2002 Chev 2500 light duty

[DAVE13]

The 2002 light duty is the same truck as the 2000 3/4 ton. Do any of you have expearance plowing and towing with one? Can it handle the weight of a V blade? How about the tranny?

[guntruck]

A good friend has the 2000 2500, he doesnt plow but does heavy pulling all the time and the tranny has had 0 probs and astill runnign strong at 103,000. Its a good truck from what i can see but he doesnt plow which can put substantial stress on the tranny (heat) and put the test to the front end. Good Luck!!

:p

[Foz]

I had a 1999 Chevy 2500 with 6.0 gas engine, used it to tow equip. & plow snow, depends on how much weight you are hauling (8,000 Lbs about it's comfortable max.) I wasn't happy with it's snow plowing capability....NO COMPARISON to the 1997 454 that i traded for the heap. I went Ford diesel this time around & am very pleased........all depends on what you need to do!

[bubble boy]

ive got the 2000 3/4 ton chev, with a straight blade

plows really well, and we had a bad winter this past year. i do lots of small drives, so lots of forward to reverse to forward shifting. Tranny temp gauge never moved.

with the heavier plow i would put timbrens (spelling?) on the front end to prevent the dipping action when you raise the plow. that is my only complaint with the chevy and i had a plow that isn't as heavy as a v.

as pleased as i am with my chevy, look at the HD version. that way you know your safe.

[Kent Lawns]

If you're buying new, why not get the HD ?? (!)

They're 7-8% more money and you know you're covered.

Bigger frame, heavier suspension, larger drive axle, shafts, components. Transission cooler, larger radiator, etc., etc.

Why mess around?

[Michael Fronczak]

Look at the GVW. The 2500, I belive is 8600, same as older 2500 HD. The new 2500HD is 9200, same as old 3500 single rear wheels. I'm in the same boat I have a 1999 3500 with 454, need another plow truck + baby on way, looking at 2500HD, haven't decided what engine/tras yet, I've heard allision is slow in reverse.
Best advise if your plowing/towing alot get 4:10 gears or higher makes a huge difference, don't let the dealer sell you less than what you need. I had a salesman try to sell me a 2500(6.0 L, auto, 3:73 gears) was rated for towing 8800 or somthing, I tried to explain my mowing traler/equip lives behind truck & weighs in around 7000. What truck is rated to tow is different than towing all day every day at that rating-you'll destroy the truck & won't be happy with the performance.
Good luck.

[bubble boy]

i am the village idiot when it comes to tech stuff with vehicles.

what is the difference with the two diff. gear ratios?

I always see these figures compared for sports cars, never knew what the heck they meant.

thanks:)

[Michael Fronczak]

Higher the number, more low end power.

[SpringValley]

I have a '99 2500 Silverado, 6.0L, 4 spd auto, 3.73 gears. I pull with it all the time. I have had 240 yds of sod on the trailer for a total of around 10k pounds. I have never had any problems towing. I pull a skid steer with backhoe all on the same trailer also. I have been very pleased with my truck, but if I was buying a new one, I would get the HD, 8.1L, Allison tranny. Or even the Duramax diesel. I almost traded but they would give me enough for my truck. I now have 41k miles on it and it will be paid for in 3 years so I will keep it so I can buy that new tractor and replace my 1960.

Matt:blush:

[Michael Fronczak]

I wasn't putting down 6.0- 3.73 combo. I drove one(with 4:10) before I bought my 99 3500, would have bought it lots of great features: trans temp, pre wired for light, tow/haul. Didn't because was new that year & I didn't want to take chances. Truck had plenty of power empty, didn't drive it loaded.