Well, that sounds like a project!
The 2500/3500 frames are heavier and deeper than the 1500. All of the 2500/3500 regular cab trucks were long bed (8 foot bed.) The axles are 8 lug and pretty heavy. The brakes are also robust and heavy. They are basically heavy work trucks with heavy drivetrain...
Are you going to shorten the frame to modify for a 6.5' bed of the SS? What about the 5 lug wheels?
There's really a lot differences between the 1500 vs 2500/3500. You should dig deeper into it. The SS was built based on a 1500 truck, with some heavier stuff borrowed from the heavier trucks.
Not much difference between the 2500/3500 with the 7.4. Same transmission, I can't remember if the same frame (on RCLB configuration), hydroboost brakes, same 14 bolt full float axle. Maybe different brake RPO? Spring pack? Maybe the 3500 frame is a bit thicker wall? Can't remember at the moment.
There's also 2500 with 6 lug wheels, which are confusing. They are closer to the 1500s than the 2500s.
Good luck.
Thats some good old information, thanks for that, its much clearer now.
Well, it seems that in that case I would have to shorten the chassis and shorten the bed or replace it with another, my reason for the project is simply caused by the fact that I consider that GM on the 454SS wasted a lot of engineering, first considering the fact that the 454SS had 230 horsepower (it could give a lot more but they just didn't want to take advantage of the engine's potential) it had chassis reinforcements to support the weight of the engine. And finally what impresses me the most is how the 454SS was able to go from 0-60MPH in 7s, which I find impressive considering the low horsepower factor and more or less good torque.
I am currently 18 years old and my father has a Silverado 97 ', it has 255 HP and I do not know how much torque, I also plan to start a project in it to improve it and make it more muscular, but that is another post that I will do in the future.
Returning to the subject, I am quite ignorant to the Big-block and that is why I would like to investigate more in that world, I consider that a Vortec 7.4L 290Hp engine has a lot of potential to give better, but Chevrolet did not care about the speed in At the time, Chevy cared about torque and quality, which is why I like these trucks.
Here is Daisy (Silverado 97')