[bigbossdiesel]

just curious on your guys input i'm debating on a chevy 2500hd ext cad sb and a 3500 srw ext cab long box for my next truck and was wondering on your opinions which one to go with especialy with the differance of the turning radius

i have an 04 gmc 2500hd ext cab sb now

 

[expedal]

why not crew cab

If you are going ext cab, why not crew cab when you trade or sell your market value will be higher.

 

[mattydmax]

I have crew cab long bed and it just takes getting used to...not too bad though,,,and I second the crew cab suggestion.

 

[SCQTT]

The dealer wanted to give me less for my 03 Ext when I traded it in he said everyone wants a crew.

He said "Ext are what reg cabs used to be and crews are what Ext used to be, everything have moved up a notch in the last few years"

The Crew is really handy and not that much $ difference than an Ext.

Not to harp on the safety issue much, but I also wonder if a crew is safer. It always freaked me out how open my Ext was when both doors are open. That is a huge opening without top to bottom support. I would think a Crew in much safer in a side impact.

I like the ribbed roof on the crew as well, much stronger. My Ext roof was so flimsy it felt like jello even under the slight pressure of hand washing it. With the driver's window down at highway speeds you could hear the roof making all sorts of noise on the Ext if it was a windy day. Sort of a deep buckleing noise like a subwoofer

 

[DIESELMAN75]

get the short bed if you are happy with it now. they look better IMO but if you need the 3500 then get the long bed it is all up to what you need and want

 

[bigbossdiesel]

well i don't need a 3500 but a 3500 srw ext cab lb is cheaper than a 2500 ext cab sb by about $300 and the tires are bigger

 

[SCQTT]

The 3500 SRW is just hard to find on a lot. If I were ordering I would more than likely have gotten one. I like the steel wheels on the 3500, they are 7 wide instead of 6.5 and just make the 3500s stock 265s look better than 265s on 6.5 wheels. They also have 6 "cookie cutter" holes instead of the 2500s 5 & have a slightly deeper dish. I just bought a set of these on Ebay, next step, powdercoat them black

 

[Mr. D]

I just sold my Crew 4x4 3500, long bed because I didn't like the way it rode or the turning radius! The turning radius was the same as the Exxon Valdez (oil tanker)! If you are towing heavy weight allot it might be worth having it, but if most of the miles are around town the 2500 short bed is allot nicer to drive! Just my 3¢ (inflation)

 

[elvis_knows]

"...a 3500 srw ext cab lb is cheaper than a 2500 ext cab sb by about $300"

At first I didn't think that any 3500SRW was less expensive than its 2500HD counterpart, however you are partly correct. While in most configurations the 3500 is several hundred dollars more expensive, there are four base configurations where the opposite is true:

(prices are MSRP & w/o dest. charge) ___ 2500HD _ 3500SRW _ difference
LS Reg. Cab 2WD, with MT1 auto. trans. : $24,710 _ $24,110 _ ($600)
LT1 Reg. Cab 2WD, with MT1 auto. trans.: $25,675 _ $25,480 _ ($195)
LT3 Ext. Cab 4WD, with MT1 auto. trans.: $35,100 _ $35,065 __ ($35)
LT3 Crew Cab 4WD, with MT1 auto. trans.: $37,380 _ $37,335 __ ($45)

Unlike the 2500HD, all 3500SRW trim levels come with automatic transmission.

The $600 difference on the LS Reg. Cab 2WD might be due to GM having to hit a certain competitive price point. There may also be some slight differences in standard equipment levels on the 2500HDs vs. the same trim level 3500. Other than the basics like the transmission, my price chart doesn't compare all the details of the standard equipment for different levels.

 

[elvis_knows]

"...the steel wheels on the 3500, they are 7 wide instead of 6.5 and just make the 3500s stock 265s look better than 265s on 6.5 wheels."

You are correct. I'm glad you pointed that out, because the 6.5" width had been a limiting factor.

New for 2005, the 3500SRW come with QC1 16" x 7" wheels, while the 2500HDs still have 16" x 6.5" wheels.

http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/domestic/proddesc.jsp?year=2006&regionID=1&divisionID=1&type=0&vehicleID=2130&section=wheels&page=&butID=4

http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/domestic/proddesc.jsp?year=2006&regionID=1&divisionID=1&type=0&vehicleID=2120&section=wheels&page=&butID=4

 

[wkayl]

The end of Feb I am going to order my new truck. It will be an ext-cab, not crew. Crew wont fit in my garage and from what I have seen, the $$s saved will pay for the extras I want to get. I plan on keeping it 10 years or more, so trade in is no problem.

 

[bigbossdiesel]

At first I didn't think that any 3500SRW was less expensive than its 2500HD counterpart, however you are partly correct. While in most configurations the 3500 is several hundred dollars more expensive, there are four base configurations where the opposite is true:

(prices are MSRP & w/o dest. charge) ___ 2500HD _ 3500SRW _ difference
LS Reg. Cab 2WD, with MT1 auto. trans. : $24,710 _ $24,110 _ ($600)
LT1 Reg. Cab 2WD, with MT1 auto. trans.: $25,675 _ $25,480 _ ($195)
LT3 Ext. Cab 4WD, with MT1 auto. trans.: $35,100 _ $35,065 __ ($35)
LT3 Crew Cab 4WD, with MT1 auto. trans.: $37,380 _ $37,335 __ ($45)

Unlike the 2500HD, all 3500SRW trim levels come with automatic transmission.

The $600 difference on the LS Reg. Cab 2WD might be due to GM having to hit a certain competitive price point. There may also be some slight differences in standard equipment levels on the 2500HDs vs. the same trim level 3500. Other than the basics like the transmission, my price chart doesn't compare all the details of the standard equipment for different levels.

also under the old price according to cars.com the power pack option
_________________________msrp__invoice
2500hd ext cab lb 4x4 lt3 $6,335 $5,258
3500srw ext cab lb 4x4 lt3 $6,010 $4,988

and camper mirrors on 3500srw $230 msrp $198 invoice
2500hd $55 msrp $46 invoice

 

[bronxboy]

The 3500 SRW comes only in long bed..But i think 2007 models are offering a short bed in 3500 SRW..

 

[elvis_knows]

also under the old price according to cars.com the power pack option
msrp invoice
2500hd ext cab lb 4x4 lt3 $6,335 $5,258
3500srw ext cab lb 4x4 lt3 $6,010 $4,988
and camper mirrors on 3500srw $230 msrp $198 invoice
2500hd $55 msrp $46 invoice

Indeed the PDN PowerPkg. is less expensive on a 3500SRW than a 2500HD, even on trim levels where the $1,095 MT1 auto. trans. is standard.

The latest prices on www.edmunds.com show that on any 2500HD with a standard auto trans (LT2 & LT3), the PDN is $7,555 / $5,742 (MSRP/inv.).

On any 3500SRW, the PDN is $7,230 / $5,495 (MSRP/inv.) - a savings of $325 (MSRP) - including on the LS 2dr Reg. Cab 2WD, which is for some strange reason already $600 less than its 2500HD counterpart.

The $325 difference is explained by the fact that the 3500SRW PDN doesn't include the locking rear differential (which is $325), but the locker is apparently standard on the 3500SRW.

There must be a few other differences in the standard equipment between a 2500HD and a 3500SRW.

I also wonder if the rear axle standard on the base 3500SRW is already the stronger version that is included with the 2500HD with LBZ.

The standard 3500SRW rear axle is rated at 9,200 lbs., while the standard 2500HD rear axle is only rated at 6,900 lbs. The rear spring capacities are close to the same: 6,500 lbs. vs. 6,084 lbs.

Another advantage: the 3500SRW now comes with 16"x7" wheels, vs. the 2500HD's 16"x6.5" wheels.

The 3500SRW is looking better for those of us who need a long bed.

 

[DIESELMAN75]

300 bucks cheaper and big wheels and tires big deal. you said you dont need the 3500 so i would get the 2500 ext sb because the ride is better and IMO they look better and what you are going to lose in ride, turning, and looks is not worth bigger rims and tires and 300 bucks

 

[RVerFulltime]

The end of Feb I am going to order my new truck. It will be an ext-cab, not crew. Crew wont fit in my garage and from what I have seen, the $$s saved will pay for the extras I want to get. I plan on keeping it 10 years or more, so trade in is no problem.

Our last 2 trucks were ext cabs. I was happy but I saw more CC on the road. I looked at the brochure and I believe the truck is only 10" longer overall. This LBZ truck, we bought the CC. WOW!!! Because of the way the seat folds on the CC, there is a lot more than 10" extra space in the cab when the seat is folded down. It was a good move on our part to get a Crew Cab!! Just my 2 cents!

 

[DIESELMAN75]

that is what i have and will be getting again crew cabs are the best and they look really good also i like them way more than a ext but that is JMO

 

[TTA89]

I think the Ext Cabs look better but thats not a reason to buy one. The 10 inches make a big difference depending on where you drive and need to park. I am single with no kids and have no use for 4 doors. The extended cab will be used 99% of the time to carry my own things when I go racing. Bags, Laptops, CDs, Tools etc etc.

I couldn't justify the extra ~2000+ bucks for the Crew Cab, its more of a downside for me. I am in Boston a lot and try to find parking on the street for a CC 2500HD. Yeah Right... The Ext will be tough enough.

Resale value doesn't even enter my mind when buying a car, you lose money everytime when you buy a new vehicle. Buy what you want, not want you think will be worth more.

 

[bigbossdiesel]

i myself am single and am the only one in the truck and won't be useing the back for anything but my gear from the fire dept(i'm a new volunteer about to start training) but am thinking i'll go with the ext cab lb since anytime i need to haul something 90% of the time i wish i had a lb i admit parking will be more interesting and take more time to get used to driving around

 

[poolman12]

bigbossdiesel
ordered 3500 lbz cclb & it is better in every way, even 34 gal tank & not 26 gal. had it a month and am used to parking longer truck now. Been wanting a 3500 for a long time but was too impatient to order & wait. Had a new dually and that was always a pain to drive and park, plus more tires to buy & less mpg, maybe I don't have enough ******* in me, so SRW has worked out great & cc adds to resale.
Have a nice day