Review Of 2010 Dodge Dakota Pick Up Truck

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab 4X2 price

MSRP $25,305 - $30,180

Invoice $24,078 - $28,514

Dodge Ram 1500 2010

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

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

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

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 Dodge Trucks



2010 Dodge Trucks

Future Truck Technology 2010 Dodge Ram 1500

2010 Dodge Ram 1500

GM Announces Base Prices for 2011 HD Trucks

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 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 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

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

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

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

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

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 Dodge Ram 3500 Regular Cab 4X4

Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Edition

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 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

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.