chsaverline

Im shopping for trucks right now and im looking at 2 different ones. They are both the same except one is a 3500 srw and the other is a 2500. They are both quad cab, lwb, 4x4, 48re autos, and the mileage is within like 3k of each other. The 3500 is actually $600 cheaper but it has a blue book value of almost 5 grand more than the 2500. Why is this? Do the 3500 srw cost that much more than the 2500' new?

brutal

Has to be different trim levels or options.

The 3500 SRW only has a set of overload springs, standard issue cab lights, and a higher corresponding GVWR (+900#) as compared to the 2500. There are absolutely no other differences. I think the list was $300-$500 more.

TexasCTD

Brutal is right.

I think the price difference NEW was only $300-500 difference. I am glad I went ahead and got the SRW 3500.

If the two trucks you are looking at are almost identical in every way, you may as well get the SRW 3500.

chsaverline

Trim levels are the same. These values are from the nada book. The base price is almost 5k more on the 3500 than the 2500. The options you add to it and the mileage deduction are the same. And this is not the 3500 drw it is the srw. I triple checked everything in the book. Are the 3500 just holding thier value better? Im going on monday to look at the truck. I hope its still there by then.

djbikeman

The NADA book is wrong. The 3500 is 5k more because it automatically comes with the Cummins. The base price of the 2500 is with the hemi. The Cummins is an option (at a cost of ~$5k) The 2500 with Cummins is only a few hundred less.

bubba33

Just curious here when did the cummins come with the 3500 as standard equipment? I know I have seen 3500 DRW and SRW with the hemi because I was thinking why would you do that.

TAS05CTD610

I'm wondering too. We have a 3500 dually here at work and it has the hemi?? I don't think the cummins is standard automatically. Sure if you get a truck that big you really should (if your gonna haul the load the gas engine will suck some fuel) We got the hemi for work cause it's a lot of start and stoping, cold weather, short trips, ect.

2003Ram

The Hemi is standard in the 2500 and the 3500. This is likely for pricing purposes, maybe to fool the public into thinking the trucks are less expensive than what they really are.

Also, once the V10 was phased out in early '03, the hemi was the only available gas engine choice, although not a good one for a full size truck.

v8440

As of at least '06, the cummins is in fact standard on 3500's. I've seen it myself on several window stickers. I also have a 3500 SRW on order, and it was standard in this case too. It is NOT standard on the 2500. If you look at the window stickers, you'll see the cummins as optional equipment on the 2500, and as standard equipment on the 3500. That's almost certainly why you are seeing a 5k price difference between the two.

12PACK

If you goto Dodge's site and price out a 3500, you'll see the Cummins is the base engine. It might not be on an ST, but once you click SLT, Laramie or Megacab, you'll see it.

When the SO and HO were available, MA was one of the few states you couldn't get the HO, which was the base engine on the 3500's. I saw a 3500 on the lot a couple of years ago and there was a deduction for the difference between the SO & HO (~ $600). The HO was only available with the 6 speed, which was a mandatory $600 "option". Because this truck had the auto, the price of the auto was $695, not $1095, the usual price of the auto. This reflects a $400 deduction for the 6 speed.

This truck really threw me for a loop. I left thinking the auto was cheaper on the 3500's than the 2500's for some reason. The $600 deduction wasn't explained clearly on the sticker either, so I couldn't figure that out. I was really . I posted a note about this on another Ram list I'm on and it was explained to me. I'm no longer , well on that issue anyway.

djbikeman

The Cummins has been the "standard motor" on the 3500's for a few years. You can delete the option and go with the hemi at a savings of ~$5000 I think. I have seen a hemi powered 3500 DRW before, and I was asking myself the same question...why???

The hemi is standard on the 2500 and you can upspec the Cummins.

The Cummins is standard on the 3500 and you can downspec the hemi.

That is why there is a base price difference of ~5k.

It's all in how you look at it. Regardless, if both the 2500 and 3500 are equipped with a Cummins, there is only a few hundred dollars difference.

As I like to tell my friends, I'd agree with you if you were right

12PACK

I saw one Saturday towing a large horse trailer. It was coming towards me, I looked for the C on the fender and was surprised to see the Hemi badge. One of the vendors at the All Chrysler Nationals in Carlisle, PA, had a Hemi powered DRW as well a couple of years ago. It was parked and hooked to a very large enclosed trailer. I walked up behind it, again expecting to see the C and surprise! There can't be many of them.

FastZilla

On the `05s (I'm sure the `06s are the same) there is only a helper spring in the rear - that is it. Where the real difference is, is on that little sticker on your Driver's door stating your tow ratings. While the tow rating is higher than the 2500 (on the 3500) thr real difference is only 280 lbs of payload difference (Or tongue weight). Where the little sticker really starts to matter is when you want to use your truck commercially (like hot-shotting). The hot-shot companies will look at your GCVW and that is all they'll let you tow thus you get paid less because you pull less. If you never pull commercially then it really comes down to the extra $500 or so.

I bought the 2500 because I plan to lift it and the lift kits come with rear springs (as options). Lookint back on it though I would have spent the extra $500 on the 3500 for the little sticker on the door. Resale seems to be about the same (about $500 more). If you can afford the additional $500 get the 3500. If you can't don't worry about it, unless you are going to use it commercially then downgrade your options. The ride is the same as a 3500 (stiff).

Good luck!

TexasCTD

FastZilla,

Just a couple of corrections on this. The difference between the 2500 and 3500 SRW is 900lbs on the GVWR. 9000lbs on the 2500 and 9900lbs on the SRW 3500. Dually 3500 is 12,200lbs.

GVWR is the weight you can put on the truck itself. The truck and it's cargo.

The GCWR is the total weight your truck is rated to pull including the weight of the truck, it's cargo, and any trailer and it's cargo. That rating is the same for all of our 3rd gen trucks whether it be a 2500, 3500 or dually. It is 21,000lbs with 3.73 gears and 23,000lbs with 4.10s. Keep in mind that this is ratings only.....we all know they are capable of pulling much more.

The spring packs are the same for the all of the 2500 and 3500 trucks with the addition of the overload springs on the 3500 models. The limiting factor on the SRW 3500 not allowing it the same GVWR as the dually...is only the lack of 2 more tires.

You are right about the ratings as it applies to commercial vehicles. Just keep in mind that if you can keep from overloading your pin/hitch weight on the 2500 (or rear axle rating).....then legally it can pull just as much as a dually.

mule3010

The price difference was almost non-existant in 04.5.($100.00 I think) I kind of wish I had gone with the 3500.
Joe