2500HD VS 3500

I'm still looking for a good used GM pickup. I posted about it a few weeks ago that I need a late model 2500HD, standard cab, long bed 4X4. A plain Jane Work Truck is fine. Gasser.
I bid on one this week in SLC, Utah but didn't get it. No big deal. Not in a hurry and know I'll find one.
But I've seen a couple of 3500s and am wondering about them now. Single wheels - don't want a dually.
My 06 has the 4:11? (4:12?) rear end. I think that was the only option that year.
I think it's just right and wouldn't want the taller 3:53? Or lower.
What gear ratio does a 3500 have?
How much higher GVW are they? How about CGVWR - towing capacity? They have the same 6.0 engine and I think tranny as the 2500.
Are they noticably rougher riding?
What about gas mileage 2500 vs 3500?
I'm just thinking out loud here and you guys collectively know Everything so thought I'd ask about them.
Thanks for your thoughts.

I got a older full 4 door, 3500 dually, but with the long wheel base rides good, the worst thing is it is worthless in a 1/2 inch of snow,i even carry 1200 lbs in the bed,but wouldnt think it a 3500[single]would ride that much rougher!

I just searched autotrader used cars for a singlecab chevy gmc and saw plenty
even 4x4 2500 v8 for $30k

As for gear ratios, GVW, and CGVWR - towing capacity; I think you are going to have to see how each used truck you look at was optioned out when built. A 3500 could have the same or different ratios as a 2500HD. The GVW and CGVWR - towing capacity, could be lower, the same or higher than a 2500HD, again depending on equipment options. Just like engines and transmissions, they could be the same or might be different.

As far as mileage if equipped identically I don't think there will be a noticeable difference. The same with the ride characteristics. You may need to find the RPO codes for the ones you are looking at to find out the details of how each was equipped. Just my thoughts, others may vary.

I have a 2015 dually GMC 3500 with the 6.0 gas. Very nice truck, but the ride is noticeably rougher than my 2500 is. Its a farm truck, so no big deal, but it is bumpier than I would like it to be for a daily driver.

I bought a 2017 GMC 2500 HD extended cab (double cab) with the 6.0 LS gas engine. It came with 4:10 gears and the 6L90 trans and a locking rear differential. I don?t think the 4:56 gears are available anymore and I don?t think they put 3:70 gears in the HD?s. I don?t remember what the GVW is on it, but it is higher than the 96 1 ton dually I had before it was. It has the work truck package so pretty plain. Cloth seats and rubber floor mats. I?m also like the way the trans is managed. If pulling a trailer just put it in tow/haul mode and smash on the gas. It will take care of itself just fine. Never a need to manually operate the trans. Gas mileage isn?t great. 14 is it and it doesn?t seem to matter much how you drive it. I?ve babied it and ran the stuffing out of it and no real noticeable difference. If you haven?t driven a truck with one of the LS engines in it takes a little getting used to. They are high reving engines and are very happy pulling heavy trailers between 3,500 and 5,500 rpm. Rev limiter will catch it at 6,000 if you get carried away. It won?t let you hurt it.
As far as the ride difference between the 2500 and 3500 the 3500 will be a little stiffer, but not horrible. The trans will be the 6L90 same as the 2500. The 6L90 is super tough and will take whatever you can throw at the truck. I had some heavy trailers towing over the mountain passes and they stay cool. Engine temp never moves and the trans never gets over 195. Unloaded the trans runs between 140 and 160. Gas mileage will be about the same considering the gear ratios are probably the same and the two trucks weigh being within 400 lbs of each other.

I?m more familiar with Ford super duties but the biggest issue is usually your state/provincial licensing. A 3/4 normally squeaks under the 10,000 lb / 4500 kg rules. In my own jurisdiction a 3/4 ton can run a passenger vehicle plate so never has to go over scale. Never needs a different class licence to tow over 10k and can ignore the no trucks signs on roads. My bordering jurisdiction you need to be on their commercial registry to drive my dually. Pain in butt.

Try Tonniges Chevrolet at Oseola Ne. they seems to have connections.

Look on cargurus.com That is where I find mine

With the current GM trucks, the axle ratio is tied to the engine option and you can't opt for a different ratio. 4.10 for gas and 3.73 for diesel. It doesn't matter whether it's a 2500 or 3500. That's the case with the 2020 models and it was the case in 2017 when I ordered my truck. I suspect that's been the case for a long time.

That's real helpful.
Do you have a 2500 or 3500?
Thanks to all who replied.

I had the option in my 2007 for either the 373 standard rear end or the optional 410 on my Chevy 2500. My friend gets about a half mile to the gallon better with his 08 with the 373 gear but I'm happy with my 410 rear gear as its a good puller although it does suck the gas with a big load.

I talked to a guy at the hay auction the other day that had a new 2020 Chevy 2500 gasser. He didn't know what rear end he had but claimed he was getting 16 mi to the gallon driving back and forth to work. He liked it allot better than the 2015 he traded in.

I always thought the only difference between a 3/4 ton and a 1 ton with a little heavier suspension.

Mark, I have to respectfully disagree on one point. The 2020 GM's with the 6.6L gas are locked into having only a 3.73 rear end ratio (not sure on the diesel, haven't been watching them). I was rather disappointed in that move, because the new engine with a 3.73 rear end doesn't really outperform the outgoing 6.0L with a 4.10, like my 2011 3500HD has. I'm not buying a new truck in the near future, but I have been watching the developments in the gas HD pickup lineups, and Ford's new 7.3L gas with 10 speed transmission and 4.30 rear end really impresses me. TFL Truck ran their "Ike Gauntlet" towing test with both trucks, and the Ford 7.3L beat out the GM 6.6L by around 3 minutes if I recall correctly. I'm a GM guy at heart, but I think Ford came up with a winner with the 7.3 gas.

But I digress. To the OP: the 2500HD and 3500 are identical powertrain wise, 3500 I believe is default 4.10 rear ends, 2500HD may have other options. A 6.0L is thirsty no matter what, so I would go with the 4.10 anyway for the pulling capability. Rear springs would be the major difference, but a set of air bags would level the playing field. Only thing that comes to mind, is to make sure a 2500HD has the transmission cooler. My 2011 3500HD came with it, and will pull a mountain without getting hot. As to the numbers, I can't really help, have been watching only the dually gassers as the single wheel 3500HD I have just isn't quite enough truck for what I've been doing.

> The 2020 GM's with the 6.6L gas are locked into having only a 3.73 rear end ratio.

OK, I had previously spec'd out the 2019 2500 and 3500. Those trucks have the 6.0L gasser locked to a 4.10 and the 6.6L diesel to a 3.73. Checking the specs for the 2020, both the 2500 and 3500 trucks have the 6.6L gas locked to 3.73 and the 6.6L diesel is (surprisingly) locked a 3.42 axle ratio. I suppose the axle change on the diesel side for 2020 is due to the 10-speed Allison transmission on the diesel that superseded the 6-speed Allison used in prior years. (Both the 2019 and 2020 gassers have 6 speed transmissions.)

> Do you have a 2500 or 3500?

My 2017 Chevy is a 2500HD. It is overkill for our lightweight fifth wheel camper, but I don't want to pull any trailer out west with a half-ton pickup. If our travel plans were to stay east to the Mississippi, I probably would have bought a half-ton.

I just traded 2017 ford f350 4x4 XL 35000 miles with 6.2 gas 4.30 rears, darn good truck. It fits the bill with what you are looking for to the tee. It rides quite a bit rougher than F250 I replaced it with. I wanted bigger gas engine when i bought 2017 none offered except diesel, cost too much, too much maintence. When ford announced 7.3 gas with 10 speed tranny, I knew that was what I wanted all along, took delivery last week. I bought 4.30 rears in this truck also will be interesting to see what it can tow when i get it broken in.