RAM

The Power Wagon is set up for extreme off-road use, especially when it comes to crawling over irregular terrain. With 4.56 gears, two lockers and 32 inches of suspension droop, it’s not necessary to go this fast to maintain forward progress. Underbody protection includes three skid plates and ladder-like “slider rails” that run the entire length of the truck.

The new heavy-duty Ram pickup engines are not new, but the latest Ram drives like a whole new truck. Overall, the truck is considerably more comfortable, rides smoother and is much quieter inside.
The 2500 and 3500 pickups are getting the upgraded interiors as the current Ram 1500, some increases in capacity, and revised sheetmetal. Plus, new features like heavier front axles, a built-in brake controller and an exhaust brake for the Cummins mean the Ram 2500/3500 line will handle bigger loads without stressing.
There is still a Regular Cab and a Mega Cab, but the Quad Cab is gone, replaced by a true Crew Cab. The Crew Cab is bigger than the Quad, and will be available for about the same price.
The powertrains remain the same as for 2009, with a choice of the 6.7-liter Cummins diesel or the 5.7 HEMI V-8. The Cummins is standard on the 3500; in the 2500, there is a choice between the HEMI and the Cummins. The Cummins gets a 6-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission; the HEMI keeps the 5-speed 545RFE automatic as standard equipment on the 2500.
There is no question that the Cummins is the diesel of choice for 2010. The new Ford “Scorpion” diesel won’t be available until the 2011 model year, and GM’s new Duramax has been delayed as well, probably until mid-2010. These will likely be fine engines, but the 6.7 Cummins, which does not require urea injection to make 2010 emissions standards, is already on dealer lots with a 350,000 life-to-rebuild range, and 650 lb-ft of torque starting at 1500 rpm.
The 5.7 HEMI, the more versatile of the two Ram powerplants, was redesigned for 2009 to make 400 lb.-ft. of torque and 383 horsepower, with 4 percent better fuel economy. We found the HEMI provided good response during our driving
There are at least 30 different Ram Heavy Duty variations, with dozens and dozens of capacity ratings. There are three cabs, two bed lengths, 2WD or 4WD, gas or diesel, single rear-wheel or dually, 2500 or 3500, five different trim levels and four different axle ratios-as low as 4.56 in the Power Wagon.

The new cabins are similar to the newly redesigned Ram 1500, with all manner of personal-use conveniences and optional electronic enhancements. The HD Ram pickups ride strikingly smoothly and quietly for 1-ton trucks, and include standard airbags, front and side, for all cabs.	The 6.7L Cummins is standard in the Ram 3500, supplying 650 lb-ft of torque at 1500 rpm, with your choice of six-speed automatic or granny-low 6-speed manual. With the manual, and 4.10 gears, your crawl ratio would be 66-to-1.	The coil-spring/live axle front end is durable and will be easy to lift. Ride quality is improved by the addition of fluid-filled hydromounts that help isolate the cab from the frame. The rear suspension is a leaf spring, live axle setup.

Speaking of the Power Wagon, Dodge’s ultimate four-wheeler returns for 2010 after a period of doubt about its future. It shares the new design, comfort and technology upgrades, and continues as the only Ram equipped with front and rear locking differentials, an electronic disconnecting front sway bar, Bilstein shocks and a 12,000 pound Warn winch as factory equipment. It gets the NV 271 manual transfer case, 32-inch BFG All-Terrain tires and underbody protection to die for. Meanwhile, it’s a good truck to drive every day, and you can tow up to 10,300 pounds or carry 1,940 pounds in the bed. All Power Wagons are Crew Cab short beds, with SLT trim and powered by the gas HEMI. They start at $38,480, and the Power Wagon Package of upgrades adds about $6,500 on top of that. We had a chance to do considerable off-road driving with the Power Wagon, and can confirm it has tremendous traction, good ground clearance, and with the swaybar disconnect, a suspension that can conform to really rugged terrain. Axles are AAM Tru-Locks, front and rear, with 10.5-inch ring gear and a mechanical helical-gear limited slip in the rear, just in case it rains. The Power Wagon Package also includes a 180-amp alternator, fog lamps and the Class IV trailer tow package, plus graphics and such. Overall, the truck is considerably more comfortable, rides smoother and is much quieter inside.
The other unique Ram, the Mega Cab, is also back for 2010. With 44 inches of leg room and buckets that recline to 37 degrees, the Mega Cab creates limousine-like second-row seating. It’s the longest, largest cab of any pickup truck.
The new Ram HD pickups are littered with convenience features-the Bluetooth, the backup cameras, the electronic brake upgrades, the garage door opener, power adjustable pedals, the 30-gig hard drive, satellite TV, heated seats, surround sound — all of that, depending on the trim level. One feature we like is the engine immobilizer that will shut off the engine if someone tries to start it with any key but yours. On dually pickups, the rear wheel fenders are now integrated into the box stamping, so they are metal — not fiberglass — with no seam.
Driving the new Ram reveals the biggest difference between the old and the new. The new cabin is remarkably quiet, with very little wind or engine noise, even with the towing mirrors flipped outward. And ride quality is greatly improved. The suspension is still based on straight axles, front and rear, with leaf springs out back and coil springs up front. But the shocks have been re-tuned, and there are new, fluid-filled hydro-mounts that help keep jiggle to a minimum. With nothing in the bed, you’ll still know you’re in a pickup truck, but if you didn’t know better, you’d think it was a half-ton.
With the introduction of the new Ram 3500/2500 pickups, we’d say Dodge has caught up to the competition...and with the Cummins and their new capability ratings, maybe even leapt to the front.
Pricing is, in many cases, lower than the model it replaces. For example, a Regular Cab 2500 4x2 with 8-foot box has an MSRP of $28,165 (including $950 designation charge). That’s $1,970 lower than the same 2009 model. A Crew Cab with 6-foot, 4-inch box starts at $39,430, which is $40 less than the Quad Cab it replaces. Mega Cab pickups start at $36,865.

By ordering a 3500 Crew Cab longbed 2WD dually, towing of up to 17,600 pounds becomes possible, with a gross combined weight rating of 24,500 pounds.	Fundamentally, the Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups are about hauling capacity. Here are the highlights: • Up to 25,400-pound gross combined weight rating • Payloads up to 5150 pounds • Front axles rated to 5500 pounds for better plowing capability • Standard class IV receiver hitch