Front end suspension 6.0 vs. 8.1 ??

moo snutz · April 7, 2005

Does anyone know if the suspension components are different on the 2500HD with the different motor options? It would seem like the heavier 8.1 and Duramax would need upgraded torsion bars etc..

I do some offroading (light to moderate) with a truck camper on the truck & don't know how the suspension would hold up with the big block. My current setup with the 6.0 seems to be holding up well.

Are there torsion bar upgrades available?

Thanks, moo

Shawn T · April 7, 2005

When I ordered my truck I checked on this too. The answer I got was that on the 2500 HD's all of the bars are the same (purple ones, I think). When you get the BBL or the Diesel the torque settings on the bars are just bumped up a little. They are definately too mushy for my taste (D/A combo). I also hunt and occasionally go off roading. My solution was to crank the bars up about one and a half inches and get some Bilstein HD shocks for the front. Rides a little firmer now. It still has the bounce at highway speeds when you go over or through a "woop-ti-doo".

snoman · April 7, 2005

Does anyone know if the suspension components are different on the 2500HD with the different motor options? It would seem like the heavier 8.1 and Duramax would need upgraded torsion bars etc..

I do some offroading (light to moderate) with a truck camper on the truck & don't know how the suspension would hold up with the big block. My current setup with the 6.0 seems to be holding up well.

Are there torsion bar upgrades available?

Thanks, moo

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The 8.1 weighs maybe 150 lbs more than the 6.0 and the Dmax is a lot heavier yet and comes with the heaviest availble Tbars that I am aware of. The 6.0 and 8.1 use same Tbars and there is (or used to be) a optional HD Tbar for gas engine trucks. My OBS 2000 K3500 has a 5.7 and it came with factory optional HD Tbars and it is stiff but they play well when a plow is mounted on the truck and are still a bit firm when carring a plow too.

Jacqson · April 7, 2005

Does anyone know if the suspension components are different on the 2500HD with the different motor options? It would seem like the heavier 8.1 and Duramax would need upgraded torsion bars etc..

I do some offroading (light to moderate) with a truck camper on the truck & don't know how the suspension would hold up with the big block. My current setup with the 6.0 seems to be holding up well.

Are there torsion bar upgrades available?

Thanks, moo

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All 01 and later 2500(8600GVW),2500HD and 3500 all use the same front end components. The only difference is the torsion bars. The 2500's with the (8600GVW and the 6.0) use the GK bars(8615 ft lbs of torque) and the 2500(GVW 8600 with the 8.1) 2500HD, 3500 use the GL bars(8782 ft lbs of torque)and this is regardless of the engine-transmission combo. The only other T-Bar offered from GM is the XG (9054 ft lbs of torque). I don't know if the XG's are an option but are available from GM parts Direct or the Dealer. All your steering components, Ball joints, UCA & LCA, Pitman and Idler arm and Brake Calipers are the same. The Brake rotors on the HD and 3500 are slightly larger than the 8600GVW 2500's. I hope this helps.

Shaners · April 7, 2005

I would venture a guess that if you have the snowplow prep package, that it would also include a heavier T-bar.

I know there are several different T-bars as was noted earlier in this thread. There may be as many as 5 or 6...

Jacqson · April 8, 2005

I would venture a guess that if you have the snowplow prep package, that it would also include a heavier T-bar.

Yeah, that very well could be or maybe the 3500DRW may have those bars as well. I don't know for sure but that XG bar would be one harsh ride on a 3/4 ton truck.

I know there are several different T-bars as was noted earlier in this thread. There may be as many as 5 or 6...

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That is also true, but the GL is the only bar used on the HD. GM lists only three bars that have over 8600 ft lbs of torque. They are the GK(8615), GL(8782) and the XG(9054). The next closest is the WZ at 7267 ft lbs of torque. That's a 1348 ft lb difference from the GK. If you own a GM light truck with a GVW of 8600lbs or more you will have either a GK,GL or XG bar depending on the model and they all use the purple keys.

moo snutz · April 8, 2005

Thanks for the info. I plan to upgrade the t-bars on my soon-to-be 8.1 / 6 speed so that I can mount a front receiver and haul a carrier with two jerry cans / small generator and a hi-lift.

snoman · April 8, 2005

Thanks for the info. I plan to upgrade the t-bars on my soon-to-be 8.1 / 6 speed so that I can mount a front receiver and haul a carrier with two jerry cans / small generator and a hi-lift.

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I do not think I would want to carry jerry cans in front with gas in them as even a minor impact could have deadly results gas splashing on to hot engine and manifolds.

moo snutz · April 8, 2005

Thanks for the info. I plan to upgrade the t-bars on my soon-to-be 8.1 / 6 speed so that I can mount a front receiver and haul a carrier with two jerry cans / small generator and a hi-lift.

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I do not think I would want to carry jerry cans in front with gas in them as even a minor impact could have deadly results gas splashing on to hot engine and manifolds.

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Hmmmmm.... That would pretty much suck. I'm glad you mentioned that - I'll be mounting them somewhere else.

mmmikkke · April 22, 2005

Although with the way people tailgate lately, you're much more likely to have somebody rear-end you, and if you have the Jerry Cans back there, they'll splash all over the tailgater's hot engine.

Hey, I guess that'd serve them right. Ok, I guess you should mount them in back, then!