I was looking for some parts for the truck on rock auto, and it occurred to me that I really don't know what makes a heavy duty model heavy duty. When I googled sites for truck info, I found a good page on GM's truck "classes", and if what it says is right, my 2004.5 Silverado 3500 4x4 is a class 3. But under these classifications, it says that HD's are class 5 or 6 and up(???). That leaves out 4500's, too. That can't be right, can it? Are there 2 different classifications of what HD is? I thought it was upped construction on any model. I thought I still had the old window sticker in the glove compartment that was left in it by the previous owner, but I'm not finding it. So, where do I find out whether my truck (or GM truck) is or isn't a heavy duty model?
showme
How to determine if a truck is HD or not?
You have a "light duty" truck. Ignore the "HD" that gm may use in it's marketing for the truck, that is completely unrelated to heavy/medium/light duty w.r.t. vehicle "class". 1500/2500/3500 trucks are all considered light duty for vehicle class.
The "HD" that gm and the other manufacturers throw around for their pickups is strictly for marketing.
The "HD" that gm and the other manufacturers throw around for their pickups is strictly for marketing.
there is a 2004 3500 and 3500 HD, the HD would have a different grille/hood (at least 2005 does, not sure of 2004) and has more heavy-oriented options like hydroboost(maybe it would have it anyway?) , ps cooler, trans cooler, trans gauge, bigger springs, probably heavier tire factory, the door emblem would say HD after 3500
Thebase option engine choice would be different than anormal 3500 etc.
heavy duty as you are finding out is a term for weight class which is much much much bigger.Light duty trucks (these), medium duty, heavy duty
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This is my VECI and another label for my 2005 2500 HD, but its still a light truck.
Thebase option engine choice would be different than anormal 3500 etc.
heavy duty as you are finding out is a term for weight class which is much much much bigger.Light duty trucks (these), medium duty, heavy duty
This is my VECI and another label for my 2005 2500 HD, but its still a light truck.
There is no such thing as an 2004.5 model.
AS I recall there were 2 versions of the 2500's in that year, reg 2500 and HD 2500. The difference in the 2500's was the GVW, regular 2500 was 8600lb while HD were 9200lb, if I recall correctly.
There was only one version of the 3500 and I don't think they called it a HD.
AS I recall there were 2 versions of the 2500's in that year, reg 2500 and HD 2500. The difference in the 2500's was the GVW, regular 2500 was 8600lb while HD were 9200lb, if I recall correctly.
There was only one version of the 3500 and I don't think they called it a HD.
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When you're looking at heavy duty, you look at things like full floating axles, the rear axle part that sticks out of the wheel that has six bolts, where you can unbolt these and literally pull the inner axle out, these types of trucks are usually 3/4 ton and these trucks are all considered heavy duty because of the increased weight it can carry due to the axles. Also if 4x4 the front axle is an independent suspension however the front axle shafts are short like a foot long instead of the 2 1/2 foot ones. It's beefier front end is a tell tale sign and also the VIN will tell you if it's a heavy duty for heavy duty but I would only trust the VIN if all those other things are present. When getting parts for your truck, sometimes you can't depend on the VIN bc autozone and other truck part places have different parts for the VIN and the term HD. My Cheyenne K2500 4x4 has different parts listed by VIN and the term 2500HD after the name if I look them up and they're both 3/4 ton.
Hope this helps!!
Hope this helps!!
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