I've been doing a lot of research on the differences between the 1500 and2500 Mega Cabs. After reading several posts on here where people are saying that the difference is the suspension, the axles or the transmission, I wanted to know the truth.So,I've been sending emails back and forth withChrysler Group Customer Assistance (customerassistmkt@daimlerchrysler.com) to find out whatEXACTLY is the difference. The only thing that they can tell me is that when both trucks are 4WD andare standard equipped,the 1500 has a 1,970 lbs. payload and the 2500 has a 2,210 lbs. payload. The 1500 has 14,000 lbs. GCWR and the 2500 has 15,000 lbs. GCWR. When I asked what thephysical differences between the two trucks are they could notsay and just referred me back to the numbers. When I bought my '06 Mega Cab I spoke with the Service Manager and he said that everything was identical except the badges and had no idea why they were rated differently. If anyone knows what the difference is I'd like to know, as well. It definately is NOT the suspension, the axles, the transmission, the engine, the brakes, the hubs orthe tires.

Standard on both trucks:
5.7 Liter Hemi
9.25 Front Axle / 5,200 lbs. Rating
10.50 Rear Axle / 6,010 lbs. Rating
3.73 Gear Ratio
545RFE 5 Speed Automatic Transmission
Same Leaf Springs onFront and Back(5 Leafs / all other 1500's have 4 leafs)
Heavy Duty 4 Wheel Disk Brakes
8 Lug Hubs
Same Frame
LT 265/70R17E Michelin Tires
Same Wheels

 

difference between the 1500MC and 2500MC. . .there is only one. . .the door stickers. they are exactly the same truck, come off the same assembly line. the reason for the payload differences is from a DC rateing given to the DOT. the 1500MC can carry and pull the same payload as a similarly equiped 2500MC. the only thing is if you are pullingat max orare over the 1500 specs, expect a fine if you are cought

 

My salesman (at the time that I bought mine), said that the difference was that the 1500 had the Hemi and the 2500 had the Cummins. Guess he was wrong. I did check dodges website and found that the 1500 only comes with the Hemi but the 2500 has the option to get the Hemi or the Cummins with all of the Cummins options. So in short, there is no difference when they both have the Hemi, it is just an engine option that is available for the 2500 badge.

Also, I have never seen a 2500 with a Hemi, they all have been Cummins. So maybe the dealers realize this and don't order any for their lots.

 

I see alot of 2500's with hemi's in my area, it all depends on what the dealer sees as what will give them the largest return.

 

A salesman wrong? No way.....lol

 

Do you have 5 lug wheels or 8 lug? I know there are a lot of differences between the quad cab 1500 and 2500. I'm not sure about the mega cabs. If theyre the same why wouldnt Dodge just badge them as 2500's and jack up the price? There has to be a reason....

 

All MegaCabs are 8 lug, regardless of 2wd, 4wd, 1500, 2500, or 3500.

 

Well the different payload maxs would point to different suspension. Rule it out: look up the part numbers for both to find any differences, if any.

 

I thought the same thing, but the Service Manager at my local dealership has assured me that they are exactly the same truck, except for the badges. There's only one thing that I'm absolutely positive about, and that is Dodge will not tell me what the difference is, other than to point me to the numbers. I've asked for exact physical differences and they ain't sayin'.

 

Well, from what I have read on here, the 2500 frame is much stronger than the 1500 frame. Correct me if I am wrong, thank you!