What's the diff.....??

[BigRed76]

Originally Posted by 83GMCK2500

BigRed76 incorrect, see b454rat's post.

To add further information, in the GMT-400 (88-02, technically) platform the 6-lug 9.5" 14 bolt semi float was in 1500s that had the RPO F44. In early -400s GM built those ridiculous 6-lug 2500s which also had the 6-lug 9.5" axle. I call them ridiculous because GM should have just called it what it was, a heavy half... There is an 8-lug 9.5" also used in the -400s on lower gvwr (I think <= 8,600#) 2500 trucks. Can't forget to mention the rare 5-lug 9.5" 14 bolt SF either, 454SS trucks.

Guess I should've specified I was talking about the 6-lug 14 bolt SF, since I don't know anything about the 8-lug 14 bolt SF's. I do agree that GM should've called them heavy halfs rather than 2500's, since I have a '95 2500 with the 6-lug 14 bolt SF, and it truly is a half ton with bigger rear axle, bigger rear brakes, and an extra leaf on each rear spring. I was also under the impression that the GMT-400 platform ended in 2000, even though it is generalized as 88-98.