I figured this would be the most appropriate spot for this. I noticed in the commercial truck brochures that there is a 3500 and a 3600 C&C truck. Just what is this 3600? is it similar to the older 3500HD trucks? or is it just a beefed up 3500 with timbrens or somthing? Im gonna get a new One ton here shortly and want to know all my options.

Hey Ben! I used to build these before I got laid-off, but what they really are is a really beefed-up 3500. The ratings on it surprise me as I thought they would be a lot higher. But it essentially is the same truck as the 3500 until you get to the back of the cab. From there the frame is super beefed and reinforced. The rear axle has a 4 leaf overload instead of a 2 leaf. It also has a 2" sway bar. The springs are set closer together than on a 3500 so the rear wheels follow more in line with the front. They don't stick out quite so far. They also get a second fuel tank mounted in between the frame rails and behind the rear axle. 25 Gallon capacity if I remember right.

Here is the numbers GM advertises for it!!! GMC Chassis Cab 3500 (http://www.gmc.com/specs/specs_content_files/lightduty/specs_features.jsp?brand=sierra&vehicle=chassis&commercial=lightduty)

I hope this helps!!! BTW...it is only offered in standard and extended cab.

I've never heard of a 3600.

Where have you seen this?

Maybe it's a Canadian thing?

Thanks CrazyDaze. I guess i'll have to stop into the dealer and see what they want for a reg cab dmax/alli 4x4 . Looks like it should fit the bill perfectly.

I've never heard of a 3600.

Where have you seen this?

Maybe it's a Canadian thing?

Nope, it's not a canadian thing! As a matter-of-fact, my brother-in-law owns one and he lives in NJ. His is outfitted with a 2 yard dump box. We build them for the entire world. They are built without a box and are meant to be outfitted by aftermarket companies with dump boxes, stake beds, etc.!

They are designated 3600's during the build process but are badged as 3500's when they leave the factory. But they are a heavy duty 3500.

around here we call them Cab & Chassis

The link just shows a regular Cab and Chassis. No different than any other 1T dump I've ever seen.

Yes, they are different from a 3500 Pickup truck dually.

They are designed for body builders with the frame rails being straight.

Same front axle capacity and rating though.

Never knew they called them "3600's" though.


They should make a REAL 3600 though, with a 15K GVWR and SFA Just for us landscapers and save the 4500's+ for the 17K and up.

Oooppss, .....TheMax and I posted at the same time.

1T dumps are a real good tool, but when outfitted with a steel 2-3yd dump body and L-pack etc, their true payload capacity is less than I can carry in my pickup!

Thats why the old 3500HD (15K) was so popular, and why I think they should still offer one (only make it available in 4x4).

I order a 3500 cab & chassis in November of 2000. I got mine in Jan. of 2001. All they were called were 3500 heavy duty no 3600. The dealership hadn't even seen any of them except for what the catalog pictures showed. They have a 12,000lb GVW in stead of 11,500lb for the duallys. They come with a PTO(power take-off) on the Allison. This allows for hydraulic devices to be used. This is only for the cab & chassis. Great work truck. I have 80,000 miles on the truck and yet to replace the front brake pads.

I'll tell ya what, my brother-in-law loads the heck out of his and has no problems. He works for an excavating company. Like I said in a post above, I think GM really under rates the numbers.

Underated or not.

Take a 6K+ lb C&C
http://www.aquidneckmachine.com/images/EasternerIIThumb.jpg
Add a 2K lb dump body.

Add tools and a L-Pack

And your left with around a 3K+ lb payload capacity.

This is why the 3500HD was such a good idea.

And you are 100% correct! If you look at numbers, this truck can't cut the mustard in a heavy load situation. But going off real, every day use, this truck holds it's own when a load is on. Now if loading and hauling those big numbers with a lower rated truck is legal in terms of on-road use, I have no idea.

But I also agree that another design like a 3500HD in 4X4 configuration is a must!

Pure Diesel, we did nearly the same thing as you, ordered a 2001 cab and chassis early on before any of the dealers had seen one, with a 8100. It was so early on in fact that we ordered an LS with tow mirrors and rubber floors and when it was built they installed the base truck emblem on the door, confused two or three salesmen who looked at, from the outside they thought it was a base truck since it didn't have body molding or chrome mirrors and said silverado on the cab instead of LS, then they would open the door and see the power windows and LS trim and wonder how we did that with a base truck. Anyway back on track, seems like on some of the paperwork when we were ordering I did see it designated as 3600 or 3601 as the model number just assumed that was something to differentiate it from a dually for the straight frame rails and narrower rear axle. I have the paperwork somewhere and will try to find it.

8100HD, here is a picture of the window sticker from the original purchase. It says its a 3500 2WD Chassis.
What really kills me is the price of the Allison transmission $2,295.00. The price for it on my 2003 GMC was $1,200.00 This is over a 3-yrs later and half the price almost. Yikes.:eek: Greg

speaking of beefed up trucks, has anyone seen a international CXT?
it is a monster.

Underated or not.

Take a 6K+ lb C&C
http://www.aquidneckmachine.com/images/EasternerIIThumb.jpg
Add a 2K lb dump body.

Add tools and a L-Pack

And your left with around a 3K+ lb payload capacity.

This is why the 3500HD was such a good idea.


My truck weights in at 9100 lbs empty. I had 2 leaves and 1 helper in the back and crancked Torsion bars and added timbermans to front. I put 3 to 4 tons in truck with no problems.