The truck carried the loads well and never lacked for power. As I understand it; the only difference between my SRW 3500 and a 2500 was running lights on top of the cab and factory overload springs. Brakes, wheels, tires, etc. were identical.
You got me thinking. I went to a couple websites and compared several parts like bearings and hubs between the Dodge 2500 and 3500. In each case, the parts are the same ones. It makes me think that the 3500 is just a 2500 with heavier springs.
The only difference between a 3rd gen 2500 and 3500 SRW is a set of overload springs on the 3500. Like you've discovered,everything else is identical between trucks.
That doesn't mean that adding a set of overloads makes your truck a 3500. Your truck is legally still a 2500.
But like I said earlier,I'm more concerned with axle and tire capacities. The 11.5 AAM axle in the rear of your truck is rated by AAM at almost 11,000lbs of capacity. Dodge rates it 6400lbs because that's what two stock 265/70/17 tires will carry.
