F-150 vs Chevy 1500 GVM Upgrade Compared
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Ford or Chev? It's one of the great American truck debates. We wanted to look it from a different angle, through GVM upgrades. F-150 vs Chevy 1500 GVM upgrades. We lined the Ford up against the Chevrolet Silverado, specifically the ZR2, as they roll out of the factory, then showed what both trucks become once they've been through a proper GVM upgrade at BAW Automotive.
Before anyone starts typing angry comments, yes, we know Lariat vs ZR2 isn't a dead-set apples for apples comparison. But stick with us, because by the time both trucks have had a GVM upgrade, the gap between Chevy and Ford closes up a lot more than you'd expect.
The Acronyms Behind Every GVM Upgrade
If you're new to the GVM upgrade world, three acronyms get thrown around a lot.
Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) is the maximum your fully loaded truck is allowed to weigh, people, fuel, gear and all.
Gross Combined Mass (GCM) is the maximum combined weight of your truck plus whatever you're towing, and it can't be exceeded no matter how you split the load between the two.
Braked Towing Capacity (BTC) is simply the heaviest trailer your truck is rated to tow, and it's different on every vehicle, so always check your owner's manual before you hook up.
These three numbers work together, not separately, which is exactly why so many tourers and tradies get caught out chasing one figure while ignoring the others.
Factory Specs: Ford F-150 vs Chevy Silverado
Straight from the factory, here's how the Chevrolet 1500 vs Ford F-150 figures stack up, along with towing and power.
Spec | Ford F-150 | Chevy 1500 Silverado ZR2 |
|---|---|---|
GVM | 3,315 kg | 3,300 kg |
Curb weight | 2,546 kg | 2,587 kg |
Payload | 769 kg | 713 kg |
Braked towing capacity | 4,500 kg | 4,200 kg |
GCM | 7,365 kg | 6,851 kg |
Engine | Twin-turbo V6 petrol, ~300 kW / 570 Nm | 6.2L naturally aspirated V8, 313 kW / 624 Nm |
The Silverado gives up a little payload and towing to the F-150 on paper, but claws it back with a naturally aspirated V8 that's hard to go past if you're chasing that classic American truck soundtrack.
Upgrade Results: F-150 vs Chevy 1500 GVM
This is where the F-150 vs Chevy 1500 conversation really changes. Once each truck goes through a GVM upgrade, the numbers jump dramatically and the gap between the two nearly disappears.
Spec After Upgrade | Ford F-150 | Chevy 1500 Silverado ZR2 |
|---|---|---|
GVM | 4,300 kg | 4,250 kg |
GCM | 8,800 kg | 8,750 kg |
Payload | 1,819 kg | 1,672 kg |
Suspension | Fox 2.5 Elite, remote reservoir, adjustable | Fox 2.5 Elite, remote reservoir, adjustable |
Leaf packs | 200 kg or 400 kg options | 200 kg or 400 kg options |
Control arms | Upper control arms, front | BDS upper control arms, front |
Both kits are built on the same Fox 2.5 Elite platform with a choice of leaf pack and tyre size depending on the stage you go with. Keep in mind these figures apply to the specific builds tested and will vary by variant, so get your own truck checked before assuming the same numbers apply to yours.
Why Choose BAW Automotive For Your GVM Upgrade
These upgrades come through Offroad Industries, a premium Fox and BDS suspension dealer with over 14 years in the American truck and four-wheel drive scene. They've taken that experience and put it through the full federal compliance and testing process, the same standard every other major GVM brand has to meet, which is how BAW Automotive is able to offer it on both the F-150 and the Chevy 1500 Silverado.
Whether you back the V8 in the Silverado or the Ecoboost in the F-150, the takeaway from this Ford F150 vs Chevy Silverado test is the same. A proper GVM upgrade closes the gap between these two trucks and turns either one into a serious tow rig or tourer, right here in Brisbane.
Keen to see what a GVM upgrade could do for your F-150 or Chevy 1500 Silverado? Get a quote from the team at BAW Automotive and we'll walk you through the stages available for your build.
