Lift Kit on a light duty 2500

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landonms10

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I have a 91 Sierra that’s a light duty 2500. I want a 2-3 inch lift kit, but I’m stumped at the moment. Would I go with the 2500 style lift, or the 1500 style lift? It’s a 6 lug if that means anything.
 

98chevy2500SS

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You would have to buy the 1500 kit as the 2500LD's used the same IFS as the regular 1500's did. From what I've been told, the only difference between a 1500 vs 2500LD is an extra leaf spring or two in the rear to make it have a 7200 GVWR.
 

shovelbill

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You would have to buy the 1500 kit as the 2500LD's used the same IFS as the regular 1500's did. From what I've been told, the only difference between a 1500 vs 2500LD is an extra leaf spring or two in the rear to make it have a 7200 GVWR.
I thought they came with 12-bolt rears too....my brain sucks so please forgive me if I['m wrong.
 

TreeGeared

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The LD 2500 had larger brakes and a 14 bolt rear compared to a 1500. They also had an extra leaf as mentioned previously. Never looked at the frames specifically but they could be slightly different as well. Otherwise probably more common parts with a 1500.
 

someotherguy

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7200lb gvwr aka "LD" 2500 is essentially a 1500 with upgrades. The front brakes are the same as the HD brakes on a 1500, in other words, the 1.25" rotors vs. 1" that the first couple year regular cabs were standard with, then later 1.25" became standard for all 1500's. The 9.5" 14 bolt out back, and the heavier rear spring pack with the extra leaf. There are a few minor little added gussets in the frame construction but it is a 1500 frame.

Lots of confusion generated over the years by GM calling it a 2500, because a real 2500 with 8600lb GVWR shares very little with it other than body, interior, and the smaller engine choices.

Richard
 

HotWheelsBurban

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7200lb gvwr aka "LD" 2500 is essentially a 1500 with upgrades. The front brakes are the same as the HD brakes on a 1500, in other words, the 1.25" rotors vs. 1" that the first couple year regular cabs were standard with, then later 1.25" became standard for all 1500's. The 9.5" 14 bolt out back, and the heavier rear spring pack with the extra leaf. There are a few minor little added gussets in the frame construction but it is a 1500 frame.

Lots of confusion generated over the years by GM calling it a 2500, because a real 2500 with 8600lb GVWR shares very little with it other than body, interior, and the smaller engine choices.

Richard
So really the LD 2500 is like the old "Heavy Half" or Big 10" then; a 5/8 ton instead of a proper 3/4 ton.
What back brakes do you get? JB6 or not?
 

someotherguy

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So really the LD 2500 is like the old "Heavy Half" or Big 10" then; a 5/8 ton instead of a proper 3/4 ton.
What back brakes do you get? JB6 or not?
Yep, pretty much, although some would argue that a 1500 with the F44 package is more like a 400-equivalent of the old "heavy half" and the 7200gvwr 2500 is some weird red-headed stepchild that is only slightly heavier-duty than that. ;)

Speaking of 1500 F44, both it and the 7200gvwr 2500 have the JB6 brakes, yes.

Richard
 

shovelbill

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7200lb gvwr aka "LD" 2500 is essentially a 1500 with upgrades. The front brakes are the same as the HD brakes on a 1500, in other words, the 1.25" rotors vs. 1" that the first couple year regular cabs were standard with, then later 1.25" became standard for all 1500's. The 9.5" 14 bolt out back, and the heavier rear spring pack with the extra leaf. There are a few minor little added gussets in the frame construction but it is a 1500 frame.

Lots of confusion generated over the years by GM calling it a 2500, because a real 2500 with 8600lb GVWR shares very little with it other than body, interior, and the smaller engine choices.

Richard
A full-floating 14-bolt or the semi-floating 12-bolt?
 
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