Pickup Trucks 101: How Do SRW 2500s and 3500s Differ?

From the outside, it can be hard to tell the difference between a three-quarter-ton (Class 2B) and one-ton (Class 3) single-rear-wheel pickup truck. Even the pricing can look similar, with 3500s usually costing $1,100 to $1,300 more than 2500s. Dual-rear-wheel pickups have higher payload and towing ratings along with other significant structural changes, but in this piece we’ll focus on single-rear-wheel trucks to keep comparisons as consistent as possible.

What are the differences between the two? And is a 3500 worth the extra money?

In most cases, you’ll find the interiors and exteriors of these two truck types are similar except for badging. Mechanically and structurally many things are similar as well, like frames and brakes, but there also are many differences. Engines, transmissions, axles, transfer cases and suspensions can all vary to some degree between the two classes no matter the manufacturer.

2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Vs. 3500

Engine options are the same for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500: the 6.0-liter Vortec V-8 gas engine and the turbo-diesel 6.6-liter Duramax V-8. The maximum gross vehicle weight rating and gross combined weight rating for the Silverado 2500 are 10,000 and 25,300 pounds, respectively. Ratings for the Silverado 3500 are predictably higher for payload, with a higher GVWR at 11,600 but the GCWR is identical to the 2500 at 25,300 pounds. Chevy uses two six-speed automatic transmissions for its heavy-duty trucks. The Vortec gas engine is mated to a Hydra-Matic 6L90 while the Duramax diesel is paired with the heavier-duty Allison 1000.

Two Magna transfer cases are offered and are available for both the 2500 and 3500. The MP1225/6 NQG is a floor-mounted, manually shifted unit and the MP1625/6 NQF is a rotary-dial, electronically shifting unit.

Chevy uses an AAM 11.5-inch rear axle and 9.25-inch front axle for both the gas and diesel drivetrains in the 2500 and 3500 models. The gear ratios are the same for both the 2500 and 3500: 4.10:1 for the gas and 3.73:1 for the diesel. Both these facts are the single biggest factor in why the 2500 and 3500 have the same GCWR numbers.

Additionally, both the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 have the same independent (torsion bar) front suspension and rear leaf sprung suspensions; however, the shocks are different depending on trim level/option packages. Finally, while a tire pressure monitoring system is required for all vehicles with a GVWR less than 10,000 pounds, Chevy is the only one of the Detroit Three that doesn’t include TPMS on its one-ton trucks yet.

Editor’s note: Since GM’s Chevrolet and GMC trucks are twins, everything above also applies to the 2018 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500.

2018 Ford F-250 Vs. F-350

The engine options for the 2018 Ford F-250 and F-350 are the same: the gas 6.2-liter V-8 and turbo-diesel 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8. The F-250 has a maximum GVWR of 10,000 pounds and a base GCWR of 23,500 pounds, yet it can be optioned to have a maximum GCWR of 25,700 pounds. The single-rear-wheel F-350 has a maximum GVWR of 11,500 pounds and a maximum GCWR of 28,700 pounds. Ford uses its six-speed automatic transmission for both the F-250 and F-350.

The gas F-250 uses the more refined TorqShift-G 6R100 transmission, while the gas F-350 and Super Duty diesels all use the stronger TorqShift 6R140. The two transmissions also have different gear ratios, with the 6R100 being geared slightly lower for stronger work duty.

Transfer cases for both vehicles are BorgWarner models with a 2.64:1 low range. The MSOS/ESOF 6R100 transfer case pairs with the TorqShift-G 6R100 transmission and the MSOS/ESOF 6R140 pairs with the TorqShift 6R140 transmission. The heavier-duty 6R140 transfer case is built to handle the higher power output rating of the 6R140 transmission.

Front axles for the Ford F-250 and Ford F-350 are the same Dana 60s with a 10.08-inch ring gear. The rear axle for the gas F-250 and F-350 along with lighter-duty diesel F-250s is a Ford 10.5-inch rear end. The F-250 diesel can be optioned with the standard diesel F-350 rear axle: the Dana M275, which offers a 10.8-inch ring gear. Available axle ratios are the same for the F-250 and F-350; choices include 3.73:1 and 4.30:1 for the gas, and 3.31:1 and 3.55:1 for the diesel.

Suspensions on the front of Ford’s Super Duty trucks are the same, but the rear suspensions have differently tuned shocks and springs. The shocks for the F-350 are designed for the higher load capacity, while the F-250 shocks are tuned for a smoother ride when empty. Additionally, the F-350 offers standard auxiliary rear overload springs, while the F-250 can be optioned with them.

2018 Ram 2500 Vs. 3500

Ram has the most variances between its 2500 and 3500 models when compared with competitors. Where Ford and Chevy heavy-duty models have two transmission options and two engine options, Ram offers four transmission and engine options. The 2018 Ram 2500 and 3500 single-rear-wheel pickups have the same maximum GCWR rating of 25,300 pounds; however, the maximum GVWR for the 2500 is 10,000 pounds and the maximum GVWR for the 3500 is 12,300 pounds.

The four different six-speed transmissions are the A6 66RFE (automatic), A6 68RFE (auto), A6 AS69RC (auto) and M6 MT-G56 (manual). The 66RFE and 68RFE are made by Ram parent Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, while the AS69RC is made by Aisin and the MT-G56 is made by Getrag. The 66RFE is paired with the 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter V-8 Hemi engines; the MT-G56 is paired with the turbo-diesel 6.7-liter Cummins inline-six-cylinder (the down-rated version that yields 660 pounds-feet of torque); the 68RFE is paired with the middle-rated Cummins turbo-diesel (800 pounds-feet of torque); and the AS69RC is paired with the max-rated Cummins diesel (930 pounds-feet of torque) and is available only on the Ram 3500 dually (the other engine/transmission combinations are available for both the 2500 and 3500).

Ram offers two Borg Warner 2.64:1 low-range transfer cases — the BW 44-46 electric shift and BW 44-47 manual shift. Either one can be used in any four-wheel-drive application on the Ram 2500 or 3500.

Interestingly, Ram uses the same front and rear axles for everything in the 2500 and 3500 trucks, except the dual-rear-wheel applications where the max-torque Cummins is available. Similar to Chevrolet, the front is an AAM with a 9.25-inch ring gear and the rear axle is an AAM with an 11.5-inch ring gear. The Ram 2500 Power Wagon has locking front and rear axles that are not available on any other Ram application. The axle ratios available for 2500 models and single-rear-wheel 3500s are 3.73:1 and 4.10:1 for gas and 3.42:1 for the Cummins turbo-diesel.

All front suspensions for the two trucks are the same (meaning live front axles and coil springs) except for the Power Wagon, which adds an electronically disconnecting sway bar. The rear of the 2500 has a five-link coil spring setup with an optional supplemental air spring for extra load carrying capacity. The rear of the 3500 has leaf springs, also with an optional supplemental airbag.

Summing Things Up

While three-quarter and one-ton pickups often look similar on the surface, the differences underneath can be quite significant depending on how you order them. Those differences are enough to warrant a closer look when deciding on which one is best for you. Make sure you know what you need. Generally speaking, the GM three-quarter-ton truck will ride smoother than the one-ton when empty but will not be able to carry as much payload, but it is likely able to tow just as much as the one-ton. Knowing the difference will help you make the right choice and determine if you need to spend the extra money for a diesel.

Chevrolet Silverado 3500

Ford F-350

Ram 3500

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