3/4 vs. 1 ton suspension

[exav8tr]

Dave, I am still interested in the results of this thread. The direction I was looking for was to learn more information about the "GM Truck suspension" . Thanks for the clarification of your original intent.

As I want this thread to continue I will withold remarks about other posters and try to stay on topic.

[sreigle]

I'd like to address jretz's question and then will stop posting here since this is supposed to be about GM.

Jretz, I **think** the camper package upgrades to include front and rear stabilizer bars. It either adds or upgrades them. On the F250 it includes the additional spring that's already on the F350 SRW, also. I'm a little fuzzy on details as it's been a couple of years but I'm sure it includes stabilizer bars.

[kdeiss]

This is what I was told 3/4 Vs 1 Ton Chev/Gmc
3/4 1Ton
Wheels 16X6.5 16x7

Tires 245/75R16E (3042 Lbs) 265/75R16E (3420 Lbs)

Leaf springs 1 Additional on each side

[exav8tr]

Ken, Might I inquire as to where you got this info. I am looking for a reliable source.

Thanks

[tom41]

Hey Phil, I am not offended, and didnt have any intention of offending you or anyone. I am just an "old" fulltimer, and I dont take much of anything personal but I will most all time have a come back of some kind. I dont make up stuff about trucks to post here. I am just a fun kind of guy and when things gets kinda sticky on here and we start acting like kids or " we THINK we know all the answers, then sometimes a little "humor" is not a bad thing. If I'm wrong I am man nuff to admit it, But if I'm right and called a liar, then son, the Irish country boy will come out! LOL
now heres a truck that you wont have to worry about adding springs

[exav8tr]

I don't know Tom, Looks like it might be made in China by Walmart.......lol

[indy roadrunner]

I don't see a Chev, GMC, Dodge or Ford logo on that one. Finally we have found a truck capable of pulling the Montana. Does it come with a jewel studded louvered tailgate?

[SlickWillie]

C & P from the GMPartsdirect site:

Mechanical Catalog - 2004 - GMC - Sierra
Universals and rear axle, Rear axle, Axle shafts, Axle shafts, all models, 11.50, w/o wide axle $410.13 $243.12 $243.12 Delete From Cart

Mechanical Catalog - 2004 - GMC - Sierra
Universals and rear axle, Rear axle, Axle shafts, Axle shafts, all models, 11.50, w/wide axle $405.07 $240.13 $240.13 Delete From Cart

Mechanical Catalog - 2005 - GMC - Sierra
Universals and rear axle, Rear axle, Axle shafts, Axle shafts, all models, 11.50, w/o wide axle $418.04 $247.81 $247.81 Delete From Cart

You will note in 05 the narrow width shaft part number changed. This shaft still fits all models from 05-07 with the 11.50 gear.

Take this for what is worth to you. I am convinced on the GM 2500HD D/A and 3500 D/A SRW the axle is the same. Wonder what the spring pack difference is?

[richfaa]

We are learning are we not. The truth and facts are always out there. We have but to seek..then accept.

[brenkco]

Rich,
I absolutely agree..I have learned a ton (no pun intended) and have re-read this thread a few times. It has inspired me to do a bunch more research. I just printed the how to weigh you RV (http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com/sup.../weighform.pdf)so when I take delivery next week, we can apply some facts to all of our new found knowledge. I have been by the Dodge dealer to get specs and checked a variety of solutions on the net.

Bottom line is that a thread like this has given me the foundation to ask more intelligent questions and greatly expand my knowledge. Thanks to all.....

[richfaa]

Ken..That is a real good web site. We saved it. Everyone should take a look at it and learn.

[kdeiss]

quote:Originally posted by exav8tr

Ken, Might I inquire as to where you got this info. I am looking for a reliable source.

Thanks

That info came from my Dealer when I purchase my 2002 GMC 2500HD I noted that info in the booklet and saved.So it is tires,Wheels and extra leaf spring.

[SlickWillie]

Here are the springs (again from GMPartsdirect). No distinction between dually or SRW, so I would take that to mean they use the same spring pack.

Mechanical Catalog - 2004 - GMC - Sierra
Rear suspension, Suspension components, Leaf spring, Leaf spring, silverado, sierra, 3/4 ton - leaf spring - LEAF SPRING $344.63 $204.30 $204.30 Delete From Cart

Mechanical Catalog - 2004 - GMC - Sierra
Rear suspension, Suspension components, Leaf spring, Leaf spring, silverado, sierra, 1 ton - leaf spring - LEAF SPRING $513.08 $304.16 $304.16 Delete From Cart

Here are a couple facts on tires. I saw another post on this, but seems that post showed different load ratings. This is for the Michelin tires.

LTX® M/S LT265/75R16/E 3415lbs.@80 psi
LTX® M/S LT245/75R16/E 3042lbs.@80 psi

The LT245 is the stock size that came on my truck. They were Bridgestones and I'm not sure if all tires are rated equal. I am running the LT245 Michelins at this time. Not sure what the 3500SRW came with.

Tom, I was looking at your post again that shows the Dana in Chevy 3500 trucks. I'm thinking front differential on that one. I have owned several Chevy/GMC vehicles with locking differentials, and the rear gear is Eaton G80. Seems I did read on DP that the front differential was Dana. Not sure about that one though.

(Edit) A note on the LT265 tires. Michelin recommends they be mounted on 7-8" wide rims.

[wswebster]

YES THE AXLES ARE THE SAME. I BELIEVE THE BRACKETS ARE DIFFERENT ON THEM. WE ALSO PUT A DIFFERENT BRAKE CALIPER AND ROTORS ON THE DUALLY. I ASSEMBLE THEM, BUT THEY GO BUY KINDA FAST BUT I DO KNOW FOR SURE THEY BOTH TAKE THE 11.5 AXLE.

STACY

[sreigle]

I've never yet found a scale that actually gives me separate axle weights on the trailer even when those axles have been on separate panels. Maybe I need to ask them to give me weights on all four panels? And I've never seen one that weighs just one wheel on an axle. I could do that at a Farmer's Co-op elevator by only putting one side on the scale at a time but have not yet done that. I'd have to do it when they're closed because I would tie up the scale for awhile.

My Ford 3/4 ton came with the same size tires as the standard tires on the F350 SRW. LT265 in each case. I'm not sure whether the Dodge 3/4 ton comes with LT265 but my 1 ton Dodge did.

[ray fischer]

Steve, my 2005 Dodge 2500 CTD H/D came with the LT265R70/E 17 tires. I did a lot of research and discovered that the only diference between my 2500 and the 3500 SRW was one leaf in the pack. Everything else was identical, axle, brakes, etc, etc, etc. My Dodge service Mgr recomended a spring shop that could add the extra leaf. I had it, plus firestone air bags added. I wanted a 3500 SRW S/B but my dealer had the 2500 Laramie that I bought with 3600 miles on it for about $7,000.00 less than I could have ordered a 3500 SRW. I couldn't pass up the deal. I feel just as safe as if I had the 3500 SRW, despite what the sticker says. I get sick of hearing the weight police say, look at the sticker, look at the sticker. The one answer I don't understand is why my 410 rear is rated to tow 13050lbs and the 373 rear is rated at 13950lbs.

[brenkco]

Steve,
I have weight my TT exactly as shown on that website. We went to a local Bekins Mover. They let us go through all of the different weights. They charged us $10.00. We showed them what we wanted prior to taking the weights and they logged the data for us. It actually only took about 15 minutes to do all of the measurements. Well worth the time to: make sure the load was balanced, check our overall weight and to have the correct tire pressure.

We also went to a gravel yard and did some weights but they were limited as they didn't have the width to accommodate the side to side weights.

[BigAl52]

Ray
I am right there with ya man. I found that there was only the small change to the spring over my 3/4 ton 2003 Dodge. I did the same as you firestone air bags and did change the shocks to Bilstens. The shocks made a big difference. But of course I have done all the other things I am not supposed to do also. Chipped the engine twice and added the extra fuel tank to the bed of the Dodge. But thats okay it does a fine job with the 3485sa. Al

[SlickWillie]

quote:Originally posted by wswebster

YES THE AXLES ARE THE SAME. I BELIEVE THE BRACKETS ARE DIFFERENT ON THEM. WE ALSO PUT A DIFFERENT BRAKE CALIPER AND ROTORS ON THE DUALLY. I ASSEMBLE THEM, BUT THEY GO BUY KINDA FAST BUT I DO KNOW FOR SURE THEY BOTH TAKE THE 11.5 AXLE.

STACY

Thanks for the info. A look at the catalog at GMPartsdirect confirms exactly what you said. Brake rotors are different on 3/4 and 1 ton models. Made a change in 06 also. Two different rotors on the 1 ton; 9900 and 12000 GVWR.

(Edit) Don't know what this means as far as size of rotors or braking, but the calipers are different also.

[sreigle]

So, it sounds like the Ford and Dodge difference is limited to the springs but the GM's have some additional differences. I'll have to remember that when telling folks the difference in the future.