Chev/GMC 1500HD? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Eskimo · 10-17-2002, 12:32 PM

Seems to be a decent rig for towing one rig... 6.0L, 4l80E with "tow/haul mode", 4.11 gears, and they are all crew cabs.

I think this is the only way I can hope to have a nice 4WD tow rig... I likes my luxuries, and will want it if I'm gonna keep this thing for a while.. A diesel is just out of my range, and this will be my D/D...

I can't see what kinda axles are under it, but I think it's the same as the 2500HD? I know it has 8-lug wheels.

Or should I get a Ram2500 with the Hemi V-8? I just don't like Dodge's reliability record, and the GMC looks much nicer.

They're both about the same price, with the GMC having more options available.. (I like the 12-way-to-sunday seats and the full-size back seat)

Joe_W · 10-17-2002, 12:42 PM

Buddy of mine got one, tows his 'Mog with it. According to him the only difference between the 1500HD and 2500 is one extra leaf in the springs, otherwise same axles. Nice truck

Zane Znamenacek · 10-17-2002, 01:40 PM

A 1500HD compared to a 2500HD with the 6.0 is the same axles. 2500HD's with either the DuraMax or 8.1 have stronger axles, transmissions and transfer cases, as well as bigger brakes, a stronger frame and higher load rated springs.

That said, a 1500HD is still plenty of truck for towing a 4x4.

Bill Collins · 10-17-2002, 02:13 PM

i know a lady that has one,she said it drinks the hell out of gas...

Eskimo · 10-17-2002, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zane Znamenacek
A 1500HD compared to a 2500HD with the 6.0 is the same axles. 2500HD's with either the DuraMax or 8.1 have stronger axles, transmissions and transfer cases, as well as bigger brakes, a stronger frame and higher load rated springs.

That said, a 1500HD is still plenty of truck for towing a 4x4.

I dunno if I buy that... Yeah, they have different transmissions... But the brakes & frame are the same in any 2500HD. I know the 1500HD vs the 2500HD has a different frame, hence the higher load capacity, but I'd be willing to bet the axles are the same between 6.0 and 8.1 HD's. If there was a difference, the ground clearance should change in the rear.

Anyway, the 1500 I drove was super nice, but it was 3.73 geared and OK, acceleration wise, empty... nothing like the 8.1/Allison/4.10 combo I drove later though!!!! that thing was awesome...

BigFatIronPig · 10-17-2002, 07:08 PM

the 8.1 with anything will accel. nice.

Jeepmangled87 · 10-17-2002, 10:31 PM

1500 HD is a good truck for any towing, but the Duramax rocks.

Eskimo · 10-18-2002, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jeepmangled87
1500 HD is a good truck for any towing, but the Duramax rocks.

And like I said, if I could afford a diesel, I would. *cough* cummins *cough*

The 8.1 was one bad honkin-ass motor... but a *wee* bit thirsty for day-to-day use.

TEX · 10-18-2002, 06:36 AM

ENGGGGGGGHHHHHH! Wrong answers. The primary difference between the 1500HD & the 2500HD IS the rear axle, that & the frame. 6.0 2500HD's come with a 10.5" FF 14-bolt rear. 1500HD's & auto-tranny 2500's come with 9.5" SF rear. Manual tranny 2500's get the 10.5" FF (manual tranny is not available in the 1500HD). All of the above get the 4L80E & a 9.25" IFS front. I went for the 2500HD primarily to get the FF rear. But, you'll notice that the 2500HD has larger exhaust than the 1500HD/2500. Most literature will show both trucks to have the same power rating, but the stuff I saw at my GMC dealer showed the 2500HD at 325HP vs. 300HP for the 1500HD/2500. Seat of the pants, I thought the 2500HD ran better, but not appreciably so. Internally, I'm quite certain the engines are identical, I just think the exhaust flows better on the 2500HD (none of which matters once you change the pipe anyway).

For reference, the 2500HD is essentially a SRW 3500. At 9,200 GVWR, it has the same weight rating as the previous generation SRW 3500. The 2500 & 1500HD are both 8,600 GVWR, the same as the previous gen 2500"hd".

Also, 8.1 & Duramax trucks don't share a rear axle with either of these machines. Both come with an all-new 11.5" FF rear. This 11.5" rear may or may not be used in 6.0 powered dually's. That's the only model of which I'm not sure.

And FWIW, I think my 2002 GMC 2500HD with the 6.0 is an excellent choice for hauling a single rig, a 1500HD would be damn near as good. 4.10's are ideal for towing with the stock-size rubber too. I only wish 4.56's would have been available since I'm planning to go to 255/85 R16 tires eventually.

TEX

Eskimo · 10-18-2002, 06:57 AM

wow..good info Tex...thanks!

pcorssmit · 10-18-2002, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TEX
4.10's are ideal for towing with the stock-size rubber too. I only wish 4.56's would have been available since I'm planning to go to 255/85 R16 tires eventually.

TEX

A buddy of mine with an '01 1500HD swapped to 4.56s, and runs 285/75s (same height as 255/85s) and is happy with them. Course I don't think his supercharger hurts either.

Pete

TEX · 10-18-2002, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pcorssmit

Course I don't think his supercharger hurts either.

No schit! That'd be nice

TEX

1TonCJ-7 · 10-19-2002, 06:37 PM

Tex hit it right on. When I was looking last fall at them, the dealer was trying to talk me into a 1500HD over the 2500HD since he had a whole whack of them on the lot. They tried to convince me that the trucks were identical except that the 1500 had lighter brakes. Why the hell would they put lighter brakes on a big axle aI said to them. They stuck to their story, so I walked to the back and looked under. Told the sales dude, to learn his shit better and left and went to another GM dealership in town....

fj40guy · 10-21-2002, 01:27 PM

Went through this earlier this year... The 2500HD Crew is the way to go. Ended up with the LS option, 6.0 gas, auto, 2WD rear locker option.

2WD is fine for 99% of my driving, but pulling out onto a main street with water in the gutter... well, just wait for a good clearing in traffic as those wheels will be spinning before they dry off!

Best thing about the rear flip down seat... muddy dogs! Flip the seat forward, toss a blanket in, let the dogs in there. When I need a haul passangers... flip the blanket back into the cranny, seats up... seats are clean.

Ya Duramax & 4x4 would have been nice... but so is keeping an extra $8K in my pocket.

Tom

10-17-2002, 12:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
Eskimo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Member # 10429 Location: Danville, PA Posts: 4,457	Chev/GMC 1500HD? Seems to be a decent rig for towing one rig... 6.0L, 4l80E with "tow/haul mode", 4.11 gears, and they are all crew cabs. I think this is the only way I can hope to have a nice 4WD tow rig... I likes my luxuries, and will want it if I'm gonna keep this thing for a while.. A diesel is just out of my range, and this will be my D/D... I can't see what kinda axles are under it, but I think it's the same as the 2500HD? I know it has 8-lug wheels. Or should I get a Ram2500 with the Hemi V-8? I just don't like Dodge's reliability record, and the GMC looks much nicer. They're both about the same price, with the GMC having more options available.. (I like the 12-way-to-sunday seats and the full-size back seat) __________________ Rich Q. FJ-40 Cruggy - tuned 5.3/4WS rockwells/linked/ORI's/42's

10-17-2002, 02:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Bill Collins Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 163 Location: Village Mills, TX 77663 Posts: 2,629	i know a lady that has one,she said it drinks the hell out of gas... __________________ 85 runner with some stuff...

10-17-2002, 07:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
BigFatIronPig Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14338 Location: Marin Co.,CA Posts: 203	the 8.1 with anything will accel. nice. __________________ - Dave

10-18-2002, 06:36 AM	#9 (permalink)
TEX Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Member # 603 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 14,198	ENGGGGGGGHHHHHH! Wrong answers. The primary difference between the 1500HD & the 2500HD IS the rear axle, that & the frame. 6.0 2500HD's come with a 10.5" FF 14-bolt rear. 1500HD's & auto-tranny 2500's come with 9.5" SF rear. Manual tranny 2500's get the 10.5" FF (manual tranny is not available in the 1500HD). All of the above get the 4L80E & a 9.25" IFS front. I went for the 2500HD primarily to get the FF rear. But, you'll notice that the 2500HD has larger exhaust than the 1500HD/2500. Most literature will show both trucks to have the same power rating, but the stuff I saw at my GMC dealer showed the 2500HD at 325HP vs. 300HP for the 1500HD/2500. Seat of the pants, I thought the 2500HD ran better, but not appreciably so. Internally, I'm quite certain the engines are identical, I just think the exhaust flows better on the 2500HD (none of which matters once you change the pipe anyway). For reference, the 2500HD is essentially a SRW 3500. At 9,200 GVWR, it has the same weight rating as the previous generation SRW 3500. The 2500 & 1500HD are both 8,600 GVWR, the same as the previous gen 2500"hd". Also, 8.1 & Duramax trucks don't share a rear axle with either of these machines. Both come with an all-new 11.5" FF rear. This 11.5" rear may or may not be used in 6.0 powered dually's. That's the only model of which I'm not sure. And FWIW, I think my 2002 GMC 2500HD with the 6.0 is an excellent choice for hauling a single rig, a 1500HD would be damn near as good. 4.10's are ideal for towing with the stock-size rubber too. I only wish 4.56's would have been available since I'm planning to go to 255/85 R16 tires eventually. TEX __________________ www.probog.com Thanks to: www.heiseroil.com Extreme Performance www.kmelectronics.com Bear Creek Auto Recyclers www.svrehorsepower.com

10-18-2002, 06:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
Eskimo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Member # 10429 Location: Danville, PA Posts: 4,457	wow..good info Tex...thanks! __________________ Rich Q. FJ-40 Cruggy - tuned 5.3/4WS rockwells/linked/ORI's/42's

10-17-2002, 01:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
Zane Znamenacek Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4758 Location: Fruita, CO Posts: 103	A 1500HD compared to a 2500HD with the 6.0 is the same axles. 2500HD's with either the DuraMax or 8.1 have stronger axles, transmissions and transfer cases, as well as bigger brakes, a stronger frame and higher load rated springs. That said, a 1500HD is still plenty of truck for towing a 4x4.

10-17-2002, 10:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jeepmangled87 ROCK & ROLL OFFROAD Join Date: Mar 2001 Member # 3906 Location: ROCK AND ROLL OFFROAD Dallas/Ft.Worth Tx. Posts: 6,130	1500 HD is a good truck for any towing, but the Duramax rocks.

10-19-2002, 06:37 PM	#13 (permalink)
1TonCJ-7 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 13576 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 244	Tex hit it right on. When I was looking last fall at them, the dealer was trying to talk me into a 1500HD over the 2500HD since he had a whole whack of them on the lot. They tried to convince me that the trucks were identical except that the 1500 had lighter brakes. Why the hell would they put lighter brakes on a big axle aI said to them. They stuck to their story, so I walked to the back and looked under. Told the sales dude, to learn his shit better and left and went to another GM dealership in town.... __________________ It ain't pretty, but it works

10-21-2002, 01:27 PM	#14 (permalink)
fj40guy Rock God Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9576 Location: Texas... off 183A Posts: 2,230	Went through this earlier this year... The 2500HD Crew is the way to go. Ended up with the LS option, 6.0 gas, auto, 2WD rear locker option. 2WD is fine for 99% of my driving, but pulling out onto a main street with water in the gutter... well, just wait for a good clearing in traffic as those wheels will be spinning before they dry off! Best thing about the rear flip down seat... muddy dogs! Flip the seat forward, toss a blanket in, let the dogs in there. When I need a haul passangers... flip the blanket back into the cranny, seats up... seats are clean. Ya Duramax & 4x4 would have been nice... but so is keeping an extra $8K in my pocket. Tom __________________ Too many projects, never enough time nor money.

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