2500 vs 2500hd

[adamquadd]

Can someone please tell me whats the difference between a chevy 2500 and a 2500hd.  I have some people telling me the hd is a 1ton swr.  Others are telling me a 2500 is a 5/8ton and a 2500hd is a 3/4ton.  Thanks


2002 Chevy 2500hd 6.6l Diesel CC 4x4  15,300
2010 Puma 356QLB TH Dry 9,208  GVWR 14,557 

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

The 2500's are all SWR (Single Rear Wheel). You don't get duals until the 3500. Both are 3/4 ton, but the term ins meaningless and has been for years. The "3/4 ton" used to refer to the cargo carrying capacity, but those vary all over the map these days and generally always well above 1500 lbs (3/4/ton). A 3/4 ton with a extra payload option may exceed a one ton without it.

HD simply  means Heavy Duty and that is what the marketing guys are trying to say. However, you need to compare the specific configurations to make any meaningful distinction between them.

 

[PHS79]

GM's 2500 trucks had a GVWR of 8600 lbs for alot of years, but in 01 they came out with a higher GVWR 2500 so they added the "HD" to the name, thus the 2500HD.  2500HD's have a GVWR of 9200lbs.  Also in 01 and 02 GM made both the 2500 and 2500HD, but I believe it was in 03 they dropped the 2500 and started badging it as a 1500HD.

Gary is correct about the labeling of 1/2, 3/4 and 1 tons.  Now it is just a label being that capacitys have gone up so much over the years.  For instance my F150 has a payload cap of over 1700 lbs, and one of our work trucks  06 F350 DRW has a payload cap of over 5200lbs.

 

[donn]

Besides the aforementioned weight ratings the real difference is springs, tires,wheels, axles.
The 2500 gets semi floating rear axle just like the 1/2 ton, the HD gets full floating axles.  There is  BIG difference between these two axles.
In the old days they used to call them heavy half tons.  NBow, because of the stigma of towing capacities GM uses the 2500 moniker to lure unsuspecting buyers.

 

[janpaul]

I also believe the motor and transmission options are different.

 

[PHS79]

I also believe the motor and transmission options are different.

Correct.  The 1500HD/2500 is only available with the 6.0L and I believe that they were only available with a auto tranny.  Where as the 2500HD could be found with the 6.0L, 6.6L Duramax diesel or 8.1L and the transmission options all depend on what model year the truck is, since they switched the Allison from 5 to 6 spd sometime in either 06 or 07.  GM also switched from a 4spd to 6spd behind the 6.0L in 07 when they switched body styles.  I think they also dumped the manual tranny at some point in time also, but I could be wrong on that.