2500HD vs 3500 SRW

medons · June 9, 2004

The GVWR difference is 9200 vs 9900 lbs. Where exactly is that capacity difference found in the vehicle, i.e. bigger brakes, more leaf springs, bigger tires, etc.

snoman · June 9, 2004

The GVWR difference is 9200 vs 9900 lbs. Where exactly is that capacity difference found in the vehicle, i.e. bigger brakes, more leaf springs, bigger tires, etc.

I am not sure about the Silverados but I have a 2000 K3500 classic SRW and at that time on 2500 vs 3500, the 3500 had hydraulic powered brakes (boosted from steering pump) and a different transfer case (3500 had a BorgWarner 2500 a New Process) and frame was a bit beefier and stronger stock springs/bars in the front and maybe rear too (but not by much) Tires were the same.

Colorado Kid · June 9, 2004

The GVWR difference is 9200 vs 9900 lbs. Where exactly is that capacity difference found in the vehicle, i.e. bigger brakes, more leaf springs, bigger tires, etc.

Different rear spring pack (3500 SRW has 3 stage springs, 2500HD has 2 stage springs).

Different tires (3500 SRW has LT265/75R16 Load Range E (3415# @ 80 PSI) vs 2500HD LT 245/75R16 Load Range E (3049# at 80 PSI).

Different Wheels (3500 SWR wheels are 7" wide vs 6.5" on 2500HD)

Different weight rating lables. Also 3500s are all long bed.

That's all the differences. Brakes, frames, engines, gearing etc. is all identical.

Chevyfreek · June 9, 2004

That is the about it.. Good post!

snoman · June 9, 2004

The GVWR difference is 9200 vs 9900 lbs. Where exactly is that capacity difference found in the vehicle, i.e. bigger brakes, more leaf springs, bigger tires, etc.

Different rear spring pack (3500 SRW has 3 stage springs, 2500HD has 2 stage springs).

Different tires (3500 SRW has LT265/75R16 Load Range E (3415# @ 80 PSI) vs 2500HD LT 245/75R16 Load Range E (3049# at 80 PSI).

Different Wheels (3500 SWR wheels are 7" wide vs 6.5" on 2500HD)

Different weight rating lables. Also 3500s are all long bed.

That's all the differences. Brakes, frames, engines, gearing etc. is all identical.

My 2000 K3500 SRW has two stage springs...

It has 7 inch wide wheels...

It has a slightly (but noticably in thickness) different frame than 2500's of that era..

It has Hydrulic powered brakes vs. vacum power brakes on a 2500 in that year...

And as stated earlier, it came with a Borg Warner 4401 xfer case vs New Process one...

AlanTDickey · June 11, 2004

According to:

http://www.gmc.com/specs/specs_content_fil...ra&vehicle=3500

both the 3500 SRW and DRW have rear axle capacities (listed separate from spring capacities) of 9,200 lbs, whereas the 2500HD has a real axle capcaity of 6,900 lbs. I think the 3500s have stronger rear axles.

westca707 · June 11, 2004

How can a SRW 3500 carry 9200 lbs in the rear when each tire can only carry 3400+ lbs. ? Has nothing to do with axle limitations when referring to an HD. Both vehicles are identical when it comes to brakes, axle and drivetrain. It's when we add the second set of tires and a couple of springs we find a difference.

snoman · June 11, 2004

According to:
http://www.gmc.com/specs/specs_content_fil...ra&vehicle=3500

both the 3500 SRW and DRW have rear axle capacities (listed separate from spring capacities) of 9,200 lbs, whereas the 2500HD has a real axle capcaity of 6,900 lbs. I think the 3500s have stronger rear axles.

The new 3500's have a AA 11.5 inch rear geared rear axle with heavier axle tubes too. The 2500HD use a newer (and simpler/cheaper) version the classic GM 14bolt 10.5 rear axle. Ring and pinion in it do not interchange with pre-2001 10.5 14 bolts that had a stronger straddle mounted pinion bearings in a removable cage which the newer version does not have.

snoman · June 11, 2004

How can a SRW 3500 carry 9200 lbs in the rear when each tire can only carry 3400+ lbs. ? Has nothing to do with axle limitations when referring to an HD. Both vehicles are identical when it comes to brakes, axle and drivetrain. It's when we add the second set of tires and a couple of springs we find a difference.

9200 is its rated GVW (Gross Vehical Weight) not its payload capacity. The rated payload is around 3400 to 3800 lbs depending on model (cab configuration).

bigdogs · June 11, 2004

Snowman,

Actually the 2500HD uses the same 11.5" American axle as the 3500 uses. The actual capacity of the rear end (according to American Axle) is like 11000lbs.

snoman · June 11, 2004

Snowman,

Actually the 2500HD uses the same 11.5" American axle as the 3500 uses. The actual capacity of the rear end (according to American Axle) is like 11000lbs.

I believe it is only with a 8.1 or 6.6 though (I might be wrong though) Also the SRW version axle has thiner axle tubes than the DRW axle does and has no where near a 11,000 lbs capacity.

Colorado Kid · June 11, 2004

The 2500HD (with a Duramax 6600 or Vortec 8100 engine) and the 3500 SRW use (pay attention) precisely, exactly, interchagebly the SAME rear axle, suppied by AAM (Eaton) in one tube thickness only. The 11.5" ring gear 14 bolt full floater. All the parts of the axles, internally and externally, including the brakes, have the same part numbers for both vehicles. ONLY the rear springs bolted to the axle and the wheel and tire package bolted to the axle are different.

Both trucks use the 10.5" axle with the 6.0L engine.

Why the difference in axle ratings on GMC's site? Beets me, but weirder things have shown up on GM spec pages. My 2002 D-max is rated to have peak torque of 520 ft-lbs at 1800 RPM and peak power of 300 HP at 3000 RPM. The only problem with that is if you plug 300 HP and 3000 RPM into the definition of horsepower you come up with 525 ft-lbs of torque at 3000 RPM.

bigdogs · June 11, 2004

snowman,

There is only one 11.5" rear axle used in GM pickups with the same specs. Steel is cheap and for the few extra dollars it might cost for thicker tubes (or conversely few dollars saved on thinner tubes) but would be far exceeded in extra inventory to stock both, not counting the added headaches of it. My Duramax Sierra has the 11.5" rear axle and the capacity of that axle, according to American is 11,000lbs. If you don't believe me go to the following page and scroll down to the AAM1150 line

American Axle

422 SS · June 12, 2004

The 2500HD (with a Duramax 6600 or Vortec 8100 engine) and the 3500 SRW use (pay attention) precisely, exactly, interchagebly the SAME rear axle, suppied by AAM (Eaton) in one tube thickness only. The 11.5" ring gear 14 bolt full floater. All the parts of the axles, internally and externally, including the brakes, have the same part numbers for both vehicles. ONLY the rear springs bolted to the axle and the wheel and tire package bolted to the axle are different.

Both trucks use the 10.5" axle with the 6.0L engine.

Why the difference in axle ratings on GMC's site? Beets me, but weirder things have shown up on GM spec pages. My 2002 D-max is rated to have peak torque of 520 ft-lbs at 1800 RPM and peak power of 300 HP at 3000 RPM. The only problem with that is if you plug 300 HP and 3000 RPM into the definition of horsepower you come up with 525 ft-lbs of torque at 3000 RPM.

You're 100% correct Colorado.With the old C/K trucks there was no difference in axles or frames on the 2500hd or 3500 srw.The only difference I could find was the 3500 had 1 extra leaf spring.They both had a 14 bolt 10.5 inch ring gear full-floater.