I have an 04 1500 with the hemi and was wondering if someone could tell me what the major (or minor) differences are between the 1500 and 2500 4x2's

I already know that the 2500 has the larger lug pattern ..... but are their other differences? Does the 2500 4x2 have control arms up front? If so, how different are they than the 1500 arms? I know the rear axle is also different.... how about the frame?

I mean, if I bolted in a 2500 rear axle and found a way to get 8 lug front hubs ... would I basicly have a 2500?

 

I know you have heavier duty springs in the front/rear. I think the front suspension itself is the same. On the 4x4 I think they use a recirculating ball type PS as opposed to the rack and pinion that we have. I'm not sure of the frame.

You thinking about swiching over axles or something?

 

I thought about it ... it's not something I can do in the near future but I figured it might be interesting to find out if it is possible. I mean, I can get a 14 bolt FF with 4.10s for next to nothing and if all I had to do was swap out hubs, rotors & rims up front it might be worth the extra towing capacity.... especially when it comes time to replace a hub or the rotors...

Plus I like to freak out the dealer when I bring it in for oil changes

SO can someone tell me about the 2wd 2500 suspension? Is it a control arm setup? I really don't wanna go digging around the dealer lots taking measurements....

 

The Entire Frame is different, that's where all the extra towing capacity comes from. THe Heavy Duty Frame is much stronger then the 1500.

 

Thanks.

Do you know what is different about it? Thicker? More cross beams? Etc...

 

I'm bringing this back from the dead.

I tool a quick peek at a friends 3500 the other day. Other then the extra helper spring in the back, I didn't see much difference in the rear. I only got to look for a few seconds so I'm not 100% they are the same otherwise. Up front his is a 4x4 so that wasn't a lot of help. Next time I go over there I'm bring a caliper and measuring tape to get some answers on what exactly is different.



My goal here isn't necessary to try to turn my truck into a 2500. I just want to know what exactly are the differences between a 2wd hemi 1500 and a 2wd hemi 2500. Whatever is different I would like to improve on my truck if/when those parts wear out.

 

Don't forget the suspensions are completely different. The 1500 and 2500 have no similair parts. The 1500 is an independent system, while the 2500 is a solid axle. The only way to share parts from these two trucks is by some major fabrication work. I already considered it. The steering systems are different also. The 1500 is a rack and pinion setup while the 2500 uses a saginaw style steering gear. And the list goes on and on...

 

motorhead 426 is right. The only thing these trucks have in common is the interior basically. Everything is different, especially the frame and front suspension. The 1500 has the new torsion bar set up and the 2500 has a solid axle.

I found out how different the frames were, whe I tried to fabricate a set of fisher push plates from a 2500 fro my new 1500 and they were nothing alike.

 

I'm talking about the 2wds.... my 04 2wd has coils, not torsion bars. Is a 2wd 2500 solid beam up front? (Similar to a 2wd jeep cherokee) or is it A arm with coils or torsion bars?

The front suspension isn't so much of an issue to me as the rear part of the frame, motor & tranny. If I am towing something, I'm not (or shouldn't be) adding a ton of weight/stresss to the front suspension. If I am adding weight, I doubt it is an imense amount and probably no more than I would be adding if I threw a winch and Ranch Hand bumper on there, which I will not have. Some guys (even though they are not supposed to be) are running plows up front so...

So that leaves me with the rear part of the frame, motor, tranny & rear axle. I think the Hemi is fine for 3/4 ton numbers, so is the tranny (well, at least that what they put in the 05 PW). That leaves the rear axle & frame. Between the 2, I'd think the rear axle would crap out way before the frame rips apart, so I would think that a rear axle & suspension upgrade should allow me to tow closer to a 3/4 ton level without a lot of issues.

But I'm not trying to debate, I just want to know what IS different. Is the frame under the bed of a 2500 thicker? What trannies come in 2500's with a Hemi? If the "first thing to go" is the rear axle if I tow too much weight, then I see no harm in upgrading it...

 

Here is one other thing to consider before you change out the rear end, even if you really do want all the adaptation necessary. If you have any ideas about putting on aftermarket wheels, they are expensive and hard to find, plus, I'm not sure you can find identical wheels for the front and back, to stay 1500 front, and 2500 back. If your really considering a 2500, you might be better off to sell the 1500 and find a 2500.

Hope this helps shed some light