The Domie

New to the site so I hope this is the right place to post??

I am looking for the known differences between 2003 model trucks, (2500 & 3500), equipped the same from the factory. Both 4x4 srw, ex cab autos. I am getting the impression that the only diff. is the rear springs?
Thanks
The Domie

Buzzer

The 3500's front brakes are a tiny little bit bigger as well, and the cab ligths are standard with the 3500 and an option on the 2500.

boarbuster

Don't forget about the 2 to the 3 on the side of pickup.

Jeff in TD

Also, you will find the trailer ratings are significantly higher.

When I got mine, I think the difference was under $300, and I wanted the cab lights anyway, so it was worth it for me.

Dodgezilla

More payload too. The cost is basically the same by the time you negotiate so I got the 3500......

Casey Balvert

Actually the REAR caliper piston on the 3500 is slightly larger. The front brakes are identical. Besides the lights you get the auxillary springs on the 3500. The trailer ratings are the same except that you can run a heavier pin weight in the 3500 due to the 9,900 GVWR.

Buzzer

Actually the front brake rotor is a bit thicker and or larger by a fraction if I recall correctly. You say the rear caliper is bigger, I'll give you that but only for the DRW. I don't recall seeing that difference on the spec sheet for the SRW that I believe Jeepdude posted several months ago for the comparison of the 2500 and 3500 previously discussed. Please note the specs attached and note the front rotor comparison.

http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/2004/docs/dr/ts.pdf

SuperGewl

Yeah depending on what you plan on hauling the 3500 will give you heavier payload due to the extra leaf springs and it will also give you a little more bounce to the ounce.

Also depending on your state it may cost you more to register it also due to the payload capacity.
You can always air springs or a complete Kelderman Air suspension to it to make it badder than bad

v8440

I just looked at that, and if I understood it correctly, it does not show any difference at all between the brakes on the 2500 and the 3500, at least in 4wd versions. It also shows availability of the SO motor, which leads me to believe that it's outdated. I know the dodge website mentions that 15" brakes come on some trucks. They don't say exactly how the truck must be equipped to get those, but I can't imagine a 3500 4wd dually would not be the top of the line in the braking department. So, I assume that such a truck should have 15" rotors somewhere (probably in front), yet the info in the link posted above says nothing about 15" brakes.

Or, maybe I missed something and just wasted some bandwidth. That's been known to happen too!

Buzzer

Look at the front brakes as it refers to swept area very carefully and you will see the 3500 rotor is bigger. 13.9x1.26 for the 2500 vs. 13.9x1.39 for the 3500. Subtle but different. They need to adjust for the payload differences and the fronts do at least 75% of the stopping.

v8440

I noticed the 1.39 and the 1.26, but I thought that those numbers were the thickness of the rotor. Maybe they are instead the width of the pad as it touches the rotor?

Still, what's with the 15" rotors that the dodge website talks about?

Lightman

Thedomie - it really depends if you are going to tow around max capacity or not. If you tow really heavy, go for the 3500. The major differences have been listed - additional leaf springs which increases tow limits, slight brake differences, and clearance lights. The clearance lights were a deal breaker for me - I just couldn't see my black sport model truck with those bright orange lights on top making it look like a tow truck or construction rig. To each their own. Now that they came out with those clear/smoked clearance lights, I probably would have gone for a 3500.

herb

check for the difference in insurance rates between the two.

TRAVIST

There is absolutley no difference in the front rotors between 2500 and 3500. They are the same part number as are the calipers in the front. As for the rear they too are the same between the 2500 and 3500, unless you are talking duallie, and again the rotors are the same as well. The only difference is the rear leaf springs which translates to more payload as well as higher tongue weight for the trailer your towing. For what it's worth this information comes directly from the dodge parts catalog as I am a dodge partsman.

The Domie

Travist;
That's the most difinitive way I've heard yet to determine the difference!
Tough to argue with thd Dodge parts catalog.
Thanks
The Domie