Cascade Crew

[91RSVert]

I've been looking for a 2500 or 3500 series truck for the past few months. Ive noticed on very few trucks, mostly ones with utility beds that they have a "grill under the grill". At first I thought this was maybe a factory body lift. But the back of the cab has no gap between the cab and frame.

Does anyone know what, why, how, etc about this feature??

Picture below to explain the "option"

[chevymad]

Thats on the earlier HD models. They are higher then the regular 2500/3500 series. And usually have a solid front axle as well.

[91RSVert]

So is the lift built into the cab, frame, or spacers between frame/body?

Basically, if I was to get one of them. How hard would it be to place a normal bed on it.

Any idea what year they quit doing that?

[chevymad]

It's the suspension that makes them taller. I think the newer body style HD's arent as different as those mid 90s ones.

[91RSVert]

If its in the suspension, why does it need the spacer between the grill and bumper?

I cant afford a new hd. Its going to have to be an older mid 90's... beat to crap. I'm wondering if I can get one of these utility trucks, yank that bed and install a normal bed w/o much effort.

[chevymad]

The bumper is dropped due to height laws. This fills in the gap.

[rjmcgee]

You might also find that the rubber on that truck is an odd size, like a 19.5" wheel. Might make buying tires more spendy in the future. Why do you want such a huge pickup?

[91RSVert]

Arnt all dually tires that size? Or does that issue use semi truck tires?


Come spring time, it looks like I will likely need to be hauling a 24'+ enclosed trailer every weekend. Plus I want something to tow my car with, run down the trails around here, it floods often so I need some ground clearance. You know, basic beat the crap outta it stuff

[rjmcgee]

[91RSVert]

I wasnt looking at that exact truck. Just a picture I found for example.

So if I end up looking at this kinda model. Look at the tires.

I knew about the bed lengths. Maybe I could splice two regulars together and make me an old school longhorn model

[dlp]

The early 2000 model HD trucks have a filler above the front bumper becuase the frame is 2" taller than the 1/2 tons. The sheetmetal is the same for a 1/2 ton and the HD trucks, hence the need for the filler panel.

[91RSVert]

Bringing this back up.

So what I have found out is yes, this is for the HD model. No special motors. Only come in 2x4 with SFA. The frame is taller and the cab is also lifted a bit higher then the normal truck. That spacer is the difference.

HD normally gets the 19.5" tire. While the normal 3500 dually gets a 16" wheel. Different bolt patterns.

As for my orginal idea, someone about 30 miles from me is trying this. The frame is longer and you can not put a basic bed on it(about 8-9" behind, 2-3" up front). Plus since the cab is higher, slapping the bed on it sits lower, you would have to give it a "body lift". Also appears the frame is actually narrower then a standard frame.

So you would need to make spacers that adjust for height and width. Then either lob off the frame in back, or splice some beds together.

[QwkTrip]

I don't get it.... if you want a normal truck then why aren't you looking at normal trucks?

[91RSVert]

I have already bought a truck since this post. But when I was looking, I wondered what this option was for. Basically, higher towing capaity is all it provides.

But it appeared you could pick up an HD model for same or sometimes less then a basic model, which is why I was asking.