2500 LD and 2500 HD differences

[Anubis]

These questions are GMT400 specific.

what are the differences between the LD 2500 and the HD 2500 (besides the LD is 6 lug with a 7200# GVWR)?

I know the axles are different....... but can the 8 lug hubs be swapped in place of the 6 lug on the front (looks like he 8 lug spindles are 4 bolt and the 6 lug spindles are 3 bolt) or are the arms too much different.... can the arms be swapped, would SAS with an 8 lug Ford axle be better?

are the frames different (like the 97 non SD F250 is on an F150 frame)?

the HD 2500 has the 10.5" FF and the 6 lug has the 9.5" SF (equivalent to a D60?). Is it just as easy as swapping in the ff 10.5" or are the springs different?

are there differences in the brakes?

are the Transfer cases different?

I have a 4L80E so the transmission should be the same.


The IFS is worn out on my truck. If I have to go through all the crap to change all the bushings and joints, spindles, hubs, Brakes, shocks, steering components, and what ever else ...... I might as well convert it to 8 lug (and what ever else) and get a true 3/4 ton, but there is this guy named Murphy that likes to mess with all my best laid plans.

 

[trouttrooper]

Pretty positive that....
frame is same
t-case is same
springs are same
tranny is same
brakes......i think are the same

I had a '95 patrol truck that was listed as a 2500HD according to the window sticker that came on it, however it had 6 lug axles. Not sure how it was called a HD. It was 4x4 with manual tranny so I don't know if that ment anything for the "HD".

 

[Anubis]

yeah ..... its not the manual that makes it an HD...... the 4L80E and NV4500 are both 3/4 ton/1 ton transmissions.... its the axles ..... but what I am wondering is if that is the only difference...... yours might have had the HD springs and torsion bars..... I think you have to step up to a 3500 Fatback to get the bigger T-case......

I think for the expense involved I will just SAS with an HD axle from a Ford like big blue did.

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

The 2500LD is basically a 1500 with bolt in ball joints instead of pressed in and the 9.5" semi-floater rear axle.

 

[trouttrooper]

Just to clarify, the '95 that I had was listed as a 2500HD 8600 GVWR, but it still had 6 lug hubs. I always thought it was a bit odd, but never really looked into it too much.

 

[Anubis]

The 2500LD is basically a 1500 with bolt in ball joints instead of pressed in and the 9.5" semi-floater rear axle.

thats prolly why I call it a heavy half ........ or a wannabe 3/4 ton......

 

[WarWagon]

The front brake hoses are different between the two - tried them both before I got ones that fit.

 

[Anubis]

what about the arms ..... I have heard that the 8 lug arms are wider .....

 

[WarWagon]

My front tires (8 lug) track wider than the rear tires if that helps. (They stick out of the fenders...)

 

[Anubis]

so is it that they stick out farther or that they are wider from mount to mount?

if they are the same width but just stick out farther ...... that can easily be dealt with.