Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty · Elgin CDJR · Streamwood, IL
Difference Between Ram 2500 and 3500
What is the difference between a Ram 2500 and a Ram 3500? They share engines and transmissions, so the differences are in the hardware under them. Here is what Ram's 2027 Heavy Duty specification and feature availability sheets list for each.
Coil vs. leaf2500 rear coils (standard); 3500 rear leaf springs
Dual rear wheels3500 only
12.0-in.rear axle on 3500 Max Tow
Same engines405-hp HEMI V8 or 430-hp Cummins HO
The short answer
Ram's 2027 sheets list the same two engines for both trucks: the 405-hp 6.4-liter HEMI V8 and the 430-hp 6.7-liter Cummins High Output. The difference is the chassis. The 2500 has a five-link coil-spring rear suspension, with optional self-leveling air on 4x4 models. The 3500 has a two-stage leaf-spring rear suspension with optional supplemental air, offers dual rear wheels (DRW), and gets a 12.0-inch rear axle on Max Tow models. Every 3500 uses Hydro-boost brake assist, which the 2500 has only with the diesel.
Suspension, axle and brake differences
Here are the main places where Ram's 2027 Heavy Duty sheets set the 2500 and 3500 apart, with the shared front suspension for reference:
| Spec | Ram 2500 | Ram 3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Front suspension | Three-link with track bar, coil springs, stabilizer bar, solid axle | Three-link with track bar, coil springs, stabilizer bar, solid axle |
| Rear suspension | Five-link with track bar, coil springs, stabilizer bar, solid axle (optional self-leveling air on 4x4) | Two-stage longitudinal leaf springs, solid axle (optional supplemental air) |
| Rear axle | AAM 11.5-in. beam | AAM 11.5-in. beam; AAM 12.0-in. beam on 3500 Max Tow |
| Brake power assist | Dual-rate tandem diaphragm vacuum (gas); Hydro-boost (diesel) | Hydro-boost on all 3500 models |
| Dual rear wheels | Not listed | Available (Dual Rear Wheel Group, 3500 only) |
The front suspension is the same design on both. The sheet lists a disconnecting front sway bar under the 2500 suspension, for the Power Wagon only.
From Ram's 2027 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty specifications (spec sheet 27355), Axles, Suspension and Brakes, and the 2027 feature availability sheet (27337), Functional Packages, read November 11, 2026. Ram says specifications are based on the latest product information available at the time of publication.
Dual rear wheels on the 3500
The feature availability sheet lists a Dual Rear Wheel Group for the 3500 only. The spec sheet shows what DRW changes on a 3500 Regular Cab 8-ft. box, in inches:
| Measurement | Single rear wheel | Dual rear wheels (DRW) |
|---|---|---|
| Rear track width | 67.1 | 75.9 |
| Overall width at front | 83.5 | 96.5 |
| Ground clearance, 4x4 | 13.3 | 12.4 |
The 2500 has a separate Payload Upgrade Package (2500 HEMI, Regular or Crew Cab), which the feature sheet lists with GVWR 11,040, a 3500 frame and a leaf-spring rear suspension.
From Ram's 2027 Heavy Duty specifications (spec sheet 27355), Regular Cab 140.5-in. WB, 8-ft. Box (3500), and the feature availability sheet (27337), Functional Packages, read November 11, 2026.
Cab and box choices
The 2027 spec sheet's exterior dimension pages list these configurations for each model:
| Configuration | Ram 2500 | Ram 3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Cab, 8-ft. box | Yes | Yes |
| Crew Cab, 6-ft. 4-in. box | Yes | Not listed |
| Crew Cab, 8-ft. box | Yes | Yes |
| Mega Cab, 6-ft. 4-in. box | Yes | Yes |
The sheet also lists a Power Wagon and Rebel Crew Cab with a 6-ft. 4-in. box on a 149.3-inch wheelbase, 4x4 only, without a 2500 or 3500 label.
From Ram's 2027 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty specifications (spec sheet 27355), Exterior Dimensions, read November 11, 2026.
What the 2500 and 3500 share
Ram's 2027 sheets cover both trucks together, and these are listed for the Heavy Duty lineup as a whole:
- 6.4-liter HEMI V8: 405 hp and 429 lb.-ft., standard on every trim the feature sheet lists.
- 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel I-6 High Output: 430 hp and 1,075 lb.-ft., optional on every trim the feature sheet lists.
- Eight-speed TorqueFlite HD automatics: the 8HP75 with the HEMI and the 8AP1075 with the Cummins.
- The same 9.25-inch front axle on 4x4 models, and the same 6-ft. 4-in. and 8-ft. cargo box sizes.
From Ram's 2027 Heavy Duty specifications (spec sheet 27355) and feature availability (27337), read November 11, 2026. For towing and payload figures, check the ratings for your exact truck.
Ram Heavy Duty service at Elgin CDJR
Our Ram service center works on Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks, gas and diesel. Our service department is open Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed Sunday. Get directions.
Difference Between Ram 2500 and 3500 FAQ
What is the difference between a Ram 2500 and 3500?
Ram's 2027 sheets list the same engines for both. The 3500 has a two-stage leaf-spring rear suspension (the 2500 uses coil springs), offers dual rear wheels, gets a 12.0-inch rear axle on Max Tow models and uses Hydro-boost brake assist on every model.
Do the Ram 2500 and 3500 have the same engines?
Yes. The 2027 sheets list the 405-hp 6.4-liter HEMI V8 and the 430-hp 6.7-liter Cummins High Output for the whole Heavy Duty lineup.
Can you get a Ram 2500 dually?
Ram's 2027 feature availability sheet lists the Dual Rear Wheel Group for the 3500 only.
Does the Ram 2500 have leaf springs?
The standard 2500 rear suspension is a five-link coil-spring design. The 2500 Payload Upgrade Package (HEMI, Regular or Crew Cab) adds a leaf-spring rear suspension and a 3500 frame, per the feature sheet.
Is the Power Wagon a 2500 or 3500?
A 2500. Ram's 2027 feature availability sheet lists the Power Wagon Equipment Group for the 4x4 2500 with the HEMI V8 only.
What are your service hours?
Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are closed Sunday.
Bring your Ram Heavy Duty to Streamwood
Visit Elgin CDJR at 1500 W. Lake St. in Streamwood.
Sources
Suspension, axle, brake, wheel, configuration and engine details are from Ram's 2027 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty specification and feature availability sheets on the Stellantis North America media site, read November 11, 2026. Our service hours are from our own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- 2027 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty specifications (spec sheet 27355), Stellantis North America media site (Ram), read November 11, 2026
- 2027 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty feature availability (sheet 27337), Stellantis North America media site (Ram), read November 11, 2026
- Ram service center page: service hours, Elgin CDJR, read November 11, 2026