you don’t actually plow you might want to consider swapping in the standard springs for your truck configuration. I changed my front springs from camper package to standard. The pair of springs cost around $600 from the dealer (cheapest way actually because they are so heavy to ship) and it took me a couple of hours. The hardest part was figuring out how I wanted to jack and support the front of the truck for the first time. I posted a “project report” here about two years ago with photos.

If I bought a truck with the snow plow prep option, first thing I would do is change out the springs.

rjgvt · March 23

I ordered my 2500HD with plow prep and 5th wheel/gooseneck option. I don’t use either but my truck rides good with 55psi tire pressure front and back. Some of our roads are so crappy, it wouldn’t matter what you drove. I was on the interstate the other day and took it up to 90, rode as nice as my previous 1/2 tons. On some roads the 2500HD is rougher but not enough to hate it. It’s my only vehicle and I like it!!

Pryme · March 23

1 hour ago, rjgvt said:

I ordered my 2500HD with plow prep and 5th wheel/gooseneck option. I don’t use either but my truck rides good with 55psi tire pressure front and back. Some of our roads are so crappy, it wouldn’t matter what you drove. I was on the interstate the other day and took it up to 90, rode as nice as my previous 1/2 tons. On some roads the 2500HD is rougher but not enough to hate it. It’s my only vehicle and I like it!!

I agree. I have plow prep and have no issues with the ride. I guess I’m a dying breed who likes a truck that looks, sounds and rides like a truck. I haven’t even lowered the air pressure. On all but the worst roads I haven’t even thought it is close to bad.

bruceb58 · March 23

15 hours ago, Pryme said:

I guess I’m a dying breed who likes a truck that looks, sounds and rides like a truck.

The main reason I am buying a GM truck is I didn't want my truck to ride like a FORD which it would with the snow plow suspension. I am using my truck to tow bumper pull trailers. No need for an extra stiff front suspension.

Edited March 23 by bruceb58