HD vs. Non-HD...what's the difference?

[wancosc356]

I was looking at my owners manual. What is the difference between a 3500 and a 3500 HD?

[BigBlocksRule]

The "HD".
It takes years of experience and a trained eye to pick up on that, so don't feel bad.

[Colt Cobra]

the GMT400 3500HD has a straight axle up front and heavier springs and shocks, ect They made them up until 02 or 03 IIRC and you could get them with an 8.1 or I think even a D-Max in the 01 and later ones

[69-350]

3500HD's are an entirely different beast than a 1 ton. They do not share much of anything, except the body (except the big valance piece below the grille on a 3500HD) and the motor. The front suspension is a solid leaf sprung I-beam instead of IFS, they have a big drum brake for a drivetrain brake behind the tranny, and they use different frames, amongst other differences, including springs and stuff. I think they, like the Kodiaks of the time, used the 94-down pickup interiors too. I don't remember what they have for rear ends, they are 10 lugs though, with big 5 lug front hubs. In short, these trucks were built by GM for work, pure an simple. They will blow a one ton truck out of the water, unfortunately they only came in single cab cab&chassis 2wd trucks, but retained the OBS until they quit making them, in like 02 or so I want to say. There is some info about these trucks floating around on the boards.

[Colt Cobra]

not completely true, note the first picture I posted, its a 4 door

[wancosc356]

A hah! I have seen the HD trucks before and just didn't realize that that is what they are. Thanks fellas!

[69-350]

Originally Posted by Colt Cobra

not completely true, note the first picture I posted, its a 4 door

oops, good call. Musta been confusing myself there with something else.