Does anyone know the actual differences between K2500LD's, K2500HD's, and K3500's? What transmissions, transfer cases, and axles are in each of them? I am in the market for a 96 to 98 model in one of these versions and would like to find out as much as possible before I spend my hard-earned money. After purchase I will lift it, put probably 35's on it, and increase the engine's power. Although it sounds like I need a K3500, I am still trying to retain a soft ride. Also, does Chevy make a ext. cab short bed in the two heavy duty models? Any info is greatly appreciated!

Well, if you want to put a lift on it, and then run 35's, you definately need to get the 2500HD or 3500. They have the bigger (9.something") front IFS. Definately can handle 33's, and can stand up to 35's as long as you don't whump on it extremely hard. The 3/4 ton will ride better than the 1 ton, but you are to the point with 35's, that the ride starts to get bad from the tires. I think they made extended cab shortbed 3/4 tons, but I'm not certain. I do know that the last two years of the C/K bodystyle they made CrewCab shortbeds. Little longer, but that way you can actually fit people comfortably in the the back. Hope this helps.

1992 Blazer Sport, 350 TBI, Gibson 3" cat back, 4L60, K&N, Rancho 3" lift, 285/75R16's on 16x8 Bajas

The 3/4ton LD will have a GM14 semi floater rear axle with 6lugs. The K2500HD will usually(not all the time)have a 14bolt full floater with 8lugs. The K3500 comes stock with the 14bolt Full Floater. I believe the GVWR of the HD is 8600above, whereas the LD is 6400or around there. The heavy duty K2500 and K3500 will have the 4L80 tranny and the Light duty will have the 4L60. Of course the 4L80 is the tougher. The K3500 will also have an extra overload spring in the rear. For the buildup your wanting to do, I would go with the K2500HD with the GM14bolt full floater. Dont quote me on all this info. HOpefully someone with a littl more knowledge will help you out.

<font color=purple>You'd definitely want the 10.5" full-floating rear. As mentioned above, both the 2500HD & 3500 share tranny's & the 9.25" IFS front. The main difference being the full-floating rear is standard on the 3500, but not the 2500. I have two friends with '97 2500HD's, both X-cab, shortbed (I believe '97 being the first year this was available) with 350's & neither have the heavier rear. One thing though, the 9.5" rear isn't all that bad & the bigger rear can be swapped in. With limited availability of X-cab Shortbeds in 8-lug configuration with Vortec engines, you may have to settle for the smaller rear & potentially upgrade later. If I remember correctly, the GVWR's are as follows:

2500LD 7200
2500HD 8600
3500 9200


BTW, in the IFS trucks ('88 & up) all HD 2500's are 8 lug wheels, but do not have HD behind the 2500. In '01 when the truck designated as "2500HD" comes out, it will actually be replacing the single-rear-wheel 3500. The current "light duty" 2500 Silverado/Sierra is actually 8600 GVWR just like the C/K 2500 "heavy duty", and shares all drivetrain components (except engines).</font color=purple>

TEX

http://sites.netscape.net/gumboracing

K3500 All the way! not only do you automatically get the 14bFF rear axle but the front IFS is stronger than the K2500 the 1ton is just plain out a BAD ASS truck!
LIFT Superlift is the only company that I know of that makes a IFS lift specifically for the "1 ton ONLY" where as most companies are "3/4 or 1 ton"
I don't know why? but it sounds to me like Superlift takes some of the differences into consideration! I have had the IFS Superlift on a previous truck (3/4 ton) and Highly recommend it!
TIRES 35" tires NO PROBLEM ! I have a friend here in Phoenix running 38.5 ground hawgs on a 94 1ton, 6" ProComp suspension lift, and 3" performance body lift, and he has had no problems. I do definitely agree no bigger than 35" on a 1/2 ton IFS! but for a 1ton 35" are no sweat! As you probably know, I recommend BFG's!!!
RIDE as far as the ride, I have a 1ton ext cab, I have turned my torsion bars to gain about 1 1/4" in the front just enough to level it out, and am running 285/75 BFG's AT/ko's on 16X8 Centerlines and my ride is great. It is solid feeling, but not rough in any way! it's is a truck not a Cadillac.
These are NOT the old style solid axle/leave spring 1ton, that DID ride rough!

By the way I will be putting mine up for sale soon, I would rather sell it to someone here! then through the Paper/Autotrader that way I can keep track of it.
1990 K3500 ext cab Silverado 77K orig miles, fully loaded, excellent cond!. 454/TH400. the TH400 is much more durable than any other auto!
my tranny was just rebuilt, with an RV shift kit, and "Hughes Tow Master" HD torque converter! and a BIG trans cooler.
By the way the front grill from a 90 to a 98 is interchangeable Most people change them, I haven't yet because my chrome is still perfect.
If anyone is interested, let me know with a private message.

Scooby Dooby Doo !!!

"the TH400 is much more durable than any other auto!"

Your TH400 only has 77,000 miles on it and has already needed a rebuild? Yeesh, maybe I should go out and at least change the fluid in the 4L80E in my 94 K2500 Sub with 138,000 miles....

Who said it NEEDED rebuilt.
I was leaving this summer for a 800 mile trip across Arizona pulling a 21' boat.(outside temps 110 )
I wanted the RV shift kit, and the Hughes Heavy duty torque converter, and big tranny cooler.
Since I was owed a favor from my tranny shop guy (long story) seemed like a good time to do it.(especially since favors sometimes have expiration dates[img]/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
I had him rebuild it and add the extras all I paid for was parts. .
If are you saying that you think a 4L80E is better than a TH400 you probably don't ever tow much?
or you were just trying to bust my [img]/wwwthreads_images/icons/blush.gif[/img][img]/wwwthreads_images/icons/blush.gif[/img]'s

Scooby Dooby Doo !!!

<font color=purple>BTW, the 4L80E is essentially a TH400 plus a 4th gear, electronically shifted. The O/D builds additional heat making the 4L80E somewhat less durable than the TH400, though still plenty stout.</font color=purple>

TEX

http://sites.netscape.net/gumboracing

Those 4L80-E's from Jet are plenty tough though, they can handle 750 ft-lbs of torque, I would stick with an O/D tranny to save on gas rather than get the TH400, just my opinion though...

One thing said above was about the Crew Cab Short boxes being produced the last 2 years of CK years. So what year did they start? because the last year for the 3/4 HD and the 1 tons are 2000 are they not? so did they start being built 2 years before the half tons were stopped making the year 96/97 or in 97/98?

Thanks...Ryan