Dodge Ram (2002) UNVEILED!
The finalized 2002 Dodge Ram was unveiled today in a rather "unorthodox" fasion.
http://www.usatoday.com
-Click on "Cars" in the sidebar, and go down to the bottom, the story is there - "Chrysler unveils 2002 Dodge Ram". I can't provide a link because the URL is too long.
What do you think?
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Big plus: the shortbed Quad only lost 3 inches (from 6'6" to 6'3"), compared to the F150's 5'6". Nice big taillights, dual lenses that are each the size of the current single rear light. I'll guess this is a brake light up top, turn/hazard below. I do lament the change from a dual to single slider in the rear window. Jeep-esque big round headlight on each side, with a 3/4-circle turn/parking light on its flank (a PacMan shape).
The interior is very nice. The seats have adjustable head restraints (finally!!), and good side bolsters on the outside front seats. The 4x4 shifter is still on the floor, in the current "2H-rearmost" pattern. Power adjustable pedals should help those of you shorter in stature (or
with significant others shorter in stature). White face gauges like the 300M dominate the dash, along wiht a redesigned center section with stereo and HVAC controls.
Apparently, the 5.7L V8 is not quite ready - the 1500's lineup will be the new 3.7L V6 (210hp), the 4.7L V8 (235), and the current 5.9L V8 (245).
Standard 1500 wheels will be 17-inchers. The 4x4 shown wore Goodyear Wrangler GS-A tires, and supposedly there will be an optional 20-inch wheel/tire combo (P275/55R20 - those should be fun to replace when they wear out). Dodge definitely addressed the brakes, though. My 3500 Club 4x4 has 12 inch discs and 13 inch drums. The new 1500 has 13 inch discs at all 4 corners, so I would expect the new HD trucks will have plenty of whoa power as well. As far as the 1500 4x4 going to IFS/torsion bars, I'm not happy about that, but the half-ton crowd is really a car-alternative market now, so they want ride over what hardcore truckers see as tried-and-true strength.
I happen to like the new nose, and they did keep the hood with attached grille. While some are criticizing the smoother sides from the door to the tailgate, they still have a DOdge look to them, and they don't look any more Chevy/Ford or any less Dodge. There's only so much you can do with a bed design without remaining the same or looking like a bad ripoff of someone else.
Can't wait to see the new 3500 Quad 4x4 now. Definitely looks like a 2003 or 2004 3500 Quafd 4x4 SLT, with the new Cummins ISBe and (hopefully) the Allison 1000 to replace the current baby-semi.
kcram
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http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/autoshows/chicago2001/dodge/2002ram.html
Lets you see more than the front end anyways.
http://us.media.daimlerchrysler.com/index_e.htm
I like what I see—a lot. I do wish that the full-time 4wd would be made an option, however. Also Jeep now has a 5-speed multi-speed automatic for the 4.7 Grand Cherokee; I wish this tranny was also available, instead of the 4-speed multi-speed unit.
Also, I was (am!) hoping for some of the creativity seen on the Chevy Avalanche's pickup bed/storage compartments make its way over to the new Ram.
I know Dodge was fooling around with a tailgate that folded out to a loading ramp (for ATVs, etc.). Does anyone know if this feature made its way into the new Ram?
Bob
I first bought the RAM in 1996 and loved it still, but last year I purchased a new truck from Ford (superduty) because they did not have a crewcab version. I was hoping to come back to Dodge, but after looking at the pictures...hell no! Keep it up Dodge....I will be force to change my loyalty to Ford!
Please note, the title was slightly altered so the word "dodge" is first. I did this so it would fall into proper alphebetical order for those who choose to set their discussions (preferences) in alphebetical order.
If you previously bookmarked this discussion, it will still work, but you may want to do so again so the bookmark will reflect the exact title name. Happy Motoring!
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Bob
Bob
I do like Dodge's thinking on this Crew Cab vs. Extended Cab. I think this is a good solution. Certainly having a "B" pillar, as opposed to not having one—like the current crop of 4-door extended cabs, makes for a stronger cab. I also agree that the larger 2500/3500 models should get a larger "full-size" Quad-Cab, rather than this version. I can see Dodge marketers already thinking: "Grand Quad Cab" for those HD vehicles.
Bob
More power to Dodge.
I think I will stick with GM but keep raisin the Bar!
Hunter
PS they had better stick with cummins and get the Allison for it, it is a great motor that could be improved even more.
I think it looks good. I really like the 20" wheels. Anyone know what diesel will be offered, I've heard lots of rumors about a switch to a Cat or a Benz rather then the Cummings. Personally I think they got a good thing going with Cummings and why mess with a good thing. It could use an Allision transmission like the HD Chevy and a supercharged 2wd like the lightning. On second thought supercharge the Dakota and give the Ram a special Off Road package.
The new 4 speed auto IS the one with 5 actual gears (2 different 2nds) as in the Durango, Dakota, and Jeep. It will be available with the V-6 or 4.7 V-8. I bet the 5.7 will show up soon as will a even larger hemi V-8.
A quick dimensional table, comparing 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 shortbed models:
(2001/2002)
Length -- 224.1/227.7
Wheelbase -- 138.7/140.5
Width -- 79.3/79.9
Height -- 74.6/76.6
The longbed 2002 Quad gained 6 inches in wheelbase (154.7 to 160.5) since the bed was not shortened. Like the Dakota Quad, the rear doors open almost straight out from the body (85 degrees in the new Ram) to improve access, and the centar pillar has molded grab handles to assist rear seat passengers getting in and out.
kcram
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To me, that transmission makes more sense in the new Ram, than the one that they're going to use. In any case, I'm sure the new auto tranny is an improvement on what it's replacing.
Bob
I'm disappointed that Dodge got rid of a solid axle front suspension because it was a big thing that made Dodge 4x4's better than those from Ford and GM. Also, I think it was a mistake for the new Ram to debut without a new flagship engine to taut. The auto critics will certainly pick up on that and the reviews will be less than glowing. And when the new engine does make it out, it will have lost the marketing impact.
But anyway, nice truck and I hope it sells well.
The specific ratios are:
1st - 3.00:1
2nd upshift - 1.67:1
2nd downshift - 1.50:1
3rd - 1.00:1
4th - 0.75:1
kcram
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If the Hemi is such a great design, why on earth did Chrysler stop producing them, and why wasnt the design copied?
By the way, you can buy the 426 Hemi as a crate motor from a Dodge/Chrysler dealer, as well as the even larger 472 and 528 Hemis. Bring LOTS of cash - list prices: 426 - $13,750, 472 - $15,500, 528 - $17,475. The 528, by the way, is rated at 610 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque.
kcram
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I still think this would be a better tranny for the new Ram, because of the extra gear, than the one they selected.
Bob
http://jeepsunlimited.com/ubb/Forum19/HTML/000555.html
There were discussions about the TSB as well but I'd need to do more searching.
The earlier version has 5 gears—2 second gears, one for upshifting and a different one for downshifting—for a total of 4 "usable" gears. Think of it as a 4-speed unit with 2 different 2nd. gears.
The new version has 6 gears—2 second gears, one for upshifting and a different one for downshifting—for a total of 5 "usable" gears. Think of it as a 5-speed unit with 2 different 2nd. gears.
Bob
kcram
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I also read that the new Jeep Liberty is getting the 45RFE too. Looks like this tranny is making the rounds at DC.
Bob
Bob
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Dodge re-claims the "my Kenworth-style nose is bigger than yours" crown from the Ford SDs.
I guess those GM stylists who stated "well the Ram won't change much when it's re-done" were right. They said it when they took heat for the new Silverado/Sierra being not "radical enough."
Wonder if the Dodge stylists will get the same grief.
BTW, two German guys crashing through a wall (at the intro)in a Pick-up?? I hate to say it, but with Deutschland's new, more restrictive fire arms laws, buying a "gewehr" rack back home will be tough!!!
The difference between the new GM pickups and the new Ram pickups, IMHO, is that, from the front, the new GM trucks look worse than the vehicles they replace, whereas the new Ram's front looks as good if not better than the vehicle it is replacing.
One more comment about styling (in general): Most comments—either good or bad—almost always are geared around the front or "face" of the vehicle. This seems especially true when it comes to pickup trucks, where the grille is so prominent. Occasionally you will see comments about the side, or rear, or interior, but mostly they are about the front. Next time you read any "styling comments" about any vehicle, think about that.
Bob
kcram
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I'm hoping the new Ram will show some of the cleverness displayed by the Avalanche's work area. Although, from what I've seen to date, that doesn't look to be the case.
Bob
I agree, the front of the vehicle is the key to truck styling. However, I've always disliked the Ram's tailights. The solid platic piece separating the top and bottom of the light made it appear "old" to me. Looks like DC fixed that part for 2002.
I think the new Silverado is a "rounding off"
of the old truck. It's a toss-up to me. The new look on the Sierra is an improvement though, with the larger, shaped front headlights. The old one, though smoother and better looking than the Chevy, still looked too much like it. Do miss the "end of bed" taillights on the old sportsides, the new ones look too Ford..
Personally, i think it's best for a manufacturer to give a truck buyer a canvas to work with, and let them "paint" the truck that fits their needs best. You see people adding trailer hitches, lift kits, gearing changes, various shapes and configs of toolboxes, etc. There are very few people who buy a truck and are completely satisfied with a 100% stock truck.
kcram
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The point I was simply making is that: forever, everything aft the cab on pickups was considered not worth developing. The bed area of most of today's pickups is no more advanced than those found on pickups 20 or 30 years ago. The Avalanche and SportTrac show there are indeed better ways to make that area more useful.
I have no problem with the bare-bones conventional pickup bed, but I also welcome (and encourage) the very clever ideas presented by both the Avalanche and SportTrac. I would love to see some of those new ideas applied to conventional pickups.
Bob
While I couldn't sit in it, I was able to lean inside and play with the fold-up rear seat, tailgate etc.
The one they had on display was a red "Sport" short-bed Quad-Cab, with the 20" tires. The tires, Wranglers, had an off-center groove (like Aqua-Treads), as well as an All-Terrain tread pattern. It also had very HD tow hooks (finally!) on the front. Nothing much new in the bed area, except for some new tie-downs. Was able to get a "teaser" brochure on it.
Bob
Bob