I'm thinking about upgrading from my F150 to a HD
Duramax/Allison...

Will GM (GMC/Chevy) be offering a 3500 series with SRW
for 2004? IF yes... the current 2500HD model which has
a GVWR of 9200lbs-- anyone know GVWR of the new
3500 SRW? The current GVWR for the 3500 DRW is 11400lbs.

Thanks,

I believe I read somewhere that the 04 SRW 3500 will have a 9900lb GVWR. Let me see if I can dig that info up...


Bob

Looks like it is 9900lb GVWR for the 04 3500 SRW


http://media.gm.com/division/2004_prodinfo/gmc/sierra/pr.html (http://media.gm.com/division/2004_prodinfo/gmc/sierra/pr.html)


Bob

Thanks Bob, that's exactly what I was looking for....

Paul.

I'll be interested to hear what changes will be made, I bet the only difference between the 2500HD and 3500 will be the rear leaf pack and maybe they'll add a sway-bar.

I believe the 2004 3500 SRW trucks will have 16x7" wheels (instead of 6.5") and 265/75/r16 tires rather than the 245s. This makes up for a lot of the gvwr increase.

The 3500SRW is mentioned on the GM media site. Said to be a mid-year update. I would guess that about half way through the model year we will see advertisements for the "New Heavy Duty 3500SRW, available now with the new and improved 325 hp Duramax, with class-leading torque."

The salesman I am dealing with said the srw 3500 will be available January '04, so it looks like they are waiting for the new Duramax engine upgrades before releasing it. He said I could order one now, but I went with the 2500 instead. It should be able to haul whatever I need it to anyway.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Evil Smile.gif

I imagine the main difference will be the wheel/tire selection on the 2500HD's. Currently the trucks are rated at 9200# GVWR with the 245/75R16E stock tires rated at 3042# each for a rear axle load max of 6084#. Change the tires to the Michellin 265/75R16E rated at 3415# each and the rear axle load max goes to 6830# for a difference of 746# from the current setup. 9200# + 746# = 9946# or basically a 9900# GVWR. The current tire choice is the main limiting factor for the GVWR. So I doubt that there will be many changes to make a 3500 SRW with a 9900# GVWR.


Joe

Michelins would be nice but they'll probably stick with Firestone, they make the Steeltex A/T in a 265/75R16 load range E also.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Dead.gif

Actually this is an interesting discussion precisely because the current tires are no where near limiting. as stated the RAWR is 6084#, but there is no way you can come near that without exceeding GVWR in a 2500HD. My truck, with the toolbox and hitch on it weighs almost 7,000#, but more than half of that weight is on the front axle. Even assuming it was split 50-50 at 3500# per axel empty, that would leave 2,584# of headroom (6084 - 3500) for load at the rear axle, but only 2,200# to keep it under GVWR.


In reallity it's more like 4000# on the front and 3000# on the rear empty, Still only 2,200# between empty and GVWR, but about 3,000# under the Rear Axle Weight Rating. 4,000# front and 5900# rear would equal the proposed 9,900# rateing, and would not exceed teh capacity of the wheels, tires, brakes, axels, springs or any other thing I can think of on my 2500HD, but it would be 700# over GVWR. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif





I expect that springs will be changed, but I'm wondering of the tires and wheels will too. If they go to LT265/75R16 LR-E will they also change the gearing? Because so far all factory tires on D-maxes have been the same diameter.





I dont' have answers, only questions.

Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Single Rear Wheels

The Chevrolet Silverado 3500 series has only been available with dual rear wheels (Dooley). For 2004, a Silverado 3500 with a GVWR of 9900 lbs will be available with dual rear wheels. This configuration is scheduled to be a four-wheel-drive vehicle available in a regular and extended, and crew cab models. All other models in the Silverado 3500 series (11,400 lb GVWR) will have dual rear wheels.



In December, 2003, GM will cease production of all 2500 series Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra regular cab and extended cab truck modes with a GVWR of 8600 lbs.
Model numbers CC25903 and CK25753
TC25903 and TC 25753 (GMC)





Edited by: hoot

Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Single Rear Wheels

For 2004, a Silverado 3500 with a GVWR of 9900 lbs will be available with dual rear wheels.


Hoot,


Did you intend to say "will be available with SRW" in the sentence above?





Edited by: RV Guy

Interesting, the 2500HD replaced the Classic 3500 SRW. Both have 9200 GVW. 3500 SRW's were/are a rare bird, at least in this area. 2500's ruled the roost.


So, they re-badged the 3500 SRW to 2500HD, and now that is all you see. 2500's have become "the rare bird", at least in these here parts.


1. Add "HD" to the end of your model #


2. Watch sales soar.


3. Profit

the only that sucks is the 3500hd SRW will only be offered with a long bed. since iam getting a crew cab the 8ft bed is just a little to long for me.

the only that sucks is the 3500hd SRW will only be offered with a long bed. since iam getting a crew cab the 8ft bed is just a little to long for me.

I think it's always been that way.

I wish GM had started this program a year ago. I needed the C/C but got stuck with the a short box this time or a dually which I don't need. I miss my long bed dearly.

Ok, I had a 3500 SRW, 9200 GVW, it was called a 1 ton. Now I have a 2500HD, 9200 GVW, why is it called a 3/4 ton?

Rear axle capacity goes from 6900lbs in the 2500HD to 9200lbs in the 3500SRW


Steve

Victory Red,

Were you not able to find a 2500HD CC LB to suit your taste??


My dad has a "Classic" 3500 SRW. Gonna be neat to have a truck that equals his now. Actually, more than equals since he has a 6.5.....


Bob

The 04 GMC Sierra brochure shows the 3500SRW truck. There is only 1 wheel choice available and it is a 16x7 painted steel wheel, no matter which trim package you get and it only comes in long bed configuration. Other than that no details given.

The 3500 SRW sounds rather good to me. I currently pull a 35 ft fifth wheel with a 2001 6-spd F350 dually. The Ford F350 SRW is almost as heavy as the dually so with my near 3000 lb pin weight I have to stay with the dually.


I would probably be slightly over the gvwr but within the gvcwr. I think I would be comfortable with that. What say you?


I'm looking for a srw with an automatic to make it easier for my wife to drive. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif OK, OK, easier for me too. I don't think I would like the Allison shifting down to 4th a lot but I could learn to live with it.


Rex

Rex1,


I just went from a 2500 to a 3500 dually because I was a little over gvrw. I finally decided I would rather be under. If you want to stay away from the dually width the SRW is the next best choice. Bigger rubber and an extra leaf. Add an exhaust, guage and juice. The allison will stay in 5th most of the time. The 2500 I just sold was rigged like that and we go to Utah regularly (from San Antonio). We pull a 13500# 5th wheel with lots of other stuff. The truck stayed in 5th gear 95% of the time with the juice in level II.


Good luck,


Bob

bowtiebob,


In the many months I hemmed and hawed over upgrading to the D-max(from my ext 1/2 LB 5.3 gasser) I saw only 2 crew cab LB 2500hd's, one of which was a 8.1 gas(noooo way). Anyhow by the time I went back to talk about the LB they had, it had been traded away.


I remember the hard time I had finding an ext cab with the long box, virtually impossible for C/C long bed. I also didn't want the LT trim package. $2000 extra for crap I'd never use. I do wish I had the DIC but that's about it. Hell, I don't even like power windows, but I've been stuck with those for the last 3 new vehicles. Cruise, A/C, tilt steering, rear window defrost and A CD player. The rest is to me, is just crap.


Anyhow I still love the truck, just hate the shorty(and somewhat the front end). Don't regret it, but I do miss those extra 18" from time to time.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif

Bob, thanks for the reply. I will check the weight very close before I make the change and perhaps I will go with a dually if it doesn't look too good.


Do you have juice on your current truck?


Rex1