Single Rear Wheel Option for '04 3500

[DMax_Doug]

GM's Product Guide for 2004 Trucks, released this morning, announces the availability of SRW for 3500's. With a GVWR of 9900lbs, that should make many happy who carry heavy payloads or pull 5th wheels who don't want a dually.

Here is the link:

http://media.gm.com/

Select the 2004 GM Product Information Guide, then Silverado HD trucks.

Doug

[HD-Nate]

:mad: Arghhhh.....


#@*&!, *&%#, @#%*!!!!!!

And many more :mad:

The ONLY reason I was looking at a F*rd before buying my D-max was for the single rear wheel 3500 series. I had an '87 3500 SRW 7.4 and loved it except for the 9 mpg.

If GMC doesnt change the grill like the Chevys, I may have to trade her in for an '04, specially if they up the HP and lbs torque.

[sonofagun]

Thanks Doug,

Interesting site. Can you access the photos for an '04 GMC 3500? Would like to see if they made any changes but don't have the required password.

Regards,
Bob

[DMax_Doug]

Son of a gun,

Haven't seen any pics, just the PR link. To be honest, I wasnt' sure I was reading the announement correctly, however GM is targeting this option as a "driver-friendly single-rear-wheel (SRW) configuration" of the 3500.

What they didn't say is when in '04 this configuration will be available...any dealer's out there that can check this out on your order system??

Doug

[Jelisfc]

If you read the GMC side they are adding their version of the Avalanche in both 1500 and 2500. The 1500HD CC is now a 2500 CC, 2500HD the same, and 3500 SRW is of course new. Maybe I can get the wifey to get a GMCvalanch is if looks good?

[SparkyTX]

You may also notice that the fuel tank is being increased to 34 gallons for all diesels, regardless of bed length. Man that would have been nice.

[hoot]

Originally posted by SparkyTX:
You may also notice that the fuel tank is being increased to 34 gallons for all diesels, regardless of bed length. Man that would have been nice. Maybe a low cost retrofit is on the way!

[SparkyTX]

Originally posted by hoot:
Maybe a low cost retrofit is on the way! [/QB]Yeah. I bet.

[Professor]

I didn't notice a GMC Avalanche but it looks like they added a 1500 non-hd crew cab with a 5'8" bed. SuperCrew competition!

[Jelisfc]

Professor, You may be right. The bed length is not the same for Avalanche 5'3" vs GMC CC at 5'8". That would be great. Give me a real truck bed even if it's shorter.

[VFRRider]

NOW they offer 35 gal tanks for shortbeds... My 50 gal Transferflow is arriving tomorrow, all said and done over a grand. Wonderful. And a SRW 3500 to boot. :mad:

[DMax_Doug]

Well I just browsed through the Product Guide looking for info in the increased payload capacity of the 3500 SRW. Now I'm more confused than ever. What exactly do they call the SRW 3500 in the guide? A chassis cab? Fleetside?

If anyone can make sense of the info, what exactly is the GVWR of the 3500 SRW? I'm trying to get a sense for how much more I payload capacity I get vs. the same CC/SB setup I have to day on my 2500HD.

BTW, relative to tire sizes, no mention of anything in a 265 size (245 only).

Doug

[Maverick]

what exactly is the GVWR of the 3500 SRW? From what I read it is 9900 lbs no matter what cab you have. All SRW are long box. My dually is 11,400.

A 2500HD is 9200 lbs. You gain 700 lbs.

I'll keep my 2500HD.

[SparkyTX]

Originally posted by Maverick:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr /> what exactly is the GVWR of the 3500 SRW? From what I read it is 9900 lbs no matter what cab you have. All SRW are long box. My dually is 11,400.

A 2500HD is 9200 lbs. You gain 700 lbs.

I'll keep my 2500HD. </font>[/QUOTE]The reality here is that the true limiting factor on payload isn't the rating of the truck (2500HD versus 3500) but the second set of tires. That makes sense. If I recall correctly, the axle is the same for the 2500HD and the 3500 (11 1/2 ring gear 14BFF). The springs have a little to do with how comfortably the extra weight is carried, but they are not really the limiting factor here.

My guess is that the SRW 3500 is also heavier versus a 2500HD SB as it is only offered in a LB.

[DmaxMaverick]

The 2500HD is as close to non-dually nirvana as you are gonna get. It's GVWR is 9200 #'s.

The 3500 SRW will have a GVWR of 9900 #'s, like the competition.

There is very little advantage here.

Brand F has one, but is a several hundred #'s heavier than a similarly equipped 2500HD. The new 3500 SRW will be several hundred #'s heavier than a similarly equpped 2500HD, and near the weight of Brand F.

My guess is that the net gain will be about 300 #'s, which IMO, is no gain worth mentioning, and could be embarrassing.

I have had my 2500HD loaded up to 10,100 #'s and noticed no negligible difference in that compared to 9,000 #'s. Neither GAWR was exceeded.

The new 3500 SRW will be nothing more than a 2500HD with some smoke and mirrors, and a higher price tag.

Sounds like more like just a marketing ploy to me.

Cheers

Added on edit:

One advantage that might be had here is a higher rated front end (plow/Ranchhand bonus). Increasing the rear tire rating will not yield enough to give a 700 # GVWR increase. My guess would be a heavier torsion bar. Would be a nice retro fit.

[ 07-02-2003, 11:37 AM: Message edited by: DmaxMaverick ]

[sk]

Here's one pic:

http://osx.wieck.com/pv/WKA/2003/06/30/WKA2003063067410_pv.jpg

Wieck has more pics, as well as ones of the 1500 Crew Cab. TxDoc also started a post here:
http://forum.thedieselpage.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=000602


Scott

[Black Dog]

Brand F has one, but is a several hundred #'s heavier than a similarly equipped 2500HD. The new 3500 SRW will be several hundred #'s heavier than a similarly equpped 2500HD, and near the weight of Brand F.
What is going to make it several hundred pounds heavier? The only thing they will need to do to get the 2500HD from 9200 GVWR to 9900 GVWR is use different tires, and maybe different rear springs. The rear axle, frame, and front suspension are the same as a 3500 already anyway. Where would the extra weight come from?

[Colorado Kid]

Actually, the only thing they'd have to change to get a 9900# GVWR is the sticker on the pillar. The GAWR's already add to more than 9900#. I don't think the 3500 SRW will weigh even 50# more than a comparable 2500HD.

[Kansas Kid]

Originally posted by DmaxMaverick:
Increasing the rear tire rating will not yield enough to give a 700 # GVWR increase.And why not? If GM uses a 265/75R16E tire which are rated at 3415lbs vs the standard 245/75R16E tire which is rated at 3045lbs they gain 740lbs of rear axle capacity. Puts a truck rated at 9200lbs originally pretty close to 9900lbs. Tire size (max load rating) is the only difference in an F250 vs a SRW F350 and I imagine it will be the same with GM.