GM 2500 vs 2500 HD vs 1500 HD

BigClay

BigClay

Knower of useless ZJ things
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Location
Winston-Salem
So a buddy and I were talking about his Chevy 2500. I assumed all 2500s were HD but his is not. Then he started telling there are also 1500 HD trucks. So what is the difference between all of these trucks?
 
I would guess primarily spring rates. In theory you should be looking at a 6.0, 4L80E, and a FF 14 bolt in all of those. I would pay close attention to the PRO sheet to make sure you don't get shafted on something. Most of the 2500 trucks I see get the smaller rearend.
 
I have also noticed some 1500HD trucks lately and been curious.
 
As I was told. 1500hd is a gas 2500. And all 2500s are hds. Durmax is just a duramax. 2500hds can have gas or diesel. 1500hd has 8 lug axles.
 
Skinny said:
I would guess primarily spring rates. In theory you should be looking at a 6.0, 4L80E, and a FF 14 bolt in all of those. I would pay close attention to the PRO sheet to make sure you don't get shafted on something. Most of the 2500 trucks I see get the smaller rearend.
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Don't know if they all do or not, but my brother's 1500hd is a semi-float 14.
 
HD classification is the frame, HD frames are 2" taller, boxed 3/4 of the length of the frame and full height the full length of the frame, the boxed section ends just forward of axle center line where rails straighten out to the rear.

regular 2500 chassis rails become shorter under the bed.

Duramax has to use the HD Chassis to clear the Allison trans ( this is why the 2500 Avalanche and Suburban never had HD Chassis and only used the 4L85 trans, the Allison 1000 will not clear the trans tunnel without a body lift ).

2500-3500 HD trucks got the " power bulge" hood, regular 2500's, 1500's and 'burbs didn't get this

1500HD is on a normal 2500 chassis, uses 1500 suspension components
 
What a hodgepodge of parts...nothing is simple these days.
 
To add to it, 1500HDs with quadrasteer use 14bolt 10.5" full float rears, 2500s use 14 bolt 9.5" full float, 2500HDs with 6.0 gasser use 14 bolt 10.5" full float, and 2500HDs with duramax or 8.1L use AAM 14 bolt 11.5" full float.
 
If they made a 1500HD quadrasteer with a medium sized diesel (3.5-4.5L), then I would really want to buy it. But not for the $50k they would want for it.
 
The Quadra Steer rear axle was a Dana 60 design, not a 14 bolt. Also, the 9.5 is a semi float.

The differences between all the trucks isn't that drastic. Just some rear end changes, frames, and hoods. I'm really not sure why they ever made a 1500 HD.
 
TheViking said:
50K would be cheap heck now a Suburban can run 65 to 80 easily depending on trim and location in the country.
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To each his own I suppose. $50K for even a 1 ton truck seems a bit stupid to me, and $80k for a suburban is even stupider but people do it every day. I drove a 2015 Tahoe rental a couple months ago, and looked up the window sticker, $72k. The I got back in my sub $10k truck and the only thing I missed was the cooled seats and Bluetooth phone integration. I'll just keep the $60k though :D
 
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