Whats the difference between HD and non HD Frame ...
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Whats the difference between HD and non HD Frame ...
Hey guys,
I know that HD (2500+) trucks from 2002+ have a stronger frame than the 1500. Are there other noticable differences like suspension, brakes, and engine mount positions? Ideally I would like to have the payload of HD with a 5.3 Vortec and a 6speed 3.53 gear ratio. How much difference in the frame is there between HD and 1500?
I know that HD (2500+) trucks from 2002+ have a stronger frame than the 1500. Are there other noticable differences like suspension, brakes, and engine mount positions? Ideally I would like to have the payload of HD with a 5.3 Vortec and a 6speed 3.53 gear ratio. How much difference in the frame is there between HD and 1500?
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From: Southern Ontario Canada ehhhhh
I cant speak for the pickups but the burbs have the same frame.(looks the same to me) It's all different with the suspension. Thats what I noticed when I was looking for my truck. I ended up with the 1500. Would have been nice to get 2500 but at the moment it's not needed and I couldn't turn the price down on mine.
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From: Orange County, CA
Stronger frame ,stronger tow package,stronger motor, stronger tranny,stronger brakes, stronger suspension, and more.
Its all heavy duty man! and heavy duty gas mileage too
Its just a work truck for haulin loads.
Its all heavy duty man! and heavy duty gas mileage too
Its just a work truck for haulin loads.
Last edited by Mike Sigmond; May 27, 2009 at 1:04 AM.
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2500HD is definately a machine compared to a 1500.
my 07 2500hd would pull a yacht down the road with an elephant sitting in the bed and not have any problem stopping on a dime.
my Z71 i have trouble slowing down a 1200lb trailer with a 2100lb car on it, and i get a fair amount of mush in the rear suspension.if i had to do it all over again id still have my 2500HD, but sometimes life sucks and you gotta take what you can keep around.
to me its the difference between towing with a tank compared to a 70's cadillac... the HD definately was a little rough on fuel mileage though.
my 07 2500hd would pull a yacht down the road with an elephant sitting in the bed and not have any problem stopping on a dime.
my Z71 i have trouble slowing down a 1200lb trailer with a 2100lb car on it, and i get a fair amount of mush in the rear suspension.if i had to do it all over again id still have my 2500HD, but sometimes life sucks and you gotta take what you can keep around.
to me its the difference between towing with a tank compared to a 70's cadillac... the HD definately was a little rough on fuel mileage though.
Last edited by racerx55; May 27, 2009 at 4:16 AM.
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First off, Andy 535 and Thumper, welcome to the forums.
They now offer a pickup with a 5.3 AND a 6-speed transmission. Generally with the 2500HD package they're going to throw in 410 gears. Many guys take these trucks into lift kits and muddin' or heavy hauling, so that's not particularly a bad thing, just what you'll most likely get unless you carefully verify otherwise.
One option I love with the 2500HD is the E-rated tires.(80PSI) Basically tractor-trailer tires in pickup size. Meaty-Beaty-big-and bouncey!!! R-R-R!! There's also a 2" factory lift included with the 2500HD.With the larger 4-wheel disc brakes, I can stop like a Honda if I'm not hauling a trailer.
What you have to decide, Andy, is if you want to go with the 342 gears and a 1500 that's going to give you,IMO great gas mileage, or if you really want to lose the MPG advantage and opt for a brawnier alternative. How much hauling are you going to do? My girlfriend has a 1500,with a 5.3, and a 4L60E tranny,(it's sort of humorous, it's like a "Mini-me" of my 2500HD, same color and everything)and it tows a 16ft. camper or a small boat just fine.
Flip side of the coin is there's a lot of folks out there who were mesmerized by the "2500HD" or "Z-71" logos, and wound up with something they didn't really need.
They would have probably been happier with the standard 1500 model, which is a great truck in it's own right. Dependable, affordable, economical.
They now offer a pickup with a 5.3 AND a 6-speed transmission. Generally with the 2500HD package they're going to throw in 410 gears. Many guys take these trucks into lift kits and muddin' or heavy hauling, so that's not particularly a bad thing, just what you'll most likely get unless you carefully verify otherwise.
One option I love with the 2500HD is the E-rated tires.(80PSI) Basically tractor-trailer tires in pickup size. Meaty-Beaty-big-and bouncey!!! R-R-R!! There's also a 2" factory lift included with the 2500HD.With the larger 4-wheel disc brakes, I can stop like a Honda if I'm not hauling a trailer.
What you have to decide, Andy, is if you want to go with the 342 gears and a 1500 that's going to give you,IMO great gas mileage, or if you really want to lose the MPG advantage and opt for a brawnier alternative. How much hauling are you going to do? My girlfriend has a 1500,with a 5.3, and a 4L60E tranny,(it's sort of humorous, it's like a "Mini-me" of my 2500HD, same color and everything)and it tows a 16ft. camper or a small boat just fine.
Flip side of the coin is there's a lot of folks out there who were mesmerized by the "2500HD" or "Z-71" logos, and wound up with something they didn't really need.
They would have probably been happier with the standard 1500 model, which is a great truck in it's own right. Dependable, affordable, economical.
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