Dodge Trucks Fan Club

Dodge Ram 1500

2011-03-01T00:24:00.000-08:00

User Said : At the end of June, I bought my first full-sized pickup truck — a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT.
Since the 2011 Rams are virtually unchanged from the 2010 models, this seems to be a good time to write a review of my Dodge so as to give people an idea of how those trucks hold up after the “new” has worn off.
The long and short of it is this — the Ram is a great truck that has held up well after 7,000 miles (not a lot, I know) and is afflicted with only a few annoyances. Dodge cut a few corners here and there and that’s inexcusable, but the Ram 1500 is an overall solid choice for people looking to buy a pickup.

Dodge Ram 1500

The 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 Now Available at Clyde TX Dodge Dealer

2011-03-01T00:20:00.000-08:00

Blake Fulenwider Chrysler Jeep Dodge, a prestigious Clyde TX Dodge dealership, is offering a top of the line 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 to its customers. Shoppers in the market for a Dodge Ram will love the features of the 2011 model, which includes some great updates, such as a new trim level, new colors and a new navigation system. The 2011 Ram 1500 will be available as a Regular Cab, Quad Cab and Crew Cab Pickup and will be available in five trims- ST, SLT, Outdoorsman, which is the new trim, Sport and Laramie.

The Dodge Ram 1500 is powered by three engine options, all of which provide tremendous power and torque. Clyde Dodge shoppers can choose from a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8, a 4.7-liter V-8 and a 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 engine that is standard on two-wheel-drive Ram 1500 Regular Cab and Quad Cab models.

2011 Dodge Ram 1500

Fix Brakes on a Dodge RAM 2000

2011-02-02T01:36:00.000-08:00

Dodge RAM 2000

Certain 2000 Dodge Ram model trucks came with front and rear brake pads, but most of the 2000 model Dodge Ram trucks came equipped with front brake pads and rear brake shoes. The front brake pads stop the truck by applying friction to the sides of the brake rotor; whe rear brake shoes keep the rear wheels from turning by applying pressure to the inside surface of the brake drums. You should change the brake pads and the brake shoes out before the brake material thickness reaches 1/8 inch, as xcessively worn brakes can damage the brake rotors and drums.

The Ram brand display from the 2011 Detroit Auto Show

2011-01-21T19:45:00.000-08:00

Chrysler’s Ram brand

Chrysler’s Ram brand (formerly Dodge trucks) is the most consistent of the companies under the automakers umbrella and at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, Ram showed off their luxury side with the new Laramie Longhorn alongside their sporty side – the Mopar Ram Runner.

I am a Ram owner and I’m a big fan of the current Ram lineup but I also love the Ford SVT Raptor. Like many Mopar enthusiasts, I am always hoping for a Chrysler-built equivalent to the super-capable, race ready Raptor and the Mopar Ram Runner (shown on the left) is the closest thing that I have seen thus far. The Ram Runner is not available directly from your neighborhood dealership but every component of this trophy truck inspired Ram is available through the Mopar catalog and with the exception of the fiberglass bedsides; the items that turn your 2010 Quad Cab into the Ram Runner are simply bolt-on goodies.

Used Dodge Ram Trucks in Tyler Available for Under $20K

2011-01-21T19:44:00.000-08:00

Dodge Ram

Texas Dodge dealer Elder Chrysler Dodge Jeep knows that a good, reliable truck doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, a quality used truck can be affordable. The Texas dealer is proud to offer models of the used Dodge Ram in Tyler for under $20,000.

Used trucks shoppers can find some of the most capable pick-up trucks around at Elder Chrysler Dodge Jeep. With an extensive inventory of used trucks, the needs of all shoppers are met. Truck shoppers can’t stop talking about the quality and versatility of the used Dodge Ram in Tyler. With different models to choose from at under $20,000, truck shoppers can find the Dodge Ram that they’re looking for at an affordable price.

2010 Dodge Ram Power Wagon

2011-01-02T20:41:00.000-08:00

2010 Dodge Ram Power Wagon

I think it’s easier to describe what the Power Wagon isn’t. This is not your everyday, city-slicker pickup truck. Dodge took their 2500 series heavy duty truck and brought it up another notch. The 2500 HD is already a stout truck, but Dodge improved the off-road capabilities significantly. They lifted the truck 2 inches, gave it 36” tires and changed a significant number of suspension components including new Bilstein dampers, locking differentials and even a front stabilizer bar that is electronically deactivated. Why would you want to deactivate your stabilizer bar you ask? It gives you even more capability to go over large rocks and boulders.

As you can see from the pictures, this truck is quite large. It’s especially big when you are trying to park somewhere. The interior room and full 6’ 4” bed is appreciated, though, and provides more room than you’ll probably ever need. The interior cabin is so large that when I reached over from the driver seat, my arm fell not even to the midway point of the passenger seat. I tend to keep my cell phone in one of the cup holders in the center console, and it is quite the extended reach down there.

Dodge Ram trucks recalled for brake-light problem

2011-01-02T20:40:00.000-08:00

Dodge Ram

Only 2010 and 2011 Dodge Rams with diesel engines are affected. The trucks were built from March 2009 through October 2010.
The recall is expected to begin in February. Ram owners will be asked to bring their trucks in to a dealer for inspection. "If there is an issue, we replace the cap for nothing," Mr. Muniga says.
Owners with questions can call Chrysler at 800-853-1403. They can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 888-327-4236 or at www.safecar.gov.

Dodge Ram recall: Chrysler / Dodge recalls almost 150,000 trucks and SUVs

2011-01-01T19:53:00.000-08:00

Dodge Ram

The front of a Dodge Ram may resemble a snarling cougar, but the truck shouldn't actually growl.

When customers reported a growling or grinding sound in their brand new trucks, engineers investigated and found a faulty rear axle, which prompted the recall of almost 57,000 of the popular trucks.

That recall joins two others that Chrysler, Dodge’s parent company, announced about the same time, for a total of over 144,000 recalled trucks and SUVs.
RELATED: What were the Top 10 recalls in 2010?

Over 65,000 Dodge Journeys from model year 2009 are being recalled for an electrical problem with the side airbags, while Dodge Rams are facing two different recalls:

* Over 22,000 Ram 4500 and 5500 trucks from model years 2008-11 are being recalled for a faulty left ball stud on the tie rod, which may result in a loss of steering control.

* Ram 1500 trucks from model year 2011, which have been manufactured since September 2009, have a growl-y rear axle bearing which might seize, possibly causing the truck to stall.

If you own a Ram or Journey, you should call your dealer for an appointment. Your dealer will replace the faulty part at no cost to you.

Chrysler will send the official recall letters to affected SUV and truck owners in February. Chrysler representatives did not respond to repeated attempts to make contact.

If you have questions, call Chrysler toll-free at 800-853-1403 or go to their website. (Recall information is well buried, but you can look for information about your car here.) You can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 800-424-9153)

Review Of 2010 Dodge Dakota Pick Up Truck

2010-07-30T05:55:00.003-07:00

Introduction of 2010 Dodge Dakota

The 2010 Dodge Dakota priced at MSRP: $22,755 – $33,180 is a perfect sized pick up truck which is neither too big nor too small. This Dodge edition creates its popular image with its sharp exterior styling, impressive towing and hauling capabilities, and appealing interior accommodations.

What’s on offer?

The 2010 Dodge Dakota receives Tokico shock modules and Arvin springs which assist in improving its performance. Dodge has dropped the six speed manual transmission for the 3.7 liter edition leaving with the option of only a four-speed automatic for the six-cylinder engine and a five-speed automatic for the 4.7-liter V-8.

Silhouette

The 2010 Dodge Dakota offers a perceptible different silhouette which is different from its predecessors or its bigger siblings. The new edition looks angular unlike the rounded predecessor. Dodge has managed to maintain the aggressiveness of this edition intact.

The new edition is available in two body styles viz. the extended cab and the crew cab. The extended cab features rear hinged aft doors, while the crew cab has conventional four doors.

Inside the cabin

The 2010 Dodge Dakota has exciting interiors with abundance of storage space. The interiors are dressed in hard plastic that feels hard however, the instrument panel features black on white color scheme which makes it easy to read. The controls and gauges are placed at comfortable places which add convenience to the operator.

There is ample of under seat storage space which makes the cabin spacious and practical.

Overall, good quality material would have been appreciated and would assist in making them self felt in this competitive automotive segment.

Features of 2010 Dodge Dakota

The 2010 Dodge Dakota is available in four trim levels. The standard trim features 17 inch aluminum wheels, cruise control and power windows. The luxury Laramie trim includes heated leather seats, chrome grille, chrome rear bumper, remote start, and premium audio. The TRX4 off road package adds skid plates, off road wheels and tires, and sliding rear window.

The new Dodge edition sports a dual position tail gate that assists as a support for extra long cargo extending beyond its bed size.

2010 Dodge Dakota Powertrain

The 2010 Dodge Dakota is powered by 3.7 liter V6 engine which generates 210 horsepower and 235 pounds feet of torque. The V6 engine is mated with a four speed automatic transmission. This burly engine offers an estimated fuel economy of 15/20 mpg on 2WD and 14/18 mpg on 4WD. When fully equipped it offer a towing capacity of 7,250 pounds.

This edition offers an option of 4.7 liter V8 engine which generates 302 horsepower and 329 pounds feet of torque. This V8 engine is teamed with five speed automatic transmission. The V8 engine offers a fuel economy of 14/19 mpg on 2WD , 14/19 mpg on (4WD, gasoline), 9/13 mpg on (4WD,E85). When fully equipped this edition offers a towing capacity of 5,500 pounds.

This rugged vehicle features Tokico shock modules and Arvin springs which a smooth ride.

2010 Dodge Dakota Safety

The 2010 Dakota Dodge is equipped with seat belt pretensioner, latch child seat anchors, and electronic brake distribution. Full length side curtain airbags, and four wheel antilock brake system are available as optional features.

During the various crash tests that were conducted to check the efficiency of these features it scored five stars for passenger and driver protection in the front a well as rear seats.

Review Of 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Pick Up Truck

2010-07-30T05:55:00.001-07:00

Introduction of 2010 Dodge Ram 1500

The 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 priced at MSRP $20,610 – $42,650 is a full size pick up truck which is well crafted and completely desirable. This edition is extremely reliable and affordable and hence is preferred by the masses. This edition offers strong competition to tough machines like Ford F150 , Toyota Tundra, GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado.

What’s on offer?

The new 2010 Edition offers higher towing capacity. It is also equipped with integrated trailer brake controller. The other notable feature that the new edition includes is improved ipod connectivity.

Silhouette

The 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 can be rightly said that it is the best looking full size pick up truck. Its front end grille is impressive with tall big chrome colored grille. The headlamps and taillights enhances its front and side look of this rugged vehicle. Its hood is more curvy and shaped than its predecessors.

This half ton vehicle is available in numerous body style and bed lengths.

Inside the cabin

The 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 has picked up its interior styling cues from Ford F150 and GMC Sierra. The interiors have been designed using high quality materials and offer an upscale element. The controls are boldly marked which are easy to read and placed in manner to offer convenience to the driver.

The interiors are well designed to woo traditional buyers and cosmopolitan owners with amenities which include premium seating with soft touch materials and a console mounted shifters. The front row seats are very comfortable with nice bolsters to hold the passengers in place even when driving off road or on the highways. We noted that the back seat row in the quad cab is very cramped.

The storage space inside the cabin is also abundant with lots of hooks and crannies to hold cell phones, tools, folders etc.

Features of 2010 Dodge Ram 1500

The 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 is available in three trims. The standard trim comprises of 17 inch wheels, air-conditioning, heated power mirrors, full power accessories, and AM/FM/CD player. The SLT trim furthers adds remote keyless entry, cruise control and Sirius while the premium trim encompasses of heated leather wrapped steering with audio controls and dual zone automatic climate control.

The new edition offers options of Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel radio control, DVD player for front and back seats, rear back up camera. The most impressive feature that dodge offers which is not found in many high end luxury cars is uconnect system which includes in car TV and internet access.

2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Powertrain

The 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 is powered by 3.7 liter V6 engine which can generate 215 horsepower and 235 pounds feet of torque. It is teamed with four speed automatic suspensions and emits a fuel economy of 14 mpg city levels and 20 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined.

The mid level offers an option of 4.7 liter V8 engine which produces 310 horsepower and 330 pounds feet of torque. It is coupled with five speed automatic transmission and emit a fuel economy of 14/19/15 mpg with two wheel drive and 13/18/14 mpg with four wheel drive.

It also offers the options of a powerful 5.7 liter HEMI engine which generates a healthy output of 390 horsepower and 407 pounds feet of torque. It is also teamed with five speed automatic transmission and cylinder deactivation technology. This edition offers a fuel economy of 14/20/16 mpg with two wheel drive and 13/19/15 mpg with four wheel drive.

Dodge Ram 3500 Mega Cab 4×4

2010-07-30T05:53:00.000-07:00

The diesel engines are quite older ideas but still are modified in quite different ways by the truck manufacturers and are manufacturing the trucks that are quite efficient and energetic. The Dodge is one of the leading names in truck manufacturing and they also have launched many of the truck models that are operated by diesel engines. Dodge 3500 is one of the most popular and preferred models of company. Here are some of the details of Dodge 3500 Mega Cab 4×4 diesel trucks.

The decent and deliberate display

Dodge is one of the most popular truck models in the truck lovers who prefer to have smarter trucks. Dodge is the revolutionary name which has changed the entire meaning and impression of trucks. They changed the entire concept of trucks as the trucks were considered as the tools of carriers but Dodge trucks not only gave huge performance to the truck models but also gave better and smarter looks to the truck models. Even the latest model of 3500 Mega Cab is having one of the finest exteriors and outlook that is truly attractive for any viewers. The longer cab, shorter proportion for rear beds and huge wheel flares that adds more passion to the truck display.

The cab is smaller than the bed as the bed is being extended to 6ft. 4 inch to haul more of the goods and also to make the goods carrying smoother and smarter. The crew cab has been kept smaller to ad more space to haul more of the goods. Dodge 3500 is one of the most suitable trucks that can make the transporters enriched with larger space for transporting and smaller place for traveling. Even the structure of the trucks is created in such way that the door space also gets added to the space for hauling goods and cargo. The doors are opened and they are made available for the owners who wish to have more space for carriage.

Dodge Ram 1500 — buying American again

2010-07-04T20:19:00.000-07:00

Like a lot of Americans, I was downright irate when the federal government announced it was bailing out General Motors (GM) and Chrysler.

This is, after all, a capitalist economy — companies that can’t compete fail and are replaced. Bailing out a company that can’t cut it seems, well, fundamentally wrong.

After fuming over bailouts for awhile, I swore to never buy an American car again (I drove a Toyota Matrix at the time). I then swore to never buy an American car again unless it was made by Ford. Yes, Toyota and Ford were worthy of my cash, but Chrysler and General Motors were not.

I now own a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 with a crew cab and a ridiculously powerful V-8 under the hood.

So, what happened? Simply put, the threat of financial ruin seems to have inspired Chrysler officials to put some serious thought into the vehicles they were releasing to the public.

The Dodge Ram has always been a good truck, but this new batch of them is nothing short of impressive. The build quality, ride, features, warranty and price are hard to touch. My wife and I test drove Ford F-150 and liked that very well. We also enjoyed the Toyota Tacoma we looked at but, surprisingly, decided the Dodge was the best of the lot for our needs.

We can haul up to 1,700 pounds of stuff and have enough room in the cab to fit four adults (at least) in comfort. Chrysler’s decision to use coil springs on the back axle instead of leaf springs means the truck glides down the highway with car-like smoothness (that’s right — the Dodge has the least “truck like” ride of anything we drove). The interior is very comfortable and attractive rather than merely utilitarian.

2010 Dodge Ram 3500 HD - First Look

2010-06-25T23:04:00.000-07:00

2010 Dodge Ram 3500 HD
We'd had a chance to try out the newest Ram HDs at their pre-launch media event in Texas, but to be honest, driving the Power Wagon through the off-road course seemed a lot more fun than towing a 10,000-pound trailer. So, with a homeward flight looming in the afternoon and limited drive time, we picked the muddy off-road course to spend most of our time. Can you blame us? However, the new Ram's towing capability wasn't far from our thoughts, and when we had a monumental towing task in mind that involved our 'bagged and custom painted '09 Ram, we knew what the perfect tow vehicle would be. There was one slight hitch in our plan, the trailer we planned on towing was a fifth wheel. (Sorry for the pun). It just so happened that there was a Ram in the press fleet that was already equipped with a Mopar accessory fifth wheel, so with a few phone calls we were good to go.

The plan was for Editor Dan Ward, freelance editor Harley Camilleri, and myself, to tow our trailer to the Tex Mex show in Somerville, Texas, 1,500 miles from our office in Irvine, California, to display our '09 Ram project and set up shop to dispense magazines and sell swag. Loading up on Tuesday, it was apparent that our trailer was never intended to fit a vehicle as wide as a fullsize truck. With just an inch to spare on each side between the trailer's inner wheelwells, the Ram was a tight squeeze. Let's just say that Dan had an interesting time climbing out of the Ram and exiting the trailer once the Ram was securely strapped down.

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup trucks

2010-06-22T01:07:00.000-07:00

The Ram 2500's tow rating increased on 2011 models from 20,000 to 22,000 lb, when buyers choose the diesel and 4.1 axle ratio, indicating that the rear springs or axle may have been beefed up to handle the extra load.

In addition, both Ram 2500 and 3500 have new optional power folding tow mirrors on some models (with late - February - availability), three new colors (the same ones added to Ram 1500), a standard EVIC (advanced trip computer), standard tire pressure monitoring, and standard trailer brake control on all but ST models.

2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab 4X2

2010-06-20T00:53:00.000-07:00

2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab 4X2

MSRP: $25,305 - $30,180
Invoice: $24,078 - $28,514
The 2010 Dakota Crew Cab 4X2 is a 4-door, up to 6-passenger compact pickup, available in 3 trims, ranging... read more from the ST to the LARAMIE. Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 3.7-liter, V6, 210-horsepower engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 20-mpg on the highway. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. The 2010 Dakota Crew Cab 4X2 is a carryover from 2009.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Helps Chrysler Celebrate 85 Years

2010-06-07T22:21:00.000-07:00

Usually when an automaker hits a big milestone, it sends out press releases and marks the occasion with various events, but coming off one of the most challenging periods in its history, Chrysler is celebrating its 85th year with an assortment of new products including the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Founded on June 6, 1925, the Chrysler Corporation, currently known as Chrysler Group, LLC, is on the verge of launching the first vehicle that it hopes will help spark a turnaround. Building off the success of the redesigned 2010 Ram Heavy Duty pickup trucks, Chrysler will launch new or updated versions of almost all of its models within the next couple years, including a large number by the end of this year.

In addition to the new Grand Cherokee and Ram Heavy Duty chassis cab trucks, other changes due out by the end of 2010 for Chrysler include major changes to the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Durango, which is likely to be renamed the Dodge Magnum. The redesigned full-size sedans will not only get a new exterior, but they will receive improved power and fuel economy associated with the new Pentastar V-6 engine. This new 3.6-liter engine will replace the PowerTech 3.7-liter V-6 and produce 290 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque; the biggest benefit will be an improvement of 11 percent in fuel economy. Following the Grand Cherokee and new LX sedans, the Pentastar V-6 will also be used in the Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Journey, Dodge Grand Caravan and the Chrysler Town & Country.

2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab 4X2 price

2010-05-27T00:06:00.000-07:00


2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab 4X2 price
MSRP $25,305 - $30,180
Invoice $24,078 - $28,514

Dodge Ram 1500 2010

2010-05-22T12:32:00.000-07:00

In the mid 1990s, Dodge introduced a Ram with spectacular lines that highlighted an enormous front grille. Almost two decades later, the Ram is no less superb...and even more impressive! Last year, Dodge completely remodelled the Ram and took advantage of its recent fall into the financial abyss to rechristen its truck division in Ram’s name. From this point forward, there’s no more Dodge Ram. Now, we buy a Ram or a Ram Dakota. To get a Dodge, you’ll have to get yourself a car or an SUV. Moreover, the Dodge website includes a different section for the Ram models.

Okay, enough with the marketing mumbo-jumbo. Let’s get to the test drive! For starters, our black and grey Ram Laramie 4x4 Quad Cab was a real looker. Its massive tires (P275/60R20) will probably cost the equivalent of an annual mortgage when the time comes to change them, but they sure do add some punch visually. The Sport 4x2 model even comes with P285/45R22 tires! Our Ram didn’t have running-boards, which is excellent news for people who have to take on trails or construction sites in poor condition. Indeed, this accessory improves the look and makes getting into the cab much easier, but it reduces the breakover angle, which is so handy in a 4x4.

Luxurious passenger compartment
In the passenger compartment, the Ram, just like its sworn enemies the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra, puts a lot of importance on luxury. Our vehicle even came with a heated steering wheel as well as heated AND ventilated comfortable leather seats. Moreover, the quality of the finish in the passenger compartment is excellent. It’s not yet perfect, but it’s miles ahead of what Chrysler had us sitting in. Even the quality of the materials has been improved over time. While the front seats received high marks, the back seats did not fare so well. The Ram has three cabins: regular, Quad and Crew. The first has only two doors and, behind the front seats, there’s only a small storage space.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Crew Cab offers enough space to seat five people very comfortably. Our Ram was a Quad version, which means a three-seat bench that is tough to get to and not terribly comfortable, mostly because of a seatback that is too straight. The bottom part of the seats can be lifted, a little like the Honda Fit, to be able put cumbersome items like a bike or a television in its box. However, we’d be remiss not to mention the fact that this bench seats three people but there are only two headrests. There’s a law for everything, so I don’t understand why there isn’t one governing the number of headrests. My cat, sleeping peacefully near my computer, just lifted his head, yawned, and fell back to sleep. Two or three headrests, he couldn’t care less...

With respect to the passenger compartment, I would have but two negative and relatively minor comments. Firstly, the buckle of the seatbelt on the front passenger side, when it’s not in use, constantly banged against the B-Pillar every time I turned the steering wheel to the left. Secondly, the pedal for the hand (or should I say foot) brake is very high and it’s hard to push it wearing large work boots without getting caught on the dashboard.

Small, medium, large
A pick-up is now and always will be about its engine, and the Ram offers three. The first, a 4.7-litre V6 with 210 hp and 235 lbs-ft of torque, is for small jobs. The other two are a 4.7-litre V8 (310 hp and 330 lbs-ft) or a 5.7-litre V8 that features no less than 390 hp and 407 lbs-ft of torque. We suspect that the latter of the two will be the apple of buyers’ eyes. In addition to being able to tow up to 9,100 pounds (4,128 kg) depending on the version, it offers very respectable performance. It goes 0-100 km/hr in 7.4 seconds and the sound of this engine in full acceleration is worth every penny spent on it. While the V6 comes only with a four-speed automatic transmission, the two V8 engines have a five speed transmission with well-selected gear ratios that help the 5.7 rev at only 1,700 rpm at 100 km/hr and at 2,050 rpm at 120 km/hr. However, a six-speed transmission would seem to me even better adapted and would help save on gas while taking better advantage of the higher torque when towing. During our test drive, we maintained an average of 15.4 litres/100 km, which isn’t bad considering the vehicle type.

2009 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Crew Cab 4x4 - Long-Term Road Test

2010-05-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

To that we added power-adjustable, leather-trimmed bucket front seats ($1875); a Sport package (115-volt power outlet, leather-wrapped steering wheel with auxiliary audio controls, heated power side mirrors with turn-signal repeaters, fog lamps, an electric shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive selector, and various trim elements, for $3840); remote start ($335); a Sport Premium package (rear park assist, dual-zone climate control, and Alpine audio upgrade, for $750); a nav system with Sirius satellite audio ($1745); power-adjustable pedals ($125); a 32-gallon fuel tank ($75); a Class IV trailer-hitch receiver and seven-pin connector ($335); the exterior RamBox bins for small-cargo storage ($1895); and, of course, the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 ($1310).

Including the $900 destination charge, it added up to a $48,285 truck. Dodge has whittled almost a grand off Ram pricing for 2010, and our example was still some distance from the top of the price charts. But no one could call it inexpensive.

Nor was it inexpensive to feed. EPA-rated at 13 mpg in the city and 18 on the highway, our Ram’s fuel economy over 40,000 miles averaged 14 mpg. We didn’t have to burn premium—Dodge recommends mid-grade for this version of the Hemi, but 2857 gallons of any fuel tends to add up to a hefty sum: $7631, for mid-grade in our case. You may have noticed this phenomenon yourself.

Generally speaking, the Ram went about its duties without any big problems. All but one of its service visits was routine, consisting primarily of oil changes, tire rotations, and a variety of inspections. But there were quite a few of these maintenance stops—six in 36,000 miles—and not all of them were cheap. The one that stands out in this regard is the 30,000-mile service, which ran $483, and that included new spark plugs (16 of them). The plugs cost $84. But getting the old ones out and the new ones in took 2.9 hours at $96 per, adding $278 in labor to the tab.

Review Of 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Pick Up Truck

2010-05-07T18:42:00.000-07:00

The Dodge Dakota is the perfect size pickup for many buyers who are looking for both function and economy. The Dakota Crew Cab is big enough to haul 6 adults and their gear and can tow up to 7,250 lbs. And the Dakota has sharp exterior styling to go along with the ability to be a work horse.

The Dakota comes in Extended Cab or a Crew Cab; there is no regular cab available. Both share a 131-inch wheelbase chassis. The Extended Cab has a 6-foot-4-inch cargo box, while the bed in the Crew Cab is 5 feet-3 inches long.

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty

2010-05-07T18:38:00.000-07:00

While the Ram 1500 is aimed at the primary users of light-duty pickups — people who do not routinely tow or haul heavy loads, but need the space or shape for other reasons — the Ram Heavy Duty is aimed at commercial and fleet users, the primary buyers of serious, diesel-powered pickups and chassis cabs.

The 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty continues to use the prior generation’s proven chassis and frame, but with more comfort, higher capabilities, and more body options: Dodge has replaced the Quad Cab with a crew cab, which joins the regular and Mega cabs. There are two cargo-box sizes (6-foot-4-inches and 8 feet), in single and dual-rear-wheel configurations. Even the chassis cabs come in a crew cab version.

2010 Dodge Ram

2010 Dodge Trucks diferent models

2010-04-28T08:17:00.000-07:00

2010 Dodge Trucks

2010 Dodge Trucks

Future Truck Technology 2010 Dodge Ram 1500

2010-04-19T19:06:00.002-07:00

2010 Dodge Ram 1500

GM Announces Base Prices for 2011 HD Trucks

2010-04-19T19:06:00.001-07:00

Chevrolet and GMC have released base price figures for their 2011 Silverado and Sierra heavy duty pickup trucks. The base for 2-wheel drive Silverado and Sierra HDs equipped with a 6.0 liter gas engine is $27,965. Outfitting the new GMC Sierra 2500 with the feature-packed Denali package (Denali trucks are all 4-wheel drive Crew Cabs) elevates the base to $45,865. The Duramax diesel engine / Allison automatic transmission pair (both updated for 2011) is available on any of GM's HD trucks for an additional $8,395.

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Pickup Truck - Front View

2010-04-19T19:04:00.000-07:00

2010 Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie Crew Cab

The Ram's 7" x 11" trailer-tow mirrors have large, convex glass surfaces and integrated turn signals. Flipping the mirrors into a vertical position improves visibility around wide trailers. The mirrors are standard on Dodge Ram 3500 trucks, and optional on 2500s.

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty

2010-04-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty
Chrysler is firing the first shot in what's certain to be a brutal battle pitting three-quarter and one-ton truck manufacturers against each other: It's introducing the new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty pickups at the 2009 Chicago auto show.

The 2010 model year will be a challenging one for several reasons: The U.S. economy is expected to still be sputtering, with new-truck buyers likely sitting on the sidelines for awhile. The price of diesel fuel (the lifeblood of heavy-duty pickups) shows no sign of losing its 20 percent price premium over gas. Most important of all, though, Ford and GM are also expected to launch updated heavy-duty pickups with new diesel powertrains designed to meet stringent 2010 federal emissions standards that go into effect Jan. 1. The regulations will ratchet down NOx levels to the lowest on the planet — more than 90 percent lower than 2006 levels. NOx is a major air pollutant that contributes to smog, asthma, and respiratory and heart diseases. It's a byproduct of high combustion temperatures.

Chrysler has strategically prepared for 2010 over the past two years. In 2007, it introduced for its heavy-duty pickups an enhanced and innovative 350-horsepower, 650-pounds-feet-of-torque, 6.7-liter six-cylinder Cummins diesel, based on the previous 5.9-liter Cummins engine. The new diesel added a segment-exclusive exhaust brake, like over-the-road trucks use. The 6.7-liter motor not only met new 2007 EPA limits on soot emissions, but it reached 2010 NOx emissions requirements three years early.

On the gas-engine front, Chrysler replaced the Ram heavy-duty's legacy Hemi V-8 last year with the updated 383-hp, 400-pounds-feet-of-torque, variable-valve-timing version that debuted in the 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500. That Hemi is also carried over unchanged for 2010.

Good news for rock crawlers and wheelers: The Hemi-powered Power Wagon off-road version of the Ram also continues next year. It's the only Ram HD with a 4.56 rear axle and locking front and rear differentials.

What has changed for 2010 is almost everything above the Ram heavy-duty's carryover frame. The exterior has all-new sheet metal, and the interior is taken directly from the Dodge Ram 1500 half-ton. The front axle and suspension have also been improved.

"This isn't an all-new truck," said Scott Kunselman, Chrysler's vice president for the Jeep and Truck Product Team. "The 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 are the next steps to improve our heavy-duty pickups."

Though they share the aerodynamic styling first seen in the 2009 Ram 1500, the heavy-duty trucks have taller, more-prominent front ends. It's a case of form following their primary function of towing big loads.

"The light-duty and heavy-duty Rams are significantly separated visually for performance and aesthetic reasons, and for better cooling," said Ralph Gilles, Chrysler's vice president of design. "The cooling we've gained for the heavy-duty we didn't have to do for the light-duty, which is why the grille is smaller on the light duty."

The Ram heavy-duty shares its headlamps and fenders with the 1500. The hood is differentiated to make room for the Cummins diesel. The front bumper has very aggressive stamping. It's a single-piece chrome bumper that wraps around the front fenders to give it a modern look and help aerodynamics.

Like last year's heavy-duty Ram, 2010 buyers will have three cab options, but the middle configuration has been changed. A two-door regular cab model remains, while a new four-door Crew Cab, with bigger back doors and more rear passenger space, replaces the previous, smaller four-door Quad Cab. A new 8-foot cargo box option (a 6-foot, 4-inch bed is standard) should make the Crew Cab Ram HD an attractive choice for fifth-wheel towers. "The Crew Cab has replaced the Quad Cab in the lineup," Kunselman said. "It gets an 8-foot box — a key part of the market we weren't participating in."

Though Dodge eliminated the Mega Cab option for its half-ton Ram, it's keeping the Mega Cab heavy-duty model with best-in-class interior space.

The inside features all the high-quality materials and ergonomic and infotainment options the Ram 1500 has, plus it adds a new integrated trailer-brake controller like Ford and GM offer in their HD pickups. The brake controller eliminates the need for an aftermarket kit to control a trailer's electric brakes for improved towing control.

The external rearview mirrors have also been revised to better facilitate towing. They can be pivoted horizontally or vertically depending on trailer size, and they have larger convex mirrors for better visibility. Turn signals are integrated.

According to preliminary towing and hauling figures, Dodge has raised the front gross axle weight rating from 5,200 pounds to 5,500 pounds on diesel 4x4 pickups, and from 4,700 pounds to 5,000 pounds on diesel 4x2 pickups. Gross combined weight ratings have been improved from 23,000 pounds to as much as 25,400 pounds on some 3500 models. Accompanying the increase in GCWR, max towing has also improved.

2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Quad Cab

2010-04-09T22:26:00.000-07:00

Some readers think we don't like trucks, but that isn't true. Others are convinced we don't like SUVs, and that isn't true, either. It is a fact that we've owned trucks but never owned an SUV. We've never needed one, though as an aside if we had ever bought an SUV, it would have most likely been a Toyota FJ 40 Land Cruiser, the original two-door Land Cruiser.

Why? Because it was a pure SUV, a pure off-road vehicle with no frills. The U. S. market even had trouble convincing Toyota that some sort of unlocking front wheel hub was a necessity in the U. S. because so many were driven on the streets and highways by lawyers, doctors and dentists.

The Japanese just could not wrap their minds around the idea of driving an off-road vehicle, one meant purely for ranching, construction sites and so on, on the street. Eventually, they put Warn hubs on the front wheels even though they didn't understand us. (We had the same problem with Audi and tilt steering wheels; the seat adjusted so you didn't need a tilt wheel, but the Americans demanded it.)

The major point here is that we do like trucks, like them a lot. They are very functional beasts, as are such things as minivans and station wagons. In all those cases, owning one such vehicle rather locks you in to buying another one when you ear that one out. Suppose you had to move Aunt Margaret's sofa in your truck again, or haul six kids to a soccer game in the minivan?

We like trucks, and we've owned trucks. But we have never actually owned a large truck, that is, anything larger than a minitruck. A Mazda B2000, say, or a Chevrolet S10. The whole idea is to buy as much truck as you actually need, and no more. Four-door trucks are good, particularly smaller four-door trucks like the Chevy Colorado. Haul the family and haul feed for the horses (or the garden).

That doesn't mean we've never driven a large truck, or used one for some period of time, or used one to work in or out of. It just means we've never had a day-to-day need for a big truck, so we didn't buy one. We know, downright un-American, isn't it?

Two-mode Ram officially dead

2010-04-01T06:47:00.001-07:00

Buried deep within the announcement by Fiat regarding the 500 EV coming to the U.S. was the mention of the cancellation of the Dodge Ram two-mode hybrid. We didn't miss it, but just in case you did, here's a recap.

The Ram two-mode hybrid was scheduled for release as a 2011 model. We even have shots of the truck in testing from a year ago. As recently as a few months back, Chrysler insisted that the program was still under way and on track to hit its target release date. Then, just weeks ago, news surfaced temporarily confirming that the hybrid Ram was still on track – in fact a production schedule was even laid out showing an expected production date of November of this year.

Dodge to build Ram PHEV

2010-04-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

Dodge Ram PHEV

Chrysler announced this morning that the Dodge would be a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) based on the awesome new Dodge Ram. 140 Ram PHEV’s will be built with the backing of a US Dept. of Energy grant for up to $48 million as part of the $2.4 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act DOE Vehicle Electrification program. Once completed, this fleet of super-efficient Dodge Rams will be used for a three-year demonstration across the United States. There is no clear time frame given for the build project but one of the key points of this project is to “demonstrate how rapidly this type of advanced technology can be brought to market”, leading me to believe that they will be out quickly.

The Dodge Ram PHEV will be powered by the 5.7L Hemi V8, making 390 horsepower and 407lb-ft of torque mated to a two-mode hybrid transmission and a 12KwHr lithium ion battery. Dodge claims that this setup allows you to drive up to 20 miles purely on electric power and during the span of normal daily driving this configuration should yield around 65% better fuel economy than the standard Hemi Ram. As the owner of a Hemi Ram, I have to wonder how well the hefty truck gets along running only on the electric motor – at least with the goal of driving 20 miles without using any gasoline. An increase of 65% to my truck would put me in the range of 38mpg but I think that the key feature is going to be the added cost to the consumer.

Mopar also planning high lift Ram 1500 for Jeep Safari

2010-03-16T20:10:00.000-07:00

Ram 1500 Jeep Safari

Answering the question of whether Mopar's Ram Power Wagon concept is meant to be a competitor to the awe-inspiring Ford SVT Raptor (that'd be a 'no,' it would seem) is a report courtesy of our friends at PickupTrucks.com that Chrysler's go-fast division is also planning to release a long-travel version of the Ram 1500 at the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah.

Dodge Ram Power Wagon Spy Shots in Michigan

2010-03-13T01:07:00.000-08:00

Dodge Ram Power Wagon
Chrysler will be launching four new vehicles later on this month or in early April (not a fool’s day joke we all hope). One of them can be seen early, thanks to a spy cameraman that surprised the car on the street somewhere in south-east Michigan: the imposing Dode Ram Power Wagon.

Most probably a response to Ford’s F-150 SVT Raptor, this huge Dodge has asingle-cab configuration with a short, style-side bed. In these pictures we can see off-road tires and huge arches, which we just love. If the final model features these by default or not is not sure right now. Reported to roar like a tiger when tickled at the pedal, the Ram Power Wagon is likely to hold the highly appreciated 383-horsepower Hemi V8 under the hood.

We can’t wait to see the production version on March 27 at the 44th Annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. Till then drool all over these spy shots in the gallery.

2010 Dodge Ram 3500 Regular Cab 4X4

2010-03-11T08:47:00.000-08:00

2010 Dodge Ram 3500 Regular Cab 4X4

Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Edition

2010-03-06T10:36:00.000-08:00

The 2009 V-8 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Edition may have a Wyoming name but it has an honest to Pete Texas accent. Like a Texas cowboy, its bigger, stronger, taller and tougher than just about anybody. And at 14 city, 20 highway, it drinks 91octane faster than J.R. Ewing swigged bourbon at the Cattleman's Club.

Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Edition This truck isn't for hauling manure. It is a gentleman's truck. Lavishly equipped, it runs just over $44,000. Jock Ewing understood power and would appreciate not only the huge 390 hp. Hemi V-8 under the hood , but also the elegant black leather boardroom of an interior, taken almost directly from the Chrysler 300 sedan. Four six-foot oil barons could easily slip inside, and leave their Stetsons on.

Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie EditionYour reviewer is six foot tall and had to grab the steering wheel with his right hand and a handgrip with his left and physically pull himself up into the seat. The huge 20 inch chrome-clad wheels add altitude to the attitude. The lovely co-reviewer is five-seven and needed assistance in making the ascent. Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Edition Running boards would be a nice first step.

The memory-adjust leather seats are heated and cooled, and there is every bell and whistle that you have come to expect in a luxury vehicle. Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Edition There is a premium sound system, of course, with satellite radio and rear drop-down television screens. If the young guns have grown tired of the DVD collection, you can beam them Nickelodeon, Disney Channel or the Cartoon Network to the back seat. No counting cows on the side of the road for the Southfork kids!Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Edition

2010 Dodge Dakota

2010-02-20T09:51:00.000-08:00

2010 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab

Trim	Transmission	Drive	Engine	Doors	Seats	Horsepower	Torque@ft-lbs	MPG	Invoice	MSRP
Dakota ST 4X2 Extended Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	RWD	3.7L V6	4	4	215@5200	235@4000	15/20	$21,715	$22,755
Dakota ST 4X4 Extended Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	PT 4-Wheel Drive	3.7L V6	4	4	215@5200	235@4000	14/18	$25,630	$27,005
Dakota Bighorn / Lonestar 4X2 Extended Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	RWD	3.7L V6	4	4	215@5200	235@4000	15/20	$22,502	$23,630
Dakota Bighorn / Lonestar 4X4 Extended Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	PT 4-Wheel Drive	3.7L V6	4	4	215@5200	235@4000	14/18	$26,417	$27,880

The 2010 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab is a 4-door compact pickup that seats up to five passengers. The 2010 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab is a carryover from 2009.

2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab

Trim	Transmission	Drive	Engine	Doors	Seats	Horsepower	Torque@ft-lbs	MPG	Invoice	MSRP
Dakota ST 4X2 Crew Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	RWD	3.7L V6	4	5	215@5200	235@4000	16/20	$24,090	$25,305
Dakota ST 4x4 Crew Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	P/T Four-Wheel Drive	3.7L V6	4	5	215@5200	235@4000	14/18	$26,805	$28,255
Dakota Bighorn / Lonestar 4X2 Crew Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	RWD	3.7L V6	4	5	215@5200	235@4000	15/19	$25,008	$26,325
Dakota Bighorn / Lonestar 4x4 Crew Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	P/T Four-Wheel Drive	3.7L V6	4	5	215@5200	235@4000	14/18	$27,723	$29,275
Dakota Laramie 4X2 Crew Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	RWD	3.7L V6	4	5	215@5200	235@4000	15/20	$28,477	$30,180
Dakota Laramie 4X4 Crew Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	P/T Four-Wheel Drive	3.7L V6	4	5	215@5200	235@4000	14/18	$31,237	$33,180
Dakota TRX 4X4 Crew Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	P/T Four-Wheel Drive	3.7L V6	4	5	215@5200	235@4000	14/19	$29,604	$31,365

The 2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab is a 4-door compact pickup that seats up to five passengers. The 2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab is a carryover from 2009.

Dodge Ram Recall

2010-02-17T21:51:00.000-08:00

Dodge RAM

Dodge RAM

Dodge RAM

Dodge RAM

Dodge RAM

Do you own one of these potentially deadly Dodge Ram lemons or Chrysler lemon vehicles?

Vehicle Make / Model:
Model Year(s):
CHRYSLER SEBRING
2010
DODGE AVENGER
2010
DODGE NITRO
2010
DODGE RAM
2009-2010
JEEP COMMANDER
2010
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
2010
JEEP LIBERTY
2010

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC Mfr's Report Date: JAN 07, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V009000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICPotential Number of Units Affected: 24,177
Summary:
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING; DODGE AVENGER AND NITRO; JEEP LIBERTY, COMMANDER AND GRAND CHEROKEE; AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED OR MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP.
Consequence:
THIS COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy:
CHRYSLER WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP.

If you've got a lemon Jeep, a lemon Chrysler, or a lemon Dodge, or any other lemon motor vehicle, email us or call us at 1.888.331.6422 for free help. Helping consumers get rid of lemon cars is what we do. Every day.

Dodge Still Loves Cummins

2010-02-08T20:25:00.000-08:00

It looks like buyers of heavy-duty Dodge Ram trucks will be Cummins-powered for a long time to come if they check the box for the diesel engine option.

To have true credibility in the heavy-duty truck segment, automakers almost have to offer the option of a diesel engine. These workhorse engines with their astronomical torque output and relatively lower maximum horsepower ratings tend to provide gobs of torque, better fuel economy, and longer service lives than comparable gasoline power plants. While GM has seen its Duramax diesel relationship with Isuzu on the rocks, and Ford's tumultuous past with Navistar over the PowerStroke diesel, it looks like Dodge and Cummins might be able to give the other two of the Detroit three some long-term relationship tips.

2010 Dodge Ram

2010-02-08T20:24:00.000-08:00

Dodge Ram

Chrysler is still struggling to emerge from last year's bankruptcy, and one of the vehicles it will lean on to do that is the 2010 Dodge Ram. Redesigned for 2009, the Ram is one of Chrysler's strongest-selling vehicles, and our parent Web site, The Car Connection, put the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 through its paces. Here's what Marty Padgett, the executive editor, and our other car-review experts had to say.

The Ram 1500 earned an 8.2 rating out of 10 on our scale. High marks were earned for the Ram's styling, its power, its ride quality, and its storage options. The V-6's lack of power and the automatic transmission's lack of an extra gear were pointed out as flaws.

Padgett writes that "the Ram continues to be one of the toughest, most composed pickup trucks on the market." With a price range of $21,000 on the low-end to almost $45,000 on the high end, the Ram competes most closely with the Chevrolet Silverad0 1500 (along with its GMC Sierra 1500) and the Ford F-150.

On the road, Padgett writes, "When it comes to driving and hauling, the 2010 Ram proves to be a marked improvement over the last version, and at least the equal of the Ford and GM trucks. A new stiff chassis and a new rear coil suspension have loosened up the Ram's ride, which now feels better controlled than any of the competitors. This is easily the best-riding truck Dodge has ever produced." But he also notes some flaws: "The steering is quick but rather numb and not as full of feedback as the chassis really deserves. In the full-size pickup numbers game, Dodge claims its 10,450-pound towing rating is the best in its class, but it hasn't really disclosed what's been changed to achieve the new ratings."

Dodge truck burnout Video

2010-02-07T20:14:00.000-08:00

Dodge truck burnout Video

Dodge Ram Photo Gallery

2010-02-02T04:36:00.000-08:00

Dodge Ram Photo
Dodge Ram Photo

Dodge Ram Photo

Dodge Ram Photo

Dodge Ram Photo

Dodge Ram Photo

Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Steering Upgrade

2010-01-29T04:20:00.000-08:00

Since the day our '06 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 drove off the lot, the factory steering has never given that tight-on-center feel. Factor in 60,000 miles, a 3-inch suspension system, and 35-inch tires and we've only aggravated the steering situation. Until late 2007 the Dodge Ram 3/4- and 1-ton trucks were equipped with a Y-link (also known as a Haltenberger) steering setup. One of the drawbacks of the Y-link is that it allows the toe to change as the front suspension cycles since the tires are connected to the steering box through two separate links, in the shape of an inverted Y.

The toe is the amount the front tires point inward or outward. A basic example is to look down at your feet and move them in an opposite directions with your heels planted. The degree to which you point your toes outward is "toe out" and vice-versa. The Y steering system design is tough on tires and can make the steering feel loose as time wears on.

Over the past couple of years Dodge has revamped the Ram line, unveiling the 6.7L Cummins, a fresh body style, and, in early 2008, an updated steering system. The new Ram steering system utilizes a T-style linkage setup that uses a straight lower tie rod to connect both steering knuckles . This T-link design eliminates toe change as the suspension cycles.

Dodge Ram is on the Ceiling

2010-01-16T06:53:00.000-08:00

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Dancing on the Ceiling

Entering the Chrysler display promised to yield few surprises here at the Detroit Auto Show. The automaker doesn't even have a press conference scheduled – mostly because there isn't a lot happening new product-wise. But that doesn't mean The Pentastar doesn't have anything to be proud of, including the latest iteration of the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty, which was recently named the Motor Trend Truck of the Year.

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Models

2010-01-15T05:03:00.001-08:00

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty

2010-01-07T09:59:00.000-08:00

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty

Lifted 1990 Dodge Dakota 4x4 Truck

2009-12-27T22:48:00.000-08:00

Lifted 1990 Dodge Dakota 4x4 Truck

2010 Dodge Dakota

2009-12-26T07:53:00.000-08:00

The 2010 Dodge Dakota gets a slightly revised suspension, but is largely unchanged otherwise. This compact pickup truck comes in two body styles. Extended Cabs have a 6.4-ft cargo bed and rear-hinged back doors that do not open independently of the fronts. They seat up to five. Crew cabs have a 5.3-ft bed, conventional back doors, and seat up to six. Four trim levels are offered: Base ST, mid-level Big Horn (Lone Star in Texas), off-road-ready TRX4, and top-end Laramie. Dakota's standard engine is a 210-hp 3.7-liter V6. It teams with a 4-speed automatic transmission. A 302-hp 4.7-liter V8 is standard on the TRX4 and optional on Big Horn and Laramie. The V8 comes only with a 5-speed automatic. Dakota is available with rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive. The 4WD system should not be left engaged on dry pavement, but it includes low-range gearing for off-road use. Maximum towing capacity is 7250 lb. Available safety features include ABS and curtain side airbags. Also available are heated cloth or leather front seats and Dodge's Crate 'N Go system, which includes collapsible and removable interior storage containers.

Heavyweight Dodge Ram voted 'Truck of the Year'

2009-12-23T01:11:00.000-08:00

2010 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie Mega Cab

Chrysler Group's Dodge Ram Heavy Duty won Motor Trend magazine's coveted "Truck of the Year" award in a unanimous vote, the magazine announced Thursday.

"Much of what is so impressive about the Ram Heavy Duty is not only how easily it does all the tasks it's built for, but also how easy it is on the driver," Angus MacKenzie, Motor Trend editor-in-chief, said in a statement. "The Ram is quieter, more comfortable and people-friendly than before without sacrificing its considerable capability."

The award was open to pick-ups and vans that were all-new or substantially redesigned in the past year. Besides the Ram Heavy Duty, the three other contenders for this year's award were the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, which is a high-performance off-road truck, the Ford Transit Connect, a small commercial cargo van, and the Toyota Tundra 4.6-liter truck.

The Ram Heavy Duty, unlike the more familiar Dodge Ram 1500, is built strictly for work and isn't intended as a vehicle someone might drive for personal use. It has a 17,500 towing capacity and is available with a powerful diesel engine.
0:00 /3:42Rebuilding Cadillac's image

"No automotive segment has been left untouched by the economic downturn, but the truck market has been especially hard hit," said MacKenzie. "With many casual personal-use truck buyers having deserted the market, the industry has been forced to tightly focus its products on the specific needs of truck users."

Motor Trend editors judged the trucks based on design, engineering, efficiency, safety,and value, as well as on how well the vehicle fills its intended function. As part of the judging process, the trucks are put through a series of driving tests on test tracks and on ordinary roads, both empty and fully loaded.

Motor Trend gives three vehicle awards annually. The Subaru Outback won the magazine's SUV of the Year award in October, the second year in a row that a Subaru product won that award, and the Ford Fusion won Car of the Year in November.

"The Motor Trend Truck of the Year Award is like a standing ovation for the Chrysler Group designers, engineers and planners who developed this incredible Ram Heavy Duty Truck," said Fred Diaz, president and chief executive officer of Chrysler Group's Ram truck brand, in a statement.

Chrysler Group recently named Diaz to head the Ram truck brand, a newly distinct brand within Chrysler. Car designer Ralph Gilles now heads a separate Dodge car brand.

Chrysler's Dodge Ram and Challenger win awards

2009-12-21T08:28:00.000-08:00

The Ram and Challenger news is a rare bright spot for Chrysler in a year that saw a steady downpour of bad news. The company has been through a government-sponsored bankruptcy, gotten a new owner, shuffled executives and pared its dealerships. The automaker also has faced criticism for its current product line, which underscored the importance of the awards announced this week

Ram Heavy Duty wins truck of the year award

2009-12-18T05:20:00.000-08:00

US publication Motor Trend has chosen Chrysler’s 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty as its truck of the year, beating trucks from Ford and Toyota in what has become a prestigious competition. The Ram Heavy Duty specifically beat three major competitors - the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, the Ford Transit Connect van and the Toyota Tundra 4.6-litre work truck.

Chrysler last won truck of the year in 2003 with the Ram Heavy Duty. Last year, Ford's F-150 truck took the prize, while in November the 2010 Ford Fusion was named car of the year.

Motor Trend specifically praised the Ram Heavy duty for its powerful and clean engine and quiet comfortable ride. The model’s Cummins diesel engine meets emissions standards in all 50 US states without needing expensive aftertreatment technology. The magazine also said the truck's 17,500-pound towing capacity outperformed rivals, while the platform has received significant upgrades that improve ride, handling and noise compared with the previous model.

The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty is available in five trim models and sports suspension and brake improvements that are designed to help in carrying heavy loads. The truck starts at US$28,165 for a regular cab model, US$36,865 for crew cab models and US$36,865 for Mega Cab models. The model is slated to arrive in dealerships before the end of 2009.

The Ram truck is the best-selling vehicle in Chrysler's line-up, Ram Heavy Dutyalthough sales fell 37% to 9,787 in November.

Dodge Ram Hybrid is Still on Target

2009-12-16T20:32:00.000-08:00

Chrysler is still planning on introducing a hybrid-powered Dodge Ram in 2010, but a diesel-powered model is up in the air. Chrysler announced last year that both models would be introduced in 2010, but those plans may have changed.

Scott Kunselman, Chrysler senior vice president of engineering confirmed that the hybrid is still on, but wouldn't comment on the future of the diesel. Only saying that he doesn't think there is enough of a market among recreational buyers for the diesel. We can expect more details when Chrysler will outline its five-year business and product plan on November 4th.

2009 Dodge Ram Pickup

2009-12-16T20:31:00.000-08:00

Dodge has officially unveiled the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram pickup at the Detroit Auto Show.

For the 2009 model year Dodge's full size truck is all-new with more style and more features to keep it competitive with the also all-new Ford F-150 and the Tundra and Silverado pickups. Dodge boasts that the new truck features 35 new or improved features. It's new 5.7L HEMI V8 packs 380 horsepower and 404 lb-ft of torque. The HEMI powered truck manages to reach 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds. Two other noteworthy additions are the addition of an aluminum hood and rear coil springs instead of the typical leaf springs setup.

2009 Dodge Ram Pickup Truck

2009-12-16T20:27:00.000-08:00

View a video of the new 2009 Dodge Ram pickup truck inside and out.

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty: First Drive

2009-12-15T20:16:00.000-08:00

The 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty comes in single- and dual-rear-wheel configurations with a choice of regular, crew and mega cabs and two cargo box sizes (six-foot-four and eight foot). A 5.7-liter Hemi VVT V8 gasoline powerplant is standard on 2500 models while a grittier 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel inline-six comes on the 3500 models (available on 2500).

Several distinct trim levels – ST, SXT, SLT, TRX, Laramie and Power Wagon – and four different axle ratios – 3.42, 3.73, 4.10 and 4.56 – are available depending on equipment level.

The HEMI makes 383-hp and 400 ft-lbs of torque and can pull a 12,600-pound load right off the assembly line with its five-speed automatic featuring electronic range select. But, if towing is the priority, the Cummins is the way to go!

Paired with the available six-speed automatic transmission (a 6MT is standard), it develops 350-hp at 3000 rpm and best in-class 650 ft-lbs of torque at only 1500 rpm. That's good for 18,500 pounds of towing grunt and a maximum payload of 5,150 pounds! Several options are available to increase that.

JAKE BRAKE NOW STANDARD ON CUMMINS-POWERED TRUCKS

Dodge now offers an exhaust brake as standard equipment on the diesel-powered powerhouses. More commonly referred to as a “Jake brake,” this device constricts exhaust flow going through the turbo to dramatically slow the vehicle and reduce brake fade, prolong brake life and, most importantly, provide confidence and safety when hauling heavy loads on downhill grades.

They're found on practically every tractor-trailer on the road today and considered a must-have for any serious diesel trucker. Dodge reps say this is the first time it's ever been offered as standard equipment on a consumer pickup truck, though some of the competition does offer it as optional equipment.

“It's all about towing, capability, reliability, durability and getting the job done,” says Jim Morrison, Senior Marketing Manager for Dodge. This is what customers in the heavy duty truck market look for. Scratch that. It's what they expect and the new Ram HD delivers in spades.

Dodge expects to see significant interest from buyers looking for a vehicle that can tackle the business side of things during the week and haul all their power toys on the weekend.

FROM THE DRIVER’S SEAT

Not only is it a prodigious workhorse, the ride quality is less bumpy than previous gens thanks to some suspension tweaks and a new C-pillar fluid-filled hydro mounting setup that better isolates the cab from the rest of the suspension.

With a Dodge rep in the back surrounded by at least three carry-on sized bags on the heated rear seats of a loaded 3500 HD Laramie, there's still a ton of room for more people and many more things. In traditional Ram fashion, there's a ton of interior storage, including an engrossing center console, two-tier glove box and in-floor second-row cubbyholes, for example. For a truck of such manly proportions, you almost expecting a rough and noisy ride, but that's not the case at all.

The premium interior gets decked out with full leather and wood plus comforts and conveniences like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic climate control, memory seats, stereo and mirrors, navigation and numerous infotainment options like Sirius Backseat TV, Uconnect Multimedia with a 30-gigabyte HDD and the optional 10-speaker surround system – another segment first.

Once inside Chrysler's Chelsea proving grounds, I do some laps in a 3500 Crew dually long box with a 16,500-pound tractor and trailer strapped to the gooseneck-style hookup; also pulling round an 8,300-pound 24-foot trailer combo in a 2500 Crew 4x4 short box using a standard ball and hitch with draw bar. The trucks are up for it and I encounter no problems. Rest assured these setups are thoroughly tested on coast-to-coast long hauls by teams of engineers.

Dodge's 'work hard play, hard hard' mantra is obvious in the Power Wagon. Don't let it's ridiculous name fool you, the HEMI’s protected undercarriage, electronic-locking front and rear diffs, detachable front sway bar, 4.56 axle ratio, two-inch lift, full Bilstein suspension and 32-inch BFG off-road tires got me over boulders, stumps and a log pile, through waist-deep mud and water and back home through the twisting, tight and technical Lyman Trail that's used to trail rate Jeep Wranglers.

The Power Wagon's standard 12,000-pound winch isn't needed on this day. A better handle, if I may, for this truck is the Monster Ram.

THE VERDICT

This is the first time a crew-size cab has been available on a Ram truck, giving both 2500 and 3500 models a bona fide chance to succeed in the highest volume part of the heavy-duty pickup segment (between 50 and 70 percent) as fleets everywhere get replenished.

2010 Ram Power Wagon

2009-12-15T20:13:00.000-08:00

Words by Dan Sanchez, Photos by Mike Levine

When you compare the latest off-road trucks, it’s clear that the second-generation Ram Power Wagon has been humbly launched in the shadows of the headlines touting Ford’s F-150 SVT Raptor. But once you get behind the wheel of the Ram lineup's best off-road vehicle, and experience the thrill of maneuvering a full-size crew cab truck, nimbly over terrain almost as easily as a Jeep, you begin to remember which features are really important to a large group of off-road truck enthusiasts.

To test its off-road prowess, we took a 2010 Power Wagon to Johnson Valley Off Highway Vehicle park, located in Mojave Desert north of the San Bernardino Mountains. On almost any weekend you can find a wide mix of off-road enthusiasts running everything from dirt bikes to purpose-built rock crawlers on Johnson Valley’s variable terrain. OEM and aftermarket manufacturers test their latest gear here and the rapidly growing “King of the Hammers” off-road race has made Johnson Valley its home, because of the unique mix of Baja-style trails, dry lakebeds and brutal rock islands here.

It was cool to see a handful of SCORE Baja Class-8, stock full-size race trucks in the park. It reminded us that that driving wide-open on flat dirt roads and catching air over deep ruts is lots of fun, but the Power Wagon isn’t made for that. It’s a serious four-wheeling vehicle that can handle almost any terrain yet still perform as a tough work truck. The eight-lug, three-quarter ton rig can tow up to 10,300-pounds and haul up to 1,940-pounds of payload.

Although our test truck’s presence didn’t catch the interest of the Class-8 racers, it did grab the attention of the park ranger. He immediately drove up to us in his first-generation Dodge Power Wagon just after we arrived. While we worried that we’d maybe broken some rules or failed to get our permits in order, it was a relief when he explained his anticipation to take possession of a 2010 model he had on order - his current truck had more than 70,000 miles on it, nearly all hard-earned while patrolling Johnson Valley's 190,000 acres.

The ranger used the opportunity to check our test truck up close, and told us that his experience and preference for the Power Wagon comes from its ability to reach park visitors in the wide variety of terrain found there. Wannabe desert racers with go-fast machines could outrun him on the trail but using his deep knowledge of the park, he'd catch them by being slow and steady when they paused for a break or at their campsite. His current Power Wagon is frequently called upon to tow out 4x4 vehicles that break, get stuck in the loose sand, or find themselves high-centered over terrain that they simply can’t handle. With a grin, he told us that in recent months he'd pulled two heavy-duty tow trucks out of the sand that had come to rescue other stuck rigs.

The Power Wagon’s capabilities became clear as we found several areas to test its agility over rocky terrain. First, we found it easy to air down the Power Wagon’s tire pressures using the tire pressure monitor gauge on the dash. This allowed us to precisely air down to the levels we needed for crawling over rocks and deep sand, and bring the tires back to the correct pressures when we were ready to head home on the highway.

As we traveled across miles of rolling hills, we found ourselves maneuvering through deep sand and low brush. Although there were times we couldn’t find the trail, the Power Wagon didn’t have any difficulty maintaining a sure foot wherever it stood. It easily trekked across open sand and deep washes, without a hint of a struggle or digging in. We eventually made our way across the valley to one of the area’s dry lakebeds where we were able to make some high-speed runs to see how the Power Wagon reacted to various steering input.

With a wide turning radius, the truck isn’t very agile at speed. But the steering does have the power to place a large tire wherever you need it to be, and force its way among loose river rock to get you in the correct position to maneuver over the next obstacle.

With the Power Wagon’s transfer case set to the four-wheel low mode, the rear locking differential can be engaged to provide added traction when climbing over large obstacles. In more than one instance, we got the truck’s rear differential in an extremely articulated situation, but never lost traction on each opposing wheel and were able to maintain forward momentum to get over each obstacle we faced.

When we approached a tall ledge with some boulders nearly the height of the front bumper, we switched the dash-mounted knob to lock both the front and rear differentials. We also needed additional traction and nine more inches of articulation as there were plenty more rocks and dips ahead if us. A press of the front electronic sway bar disconnect button unlocked the front anti-sway bar which allowed us to easily place the 33-inch tall, 285/70R17 BFGoodrich all-terrain tires and 17-inch wheels against huge front obstacles and slowly climb with ease.

With over eight inches of ground clearance, the Power Wagon proved it can go places where standard four-wheel drive trucks, and perhaps even the Ford SVT Raptor, simply can’t. Heavy-duty skid plates protect the transfer case, front differential and gas tank. Rock sliders protect the underside of the trucks’ rocker panels that can see lots of abuse if you’re willing to take the truck to its extremes. Nevertheless, if we would have gotten the 2010 Power Wagon stuck, the truck is equipped with a Warn 12,000 lbs. winch that could easily pull this 6,600 lbs. truck out of any situation.

Fortunately, we didn’t need the assistance of the winch. At one point, we encountered a very steep incline in which we were glad we had a winch with us. As we proceeded forward, we were shoved into the cloth bucket seats and could only see sky from our windshield. Thinking the truck might slip back and we’d have to pull out the winch cable, the Power Wagon inched forward giving us the confidence to maintain a light throttle while the truck slowly crawled its way up and out of the deep wash. While the 4:56 rear axle can be an impediment to fuel economy and highway driving, it worked optimally to send torque from the Power Wagon's 5.7-liter V-8 Hemi to claw our way out of heavy loose sand on the way out, and helped to maintain grip over the slick, hard-packed dirt that we encountered during our evaluation.

Bouncing up and down on a section of deep washboard ruts, which we took at 5-10 mph, nearly launched the Power Wagon off the ground. That situation is probably best left for a truck like the Raptor. Yet the pounding barely put a squeeze on the bump stops and didn’t toss our heads into cab roof. With this in mind, it would seem like an oxymoron to talk about a smooth and comfortable ride from a heavy-duty, front straight axle, 4x4 truck. But the ride was surprisingly comfortable in a variety of conditions. Dodge engineers managed to take the kidney-kicking brunt out of the Power Wagon with the combination of a rigid frame and all-new fluid filled hydromounts that look like squashed shock absorbers. By also including custom-valved Bilstein dampeners, the transition from hard dirt to rock is a smooth one. More important, the latest Power Wagon is much more subdued on the highway, absorbing any shakes and high frequency vibrations for a better ride than on previous models. It handles incredibly well on the street, allowing us to take corners with much more confidence than we would on a truck with a similar ride height.

The appearance of the 2010 Dodge Power Wagon also gets some improvements. While only some of us liked the power bulge hood with faux louvers, we all liked the design of the two-tone paint scheme. Big “Power Wagon” decals on the hood and tailgate give the truck a retro and bold look. But it also caught the attention of many Ford-loving F-150 owners on our way home who simply saw it as a reason to challenge the Power Wagon’s performance. The 383 horsepower and 400 lbs.-ft. of torque from the 5.7 liter Hemi V-8 gave us enough acceleration to put one lowered super crew in its place, when we took off from a stoplight and proceeded onto the freeway onramp.

Although fuel economy can’t be a concern when you opt for a truck like this one, we did manage to squeeze nearly 13 highway mpg out of the vehicle. As we mentioned earlier, the 4.56 rear axle is an asset off-road but a liability on the highway. The wall like front profile doesn't help either, though Ram engineers have done their best to smooth out its aerodynamics, which also contributes to a quieter ride inside the truck at speed. The Hemi's Variable Valve Timing technology also slightly helps with fuel economy as well as providing peak torque lower in the engine’s power band. The Hemi continues to be coupled to the legacy 5-speed automatic transmission.

The Power Wagon, as with all Crew Cab 2500 and 3500 Dodge trucks, has plenty of great storage areas around and under the seats for just about any type of gear you can take with you. While our test model came equipped with plenty of accessories -- including a sunroof and in-dash navigation system with hands-free phone capability -- bringing the price tag up to $50,530, the base price of the Power Wagon starts around $45,000. Nevertheless, when you compare it to a standard 4x4 Laramie Ram that is only a few hundred dollars less, you can appreciate the effort Dodge engineers made in creating a true off-roader’s vehicle.

While the Ford Raptor fans can enjoy the truck’s Baja fame and high-speed off-road agility, we agree that many off-road truck enthusiasts will prefer the Power Wagon’s ability to get them into remote areas with ease, and the ability to carry lots of gear and passengers in comfort. In addition, the knowledge that the Dodge Power Wagon is THE vehicle used to get other 4x4 vehicles and even tow trucks out of trouble, gives you a great feeling of security and confidence that no other full-size truck can deliver.

Ram Brand to Add Midsize Unibody Truck as Dodge Dakota Replacement

2009-12-15T20:12:00.002-08:00

Chrysler revealed the current, third-generation Dodge Dakota would be discontinued in 2011. The move alone would devoid the U.S. market of another pickup truck, but Chrysler will not be writing off the midsize truck segment just yet. Although midsize trucks lack the cachet of their full-size brethren, Chrysler is reportedly looking into developing a new unibody truck for its Ram brand after 2011.

The tall order of developing, marketing, and selling a viable unibody truck follows a familiar formula: smaller engines, better fuel economy, and work capabilities that are somewhat comparable to a half-ton, body-on-frame truck. Past efforts are littered with names like Brat, Comanche, Rabbit, and Rampage, while more recent offerings such as the Subaru Baja and Honda Ridgeline have had difficulty cracking the U.S. truck market. It doesn't help that compact trucks are just plain unpopular compared to the full-sizes, with the larger representing nearly 23 percent of all U.S. vehicle sales. Compact trucks total 5 percent.

Before Chrysler entered bankruptcy earlier this year, it had plans for a smaller unibody truck. Their developmental model centered on a front-drive pickup with all-wheel-drive capabilities, powered by a turbo, four-cylinder engine with direct injection. Without going into specifics, Ram brand boss Fred Diaz said the Dakota replacement would likely not be far off Chrysler's original concept.

"The emphasis is going to be on getting a vehicle that is still true to the Ram brand image and also gets excellent miles per gallon rating and at an attractive price point," Diaz said.

The price point will be a critical aspect of the midsize unibody truck project. The 2010 Dodge Dakota in its most basic extended-cab form starts at $23,495. The 2010 Ram 1500 regular cab with short bed is priced from $21,510, while a Dakota-comparable quad cab touches $25,940, just $2400 more than the smaller truck. If Chrysler wants their Dakota replacement to succeed, the price discrepancy will need to be in favor of their midsize Ram.

Motor Trend Truck of the Year: 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty

2009-12-15T20:12:00.001-08:00

A heavy duty truck has won Motor Trend’s coveted Truck of the Year title -- an award the magazine has rarely given to a heavy duty truck that occupies a small niche of the market.

The award, however, reflects the changing way Americans view trucks. While pickups were common family vehicles before the recent recession, truck makers are increasingly focusing their efforts on industrial and commercial markets. The AP reports, “Motor Trend said it has refocused the prize this year to reward trucks with greater utility, as leisure truck buyers have largely deserted the market. The magazine said the new focus is reflected in the choice of finalists.”

The 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty beat out the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, a high-performance off-road truck built in limited quantities, as well as two vehicles aimed primarily at commercial buyers -- the Toyota Tundra 4.6-liter work truck and the Ford Transit Connect cargo van.

Motor Trend explains, “Despite the effects of the Great Recession on personal-use truck sales, there is still demand for pickups ready to do hard work. The heavy-duty truck market has gotten smaller, but the guys who buy those pickups are fiercely loyal to the segment-they need the extreme capability these hard-working haulers provide.”

With that in mind, they praise the Ram for its 17,500-pound towing capacity, a passenger cabin they called “the best in its class,” and how easy the big Ram is to drive even when towing. “What is so impressive about the heavy-duty Ram is not only how easily it does all the tasks it's built for, but also how easy it is on the driver,” MT writes.

Heavyweight Dodge Ram voted 'Truck of the Year'

2009-12-15T20:08:00.000-08:00

Chrysler Group's Dodge Ram Heavy Duty won Motor Trend magazine's coveted "Truck of the Year" award in a unanimous vote, the magazine announced Thursday.

"Much of what is so impressive about the Ram Heavy Duty is not only how easily it does all the tasks it's built for, but also how easy it is on the driver," Angus MacKenzie, Motor Trend editor-in-chief, said in a statement. "The Ram is quieter, more comfortable and people-friendly than before without sacrificing its considerable capability."

The award was open to pick-ups and vans that were all-new or substantially redesigned in the past year. Besides the Ram Heavy Duty, the three other contenders for this year's award were the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, which is a high-performance off-road truck, the Ford Transit Connect, a small commercial cargo van, and the Toyota Tundra 4.6-liter truck.

The Ram Heavy Duty, unlike the more familiar Dodge Ram 1500, is built strictly for work and isn't intended as a vehicle someone might drive for personal use. It has a 17,500 towing capacity and is available with a powerful diesel engine.

"No automotive segment has been left untouched by the economic downturn, but the truck market has been especially hard hit," said MacKenzie. "With many casual personal-use truck buyers having deserted the market, the industry has been forced to tightly focus its products on the specific needs of truck users."

Motor Trend editors judged the trucks based on design, engineering, efficiency, safety,and value, as well as on how well the vehicle fills its intended function. As part of the judging process, the trucks are put through a series of driving tests on test tracks and on ordinary roads, both empty and fully loaded.

Motor Trend gives three vehicle awards annually. The Subaru Outback won the magazine's SUV of the Year award in October, the second year in a row that a Subaru product won that award, and the Ford Fusion won Car of the Year in November.

2010 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie Mega Cab"The Motor Trend Truck of the Year Award is like a standing ovation for the Chrysler Group designers, engineers and planners who developed this incredible Ram Heavy Duty Truck," said Fred Diaz, president and chief executive officer of Chrysler Group's Ram truck brand, in a statement.

Chrysler Group recently named Diaz to head the Ram truck brand, a newly distinct brand within Chrysler. Car designer Ralph Gilles now heads a separate Dodge car brand.

Since emerging from bankruptcy, Chrysler has been under the leadership of Sergio Marchionne, who also runs Italy's Fiat Group. Fiat now owns 20% of Chrysler.

Chrysler is struggling to turn around its precipitously falling sales and reinvigorate an aging product line-up. Chrysler sales were down more than 25% in November, compared to last year, a much worse showing than domestic rivals General Motors and Ford (F, Fortune 500).

2010 Dodge Ram 2500

2009-12-04T20:47:00.000-08:00

2010 Dodge Ram 2500

These trucks make up the best group of heavy-duty pickups ever produced by Chrysler, which took all of the great things about the 2009 Ram 1500 and applied them to the big rigs to make them better.

While much of the company may feel like it is in shambles, Ram's tank is full. (And please, kibosh that commercial. Whenever I hear it on the radio, I have to pull over at the next rest stop.)

Honestly, (and this is just between you and me), the Ram 2500 is an absolute thrill ride. The diesel engine booms with more authority than a Downriver cop, and it's more comfortable than a Bloomfield Hills living room. It is Cass Corridor gritty and Royal Oak refined. Welcome it to the neighborhood.

I may not use a heavy-duty Ram for all of those things callus-handed drivers need in a 2500 -- or even a 3500 dually -- but I can certainly appreciate it.

I don't tow anything, so I don't need a truck that can pull nearly 17,000 pounds, and the only thing I could use the expansive bed for is carrying firewood. But even if the logs were petrified, they wouldn't weigh 5,100 pounds, the max payload for a dually.

So no, I'm no heavy-duty man. But as I cruised in the Ram 2500, I felt like one. "Finished with that Coke bottle? I gotta spit."

Ram 2500 is refined power

Even empty, the Ram 2500 is remarkably smooth and quiet. The acceleration is quick and, if you don't pay attention to the speedometer, you'll find yourself hitting an easy 80 mph.

The engine options for these big trucks offer plenty of power. The 5.7-liter Hemi belts out 383 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. Then there's the 6.7 diesel cranking out 350 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. The Earth doesn't need that much torque to spin.

And the Cummins diesel is Earth-friendly with its high emission ratings and ingenious exhaust brake. Push a button and you can feel the exhaust brake kick in, slowing the vehicle without a worry or having to touch the brake -- even with a big load tugging behind you.

I know your team at Fiat is supposed to inundate Chrysler's engineers with great diesel technology and all, but I think there are some pretty good ones here, too. Improve this 6.7-liter and I'll sign up for the Marchionne fan club -- probably the first person in Michigan or the media, if you haven't read the papers.

The real trick to this truck is its refinement.

From the outside, it looks big and mean, while keeping its Dodge bubbled fenders and wide stance. The huge grille, hood louvers and massive bumper make it look like it could eat Alfa Romeos by the fistful, as if they were Tater Tots.

Interior is fully loaded

It's the interior that puts this Ram on par with the other heavy-duty trucks. It's comfortable and complete.

Previous Ram trucks had seats that felt like they were plastic-wrapped plywood. Now they're futuristic. Capt. Kirk's chair doesn't even come with heating and cooling ventilation.

When you sit behind the heated steering wheel and look out over the big cabin, you see craftsmanship throughout. The stitched dash, the big gauges and easy-to-use controls provide comfort and confidence. (There are some gaffes; the stereo system includes a USB and auxiliary connection on the dash. It's almost 2010 and those essential devices need to be properly stored in the center console.)

There's a sense of organization throughout the cabin. There are 42 storage spaces -- one in nearly every possible spot -- demonstrating that a design crew never stopped looking for ways to improve the vehicle.

Additionally, the big Rams lose the Quad cabs, which many people thought were just really tight-fitting crew cabs. Pickups with second rows need to seat a work crew, not just the kids, and the true crew cab models do just that.

Then there's the Mega Cab models that offer more room than business class, complete with reclining seats. No one else can boast 44.2 inches of legroom in the second row of a just about anything. To provide you a little perspective, if you doubled that legroom, you'd almost match the 90-inch wheelbase of the Fiat 500.

While loaded with high-tech features, few are frivolous. The backup camera mounted in the rearview mirror is ideal and makes hooking up to a trailer as simple as making a pizza Margherita.

All the features a hard-working man needs come with this truck, and a few of those little luxuries that just make the day a little better: Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone operation (something that in the future will be required), remote start and keyless entry, back-up sensors for parking and a list of safety features that would make any mother rest easy.

Used Dodge trucks

2009-12-04T20:46:00.000-08:00

Used Dodge Trucks for SaleDodge trucks are the trucks with higher quality features and also are having the durability feature which is the most efficient and impressive of all other trucking companies. The website Useddodgetrucksforsale.com is especially dedicated to these trucks and has released the report of the latest survey on various truck models which states the durability and beneficial status of used Dodge trucks. Have the fresh experience of lives even with the Older Dodge trucks.

“Actions speak louder than words” is the slogan and formula of the Dodge Trucks for sale and they are managing to implement the situations. They have managed to make these words implementing and also have created such an amazing victory and success to the company which is unparallel and unbelievable for other competitors. There are also many of the models
which are available in the used Dodge trucks for sale series and making the buyers more than satisfied.

Dodge is having widest series of trucks which are having outlasted features in competition for others. To have the longer lives of the vehicles, the engine need to have the tougher and stronger option and this company can be called as the King of engine makings. Dodge and Ram have managed to manufacture thousands of trucks in recent years and as per a survey almost 70% of the older Dodge trucks are able to get sold in the used form even after a decade. This entire credit goes to efficient and energetic engine of the trucks.

There is a chain of performance that if the engine is efficient it will produce more horsepower and these more production of horse power encourages more speed which puts lower load on the engines and wheels which in turn offer longer lives and ultimately benefiting the owner with higher speed and better mileage. Dodge is an ideal example of the perfect technical cycle. These longer lives and wider benefits of saving money from the fuel efficiencies can be used heavily for the welfare of personal and business lives. Thus, there are so many features which are proving supremacy of these trucks.

To have the best trucks with super most performance, just have the click on the used Dodge trucks and make the future of yours secured and safer.

2009 Dodge Dakota

2009-11-30T07:59:00.000-08:00

Interior and Exterior Pictures of 2009 Dodge Dakota Trucks

Dodge Charger R/T

2009-11-30T07:58:00.001-08:00

Now that SEMA 2009 is behind us, we can all bask in the glory of the awesome cars there. This one, according to my source, is one that has no glory, and could be labeled “Worst in Show”.

The Dodge Charger R/T comes in an ugly shade of orange, and strange scissor doors and a scissors trunk. Yeah, I didn’t know they made them like that either. Another complaint was the smell, which was horrendously described as “synthetic cat urine”. Man, I don’t know if you can compliment a car any less.

Dodge Ram to be more green

2009-11-30T07:55:00.000-08:00

Yes, you heard it right. A truck is more "green". Ok, it's not as green as everything else should be, but it's a start. The 2009 Dodge Ram will apparently be much more fuel efficient on the highway, going from what the 2008 model of 19 MPG to 23 MPG. While there's been no real change to what is under the hood, the biggest difference is the truck's design.

As you should see in the picture, the truck now has a much more slick, aerodynamically pleasing look to it. Naturalists will scoff at the notion of almost giving it a "softer" look, but apparently it is enough to get you some better MPG on the highway, although the paltry 13 MPG in the city won't change (as I read on another blog, aerodynamics don't mean squat when you are sitting at a red light!).

Regardless, this is definitely a move for the better. It should be interesting to see what the feedback and sales are like on this going forward and how many other "redesigns" will happen in this category of vehicles. My guess is that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

2010 Dodge Durango

2009-11-25T01:05:00.001-08:00

According to the automotive website Jalopnik it looks like the all new 2010 Dodge Durango will be undergoing a facelift. Personally, I'm thrilled to death, I thought that the latest generation Durango looked like a minivan on steroids, which is not a compliment. More closely, the 2010 Durango is kind of a jacked up Jeep Cherokee.

: 2010 Durango

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty

2009-11-25T01:04:00.001-08:00

Competes with: Ford F-Series, Chevy Silverado
Looks like: A bigger version of the redesigned Ram 1500
Drivetrain: 383-hp, 6.7-liter diesel
Hits dealerships: Late 2009

Chrysler is firing the first shot in what's certain to be a brutal battle pitting three-quarter and one-ton truck manufacturers against each other: It's introducing the new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty pickups at the 2009 Chicago auto show.

The 2010 model year will be a challenging one for several reasons: The U.S. economy is expected to still be sputtering, with new-truck buyers likely sitting on the sidelines for awhile. The price of diesel fuel (the lifeblood of heavy-duty pickups) shows no sign of losing its 20 percent price premium over gas. Most important of all, though, Ford and GM are also expected to launch updated heavy-duty pickups with new diesel powertrains designed to meet stringent 2010 federal emissions standards that go into effect Jan. 1. The regulations will ratchet down NOx levels to the lowest on the planet — more than 90 percent lower than 2006 levels. NOx is a major air pollutant that contributes to smog, asthma, and respiratory and heart diseases. It's a byproduct of high combustion temperatures.

Chrysler has strategically prepared for 2010 over the past two years. In 2007, it introduced for its heavy-duty pickups an enhanced and innovative 350-horsepower, 650-pounds-feet-of-torque, 6.7-liter six-cylinder Cummins diesel, based on the previous 5.9-liter Cummins engine. The new diesel added a segment-exclusive exhaust brake, like over-the-road trucks use. The 6.7-liter motor not only met new 2007 EPA limits on soot emissions, but it reached 2010 NOx emissions requirements three years early.

On the gas-engine front, Chrysler replaced the Ram heavy-duty's legacy Hemi V-8 last year with the updated 383-hp, 400-pounds-feet-of-torque, variable-valve-timing version that debuted in the 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500. That Hemi is also carried over unchanged for 2010.

Good news for rock crawlers and wheelers: The Hemi-powered Power Wagon off-road version of the Ram also continues next year. It's the only Ram HD with a 4.56 rear axle and locking front and rear differentials.

What has changed for 2010 is almost everything above the Ram heavy-duty's carryover frame. The exterior has all-new sheet metal, and the interior is taken directly from the Dodge Ram 1500 half-ton. The front axle and suspension have also been improved.

"This isn't an all-new truck," said Scott Kunselman, Chrysler's vice president for the Jeep and Truck Product Team. "The 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 are the next steps to improve our heavy-duty pickups."

Though they share the aerodynamic styling first seen in the 2009 Ram 1500, the heavy-duty trucks have taller, more-prominent front ends. It's a case of form following their primary function of towing big loads.

"The light-duty and heavy-duty Rams are significantly separated visually for performance and aesthetic reasons, and for better cooling," said Ralph Gilles, Chrysler's vice president of design. "The cooling we've gained for the heavy-duty we didn't have to do for the light-duty, which is why the grille is smaller on the light duty."

The Ram heavy-duty shares its headlamps and fenders with the 1500. The hood is differentiated to make room for the Cummins diesel. The front bumper has very aggressive stamping. It's a single-piece chrome bumper that wraps around the front fenders to give it a modern look and help aerodynamics.

Like last year's heavy-duty Ram, 2010 buyers will have three cab options, but the middle configuration has been changed. A two-door regular cab model remains, while a new four-door Crew Cab, with bigger back doors and more rear passenger space, replaces the previous, smaller four-door Quad Cab. A new 8-foot cargo box option (a 6-foot, 4-inch bed is standard) should make the Crew Cab Ram HD an attractive choice for fifth-wheel towers. "The Crew Cab has replaced the Quad Cab in the lineup," Kunselman said. "It gets an 8-foot box — a key part of the market we weren't participating in."

Though Dodge eliminated the Mega Cab option for its half-ton Ram, it's keeping the Mega Cab heavy-duty model with best-in-class interior space.

The inside features all the high-quality materials and ergonomic and infotainment options the Ram 1500 has, plus it adds a new integrated trailer-brake controller like Ford and GM offer in their HD pickups. The brake controller eliminates the need for an aftermarket kit to control a trailer's electric brakes for improved towing control.

The external rearview mirrors have also been revised to better facilitate towing. They can be pivoted horizontally or vertically depending on trailer size, and they have larger convex mirrors for better visibility. Turn signals are integrated.

According to preliminary towing and hauling figures, Dodge has raised the front gross axle weight rating from 5,200 pounds to 5,500 pounds on diesel 4x4 pickups, and from 4,700 pounds to 5,000 pounds on diesel 4x2 pickups. Gross combined weight ratings have been improved from 23,000 pounds to as much as 25,400 pounds on some 3500 models. Accompanying the increase in GCWR, max towing has also improved.

The sum of all these changes is a new Dodge Ram heavy-duty pickup that has evolved to better meet the needs of Chrysler's existing customers, and to take competitive advantage of gains already made meeting 2010's stricter and more expensive emissions standards. We expect both GM's and Ford's responses for 2010 to have significantly more power than the Ram HDs, but they'll also likely come with higher initial purchase costs relative to the new Ram than their current trucks are to today's Ram HDs.

Future Truck Technology 2010 Dodge Ram 1500

2009-11-25T00:59:00.000-08:00

Future Truck Technology: Lean & Green

THE DODGE 1500 4WD A FULL SIX INCHES

2009-11-19T04:35:00.000-08:00

Skyjacker Helps Dodge 4WD Owners Increase Their Ride Height

Dodge owners are a tough crowd, just like the trucks they drive. They want options, particularly when it comes to improving their trucks for the things they like to do. Half-ton RAM owners seem to have been forgotten by some manufacturers when it comes to manufacturing a healthy lift kit. Skyjacker is here to change that with their new Skyjacker 6'' 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 4WD lift kit designed for half-ton 1500 series RAM pickups.

The system includes dropped center cross members to lower the control arms, front drive axle assembly and torsion bars along with new spindles (steering arms) which together increases the ride height and suspension travel while providing the owner with the option to install larger tires which enhances the increase in ground clearance that off roaders demand. The kit also includes new rear leaf springs along with Skyjacker shocks, longer links and all the necessary hardware. You'll even find a trick skid plate included to protect your front suspension when taking that Dodge out into areas you couldn't before.

Dodge Ram BFT Truck - Rear View

2009-11-19T04:34:00.000-08:00

Dodge Ram BFT Pickup Truck

The design team installed a 6-inch Superlift lift kit to create enough clearance for the truck's 22-1/2" inch dual rear wheels.

2009 Dodge Ram Bianco

2009-11-11T08:41:00.000-08:00

The Dodge Ram Bianco started life as a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport with a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8. The Dodge Ram is modified to reflect an upscale feel and appearance with the aid of Mopar performance parts and accessories. Colors, textures and accessories are combined in a manner that showcases the sophisticated side of the Dodge Ram 1500.

Exterior modifications include a Mopar hard tonneau that adds a classic, sporty appearance. The inside of the truck bed features Mopar’s bed rug--a plush, yet washable carpet. For the exterior, a Mopar body kit and modified Mopar fender flares give a unique, sophisticated look. The stance is aided by a Mopar lowering kit that not only lowers the vehicle, but also provides excellent ride and handling. The Dodge Ram Bianco is layered in several coats of Arctic Ice pearl paint that give it a rich appearance. Holding true to the upscale theme, Mopar’s 22-inch wheels are painted in a matching, high-contrast design. Performance upgrades include a Mopar cold-air intake and a throaty Mopar dual exhaust with just enough growl to let you know there is something powerful under the hood.

The exterior theme continues through the interior. White and black Katzkin seats with matching door trim set the stage for a high-class ride. Piano Black and Arctic Ice accents add to the luxurious theme. For sound, Mopar contributed a Kicker audio system consisting of an audio amplifier, a powerful subwoofer and upgraded speakers.

2009 Dodge Ram Bianco

2009-11-08T09:28:00.000-08:00

Dodge Ram enjoying the truck party

2009-11-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

As long as there’s dirt to be moved, trailers to be towed and country songs to be written, there will be pickup trucks.

And plenty of them, judging by the sales charts that show light trucks — a category in which pickups make up a big ol’ chunk — moving off Canadian dealer lots as fast as passenger cars.

Guess my household isn’t the only one with a list of need-a-truck chores.

Like collecting a load of gravel for a backyard project, for instance. Fortunately, a red-and-shiny 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 sat in the driveway, awaiting assignment.

Except this immense Dodge was almost too shiny (but not too red; no truck can ever be too red) to be loaded down with gritty gravel. A high-end Laramie Crew Cab 4X4, it flashed chrome from every angle, but especially from the broad-as-a-barn grille that now slants forward above crisp angled headlamps. This high, confident prow, the Ram’s biggest design change in 15 years, made us think of Joan Holloway Harris on Mad Men.

But trucks gotta work. And fortunately — again — the bed was already scuffed from some previous tester’s cargo, relieving us of that first scratch guilt.

We asked for a cubic yard of No. 2 aggregate, but when the lad at the landscape depot cautioned that even half a yard — the contents of one loader bucket — weighed some 1,750 pounds, we said, “That’ll do.”

The gravel dropped in on the tarp we had spread in the bed (yeah, still worried about scratches), and the back of the Ram settled a lot more than we expected. Only later, looking up our truck’s specifications, did we realize by how much we had exceeded its 1,060-lb. maximum payload. Oops.

Not long ago, a pickup by another name was a half-ton truck, but today 1,060 lb. seems light for a mountain of red metal like our Ram. And its 6,100-lb. towing capacity? Near puny.

But Dodge, like other truck makers, knows its market. Its new Crew Cab, though smaller than the unwieldy Mega Cab that’s been dropped from the 1500 lineup, still offers four fullsize doors and a big back seat. This format has become a favourite with pickup buyers willing to give up hauling capacity in favour of a sedan-proportioned cabin that rides high above 20-inch tires and a full frame.

If you have different priorities, Dodge will sell you a different 1500. A two-door Regular Cab that can lug 1,900 lb. of patio stones or pull a 32-foot trailer, for example, or a Quad Cab (four doors, midsize back seat) that splits the differences in passenger space and load capacity between Regular and Crew.

Then there are the seven trim levels, from base ST to this Laramie, which for 2010 starts at $40,690 for a Crew Cab with automatic all-wheel-drive, leather upholstery and heated steering wheel. Add $6,000 for our tester’s heated back seats, heated and power-ventilated front buckets, DVD navigation, backseat video and other additions.

Dodge Ram pickups show big improvements

2009-10-31T10:11:00.000-07:00

The Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups are all business, serious business.

They are the pair of Dodges that feel more like trucks and less like pickups.

But for the 2010 model year, these big rigs -- in all five trim levels -- finally offer interiors and exteriors that are executive worthy, though the truck has blue collar roots. But now architects can finally arrive on job sites in the same vehicle the crews they hire use.

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Following the successful launch of the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, it was only a matter of time before the brand's heavy-duty trucks adopted the same looks, which are stunningly better. Fortunately for Dodge, that time came sooner.

These trucks look great. The big front grille is canted to make the top stick out a little farther than the bottom. It's a bull ready to charge.

From the front, the face is menacing and strong. The big fenders push out and provide wide shoulders and a distinctive look. The lines are robust and curvy, and from every angle, it looks muscle bound. The back offers a spoiler-like shape to the liftgate. This hides the gate's handle and puts your hand in the perfect place to lower it. There's also a giant Ram logo, something many within Dodge refer to as "home plate."

The trucks come with one of two proven powerful engines, the 5.7-liter V-8 Hemi or the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel, a beef cake of a six-cylinder engine that produces 350 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. However, there's very little with this diesel that feels diesel-ish. It provides excellent pickup onto the highway and enough power to tow a small village. The engines, while not new to the 2500 and 3500, have been tweaked and tuned to provide even more power.
Big, but smooth drive

Despite the big engines and leaf spring suspension, the ride was surprisingly smooth and quiet. It still feels big, but it should. It may not be the easiest vehicle to park at a Meijer parking lot, but it can pull a horse trailer across the country. Different cars, different jobs.

While I have no need for a heavy-duty truck, I appreciate those people who do. Some are the weekend boat towers but most are everyday workers who haul lumber, cement mixers, asphalt kettles and just about everything else that holds our world together.

Now, they can do it a little quieter and a little cleaner. When Dodge brought out its new Cummins diesel engine, it ensured that it would meet future emission requirements. With 2010 rules taking effect, the 6.7-liter diesel is ready.

Also, there's no tick, tick, ticking of the injectors leaking into the cabin. And even with the bed empty, the 2500 diesel I drove felt sure footed and provided a good ride on its retuned suspension. I was assured by engineers it gets even better with a few thousand pounds in the back.

Sure enough, later in the day, when I towed a few thousand pounds, the big Rams never flinched.

Dodge also has made an exhaust brake standard on the diesel models. This system helps use the engine to slow the vehicle down and is very helpful when hauling heavy loads by reducing brake fade down big hills. There's also an integrated trailer brake on the dash, though it is mounted left of the steering wheel and would feel more natural on the right hand side.
In pickups, size matters

The new heavy-duty pickups come with loads of new features, such as heated and ventilated seats, automatic climate controls, adjustable pedals and 42 storage spaces throughout the cabin. There are even little cubbies under the floor mats in the second row -- like the ones found on minivans. These are the kind of features that can win truck buyers.

Most of all, the seats are comfortable. I found the seats in the previous-generation Ram heavy-duty trucks tough on my back. It's as if the lower back support was fabricated out of plywood. These new seats feel like La-Z-Boy designed them.

There are all of the high tech features too. There's Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone operations, a navigation system and most of the other features you'd expect in a luxury car. This one can just carry more stuff.

Dodge eliminated the Quad Cab versions with this model year. Instead, it will offer Crew Cabs and the Mega Cab models, as well as a standard body pickup. The Crew cab adds room to accommodate five people and the Mega Cab -- with its reclining second row -- feels like a football team could fit back there.

Despite what you may have heard, in the pickup world, size matters.

And these new Rams are big enough to hang with even the biggest competition.

2010 Dodge Ram 3500 Dually Unloaded

2009-10-26T09:19:00.001-07:00

Dodge has done an exceptional job styling its HD pickups, particularly the dually trucks. The Ram’s big rig looks have evolved for the fourth time since Dodge designers rewrote the rules of full-size trucks in 1994, when the Ram 1500 was introduced that year. There’s a bit more distinction also from the 2009-10 half-ton Ram.

We think the Ram HDs are the best looking pickups in the segment. From front to back, there’s a design cohesion that’s missing from the new 2011 Ford Super Duty, which has a powerful new front end but decade-old looks from the A-pillar back. Compared to the GM trucks, the Ram emanates a tough can-do attitude that seems more eager to communicate its work ethic than the Chevy and GMC pickups.

Dodge is now using stamped sheetmetal for the cargo box sides over the rear wheels, like GM’s HD pickups, instead of clip-on plastic covers, like Ford’s Super Duty. It’s a solution that provides superior fit and finish but can be more difficult to repair in the event the box sides are damaged.

Dodge says it depends. "We've actually found our steel fenders are less costly to fix than the plastic, pop-on variety," said Rick Deneau, director of product and brand communications. "In most cases, owners would be able to have the small section of the damaged fender repaired, versus replaced, and would therefore be more likely to do so."

While GM stuck with conservative, square styled dually box sides, the Ram pushes the envelope with sculpted macho box sides that take full advantage of the stamping process.

Though the three-quarter and one-ton Rams share the aerodynamic styling first seen in the 2009 Ram 1500, all the heavy-duty trucks have taller, more-prominent front ends. It’s a case of form following their primary function of towing big loads. The grille is 1.5-inches taller, for improved airflow, and the hood is 3-inches higher, to fit the large cooling module required for the Cummins diesel engine. The giant hood sports a subtle power dome that you might miss – except on the purpose-built Power Wagon off-road model, which highlights the power dome with a massive vinyl sticker (more on the Power Wagon later in this story). The hood also features a stamped louver pattern for both the gas and diesel version that reinforces the feeling of authority from this big truck.

Inside, all Ram HD models share their interior with the half-ton pickups. This area needed some of the biggest improvements and Dodge has delivered, much to our delight.

Having a nice interior in a heavy-duty pickup is critical because a well-executed cockpit can make all the difference, making for a driver who’s relaxed and comfortable and able to pay attention to the road while towing a heavy trailer versus a driver who’s distracted or fatigued pulling a trailer because there’s something uncomfortable about the inside of the truck they’re driving. Even the entry-level truck interiors are superbly done.

The high-end Laramie model doesn’t have quite the same level of over-luxury as a King Ranch Super Duty – the benchmark in the segment – but it’s near perfect for 99% of the folks buying these trucks. Almost every surface the driver and passengers touch is soft and forgiving. Gone are the acres of hard shiny plastic that we griped about in the old truck. The front seats can be optioned with a heater for winter weather and ventilation for hot summer days.

There’s plenty of storage in traditional places like the doors, center console and dash area but the Ram HD also features in-floor storage behind the rear seats, so you can easily hide valuables. There are also upper and lower gloveboxes for additional secure cubby space.

Most of the interior ergonomics make sense, with the exception of the shift lever position when the truck is in drive. It blocks the driver’s view of the transfer case dial, that’s used to shift into four-wheel drive.

Our Laramie test model came with optional goodies, like an in-dash media center that included navigation, rear backup sensors and a rear backup camera mounted in the tailgate.

We drove the unloaded crew cab dually through urban, suburban, freeway and in rural conditions.

Normally, an empty truck like this would be a tough beast to drive because its super stiff rear leaf-spring suspensions only settle down when there’s a heavy load in the cargo box or hanging behind the truck on a trailer.

Dodge hasn’t quite tamed this truck but it’s definitely improved its on-road manners by fitting new hydraulic body mounts directly under the C-pillar corners at the rear of the cab, between the cab and frame. This area is the truck’s natural pivot point as it rolls down the road. On rough roads, trucks like this will hop and skip even though you’d think they’d stay planted because of the four patches of rubber that are in contact with the road in back.

The hydraulic body mounts noticeably dampen the pivoting motion compared to the old rubber “hockey” puck-style isolators that they replace. It’s amazing that such a small component change can make such a big difference in ride comfort. It’s not perfect but it’s very welcome. For now, Dodge is the only HD pickup with this feature, although GM offers similar hydraulic mounts in its light duty pickups and we expect to see it in the 2011 GM HD pickups as well.

Complementing the Ram’s improved ride quality is a quieter cab. The top door cuts have been moved down from the roofline to the sides of the cab. That, combined with triple seals, dramatically quiets wind intrusion at higher speeds. Even the giant redesigned tow mirrors seem to be a bit quieter than we remember the old ones being. Traveling down the road, it’s easy to have a conversation with the front passenger over the still noticeable clatter of the Cummins I6. Off-throttle cruising was exceptionally quiet.

One feature that continues as a segment exclusive for 2010 is the Ram’s excellent integrated diesel exhaust brake on the Cummins engine. It’s similar to the engine brakes that commercial big rigs have. Activated with the push of a button, this feature saves on foot brake and transmission wear by closing down the engine’s turbo vanes to restrict airflow to engine brake the truck. It also reduces the potential for brake fade during long descents, increasing downhill safety while towing.

We tried the exhaust brake in the unloaded truck when we unexpectedly hit a downhill section of two-lane country road that was about a mile long and about a 7% or 8% grade. Immediately, the rapid ‘brap-brap-brap’ sound of the exhaust brake penetrated the cabin after hitting the button but it wasn’t obnoxiously loud or alarming. In fact, it’s quite cool and welcoming to hear and we’d swear that the Dodge engineers have tuned it up a bit from the 2007-09 pickup.

With the exhaust brake on, we could feel the truck immediately shed speed. But we also tapped on the transmission’s tow/haul mode, which typically helps the truck hold a gear climbing or descending hills when it’s towing and hauling. Our speed dropped from about 60 mph to about 45 at the bottom of the grade without ever tapping the foot brake. Amazing for a truck that weighs about 7,600 pounds empty.

According to the Ram’s electronic vehicle information center, the digital display in the center of the instrument cluster, we averaged about 16 mpg during our 90-mile drive.

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Pickup Trucks

2009-10-26T09:18:00.000-07:00

Dodge redesigned its heavy duty Ram pickup truck for the 2010 model year. Engine choices remain the same, the standard 5.7L HEMI V-8 and an optional 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel, but nearly all of the truck's systems have been updated.

Heavy duty Ram towing capability has increased to 17,600 pounds (a Class IV receiver hitch is standard), with a maximum payload of 5,150. Dodge says the truck's ride has improved, no matter whether it is empty or loaded.

Five trim levels are available, and prices start at $28,165 for the 2500 regular cab ST 4x2 with an 8-foot bed (about $2,000 less than last year's model).

Dodge prices 2010 Rams lower than 2009 models

2009-10-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

Dodge’s redesigned 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty pickups all carry lower prices than the old models they’re replacing.

The base model 2010 Ram 2500 regular cab 4x2 with a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 starts at $28,165, including shipping. That’s $1,970 cheaper than the 2009 model it replaces, according to Dodge numbers -- even though the redesigned model has more equipment.

But customers can spend a lot more. The most expensive model, the 2010 Dodge 3500 Mega Cab Laramie powered by a 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel, stickers at $51,595.

Aggressive with the competition

The pickups, which arrive at dealerships in early November, are the only redesigned 2010 models from the recently bankrupt Chrysler Group.

“We are going very aggressive at the competition on pricing,” said Mark Heber, head of Dodge truck marketing, at a media event here.

The pickups are the first products launched under the automaker’s new Dodge Ram brand for trucks and commercial vehicles.

Customers can choose between two powerplants: a 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel or a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 gasoline engine. Historically, 82 percent of customers have chosen the diesel.

Dodge engineers, in cooperation with supplier Cooper Standard, added a system to smooth out the heavy-duty models’ ride. The Ram 2500 and 3500 Crew and Mega Cab models come with hydraulic dampers mounted to the frame at the rear of the cab.

Dodge's truck strategy

2009-10-26T09:14:00.000-07:00

It's clear why Dodge is pricing the redesigned 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty pickups to sell.

The pickups, which arrive at dealerships in early November, are the only redesigned 2010 models from the product-starved and recently bankrupt Chrysler Group.

The base model 2010 Ram 2500 regular cab 4x2 with a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 starts at $28,165, including shipping. That's $1,970 cheaper than the 2009 model it replaces, according to Dodge numbers -- even though the redesigned model has more equipment.

But customers can spend a lot more. The 2010 Dodge 3500 Mega Cab Laramie powered by a 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel stickers at $51,595.

"We are going very aggressive at the competition on pricing," said Mark Heber, head of Dodge truck marketing, at a media event here.

The pickups also are critical because they are the first products launched under the automaker's new Dodge Ram brand for trucks and commercial vehicles.

"It is one of the few things they [Chrysler] are known for still doing well," says Karl Brauer, editor of the Edmunds.com auto Web site. "There's not a lot of strength in Chrysler's portfolio right now, so they're trying to give it its own identity."

Dodge Ram will follow the recent Chrysler Group strategy of offering more features for the same money -- or less.

Heber said all Ram heavy-duty models would be priced lower than current models.

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty First drive

2009-10-22T22:18:00.000-07:00

Could Dodge’s timing be any worse in launching its new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pickups? The economy remains firmly in the crapper, pickups have fallen from 15% to 10% of vehicles sold and the average price of diesel fuel – the lifeblood of HD pickups – stubbornly remains higher than regular gas. Plus, come January 1, all new diesel-powered vehicles will have to meet tough 50-state diesel emission standards that will reduce allowable nitrogen oxide levels by 90 percent from today – this has already caused price spikes of more than $6,000 for big over-the-road trucks from manufacturers like Navistar and Hino.

But Chrysler’s competitors in the HD segment aren’t sitting still either. The new 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty and updated 2011 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Heavy Duty pickups are expected to arrive in the next six months. The Super Duty will feature two all-new engines: a 6.7-liter V-8 Power Stroke turbodiesel and a 6.2-liter V-8 gasser. The GM twins will feature a significantly updated 6.6-liter V-8 LML Duramax turbodiesel. The new Power Stroke and Duramax are also expected to generate significantly more power than the current 350-horsepower, 650 lbs.-ft. of torque that Ford’s diesel does, and the 355-hp, 660 lbs.-ft. that GM diesels do today. Dodge is carrying over its current 350-hp, 650 lbs.-ft. 6.7-liter Cummins six-cylinder diesel.

If all of that sounds bad, in actuality, the timing of the new Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickups probably couldn’t be better, considering the challenges that three-quarter and one-ton pickups face.

If it ain’t broke…

Ford and GM aren’t updating their diesel engines just to be competitive. The more important reason is because their current 2008-10 6.4-liter Power Stroke V-8 and 2007-10 6.6-liter V-8 LMM Duramax engines won’t meet the 2010 NOx emissions standards. While neither has talked pricing yet for their new engines, both are almost certain to be more expensive – like Hino and Navistar – because both are adding new urea-based selective catalytic reduction systems to smother NOx. Urea, also known by the more marketable name Diesel Exhaust Fluid, requires periodic refills – a new maintenance item for diesel truck owners. DEF tanks also add weight, marginally reducing payload capacity, and if the tank runs dry the truck will be immobilized or forced to ‘limp home’ until its urea can be refilled.

A similar EPA mandate for diesels in 2007 forced the addition of diesel particulate filters to meet soot emissions standards that added up to $1,500 to the price of diesel pickups. The filters also hurt fuel economy because they require burning up to 6/10 of a gallon of fuel to incinerate trapped soot.

But Chrysler and diesel engine partner Cummins took advantage of the situation in 2007 to ensure the Ram HD’s 6.7-liter engine would also be clean enough to meet 2010 NOx emissions standards. It’s a move that drew snickers from GM and Ford at the time because the Ram’s DEF-free “Adsorber” catalyst uses expensive precious metals, like rhodium and palladium, to convert NOx to harmless nitrogen gas and water vapor. Those metals peaked in price in 2008, when the global economy was at its hottest, before crashing back down in the last year to much lower levels.

Commodity prices are one reason that the 2011 Dodge Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis trucks will use DEF systems instead of Adsorber catalysts. However, the Ram Heavy Duty pickups remain urea-free for 2010 and, likely, beyond.

While the Dodge Ram HD pickups are keeping the same diesel engine, there’s a bump in price for the Cummins I6 by about $500, up to $7,615. Adding a six-speed 68RFE automatic transmission bumps the price to $8,020. The six-speed manual equipped trucks get a $1,170 price break, bringing the price down to $6,445. Still, Ram buyers won’t be burdened with the extra maintenance task of refilling DEF or adding extra weight to the truck from a DEF tank.

Ford’s current 6.4-liter diesel powertrain costs $7,835 (with a six-speed manual) to $9,325 (with a five-speed automatic) and GM’s current 6.6-liter diesel costs $7,195 plus $1,200 for an Allison transmission. GM no longer offers a manual transmission for its HD pickups and Ford will ditch its handshaker when its 2011 Super Dutys arrive.

According to Chrysler, starting prices for all 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 gas engine Ram HDs will be less than the outgoing model, and all Mega Cab Ram HD pickups – the largest cab in the segment – will also be priced below last year’s models.

Chrysler replaced the HD Ram’s legacy Hemi in 2009 with the updated “Eagle” Hemi that’s rated at 383-hp and 400-pounds-feet-of-torque. It features variable-valve-timing version and active intake manifold runners that help improve low-end power and clean-up emissions. The six-speed manual transmission was dropped for the Hemi in 2009. The five-speed 545RFE automatic gearbox is standard equipment. The Hemi is also carried over unchanged for 2010.

“With our 2010 pricing, we’re going right at the competition,” said Mark Heber, head of Dodge Ram brand truck marketing. “We’re not being bashful at all. We’re going to hit them where it hurts.”

There’s another advantage to Chrysler’s carryover approach. The 6.7-liter Cummins is a proven engine with a three-year history behind it. Early bugs related to the diesel particulate filter have been worked out. Ford and GM, however, are going to have to prove all over again that their newfangled clean diesels will be at least as reliable, durable and fuel efficient as the engines they replace, even if they are more powerful.

The 2010 Dodge Ram HD pickup are more than a carryover powertrain story, though. There’s all new sheetmetal, a new interior and several notable suspension improvements that we were able to experience by driving the trucks first hand.

We flew out to Texas (at our own expense, not Dodge's) to drive the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty lineup in the hills outside of San Antonio – the heart of pickup country.

Dodge pumps up Heavy Duty Rams

2009-10-20T09:38:00.000-07:00

dodge ram heavy duty

trucks heavy duty

heavy duty truck

The redesigned big Dodge Ram pickups are on their way to market.

A year after the automaker rolled out its newest generation of the Ram 1500 light-duty line, Dodge now has updated the 2500 and 3500 model pickups.

And, as with the Ram 1500 a year ago, the biggest news is the addition of a crew-cab model (other than the Texas-sized Mega Cab model introduced in 2006).

These new trucks are available in a variety of cab and cargo configurations and come with either a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 gasoline engine or a 6.7-liter Cummings Turbo Diesel.

The Cummings engine meets the new clean-diesel standards in all 50 states without having to use an additive.

Also new: The diesel-equipped models come with the only standard exhaust brake in this market segment, Dodge says.

The diesel models are offered with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

A regular cab model — with just a front seat — is available along with the crew and Mega versions. Cargo boxes are available in 6-foot-4 and 8-foot lengths with either single or dual rear wheels.

With all three cab styles, the ride has been improved, with such new features as retuned suspension components.

Towing capacity has been increased, too. The main reason many consumers buy these trucks is for towing, and the 3500 model now can pull trailers weighing up to 18,500 pounds. They have a maximum payload of 5,110 pounds, as well.

Gross combined weight rating — loaded truck plus trailer — can run as high as 25,400 pounds when the 3500 model is equipped with the dual rear wheels, the diesel engine, automatic transmission and the 4.10 rear axle.

The gross weight rating on the Ram 2500 four-wheel-drive crew-cab diesel models has been increased to 9,600 pounds.

The strength of the Ram Heavy Duty lies in its fully boxed frame, which is hydro-formed, a process designed to increase significantly the torsional rigidity and stiffness.

Dodge says the suspension system includes coil springs in the front, and a multileaf spring design in the rear to give the vehicle its heavy-duty capability.

Both front and rear shocks and springs have been specially tuned for a combination of ride quality and capability, the company said.

Other upgrades include larger front axle U-joints, combined with an increased front gross axle weight rating, which allows for the attachment of accessories to the front end, such as road scrapers and snowplows.

The standard exhaust brake is designed to help extend brake life and to provide “confidence and safety” when the truck is carrying heavy loads downhill, Dodge said. The brakes include an antilock system.

Also available is an integrated trailer brake controller. Information for the trailer brake controller is shown on the driver-information center, which is standard on diesel models and optional gasoline-powered SLT, TRX and Laramie models.

A tow/haul mode switch is standard on both the five- and six-speed automatic transmissions.

The Cummings diesel cranks out 350 horsepower at 3,000 rpm and 650 foot-pounds of torque at an engine speed as low as 1,500 rpm. It has standard oil change intervals of 7,500 miles, and major overhaul intervals of 350,000 miles, which Dodge says is more than 100,000 miles ahead of its competitors.

The six-speed manual transmission comes with an ultralow first gear, which Dodge says “makes it ideal for heavy hauling requirements.”

With the gasoline engine option, consumers get a 5.7-liter Hemi that turns out 383 horsepower and 400 foot-pounds of torque.

Standard with the Hemi is the five-speed automatic transmission with Electronic Range Select, which lets the driver select the highest available transmission gear. The system permits manual upshifts and downshifts based on road speed and engine speed.

The Ram Power Wagon also returns for 2010, an extreme off-road-capable model that comes with electric locking front and rear differentials, electronic disconnecting sway bar, Bilstein shocks, 32-inch BF Goodrich off-road tires, underbody skid plates, a 4.56 axle ratio for hill climbing and a Warn 12,000-pound winch at the front of the vehicle.

It also has a new two-tone paint scheme and graphics package.

Interiors of the new Ram Heavy Duty models offer amenities that in the past have been limited to cars and designed specifically for passenger comfort and convenience. The interiors are quite carlike and include an optional large center console with an upper bin large enough for a laptop computer and a lower bin that can hold hanging files. There is even a 12-volt power outlet in the upper bin.

The 2500 and 3500 Mega Cab models have best-in-class interior space, Dodge says, “including the largest, longest cab (143.2 cubic feet and 111.1 inches long); largest interior cargo volume (72.2 cubic feet); largest cargo volume behind the rear seat (7.7 cubic feet); largest flat-floor load area (16.8 square feet); largest second-row legroom (44.2 inches); largest rear-door opening (34.5 inches wide, 35.5 inches high); largest rear-door open angle (85 degrees); and first-ever reclining rear seats (22- to 37-degree seatback angle).”

No prices have been announced yet. The new trucks go on sale later this fall. No EPA mileage ratings are published for the heavy-duty pickups; they are exempt from the mileage regulations because of their weight.

Award-winning Dodge Ram gets test-drive today

2009-10-20T09:37:00.000-07:00

Chrysler LLC unveiled the 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie Heavy Duty Crew Cab 4x4 Dually at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show. Crew Cab currently accounts for 50% of the Heavy-Duty market. This is Dodge's first entry into this segment. (Provided by Chrysler Group LLC)

The 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty took top honors this week at the Texas Auto Writers Association’s annual Truck Rodeo outside San Antonio — and Chrysler Group LLC is working hard to keep the positive buzz going on its newest product offering.

Today, the Auburn Hills automaker is hosting a program where journalists -- including Free Press reporter Greg Gardner -- will test-drive the new Ram truck.

Production of the truck began last week in Saltillo, Mexico, and it should begin arriving in dealerships soon. Today’s drive program is the fourth of five media drives, said Chrysler spokesman David Elshoff. Two were held in Texas; the remaining three are being held in Michigan.

Journalists will drive the truck from Ypsilanti to Chelsea to examine the trucks new features.

Chrysler says the new Ram offers increased capability and new features. Aside from all-new styling, that included an all-new crew-size cab. The truck also offers a pair of legendary engines: the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel with 350 horsepower, producing 650 lb-ft. of torque and what Chrysler is calling “the most powerful standard engine in the segment:” the 383-horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 with 400 lb.-ft. of torque.

Dodge Ram Bianco for SEMA - Auto Shows

2009-10-18T04:57:00.000-07:00

2009 Dodge Ram 1500 crew cab Sport

Among Dodge’s modified vehicles at the upcoming SEMA show will be the Ram Bianco, a luxury-oriented concept version of the company’s full-size truck. Outside, the modifications include a hard tonneau cover—and a washable “bed rug” below—a Mopar body kit with bigger fender flares, and an Arctic Ice paint scheme. Lowered suspension and bigger wheels—22 inches in diameter—make the truck SEMA-approved.

A white-and-black theme adorns the new Katzkin leather seats and other interior trim, while louder speakers and a new subwoofer will help accelerate hearing loss. Finally, there are some go-fast goodies: a cold-air intake and new exhaust system from the Mopar catalog.

1947 Dodge Canopy Delivery

2009-10-10T08:34:00.000-07:00

The 1947 Dodge canopy delivery's "canopy" was a wooden frame covered with fabric. This was the last year of production for this charming body style.
The 1947 Dodge canopy delivery is a nostalgic reminder of past times, when door-to-door grocers plied their trade from the street and offered householders the freshest fruits and vegetables right off the boat -- or at least off the truck.
The species was overcome by the postwar growth of supermarkets and the universality of refrigeration, but enough canopy trucks survive in collector hands to remind us of earlier days. Indeed, the 1947 Dodge canopy delivery was the last canopy delivery model offered by Dodge.

Like most manufacturers, Dodge in 1946 and 1947 was getting by with prewar equipment. The 1947 light-duty trucks hadn't changed a bit from 1946. In fact, they differed little in looks and specification from the redesigned TC series first introduced eight years before. Their 116-inch wheelbase was an inch shorter than the Dodge automobile.

Of the 42,542 Dodge half-tons built in 1947, the canopy delivery was probably the rarest, and for collectors it's one of the most interesting. The unique roof was made of 32 longitudinal slats, each different, nailed on cross bows and set into a wooden perimeter bolted to the body.

The 1947 Dodge canopy delivery is shown doing what it was designed to do: carry fresh produce to neighborhood buyers.

The top was covered with fabric similar to that used on car roofs before all-steel construction. The roll-up side curtains snapped into place when let down, and metal mesh screens for sides, driver's seatback, and rear door were available at extra cost.Options on the example above include whitewall tires, heater-defroster, outside mirrors, rear-view mirror, sun visor, and passenger seat.

The 2009 RXT Dodge Ram 2009

2009-10-04T21:10:00.001-07:00

To start the transformation from a stock Dodge Ram 1500 into a Mr. Norm’s Red Xpress Truck requires $2,799. For that kind of scratch, you get the Red Xpress Truck graphics, custom Katzkin leather seat covers and embroidered carpet mats, a windshield banner, red powder coated custom disc brake caliper covers, dash and core support serial number badges and listing in The Original Mr. Norm's Grand Spaulding Dodge Registry.

“We haven’t put a lot of 30-year-old stuff on the Red Xpress,” said Larry Weiner of Performance West Group. “When we started this project with Mr. Norm, we looked at it and tried to think about how Chrysler would have done a L’il Red Truck today. This is a 21st Century pickup.”

The RXT we drove included goodies like a Mopar Ram R/T dual inlet hood, Dodge Viper-spec Scorpion Zero P305/40 R22 tires sitting on custom wheels that are unique to the Xpress, an Eibach spring kit that meets Mopar specs and lowers the Ram by two inches up front and by three in the back, a new rear differential cover that has a larger oil capacity and the all-important cat back exhaust kit with dual chrome pipes that punched through the cargo box directly behind the B-pillar.

As intimidating as the RXT looks with its big rig nose and silver stacks, there’s one thing Weiner wishes they could have done with the Red Xpress:

“We really wanted to mount the stacks on the sides of the cargo box but it’s too expensive,” said Weiner. “If Chrysler still offered a stepside bed, we’d have done it. We looked at fabricating customer boxes but the price was way too high. They would have cost close to $10,000 to make them look right and to engineer the necessary safety modifications that are required today. If you look at the L’il Red Truck, the fuel cap sticks right outside the box. That wouldn’t work today.”

Cost and complexity were also issues when trying to find a metal works company to replicate the heat baffling that surrounded the LRT’s pipes. It’s not easy to recreate at a reasonable price because of the custom fabrication involved for such a limited production run.

The exhaust is run cleanly through the bed’s load floor, and one benefit of sticking with the Ram 1500’s stock fleetside box is that it can haul more cargo in back than the D150 Utiline step-sider will. Of course, you’re going to want to keep things well away from the pipes. They get hot.

It’s important to point out that there are no performance tweaks to the engine, powertrain or drive components, so there’s nothing that would invalidate the warranty on the truck or violate tough federal and state emissions laws. Today, not even the aftermarket can get around clean-air rules.

The Red Xpress Truck comes standard with the Ram’s 390-horsepower, 407-lbs.-ft. of torque 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. It’s an awesome powertrain for a stock truck that’s marginally hobbled by its five-speed transmission (relative to competitors that now have six gears). It’s fast, too. Merging onto the freeway and passing traffic wasn’t a problem in this truck and it has an awesome exhaust note that rumbles through the cab. Hit the brakes and the truck instantly sheds speeds with gobs more stability and confidence than the ’79 rig.

Weiner wishes they could have offered two optional engines -- a 6.1-liter SRT-8 Hemi V-8 crate motor, rated at approximately 450 hp, or Mr. Norm's signature 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) Gen III Hemi V-8, based on the 6.1-liter, rated at approximately 600 horsepower – but the economy has a put a damper on those plans.

“We can do a lot with the 5.7-liter Hemi truck and keep the premium as low as possible,” Weiner said.

Mr. Norm and PWG still have a few more tricks that they are planning to add to the RXT in the near future, including a real wood floor. The original LRT featured wooden planks that bolted into the cargo box that could be easily replaced when they wore out. Weiner hopes to offer a similar looking floor that could be installed over the bottom over the cargo box without cutting sheetmetal. There are no plans though to add wood to the Ram’s exterior body panels. That’s a detail that will remain unique to the L’il Red Truck.

For some of our photography, we drove the two red trucks together on the road in Southern California, where the car culture has always embraced custom vehicles. The sight of these two rigs rolling down the highway with vertical stacks was enough to catch the attention of plenty of drivers and -- for a minute – let them forget today’s economic problems and concerns and live in the moment. And wasn’t that the point of the L’il Red Truck in the first place?

Nadp Diesel Drags Lifted Dodge Cummins Burnout

2009-10-04T21:05:00.000-07:00

2010 Dodge Ram Power Wagon

2009-10-02T19:48:00.001-07:00

Photos courtesy of Petersen's 4Wheel & Off-Road

Our friends at Petersen's 4Wheel & Off-Road Magazine have just parked a brand new 2010 Dodge Ram Power Wagon Heavy Duty pickup in their driveway. These are the first pictures we've seen of the production truck since our spies caught pre-production versions a few weeks back.

Like the rest of the new 2010 Ram HD lineup, the Power Wagon features new sheetmetal and an interior upgrade that shares styling and components with the light-duty Dodge Ram 1500. One significant appearance change that we're getting used to: last year's chrome Power Wagon badges are gone, replaced with big vinyl graphics on the tailgate and hood.

The eight-cylinder Hemi-propelled Power Wagon is the only 2010 Ram Heavy Duty model with a 4.56 rear axle, locking front and rear differentials, and electric sway bar disconnect for maximum articulation off-road. It also features BF Goodrich All-Terrain 33-inch tires and 17-inch wheels.

For more pictures and news about which trucks the 2010 Ram Power Wagon will be competing against in 4Wheel & Off-Road's '4x4 of the Year' competition, check out their first look!

Dodge Ram Crew 1500 Sport Pictures

2009-10-01T19:00:00.000-07:00

Dodge Ram Crew 1500 Sport

2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Update

2009-10-01T18:59:00.000-07:00

2009 Dodge Ram 1500 in five months than we did on our BMW 135i over an entire year. There are two frequently repeated comments over the first five months of our loan: we're still impressed by the soft, yet controlled ride of the big Dodge, and the luxurious interior is holding up incredibly well. Initial comments were about how good the interior looked, but now we're talking about how useful all the cubbies are and how well the materials are holding up, which has certainly been the Achilles' heel for Chrysler products the past few years.

Praise for the RamBox has also been strong. Copy editor Rusty Blackwell managed to squeeze a (compact) golf bag into one side of the RamBox, thought he was quick to point out "this is the same golf bag that fit behind the seats of the Audi R8." Road test coordinator Mike Ofiara took the Ram to northern Michigan for a long weekend and noticed a man inspecting the RamBox when he came out of a party store. Apparently the man thought the RamBox would conflict with the traditional duties of a truck, so he measured the bed and said: "Well, maybe they [Dodge] were thinking, it's four-foot across." If you don't recognize the significance of a four-foot-wide truck bed, that's the minimum width needed to transport a full sheet of drywall or plywood -- certainly a requirement for any real full-size truck.

Our Ram continues to rack up some serious mileage, and that necessitated another oil change at 19,539 miles. The local dealer also tightened and inspected the serpentine belt during the service visit. A 5000-mile service interval means $45.73 service visits are rather frequent for us, but the cost isn't unreasonable. We've also had good experiences with our dealer each time.

Though our fleet doesn't typically feature many pickup trucks, senior editor Joe Lorio recently drove a Toyota Tundra and then spent time in the Ram the next day. He compares and contrasts the two trucks like this:

"I just had a Toyota Tundra back east yesterday, and now I'm driving the Ram here today. The Toyota V-8 is utterly silent at idle, where Dodge's Hemi emits a low rumble. The Toyota's steering is overboosted, while Dodge effort feels right to me. Both trucks ride amazingly well. Both are huge, but it seemed to me that the Tundra had a slightly tighter turning circle [Tundra 44 ft, Ram 45.4 ft]. The lack of a rear-view camera is absurd in a high-dollar pickup like this. The interior of the more basic-spec Toyota was not nearly as fancy as this Ram; more surprising is that the Ram's cabin has suffered no wear to date, despite racking up the miles."

2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty Pickups

2009-09-30T17:46:00.000-07:00

The 2010 model year will be a challenging one for several reasons: The U.S. economy is expected to still be sputtering, with new-truck buyers likely sitting on the sidelines until the housing market starts to recover or the government’s fiscal stimulus plan spurs spending on new trucks as part of a national infrastructure overhaul. The price of diesel fuel (the lifeblood of heavy-duty pickups) shows no sign of losing its 20 percent price premium over gas. Most important of all, though, Ford and GM are also expected to launch updated heavy-duty pickups with new diesel powertrains designed to meet stringent 2010 federal emissions standards that go into effect Jan. 1. The regulations will ratchet down NOx levels to the lowest on the planet – more than 90 percent lower than 2006 levels. NOx is a major air pollutant that contributes to smog, asthma, and respiratory and heart diseases. It's a byproduct of high combustion temperatures.

Chrysler has strategically prepared for 2010 over the past two years. In 2007, it introduced for its heavy-duty pickups an enhanced and innovative 350-horsepower, 650-pounds-feet-of-torque, 6.7-liter six-cylinder Cummins diesel, based on the previous 5.9-liter Cummins engine. The new diesel added a segment-exclusive exhaust brake, like over-the-road trucks use. The 6.7-liter motor not only met new 2007 EPA limits on soot emissions, but it reached 2010 NOx emissions requirements three years early. It featured a diesel particulate filter meant to catch and burn off soot, plus special “adsorber” catalyst material to soak up and break down NOx molecules before they leave the tailpipe. The move drew some smack talk from Ford and GM, who pointed to the expensive, rare precious metals needed to perform this feat of chemical engineering; at the time, commodity prices were rapidly rising in world markets. Ford and GM also launched new diesels in 2007 in order to meet the reduced soot emissions levels, but they didn’t have 2010-ready NOx traps (please see our 2007 Heavy Duty Shootout for an in-depth comparison of these trucks).

Now forced to play catch-up for 2010, Ford’s and GM’s NOx solutions are expected to come in the form of urea selective catalytic reduction. Urea SCR will use canisters (which will need to be replaced or refilled periodically) of the diesel emissions fluid that will be shot into the exhaust stream to lower NOx. While Ford and GM spend time and money to develop these new engines, Chrysler is sticking with its proven Cummins 6.7-liter for its 2010 heavy-duty pickups. It’s being carried over from the 2007-09 models without any changes.

On the gas-engine front, Chrysler replaced the Ram heavy-duty’s legacy Hemi V-8 last year with the updated 383-hp, 400-pounds-feet-of-torque, variable-valve-timing version that debuted in the 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500. That Hemi is also carried over unchanged for 2010.

Good news for rock crawlers and wheelers: The Hemi-powered Power Wagon off-road version of the Ram also continues next year. It's the only Ram HD with a 4.56 rear axle and locking front and rear differentials.

What has changed for 2010 is almost everything above the Ram heavy-duty’s carryover frame. The exterior has all-new sheet metal, and the interior is taken directly from the Dodge Ram 1500 half-ton. The front axle and suspension have also been improved.

“This isn’t an all-new truck,” said Scott Kunselman, Chrysler’s vice-president for the Jeep and Truck Product Team. “The 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 are the next steps to improve our heavy-duty pickups. All of the great things in the light-duty (Ram) are here. The driving and towing experience will be much nicer. Our owners will enjoy it more.”

Though they share the aerodynamic styling first seen in the 2009 Ram 1500, the heavy-duty trucks have taller, more-prominent front ends. It’s a case of form following their primary function of towing big loads.

“The light-duty and heavy-duty Rams are significantly separated visually for performance and aesthetic reasons, and for better cooling,” said Ralph Gilles, Chrysler’s vice president of design. “The cooling we’ve gained for the heavy-duty we didn’t have to do for the light-duty, which is why the grille is smaller on the light duty.”

The Ram heavy-duty shares its headlamps and fenders with the 1500. The hood is differentiated to make room for the Cummins diesel. The front bumper has very aggressive stamping. It’s a single-piece chrome bumper that wraps around the front fenders to give it a modern look and help aerodynamics.

Like last year’s heavy-duty Ram, 2010 buyers will have three cab options, but the middle configuration has been changed. A two-door regular cab model remains, while a new four-door Crew Cab, with bigger back doors and more rear passenger space, replaces the previous, smaller four-door Quad Cab. A new 8-foot cargo box option (a 6-foot, 4-inch bed is standard) should make the Crew Cab Ram HD an attractive choice for fifth-wheel towers.

“The Crew Cab has replaced the Quad Cab in the lineup,” Kunselman said. “It gets an 8-foot box -- a key part of the market we weren’t participating in.”

Though Dodge eliminated the Mega Cab option for its half-ton Ram, it’s keeping the Mega Cab heavy-duty model with best-in-class interior space.

The inside features all the high-quality materials and ergonomic and infotainment options the Ram 1500 has, plus it adds a new integrated trailer-brake controller like Ford and GM offer in their HD pickups. The brake controller eliminates the need for an aftermarket kit to control a trailer’s electric brakes for improved towing control.

“The (trailer-brake control) display is the message center, so drivers won’t need to take their eyes off the road to see what’s going on,” Kunselman said.

One objection, though, is the controller's placement. Like GM's trucks, Chrysler has put it on the left side of the driver, near the knee. We think it's more intuitive to place integrated brake controllers on the driver's right side, like Ford does.

The external rearview mirrors have also been revised to better facilitate towing. They can be pivoted horizontally or vertically depending on trailer size, and they have larger convex mirrors for better visibility. Turn signals are integrated.

According to preliminary towing and hauling figures, Dodge has raised the front gross axle weight rating from 5,200 pounds to 5,500 pounds on diesel 4x4 pickups, and from 4,700 pounds to 5,000 pounds on diesel 4x2 pickups. Gross combined weight ratings have been improved from 23,000 pounds to as much as 25,400 pounds on some 3500 models. Accompanying the increase in GCWR, max towing has also improved.

For example, a 2010 Ram 3500 regular cab 2WD long-bed 6.7-liter diesel with a 4.10 rear axle has increased its max towing from 16,200 pounds (goose neck or fifth wheel) in the 2009 model to 18,500 pounds (goose neck or fifth wheel) in the 2010 truck. GCWR also increased from 23,000 pounds to 25,400. However, there is a slight cargo box payload penalty because the truck’s weight has increased. Max payload for 2010 in this configuration is 4,770 pounds, down from 5,070 pounds in the 2009 model.

Conventional trailer towing maxes out at 10,000 pounds.

Also contributing to the improved GCWR are re-tuned suspension components and new fluid-filled hydro-mounts under the cab that help reduce beaming and bounce over rough highways.

The sum of all these changes is a new Dodge Ram heavy-duty pickup that has evolved to better meet the needs of Chrysler’s existing customers, and to take competitive advantage of gains already made meeting 2010’s stricter and more expensive emissions standards. We expect both GM’s and Ford’s responses for 2010 to have significantly more power than the Ram HDs, but they’ll also likely come with higher initial purchase costs relative to the new Ram than their current trucks are to today’s Ram HDs.

The question is: Will next year's heavy-duty buyers want more power or lower up-front cost?

“The new Dodge trucks should allow Chrysler to price them as a lower-cost alternative to the new Ford and GM trucks next year,” said Kent Sundling, owner and editor of MrTruck.com. “Dodge has always played to the lower-cost side of the market, and carrying over the diesel powertrain could enable them to be an even better value.”

The new 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickups go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2009.

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty

2009-09-30T17:45:00.000-07:00

Competes with: Ford F-Series, Chevy Silverado
Looks like: A bigger version of the redesigned Ram 1500
Drivetrain: 383-hp, 6.7-liter diesel
Hits dealerships: Late 2009

Chrysler picked the traditionally truck-oriented Chicago auto show to debut its new lineup of heavy-duty Dodge trucks. These behemoths are used mostly for extreme towing duties for business (trailers) and leisure (boats).

We realize most of our readers might not want to read everything there is to know about the new Dodge heavy-duty line, and we also know where those who do can read everything there is to know about them.

Future Truck Technology 2010 Dodge Ram 1500

2009-09-30T17:43:00.000-07:00

2010 Dodge Ram 1500

Getting the Best Price on a Dodge Challenger

2009-09-22T18:08:00.000-07:00

When Dodge released the Challenger last year, Mopar fans everywhere rejoiced at the prospect of reliving their muscle car days in modern style and comfort. Now, after having a full year to get the recipe just right, the 2009 model has even more to offer. In this guide, we'll give you a few tips to get the best price on a 2009 Dodge Challenger.

* First, decide on which trim level you want. The V6 SE models are obviously going to be the least expensive and will still deliver a reasonable amount of performance. But if you're an enthusiast, the V8-equipped R/T and SRT-8 models will most likely be the ones you're after.
* Check for manufacturer rebates and other incentives. These can offer huge chunks of cash off the sticker price of a new Challenger or low-interest financing. Visit http://www.carsdirect.com/dodge/challenger/rebates for more.
* Find out the invoice price of the car you're interested in by doing some research online. By knowing what the car costs to the dealer, you can then negotiate your way up from there as anything above invoice is pure profit for them.
* Although the 2009 Challenger doesn't qualify as a replacement vehicle under the CARS (Car Allowance Rebate System) program, there is another service that offers up to $4,500 for your trade-in called The 2009 Automotive Stimulus Program. Independently funded by a group of 40 dealers from around the country, the program is designed to offer new car buyers that don't qualify for the government's rebate other incentives to purchase a car that gets better mileage than their trade-in. Because the requirements aren't nearly as strict as Cash for Clunkers, the 2009 Challenger would be an eligible replacement vehicle as long as your trade-in gets less than the combined 20 mpg of the V6 models. You may have a tougher time getting a rebate with the V8 models, however.

By following these tips, you should have a 2009 Dodge Challenger sitting in your garage in no time at all.

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty

2009-09-18T07:28:00.000-07:00

Competes with: Ford F-Series, Chevy Silverado
Looks like: A bigger version of the redesigned Ram 1500
Drivetrain: 383-hp, 6.7-liter diesel
Hits dealerships: Late 2009

Modified Car Dodge 1500 Thunderroad 2003 Candy Red Custom

2009-09-14T11:41:00.001-07:00

Modified Car Dodge 1500 Thunderroad 2003 Candy Red Custom

Car Specifications & Information

CAR REF NUMBER:
21492

CAR MAKE & CAR MODEL:
Modified Car Dodge 1500 Thunderroad 2003 Candy Red Custom

CAR COLOUR:
Candy Red Custom

EXTERIOR MODS:
custom made front bumper, grill, quad headlamps, rear decklid, spoiler, rear lights, rear bumper. rear truck bed widened by 50mm each side. full custom candy/marble/airbrushed black detail, totally unique paint found on no other vehicle in the world!

INTERIOR MODS:
custom made cream italian hide seats piped in red, custom red carpet, all plastic interior parts smoothed and painted in complementary colours and finished in rubber soft feel coating.

ICE (In Car Entertainment, Audio & Security):
standard infinity system at present - audio visual totalling 200k under construction for the rear bed area - to be released late this year.

ENGINE MODS:
5.7 litre hemi v8 custom air intake

TRANSMISSION UPGRADE:
6 speed auto

SUSPENSION MODS:
full custom airbag system, 14" drop/lift from 5mm off the deck!!!!6 link rear axle

WHEELS:
28" dub swaggers

TYRES:
295/25/28 pirelli scorpion zero tyres

BRAKE CONVERSION:
ap racing 6 pot calipers15" vented, drilled & grooved front discsap racing front pads

Modified Car Dodge RAM 1500 5.7 Hemi Supercharged 2004 Silver

2009-09-14T11:38:00.000-07:00

Modified Car Dodge RAM 1500 5.7 Hemi Supercharged 2004 Silver

Car Specifications & Information

CAR REF NUMBER:
22048

CAR MAKE & CAR MODEL:
Modified Car Dodge RAM 1500 5.7 Hemi Supercharged 2004 Silver

CAR COLOUR:
Silver

EXTERIOR MODS:
silver paint job with srt hood,and paint marrors to match the truck, fiberglass bedcover, hemi pin striping, tinted windows, chrome tail light cover, painted front bumber and spoler. magnam flow exhust system with custom chrome exhust tips.

INTERIOR MODS:
leather interior (silver and gray to match the truck) upgraded sound system. 3 pillow pod with gauges (boost, exhust temp, air\fuel)

ICE (In Car Entertainment, Audio & Security):
vipor remote starter and security system

ENGINE MODS:
5.7 hemi paxtion super charger from gs motor sport with 10lb boost pully, forge postons by ross performance,6.1 cam, jba header,(kinny bell boost-a-pump)to give it more fuel pressure, cooling mist methenal kit with a gallon tank for meth. the hole bottom end of the motor have been replace (as in new short block)

TRANSMISSION UPGRADE:
45 rfe with large upgrade tranny pan with cooling channel 22 stall tork comvertor

SUSPENSION MODS:
stock suspension with helwig sway bar to hold curves

WHEELS:
22" hemi srt chrome wheels

BRAKE CONVERSION:
stock

Changes at 'Secret City Dodge Jeep

2009-09-13T07:12:00.000-07:00

Oak Ridge Chrysler Dodge Jeep recently changed its name and ownership -- but only slightly.

Jim Cogdill is now the sole owner of the Oak Ridge dealership and has changed the name to Secret City Dodge Jeep.

Dealership spokesman Howard Elliott said Cogdill, who was a partner in Oak Ridge Chrysler Dodge Jeep, recently bought out the franchise.

"Jimmy's been here with the dealership for 27 years," Elliott recently explained to The Oak Ridger.

He said the dealership plans an open house in the near future, and Secret City Dodge Jeep is currently in the process of restocking the Oak Ridge car lot.

Though the past year has "been a pretty tough road in the car industry," Elliott said, "We feel very fortunate to still be in existence after so many have been eliminated."

Secret City Dodge Jeep will also carry Fiat when the line comes to the United States.

Dodge Ram Is Mopar's Most-Accessorized Vehicle

2009-09-10T10:31:00.000-07:00

And the most popular accessory for the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram is … a brand new set of Mopar tubular side steps.

The award-winning Dodge Ram is the most accessorized vehicle in the Chrysler Group LLC product lineup, followed closely by Jeep® Wrangler, Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan. “Mopar offers more than 70 proven, quality-tested accessories and parts for customers to personalize their Dodge Ram,” said Pietro Gorlier, President & Chief Executive Officer, Mopar Service, Parts & Customer Care. “For all of our Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles, we offer more than 280,000 parts and accessories for customers to customize or refresh their rides.”

Top 10 Mopar Accessories For Dodge Ram

Following is a list of the top 10 most popular Mopar accessories and performance parts – that Dodge Ram owners purchase to personalize their trucks:

1. Tubular Side Steps: Provide skid-resistant stepping surfaces for easy vehicle entry and exit; available in black or chrome and constructed of light-weight anodized aluminum or powder-coated steel. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP):

Regular Cab - Black $307.00 Regular Cab - Chrome $461.00
Quad Cab - Black $358.00 Quad Cab - Chrome $563.00
Crew Cab - Black $389.00 Crew Cab - Chrome $614.00

2. Bed Liner: Features ribbed design for outstanding drainage. The skid-resistant, under-the-rail liner is tailored for a perfect fit and provides full use of integrated vertical and horizontal storage dividers. MSRP: $325.00

3. Trailer-Hitch Receiver: Designed as a one-piece welded assembly and built to match Dodge Ram’s impressive towing capacity, the hitch receiver is covered with a two-layer, E-coat paint finish that resists rust. MSRP: $126.00

4. Trailer-Tow Mirrors: 8.75” x 7.75” mirrors offers improved visibility while towing with convex spotter (3.5” x 4.25”) glass for superior blind-spot visibility. Mopar trailer-tow mirrors manually telescopes out 4.5” and folds in. Heated, power control and defrost function remain active. MSRP: $436.00

5. Front-air Deflector: Constructed of shatter-resistant polymers and custom molded to complement Dodge Ram’s bold front-end styling, the front-air deflector creates an air stream that directs insects and road spray up and away from the hood and windshield. MSRP:

Smoke $89.10
Body Colored $109.00
Chrome $109.00

6. Deluxe Molded Splash Guards: Designed to be rigid yet forgivable, splash guards are paintable and provide excellent lower-body protection as they are custom-molded to the contours of Ram. MSRP: $43.45/pair

7. Sport Performance Hood: Features an integrated scoop for an aggressive look, the sheet metal replacement hood is manufactured with original equipment materials for a perfect fit and finish. MSRP: $976.00

8. Fiberglass Tonneau Cover: Custom-designed for a perfect match with any Dodge Ram exterior color, the durable, easy-opening cover includes inner and outer liners to prevent cracks and features a built-in tailgate lock for added security. MSRP:

5.7' Bed $1,250.00
6.3' Bed $1,290.00

9. Soft Tonneau Cover: Made of shrink-resistant fabric that features a snapless design for an ultra-clean look, the durable Mopar tonneau cover resists mildew, water and Ultra Violet rays. MSRP:

5.7' Bed $391.00
6.3' Bed $415.00
8.0' Bed $470.00
RamBox $394.00

10. Fog Lights: Designed specifically for Dodge Ram, Mopar fog lights undercut inclement weather and minimize glare. MSRP: $175.00

All-New Dodge Ram

In addition to Mopar accessories, Dodge Ram is loaded with features that set it apart in the full-size truck market. One standout feature is the industry’s first-and-only RamBox™ cargo management system that includes versatile, weatherproof, lockable, illuminated, drainable storage bins; pickup bed dividers; a two-foot bed extender and a cargo rail system with sliding adjustable cleats.

The 2009 Ram also includes a first-in-segment coil-spring five-link rear suspension fitted to a solid rear axle that provides ride and handling not found on any other pickup truck. A new 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine with fuel-saving MDS technology provides more horsepower (390 hp) and torque (407 lb.-ft.) while its best-in-class aerodynamics (.387 Cd) improve fuel economy and performance.

Dodge Discontinues Sprinter; Van Returns to Mercedes-Benz

2009-09-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

Dodge Sprinter Cargo Van

The Sprinter commercial van will return to its origins next year. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, part of Daimler AG, announced last week that the van will be sold under the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner brands in 2010. Dodge will discontinue Sprinter sales after Dec. 31.

The Mercedes-built van currently is sold in the United States and Canada under the Dodge and Freightliner Truck brands.

A new company, Daimler Vans USA, LLC, is being established to oversee sales and service of the Sprinter for both Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner. Freightliner is part of Daimler Trucks North America, another Daimler subsidiary.

Dodge dealers will stop selling the Sprinter once current inventories are gone, but will service the vans indefinitely, David Elshoff, head of Dodge marketing communications, told Light & Medium Truck. About 420 Dodge dealers currently sell the van.

Dodge began selling the Mercedes-built van in 2003. It sold 14,600 units in 2008, Elshoff said.

That would account for about 58% of a combined 25,000 units sold last year, Geoff Day, director of communications for Mercedes-Benz USA, told L&MT.

Separate Daimler Vans locations will be set up in about 100 Mercedes-Benz automobile dealerships in and around key markets to sell the Sprinter, Day said. He added that M-B dealerships will service the vans.

About 45 Freightliner dealers currently sell the van, Day said.

The Sprinters sold here are assembled in Charleston, S.C. The van was introduced in Europe in 1995.

2009 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab 4X4 TRX

2009-09-02T11:02:00.000-07:00

Dodge Ram 2500 Price Pictures and Part

2009-08-29T19:37:00.000-07:00

Dodge Ram 2500 : Front View - Side View - Rear View Pics and Pictures. Awesome New Car Model 2010.

Dodge Ram 2500 Front Speed

Dodge Ram 2500 Pictures Model Car

Dodge Ram 2500 Exterior

Dodge Ram 2500 Cars Pics

Dodge Ram 2500 Luxury Car

Dodge Ram 2500 New Model Photos

Dodge Ram 2500 : Hot Cars Pictures. Amazing Job Guys! Bye Bye. Soon more Pictures of this fabolous car.

Dodge Ram 2500 Picture Number 8

Dodge Ram 2500 Cars Free Stock Images

Dodge Ram 2500 Price

Dodge Ram 2500 Car Pictures Gallery

Dodge Ram 2500 : New Model Car of Year 2010. Enjoy The Gallery Photos. Soon more images. Please remember to leave your comments.

Dodge Ram 2500 Concept Pictures

Dodge Ram 2500 Cars Stock Images

Dodge Ram 2500 Top Speed Car

Dodge Ram 2500 Cars Wallpapers

Dodge Ram 2500 Car Picture

2009 Dodge Ram Lone Star Edition

2009-08-29T19:34:00.000-07:00

At the State Fair of Texas today, Dodge will introduce the all-new 2009 Lone Star Edition Dodge Ram 1500, a Texas-exclusive model in the 2009 Dodge Ram lineup. The new truck arrives this month with a truck-load of special equipment and enhancements.

"Texas is the single largest truck market on the planet for Dodge," said Mike Accavitti, Director – Dodge Division, Chrysler LLC. "Texans love their trucks, and Dodge gives them more to love with a special edition of our game-changing 2009 Dodge Ram – already the best pickup available anywhere. With the Dodge Ram Lone Star, Texans get style, performance, utility and even more value."

The all-new 2009 Lone Star Edition Dodge Ram begins as a Ram Crew 1500 SLT model in either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, with more than 35 new or improved features when compared to the previous light-duty Dodge Ram. These features include:

* Dodge Ram's first-ever crew-cab size model
* First-in-segment coil-spring, five-link rear suspension fitted to a solid rear axle provides the required towing and payload capability, with ride and handling unexpected in a pickup truck
* New 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 provides more horsepower (390 hp) and torque (407 lb.-ft.), with increased fuel economy (20 mpg on the 4x2 model)
* Best-in-class aerodynamics – under .40 Cd – help improve fuel economy and performance
* First-in-segment, RamBox™ cargo management system that includes versatile, weatherproof, lockable, illuminated, drainable storage bins; pickup bed dividers; 2-foot bed extender; and cargo rail system with sliding, adjustable cleats
* First-in-segment, factory-installed 4-inch dual exhaust styled dramatically into the rear bumper
* First-in-segment store-in-the-floor bins
* Nearly twice as many storage bins (42) than the previous model (26)
* Standard front and rear side-curtain air bags, four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
* Significantly upgraded interiors

The all-new 2009 Lone Star Edition package includes the new 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, chromed 4-inch dual exhaust radiused into the rear bumper, 20-inch painted silver wheels (20-inch chromed wheels are available), chromed grille surround with chromed billets, quad headlamps and fog lamps. In addition, a lighting group includes leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio controls, signal- and puddle-lamp exterior mirrors, interior mirror with auto-dim feature, overhead console, illuminated visor vanity, ash-tray lamp, lighted glove box, and underhood and dome lamps. Topping off the package is unique Lone Star badging on the tailgate.

MSRP for the Lone Star equipment is $1,500. All 2009 Lone Star Edition Dodge Rams must also be equipped with the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8. This $1,310 option, added to the $1,500 equipment price, brings the total price of the Lone Star package to $2,810. (If the package components were priced individually, the value would be $3,560.)

The all-new 2009 Lone Star Edition Dodge Ram is built at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant in Fenton, Mo., and the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Warren, Mich.

Dodge Brand

With a U.S. market share of 6.2 percent, Dodge is Chrysler LLC's best-selling brand and the sixth largest nameplate in the U.S. automotive market. In 2007, Dodge sold more than 1.3 million vehicles in the global market.

The Dodge brand's first crossover vehicle - the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey - arrived in dealer showrooms in the first quarter of this year, and is now available outside North America in petrol and diesel powertrains in both left- and right-hand drive. The limited-edition 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 with a 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine that boasts 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque started hitting the streets this past spring. Later in 2008, Dodge will add three more vehicles to its product lineup – the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram with game-changing exterior and interior design, innovations, best-in-class features and craftsmanship; the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger, a modern interpretation of the American muscle car; and the 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid, a hybrid electric vehicle that combines fuel-efficient advance hybrid technology with full-size SUV performance and capability.

Last fall, America's best-selling minivan, the all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, was introduced with 35 new or improved features including the newest innovation, the Swivel 'n Go™ seating system. In 2007, Dodge sold 33,500 commercial vehicles, a 285 percent increase over 2003 when the company returned to the commercial vehicle market and is now the sixth largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles sold in the U.S. Also in 2007, the Dodge Avenger and Nitro entered key volume segments outside North America, joining the Dodge Caliber, the highest sales volume vehicle for the company outside of North America.

2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Review

2009-08-19T18:20:00.000-07:00

The 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 priced at MSRP: $21,520 – $43,490 is a pioneer in the full size light duty trucks. The company designed this series to attract all the segments of drivers, not only those drivers who wish to buy a full size truck. They offer updated styling and high tech features in addition to a powerful Hemi V8 engine to attract the buyers.

Dodge Ram Body Style :

The 2009 Dodge Ram has been styled in such an alluring way with big bold and distinctive exteriors that it has been well lauded by most buyers. The exterior are designed as two door regular cab and two four door cabs with conventional doors viz. the Quad cab and the crew cab. They have been very well redesigned to offer a premium look with a forward-swept crosshair grille which has replaced the upright design.The interiors of the Dodge Ram are also very artistically designed with good interiors. The interiors cabins are comfortable which can woo any passengers. It is also functional which means it would be liked by all truckers. The majors control buttons are well placed inside the cabin that they can be easily accessible by the driver. The gauges are clearly marked which makes it easy to read at a glance. The cabins feature low gloss plastics which makes it very attractive .The designers of this model definitely need to be lauded for designing such as good vehicle which is definitely an improvement over previous trucks. Overall this Chrysler truck has been fabulously redesigned that is rightfully known as one of the most desirable pick up trucks available in the market.

Dodge Ram Features :

To offer a perfect combination of the utility of a pickup truck and comfort of a car, the Dodge Ram offers a host of features to satisfy each appetite. The standard features included in all the trims are 17 inch wheels, vinyl upholstery, air conditioning, a tilting steering column, a six speaker stereo with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack, heated power mirrors, and full power accessories. The SLT trim further adds 17 inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, cruise control, carpet floor covering, a rear power sliding window and Sirius satellite radio. The premium Laramie is packed with still more features such as 20 inch chrome clad wheels, remote engine start, power folding exterior mirrors, dual zone automatic climate controls, heated leather wrapped steering wheels with radio control option and Bluetooth and a surround-sound audio system with hard-drive-based digital music storage. For those looking at some more features to add to their list, the buyers may not despair as there are a wide array of optional features that are available as per the trim such as power sunroof, navigation system, rear-seat video and a ten-speaker surround-sound audio system along with blue tooth connectivity to in-car TV and Internet access. Overall we found that 2009 Dodge Ram offers features of high end luxury cars.

Dodge Ram Performance :

The 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 is equipped with three options. The base model is equipped with 3.7 liter V6 engine that generates 215 horsepower and 235 pound feet of torque. This two wheel drive version offers four speed automatic transmissions. They are well designed to haul 3800 pounds when fully equipped. The Dodge Ram base version adds a fuel economy of 14mpg city levels, 20mpg highway and 16mpg combined. The four wheel drive Dodge ST and SLT model is equipped with 4.7 liter V8 engine which produces 310 horsepower and 330 pound feet of torque. This version offers a standard five speed automatic transmissions with a maximum towing capacity of 7600 pounds when properly equipped. The 2WD offered a fuel economy of 14mpg city limits, 19 mpg highway and 15 mpg combined while the 4WD offers 13mpg city limits, 18 mpg highway and 14mpg combined. The premium Laramie trim offers 5.7 liter V8 engine coupled with five speed automatic transmission and cylinder deactivation technology. This version generates 390 horsepower and 407 pound feet of torque. The automotivecraze team conducted a test drive and noted that braking Performance was not as per our expectation. The Dodge Rams brakes did not stop the vehicle at a short notice; the Ram required 154 feet to stop from 60mph which is not very appreciated. During our test drive the Ram sprinted from zero to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds which is quite good in terms of a pick up truck. The fuel economy was also not very stunning but quite acceptable for a pick up truck. Overall the Dodge Ram is a very powerful and capable pick up truck.

Dodge Ram Quality :

The 2009 Dodge Ram has been revamped and perfectly upgraded to offer a comfortable and luxurious ride in the cabin. The seats have been redesigned and can comfortably seat six passengers. They are perfectly bolstered to keep the passenger firmly seated while travelling on highways or curvy roads. The designers need to be appreciated as they have paid attention to minute details while revamping the older design. The cabins are quite spacious and offers ample of legspace and headroom to the passengers while travelling. They also offer perfect storage space with a two tired glove box with the upper compartment that can be used for beverage cooling. The crew cab version is designed to add further storage space beneath the rear seats. The rear seat bottoms turns over up to add storage compartment and there are two lined wells beneath the rear seat floor mats which can hold ice the corners are well utilized to make storage facilities to hold cell phones, gloves, tools, folders etc. The interiors are designed using such good fabrics that it offers the ambience of a luxury vehicle. The company has taken complete care to see that there is no wind or road noise while travelling. The suspensions have also been upgraded to coil springs to offer a smooth ride. Overall the 2009 Dodge Ram has been redesigned to offer a comfortable ride with adequate storage space.

Dodge Ram Safety :

The 2009 Dodge Ram offers a wealth of safety features which are available in the standard models such as four wheel antilock disc brakes, front seat side airbags, full length side curtain airbag, and stability control while the premium model includes rear obstacle detection system, with sensors and camera system that uses the navigation systems screen to display the vehicle that is behind the truck. The seats are raised high so this truck offers clears visibility to the driver thereby reducing the chance of accidents. There are no crash test s that have been conducted to check the efficiency of these vehicle, however we felt that they offer quite a respectable number of safety features.

Conclusion :

The 2009 Dodge Ram is a full size pick up truck which is available in different bed length and body styles. The main highlights of these Dodge cars are good interiors, ingenious storage space, excellent ride quality, hushed cabin. The main drawback that we noted were unacceptable braking performance, poor fuel economy, and only five speed transmission available.

2009 Dakota Crew Cab 4X2 Pickup Truck

2009-08-18T23:43:00.000-07:00

The 2009 Dakota Crew Cab 4X2 is a 4-door, up to 6-passenger compact pickup, available in 3 trims, making from the ST to the LARAMIE.

Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 3.7-liter, V6, 210-horsepower engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 20-mpg on the highway. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

The 2009 Dakota Crew Cab 4X2 is a carryover from 2008.

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty

2009-08-16T18:54:00.000-07:00

The 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty, available in Fall 2009, will continue to use the previous generation’s proven chassis and frame, but with more comfort, higher capabilities, and more body options: Dodge has replaced the Quad Cab with a crew cab, which joins the regular and Mega cabs. There are two cargo-box sizes (6-foot-4-inches and 8 feet), in single and dual-rear-wheel configurations. Even the chassis cabs come in a crew cab version.

The ride was greatly improved through re-tuned suspension components; handling under a full load was also beefed up, while the gross vehicle weight rating increased by 600 lb to 9,600 pounds (Ram 2500 crew and Mega Cab 4x4 with Cummins diesel). Fluid-filled hydro-mounts under the cab reduce beaming and bounce over rough surfaces. (What are fluid-filled hydro-mounts? Here’s what Dodge said: “C-pillar hydro mounts were added to improve damping through the frame-bending mode frequency in order to better manage shake and after-shake response. The result is reduced shake and improved ride.”)

The new TRX and TRX4 (2WD and 4x4) crew cabs are designed to compete head to head with Ford; they include an anti-spin differential, 4.1:1 axle ratio, 17-inch aluminum wheel with offroad tires, skid plates, and other features. They will be priced thousands less than the Ford F-250 FX4.

The 6.7 Cummins turbodiesel will be essentially unchanged, but with a new particulate feature that slashes nitrides of oxygen by 90%; in the pickups, the engine produces 350 hp at 3,000 rpm, and 650 lb-ft of torque at a stunning 1,500 rpm, just off idle (automatic transmission). With the G56 manual transmission, the Cummins puts out 350 hp and 610 lb-ft of torque; with the chassis cabs, 305 hp and 610 lb-ft of torque.

The Hemi V8 is available, with 383 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, on Ram 2500 only; the Ram 3500 appears to now require the Cummins diesel. While the industry mix for this class is 59/41 diesel to gas, 79% of Ram heavy duty trucks sold in 2008 were diesels, and in most recent years 80%-87% of Ram 2500/3500 trucks were diesels.

Maintenance for the Cummins engine - which is in 90% of the Heavy Duty Rams - includes 7,500 mile oil changes and overhauls at 350,000 miles (100,000 miles more than Ford or GM). It includes an exhaust brake, a major safety feature and unique in this segment the exhaust brake is a $3,500 value, according to Dodge, and provides additional savings with lower brake maintenance. A B20 (biodiesel 20%) version is available for fleet buyers.

Power-wise, the Cummins engine has the same ratings as the Ford Super Duty diesel (though peak torque comes in earlier), while the Silverado’s Isuzu-boosted Duramax diesel has 15 more horsepower and 10 lb-ft more torque. The Cummins has met 2010.5 emissions requirements since launch, and has no diesel exhaust fluid (e.g. urea) requirement.

In chassis-cab service, the engine now meets 2010.5 emissions standards in 50 states, thanks to diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) injection based on urea injection Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) technology. The standard diesel has a 5 year/100,000 mile warranty, the best in its class. The base alternator increased from 136 to 180 amps.

The diesel pickups can be equipped with a G56 six-speed manual transmission with an extra-low first gear ratio, or the 68RFE six-speed automatic that now includes Electronic Range Select, so the driver can limit the highest gear and make manual up- and down-shifts.

The 5.7 liter Hemi is also available, with 383 horspower and 400 lb-ft of torque, somewhat more than in any other Dodge vehicle, partly due to extra underhood space which makes exhaust routing easier. Gas mileage on the 3500 Hemi is up 4%, too. The 545RFE five-speed automatic is the only transmission available with the Hemi; it too has Electronic Range Select.

4x4s get one of two transfer cases: the manual NV271 unit (ST and Power Wagon) or the electric, shift-on-the-fly NV273 case. Axle ratios are 3.42, 3.73, 4.10 or 4.56.

The interior was naturally upgraded, with optional heated/ventilated front seats; heated rear-seats and steering wheel; automatic temperature control; two-tone upholstery; memory seats, radio and mirrors; navigation; adjustable pedals and numerous infotainment options including Backseat TV(tm) with three channels of programming, uconnect tunes with a 30-gigabyte hard drive, and a first-in-segment 10-speaker surround-sound system. Numerous storage options include in-floor storage.

A trailer brake controller is built in. Capacities are up, with Ram 3500 with dual rear wheels, diesel, automatic, and 4.10:1 rear axle sporting a 25,400 pound combined gross weight rating; the 4x4 diesels get an increased front axle weight of 5,500 pounds (for better front weight capabilities including heavier snow plows); and the Ram 3500 can tow 18,500 lb, with a maximum payload of 5,100 pounds.

Five trim levels include ST, SLT, TRX, Laramie, and Power Wagon. The grille, hood, and bumpers are unique to the heavy duty line, but reflect the 2009 light duty Ram with a chromed lean-forward grille; the hood is taller hood for more cooling capacity.

Large external mirrors are new for 2010, giving drivers a more useable area while improving aerodynamics and minimizing wind noise. Depending on trim level, mirrors are finished in black, or black and chrome and equipped with turn-signal indicators, memory function, puddle lamps and adjustable convex mirrors. The larger, 7-in. x 11-in. mirror for trailer towing is standard. These mirrors flip up and out into a vertical configuration for trailer tow use.