We happened to have a 2006 Chevy 3500 Duramax parked next to our 1999 F350 PSD

The Chevy owner wanted to know why the Ford was so much bigger than the Chevy when they were both rated at 1 ton.

We went and looked. Everything is bigger on the Ford. Tie rods, axles, transfer case etc etc.

The Ford is bigger and tougher.

End of story.

Just saying

 

... except rear axle ring and pinion...

just saying

 

Of course there is another way to look at the bigger issue --- if it unnessarily larger and bigger, and with the extra heaviness to carry around, all that unneeded beef just cuts down on what you can carry, given the same GVW's. More weight to carry means more fuel burned to do the same job as well. More wear and tear on the tires and brakes to boot.

And that is something to be concerned with, especially of one is using the truck to make money.

Just heavy enough not to fail and not a pound more makes for about the best bottom line. Which is why so many heavy trucks had and have even things like aluminum frames. It is about that difference between the tare weight and the GVW rating.

Just saying