Quick and simple question about airbags

[kdauto]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

From the AXLE MFGs

AAM, Dana, Sterling etc

GAWRs listed by the big three (Ford, GM, and FCA) are thousands of pounds less than the GAWRs listed by axle manufacturers

So you call them up individually? I see no published specs for the axle alone.

Also, I see AAM has different ratings for the same 11.5" axle. They rate it something like 500lbs more for RAM (probably bragging rights or something) vs the same axle for GM. I would not trust using ''just' the axle manufacturer specs.

This is where the forum loses me. A vehicle is an ensemble of parts, and we can't just pick and choose what suits us for specs. This stuff also further confuses people, and the tow ratings, payload, axle weight ratings are all confusing enough to many without adding pseudo-engineering specs. If the manufacturer wanted to stand 100% behind their rating it would be stamped on the axle housing. Last I checked, I saw this on no rear axle on any pickup.

[01tundra]

Originally Posted by sibe

gas vs diesel... wow love to find out details on chassis....and stuff..

Per the references that were posted and a GM employee who works on the HD's -

"I work on these trucks daily and have swapped between 2500 and 3500 srw multiple times. The rear axles are different on the 2020+ diesel equipped trucks between 2500 and 3500 srw. The difference is 2500 diesel has 11.5 ring gear and 3500 has 12 ring gear."

The diesel 2500 rear axle is different from the diesel 3500 rear axle....and stuff..

Complete different part numbers between the diesel 2500 & 3500.

The gas 2500 and 3500 rear axle have the same part number.

Directly from GM:

"CAPABLE Sierra Heavy Duty features an all-new fully boxed ladder-type frame with nine
high-strength steel cross-members, making it stronger for confident trailering and increased load
hauling. All-new larger rear prop shafts and upgraded U-joints have been optimized to handle
high torque output and improve durability. The ring gear in the rear axle on 3500 HD models with
the available Duramax Turbo Diesel engine is also larger—measuring 12" to help deliver up to
910 lb-ft of torque in first gear.
On 2500 HD models, the rear ring gear now measures 11.5."

https://www.gmc.com/content/dam/gmc/...hd-catalog.pdf

[JIMNLIN]

Originally Posted by kdauto

So you call them up individually? I see no published specs for the axle alone.

Also, I see AAM has different ratings for the same 11.5" axle. They rate it something like 500lbs more for RAM (probably bragging rights or something) vs the same axle for GM. I would not trust using ''just' the axle manufacturer specs.

This is where the forum loses me. A vehicle is an ensemble of parts, and we can't just pick and choose what suits us for specs. This stuff also further confuses people, and the tow ratings, payload, axle weight ratings are all confusing enough to many without adding pseudo-engineering specs. If the manufacturer wanted to stand 100% behind their rating it would be stamped on the axle housing. Last I checked, I saw this on no rear axle on any pickup.

LOL...you are confused. Biscuits right ...read all my reply.
What I posted is common knowledge and around diesel truck forums and even rv forums.
As biscuit says Dana...AAM ...and Ford Sterling websites have those spec if you search in the right places.
However my reply was about 250/2500...350/3500 srw trucks rawr numbers and the lessor of tires....wheels...rear suspension...rear axle assy numbers.


No use confusing your self or others or the OP with your one ton drw trucks rawr specs or ranting about the axle mfg should do this and that. Ford...Dodge/Ram and GM knows what weight specs the axle mfg rating are. They derate the rear axle mfg weight specs with lower rated tires....wheels....rear spring packs.
The axle mfg specs I posted just shows how much higher rated the rear axles are over tires...wheels...rear suspension. Any LDT owner needs to know this.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by kdauto

So you call them up individually? I see no published specs for the axle alone.

Also, I see AAM has different ratings for the same 11.5" axle. They rate it something like 500lbs more for RAM (probably bragging rights or something) vs the same axle for GM. I would not trust using ''just' the axle manufacturer specs.

This is where the forum loses me. A vehicle is an ensemble of parts, and we can't just pick and choose what suits us for specs. This stuff also further confuses people, and the tow ratings, payload, axle weight ratings are all confusing enough to many without adding pseudo-engineering specs. If the manufacturer wanted to stand 100% behind their rating it would be stamped on the axle housing. Last I checked, I saw this on no rear axle on any pickup.

For your reading pleasure...........

Axle GAWR (Max) Manufacturer
Dana 30 2,770 lbs Dana Holding Corporation
Dana 35 2,770 lbs Dana Holding Corporation
Dana 44 3,500 lbs Dana Holding Corporation
Dana 50 5,000 lbs Dana Holding Corporation
Dana 60 6,500 lbs Dana Holding Corporation
Dana S 60 7,000 lbs Dana Holding Corporation
Dana 70 10,000 lbs Dana Holding Corporation
Dana 80 12,000 lbs Dana Holding Corporation
Dana S 110 14,706 lbs Dana Holding Corporation
Dana S 130 16,000 lbs Dana Holding Corporation
Ford 9-inch axle 3,600 lbs Ford Motor Company
Ford 8.8 axle 3,800 lbs Visteon
Sterling 10.5 axle 9,750 lbs Visteon
10.5" Corporate 14 Bolt Differential 8,600 lbs American Axle
11.5 AAM 10,000 lbs American Axle
10.5 AAM 9,000 lbs American Axle
Saginaw 9.5-inch axle 6,000 lbs American Axle

[JIMNLIN]

Good chart OB.
There are probably about that many or more axle mfg weight numbers for various other axles used in our LDTs over the years.
At some point the AAM went to a 11.8" axle assy and more capacity for the newer Ram 3500 drw trucks while the 2500 and 3500 srw remained the same 11.5" ring and pinion.
GM uses the same AAM 11.5" axle. The newer GM 3500 drw may use the new higher rated 11.8" axle .
Gm did raise their 3500 drw rawr to 10500 lbs in 2020 ?.

Now what OB/others and myself are saying is these numbers are the axle mfg weight capacities.... and isn't a indication of the Ram/GM/Ford truck mfg rawr numbers.

[kdauto]

All these charts and individual component ratings only confuse people. Old Biscuit may be correct in his weight ratings, I have no idea and found no easily searchable website corroborating the data. If they are so certain of their ratings, they should be stamped on the axles, period!

As I stated earlier, an AAM rear axle for GM may be rated differently than the same axle on a RAM. Also, AFAIK an 11.5" AAM can be had in SRW or DRW configuration, and we see no distinction between the rating unless I need new glasses and missed that. There is a HUGE difference in bracing between a DRW and SRW rear axle. I suspect an overloaded SRW could bend an axle tube much easier. In fact, Ford cheaped out recently and are now paying the price with recalls for crushed and cracking rear axle tubes.

At any rate, none of this stuff changes the fact the vehicle manufacturer rates the truck as it sits, and they know best. Once people start guessing and going by their gut you are chancing it.

Also, for the O.P., adding airbags may add comfort and stop sagging, but doesn't really increase payload. It's just a bandaid for too small a truck in my opinion.

[Old-Biscuit]

My 2007 Dodge 3500SRW

Dodge Rates it at 6200#
11.5 AAM 10,000 lbs American Axle

I have no qualms running that Rear Axle at 6200# and have done so for 15 yrs W/O ANY issues

[Dieselguy4]

Your tires and wheels is the weak part of most rear axles. My 2006 Dodge 3500 srw rear axle gawr is rated at 6200 lbs. My max tire load capacity is 6390 lbs. I ran loaded at 5940 lbs on my rear axle with my fifth wheel. It pushed me around some due to tire roll. I had my rear tires at 80 psi. Make sure you have enough rear load capacity to haul your Fifth wheel. Running maxed out is a problem waiting to happen. I moved to a 17 F350 dually. No issues now.

[jacknife]

Ram 3500 6.7 HO Have a 12 “ axle in 2019 and up .