RCLB K2500, K3500 Differences?

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Pro439

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So what you are saying is that both 2wd and 4wd front frames are bent the same you just have to change what is mounted up there. I am a fabricator and a welder so that is just doing it to me
 

Just Nobody

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The frame designs are the same, some thickness and some height differences between the light and heavy duty frames. There's a weld below the front door on all the trucks ,it where the C-channel changes to square tube part of frame. That factory weld can be removed and a different front clip can be rewelded in the factory location a EX; 2wd to 4wd front clip. Done properly the only giveaway the the clip has been swapped is the weld will look better then the factory weld. I have a short box ext cab, 6 hole, 2500 4x4 that I am going to make a regular cab short box frame for my blue truck. Should be only two welds to grind out, remove a small section of C-Channel and reweld back to factory location.
 

Pro439

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That’s what I thought. Only my problem is the frame of this truck is junk end to end. Funny how some scale can turn into a rotted off mount. Somebody did the steering box frame ear and cobbed it the back rear tank mount ears are rotted off and it just goes on and on
 

wb292

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Don’t the 3500s have the fordged front control arms? While the 2500s have the stamped like the 1500s.
 

b454rat

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The K2500 HD's have smaller drums than the 3500s. Think a leave less or 3 as well. T-cases different too. Don't think much difference other than that....
 

Supercharged111

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The K2500 HD's have smaller drums than the 3500s. Think a leave less or 3 as well. T-cases different too. Don't think much difference other than that....

No smaller drums, 8 luggers all got the 13" drums. Duallies got the wider brake shoes with larger calipers and wheel cylinders, but that's all I'm aware of. They also added a single upper overload leaf, but the singles all got the 5+1 2500 and 3500 alike. 3500 did get the BW t-case that the 2500 did not.
 

b454rat

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No, they have smaller drums. I have 2 K2500HD's in my yard, and parted a K3500. And had another 3500 that I sold. I have a set of 15x10 8 lugs with 4.25" BS IIRC, and they will fit on the 2500s, but not the 3500 without spacers. I had another HD years ago, and was same thing. I thought they were the same too, but they ain't lol
 

Supercharged111

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No, they have smaller drums. I have 2 K2500HD's in my yard, and parted a K3500. And had another 3500 that I sold. I have a set of 15x10 8 lugs with 4.25" BS IIRC, and they will fit on the 2500s, but not the 3500 without spacers. I had another HD years ago, and was same thing. I thought they were the same too, but they ain't lol

They are. You may have semi float axles on the 2500 and a full floater on the 3500, but you could get a full floater on the 2500 as well. It's not as simple as saying the 3500 got bigger drums.
 
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