2500hd or Suburban 2500

[dagnabbitt]

Aside from the body, what is the difference between a 6.0 Silverado 2500hd and a Suburban 2500? Both would seem to be 3/4 tons, but is the 2500hd stronger, better?

I need a tow vehicle which will eventually be an LS donor for one of my projects, and I don't really need a bed.

[Greg58]

I have owned both and towed with both, mine were 2000 models. The Sub has the advantage of being a people hauler, my 2500 Silverado was a reg cab longbox.
I had a fiberglass cap on the pickup but it was still always damp back there. If you want to keep anything dry go with the Sub.
My pickup had extra tow capacity because I ordered the 4.10 rear ratio, I pulled a 24' enclosed car hauler with it, the Sub I towed a 20' boat or a 18' flatbed trailer. Both did the job, as far as pricing used they will probably be similar, low mileage Sub 2500 will bring a premium.
Good luck, Greg

[dagnabbitt]

Thanks, that is what I am leaning towards. I noticed that the 2500HD has 8 lugs, while the 2500 subs I have seen are 6 lug, wondering if that is the only difference.

[hatzie]

The GMT800 2500HD has a 4L80E and likely has a NV263 or NV261 transfer case.

The 2000 and later GMT400 & GMT800 Suburban can have one of the lighter duty 4L60E variants... 4L60E, 4L65E, 4L70E, 4L75E along with the possibility of an Autotrac II transfer case. The Suburban could have the NV261 or NV263 xfer case but I'm not sure that GM gave the option of the 4L80E in the Suburban.

What are you towing and how much stuff do you haul around?

2005 Silverado/Sierra 2500HD. Published...
Towing capacity: 9,600 to 10,600 lbs
Curb weight: 5,318 to 6,064 lbs
Payload: 3,136 to 3,882 lbs

2005 Suburban 2500. Published...
Towing capacity: 7,600 to 7,900 lbs
Curb weight: 5,773 to 6,073 lbs

[dagnabbitt]

I have an 18 ft flatdeck car hauler that I use to move my non-running projects around, and I would think that trailer and C10 combined would be 7000-9000 lbs. I used to pull it with a Ram dually that I had to sell for reasons, so now I have nothing to pull it with.

My present scheme is to find a good 2500 of some sort with somewhat low miles and a 6.0 to pull my trailer with, and then when the time is right, cannibalize it for the LS engine. I've looking forward to this purchase, because for once I could care less about paint and interior, I just need a good drivetrain. But it has actually been harder than I thought to find what I want.

I am first trying to figure out which is best for pulling, but also thinking about the future swap: which year LS is best. I have been told to avoid DBW models and flex fuel, but most advice I have gotten is either too vague or too technical for me. It also seems like people use the LS that they have, they aren't putting together a three year plan like I am.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[95 S_Trucker]

All of the 2500 suburbans since 92 are 8 lug and 8600 gvw. They will both have 4l80e transmissions. The 2500hd got the Alison with the 8.1 and 6.6. The 2500hd will have a 9200 gvw. The non hd 2500 has a 8600 gvw. Steering/brakes/suspension are the same. If the suburban 2500 has a 6.0, it will have a semi floating rear axle. If it has an 8.1, it will have a full floating axle. The 2500hd will have a full floating axle with both engines.

Edit, the only transmission I’ve ever seen in the suburban 2500 is the 4l80e.

The only 3/4 ton(ish) vehicle I’ve seen with a 4l60e/4l65e/4l70e is the hummer h2. They were 8 lug and 8600 gvw.

[wnc mountain]

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

Aside from the body, what is the difference between a 6.0 Silverado 2500hd and a Suburban 2500? Both would seem to be 3/4 tons, but is the 2500hd stronger, better?

I need a tow vehicle which will eventually be an LS donor for one of my projects, and I don't really need a bed.

Essentially the main difference is the placement of the rear axle. The suburban rear axle is placed further forward of the rear of the vehicle that compared to the truck. This is the main difference in the towing capacities and tongue weighs aside from the weight of the vehicles themselves. There is around a foot difference in the placement.

[dagnabbitt]

Thanks for all the responses, I think that I am going with a 2004-2006 Sub 2500. Now to find one that still has some miles left on it.

[Greg58]

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

Thanks for all the responses, I think that I am going with a 2004-2006 Sub 2500. Now to find one that still has some miles left on it.

They are out there, I went south to buy mine to avoid rust.
I don't know if any 6.0 engines had Displacement on Demand, but avoid those. We just sold a 2007 Sub 1500 with a DOD 5.3, had trouble with lifters and had to spend $3000 getting all that stuff replaced.
Let us know what you find.

[hatzie]

You can get rid of AFM or Displacement on Demand with some fairly simple tweaks to the PCM. You can leave the AFM cam in place and drive it. You don't need the AFM delete kit.

HP Tuners AFM/DOD Disable

[95 S_Trucker]

AFM was not installed on the GMT800 trucks.

It also was not installed on 2500/3500 GMT900 trucks.