OT: Debut of new 2500/3500 Dodges (long)
02-08-2002, 08:39 AM
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OT: Debut of new 2500/3500 Dodges (long)
All-New 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Debut as
Toughest and Most Powerful Heavy-Duty Pickups Ever
ˇHeavy Duty Rams boast most powerful diesel in heavy-duty segment and
all-new,class-leading 345 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMIŽ Magnum V-8
Chicago -- The all-new 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty debuts as the most
powerful heavy-duty pickup, with the most powerful diesel engine on the
market and the all-new 5.7-liter HEMIŽ Magnum V-8. The Dodge Ram Heavy
Duty carries forward its reputation for toughness into a new century with
class-leading towing (Gross Combination Vehicle Weight Rating), payload
capacity and interior room. New from grille-to-tailgate, the Heavy Duty
Dodge Rams bring an array of new powerplants, class-leading features and
the "big rig" styling introduced on the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500.
"The heavy-duty pickup market has grown 34 percent since 1996 with
2500/3500 pickups accounting for 31 percent of the large pickup market,"
said Jim Julow, Vice President, Dodge Division Global Brand Center. "Ram
2500s and 3500s now account for a third of overall Ram sales, and with the
2003 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500, we are poised to increase those numbers
significantly."
Put Up or Shut Up
"In this market, capability is everything and the new Heavy Duty Dodge
Rams are the most capable pickup trucks available," said Frank Klegon,
Vice President, Truck Product Team. "We have taken the bold styling of the
all-new 2002 Dodge Ram 1500, with its class-leading interior package, and
added all-new, class-leading powertrains and a new chassis featuring a
full-length hydroformed heavy-duty frame."
For 2003, the all-new Dodge Ram Heavy Duty is aiming at the heart of the
heavy-duty market with two new engine offerings and, for the first time on
a Ram, a 3500 single rear wheel option.
"Our 1500 Ram buyers are looking for a multi-use truck, but they rarely
come close to its performance limits," added Julow. "Dodge Ram Heavy Duty
owners are different. They also want a multi-use truck, but buy their
Dodge Ram Heavy Duty with very specific tasks in mind. And those tasks
require maximum capability. "They routinely push their Rams to the limit,"
Julow said. "That is why about 75 percent of our Ram 2500/3500 sales are
diesels and 70 percent are four-wheel drive models. These trucks are being
used, and used hard. Our reputation as the longest-lasting pickup, and now
the most powerful diesel pickup available, will serve us well in this
market."
With the new 2003 Ram 2500 and 3500, Dodge designed a truck aimed at the
heart of the heavy-duty market. Dodge created a new duty cycle aimed
directly at commercial customers, testing the new Ram in conditions
ranging from -40 F to + 130 F and running the equivalent of 150,000 miles
at 95 percent of their maximum towing and payload ratings.
Dodge Ram and HEMI Magnum = Class-leading Power and Performance
The all-new 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 herald the return of one of the
most legendary names in automotive lore: HEMI. This is the Chrysler
Group's first application of the new 5.7-liter HEMI ? which for the Dodge
Ram will be called HEMI Magnum, and will serve as the standard engine on
the all-new Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup trucks. This all-new engine
produces an estimated 345 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 365 lb.-ft. of
torque at 4,400 rpm, providing more power than competitive standard V-8
engines. In fact, versus competitive vehicles with similar size gasoline
engines, it provides best-in-class acceleration and towing capability, as
well as significantly improved fuel efficiency over the engine it
replaces.
Redesigned Cummins Turbo Diesel = Class-leading Capability
Another returning legend is the all-new, high-pressure, common-rail
injection, High Output Cummins Turbo Diesel engine. The new High Output
Cummins Turbo Diesel is the most powerful turbo diesel engine available in
the 2500/3500 segment, producing 305 horsepower at 2,900 rpm and 555 lb.
-ft. of torque at 1,400 rpm. That prodigious torque results in a
class-leading towing capability of 23,000 lbs. (GCWR).
As durable as it is powerful, the Cummins Turbo Diesel has average major
overhaul intervals of 350,000 miles, providing a substantial advantage
over the competition. An inline six, the new 5.9-liter Cummins has 30 to
40 percent fewer parts than typical V-8 diesels, which means added
durability and better reliability.
Tough Enough To Wear the Ram Heavy Duty Name
"Building on the advances we made in safety, ride and handling on the
all-new Dodge Ram 1500, we were able to create a heavy-duty truck with
precise steering and a comfortable ride without compromising its work
ethic," Klegon said. "We were able to do this because Ram has an
extensively hydroformed frame; one of the stiffest ever on a pickup truck.
That chassis stiffness provides a firm foundation for suspension and NVH
fine tuning."
Assisting steering and handling on two-wheel drive Dodge Ram Heavy Duty
pickup trucks is a new rack and pinion steering system that delivers
precise feel and response tuned to give the driver control and positive
feedback. On four-wheel drive Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickups, an all-new
recirculating ball system improves on-center steering feel through lower
internal friction and responds more precisely. In fact, the
four-wheel-drive Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup has the quickest steering
ratio in the industry. The 13.4:1 ratio and 2.75 turns lock-to-lock are
especially effective in a heavy-duty truck when making tight turns, or
maneuvering a trailer in close quarters.
Dodge Ram Heavy Duty: Designed to be Tough On- and Off-Road
With the majority of Heavy Duty Rams being ordered with four-wheel drive,
the Dodge Ram's off-road performance is a key selling point.
Two new transfer cases, a conventional manual shift and a new electric
shift, are available on 2500 and 3500 four-wheel drive models to provide
quieter operation, and improve quality. The manual-shift unit is standard
on ST and SLT models. The electric-shift unit is standard on SLT Plus
models.
The four-wheel drive front axle is all-new, but retains beam construction.
All-new rear axles contribute to a best-in-class payload rating (GVWR) of
up to 12,000 lbs. The refined four-wheel drive system on the all-new
2500/3500 Dodge Ram pickup provides an outstanding combination of ride,
handling and off-road operating characteristics.
Front suspension on four-wheel-drive 2500 and 3500 Dodge Ram Pickups is a
refined version of the five-link, coil-spring suspension with beam axle
used on the previous series Dodge Ram Heavy Duty. A link-type sway bar and
heavy-duty tubular shock absorbers are standard. The rear suspension,
common to both two-wheel and four-wheel drive models, is equipped with
new, three-inch longer leaf springs.
Dodge Rams Set New Safety Standards for the Heavy-Duty Truck Market
Just as the 1994 Dodge Rams redefined pickup safety with the first
driver-side air bags, Ram 2500 and 3500 lead the way for 2003 with the
first heavy-duty pickup application of side curtain air bags. Dodge Ram
Heavy Duty also offers the first power adjustable pedals (on both
automatic and manual transmission equipped trucks), and the first
pre-tensioning, constant-force seat belt retractors in a heavy-duty pickup
truck.
Designed with a holistic safety approach, Dodge Ram Heavy Duty utilizes
both conventional safety features, such as air bags, and combines them
with accident avoidance features such as excellent steering, handling and
braking. Standard ABS, the largest brakes in its class and 17-inch wheels
and tires?the largest standard wheels and tires on a heavy-duty pickup?all
contribute to Dodge Ram's excellent safety capability.
Also standard on Dodge Ram Heavy Duty are next-generation driver and
front-passenger air bags. The passenger side air bag can be turned off on
regular cab Rams to accommodate child seats. The 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty
trucks also include a standard Lower Anchors and Tether for Children
(LATCH) child seat anchorage system. The LATCH system works in conjunction
with the standard child seat tether anchors to create safer child seat
attachments.
Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Safety Highlights:
? First heavy-duty pickup to offer side curtain air bags
? First heavy-duty pickup to offer pre-tensioning, constant force seatbelt
retractors
? First heavy-duty pickup to offer power adjustable pedals (available on
both manual and automatic transmissions)
? Largest standard brakes in its class
? Standard ABS
? Largest-in-class standard wheels and tires
? Standard child seat tethers
? Standard rear seat center shoulder belt (Quad Cab) and front center
shoulder belt (Standard Cab)
Design: Big, Bold and Powerful Enough to be a Dodge Ram Heavy Duty
With the most visually recognizable DNA of any pickup, a strong business
case was made to combine the styling of the all-new 2002 Dodge Ram 1500
with the new heavy-duty chassis of the Ram 2500 and 3500. From the
beginning of the Ram 1500
design process, engineers were already taking into account the extra
capacities and development needs of the heavy-duty series of Rams. The Ram
1500's grille, for example, was designed to be large enough to incorporate
the extra cooling needs necessitated by the heavy-duty Ram powertrains
Toughest and Most Powerful Heavy-Duty Pickups Ever
ˇHeavy Duty Rams boast most powerful diesel in heavy-duty segment and
all-new,class-leading 345 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMIŽ Magnum V-8
Chicago -- The all-new 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty debuts as the most
powerful heavy-duty pickup, with the most powerful diesel engine on the
market and the all-new 5.7-liter HEMIŽ Magnum V-8. The Dodge Ram Heavy
Duty carries forward its reputation for toughness into a new century with
class-leading towing (Gross Combination Vehicle Weight Rating), payload
capacity and interior room. New from grille-to-tailgate, the Heavy Duty
Dodge Rams bring an array of new powerplants, class-leading features and
the "big rig" styling introduced on the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500.
"The heavy-duty pickup market has grown 34 percent since 1996 with
2500/3500 pickups accounting for 31 percent of the large pickup market,"
said Jim Julow, Vice President, Dodge Division Global Brand Center. "Ram
2500s and 3500s now account for a third of overall Ram sales, and with the
2003 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500, we are poised to increase those numbers
significantly."
Put Up or Shut Up
"In this market, capability is everything and the new Heavy Duty Dodge
Rams are the most capable pickup trucks available," said Frank Klegon,
Vice President, Truck Product Team. "We have taken the bold styling of the
all-new 2002 Dodge Ram 1500, with its class-leading interior package, and
added all-new, class-leading powertrains and a new chassis featuring a
full-length hydroformed heavy-duty frame."
For 2003, the all-new Dodge Ram Heavy Duty is aiming at the heart of the
heavy-duty market with two new engine offerings and, for the first time on
a Ram, a 3500 single rear wheel option.
"Our 1500 Ram buyers are looking for a multi-use truck, but they rarely
come close to its performance limits," added Julow. "Dodge Ram Heavy Duty
owners are different. They also want a multi-use truck, but buy their
Dodge Ram Heavy Duty with very specific tasks in mind. And those tasks
require maximum capability. "They routinely push their Rams to the limit,"
Julow said. "That is why about 75 percent of our Ram 2500/3500 sales are
diesels and 70 percent are four-wheel drive models. These trucks are being
used, and used hard. Our reputation as the longest-lasting pickup, and now
the most powerful diesel pickup available, will serve us well in this
market."
With the new 2003 Ram 2500 and 3500, Dodge designed a truck aimed at the
heart of the heavy-duty market. Dodge created a new duty cycle aimed
directly at commercial customers, testing the new Ram in conditions
ranging from -40 F to + 130 F and running the equivalent of 150,000 miles
at 95 percent of their maximum towing and payload ratings.
Dodge Ram and HEMI Magnum = Class-leading Power and Performance
The all-new 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 herald the return of one of the
most legendary names in automotive lore: HEMI. This is the Chrysler
Group's first application of the new 5.7-liter HEMI ? which for the Dodge
Ram will be called HEMI Magnum, and will serve as the standard engine on
the all-new Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup trucks. This all-new engine
produces an estimated 345 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 365 lb.-ft. of
torque at 4,400 rpm, providing more power than competitive standard V-8
engines. In fact, versus competitive vehicles with similar size gasoline
engines, it provides best-in-class acceleration and towing capability, as
well as significantly improved fuel efficiency over the engine it
replaces.
Redesigned Cummins Turbo Diesel = Class-leading Capability
Another returning legend is the all-new, high-pressure, common-rail
injection, High Output Cummins Turbo Diesel engine. The new High Output
Cummins Turbo Diesel is the most powerful turbo diesel engine available in
the 2500/3500 segment, producing 305 horsepower at 2,900 rpm and 555 lb.
-ft. of torque at 1,400 rpm. That prodigious torque results in a
class-leading towing capability of 23,000 lbs. (GCWR).
As durable as it is powerful, the Cummins Turbo Diesel has average major
overhaul intervals of 350,000 miles, providing a substantial advantage
over the competition. An inline six, the new 5.9-liter Cummins has 30 to
40 percent fewer parts than typical V-8 diesels, which means added
durability and better reliability.
Tough Enough To Wear the Ram Heavy Duty Name
"Building on the advances we made in safety, ride and handling on the
all-new Dodge Ram 1500, we were able to create a heavy-duty truck with
precise steering and a comfortable ride without compromising its work
ethic," Klegon said. "We were able to do this because Ram has an
extensively hydroformed frame; one of the stiffest ever on a pickup truck.
That chassis stiffness provides a firm foundation for suspension and NVH
fine tuning."
Assisting steering and handling on two-wheel drive Dodge Ram Heavy Duty
pickup trucks is a new rack and pinion steering system that delivers
precise feel and response tuned to give the driver control and positive
feedback. On four-wheel drive Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickups, an all-new
recirculating ball system improves on-center steering feel through lower
internal friction and responds more precisely. In fact, the
four-wheel-drive Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup has the quickest steering
ratio in the industry. The 13.4:1 ratio and 2.75 turns lock-to-lock are
especially effective in a heavy-duty truck when making tight turns, or
maneuvering a trailer in close quarters.
Dodge Ram Heavy Duty: Designed to be Tough On- and Off-Road
With the majority of Heavy Duty Rams being ordered with four-wheel drive,
the Dodge Ram's off-road performance is a key selling point.
Two new transfer cases, a conventional manual shift and a new electric
shift, are available on 2500 and 3500 four-wheel drive models to provide
quieter operation, and improve quality. The manual-shift unit is standard
on ST and SLT models. The electric-shift unit is standard on SLT Plus
models.
The four-wheel drive front axle is all-new, but retains beam construction.
All-new rear axles contribute to a best-in-class payload rating (GVWR) of
up to 12,000 lbs. The refined four-wheel drive system on the all-new
2500/3500 Dodge Ram pickup provides an outstanding combination of ride,
handling and off-road operating characteristics.
Front suspension on four-wheel-drive 2500 and 3500 Dodge Ram Pickups is a
refined version of the five-link, coil-spring suspension with beam axle
used on the previous series Dodge Ram Heavy Duty. A link-type sway bar and
heavy-duty tubular shock absorbers are standard. The rear suspension,
common to both two-wheel and four-wheel drive models, is equipped with
new, three-inch longer leaf springs.
Dodge Rams Set New Safety Standards for the Heavy-Duty Truck Market
Just as the 1994 Dodge Rams redefined pickup safety with the first
driver-side air bags, Ram 2500 and 3500 lead the way for 2003 with the
first heavy-duty pickup application of side curtain air bags. Dodge Ram
Heavy Duty also offers the first power adjustable pedals (on both
automatic and manual transmission equipped trucks), and the first
pre-tensioning, constant-force seat belt retractors in a heavy-duty pickup
truck.
Designed with a holistic safety approach, Dodge Ram Heavy Duty utilizes
both conventional safety features, such as air bags, and combines them
with accident avoidance features such as excellent steering, handling and
braking. Standard ABS, the largest brakes in its class and 17-inch wheels
and tires?the largest standard wheels and tires on a heavy-duty pickup?all
contribute to Dodge Ram's excellent safety capability.
Also standard on Dodge Ram Heavy Duty are next-generation driver and
front-passenger air bags. The passenger side air bag can be turned off on
regular cab Rams to accommodate child seats. The 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty
trucks also include a standard Lower Anchors and Tether for Children
(LATCH) child seat anchorage system. The LATCH system works in conjunction
with the standard child seat tether anchors to create safer child seat
attachments.
Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Safety Highlights:
? First heavy-duty pickup to offer side curtain air bags
? First heavy-duty pickup to offer pre-tensioning, constant force seatbelt
retractors
? First heavy-duty pickup to offer power adjustable pedals (available on
both manual and automatic transmissions)
? Largest standard brakes in its class
? Standard ABS
? Largest-in-class standard wheels and tires
? Standard child seat tethers
? Standard rear seat center shoulder belt (Quad Cab) and front center
shoulder belt (Standard Cab)
Design: Big, Bold and Powerful Enough to be a Dodge Ram Heavy Duty
With the most visually recognizable DNA of any pickup, a strong business
case was made to combine the styling of the all-new 2002 Dodge Ram 1500
with the new heavy-duty chassis of the Ram 2500 and 3500. From the
beginning of the Ram 1500
design process, engineers were already taking into account the extra
capacities and development needs of the heavy-duty series of Rams. The Ram
1500's grille, for example, was designed to be large enough to incorporate
the extra cooling needs necessitated by the heavy-duty Ram powertrains
02-08-2002, 09:19 AM
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Single rear wheel one ton is a plus. But no word on a beefier automatic transmission to handle additional torque of Cummin's. I bet the tow ratings with the automatic don't change...
02-08-2002, 12:25 PM
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I'd sure like that one, especially with an Allison. And for all you nay sayers of Dodge, my 3500 has almost 200k mi and no major problems to admit. AAAaaaannndd if it wasn't for Dodge's innovative styling in 94 we may still be looking at those ugly boxy trucks that were all to common in 93 
.
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Les
Hawaii no ka 'oi
Les
Hawaii no ka 'oi
02-08-2002, 12:52 PM
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I would buy one if it had the allison automatic transmission that the GM duramax does. I was all set to trade in my current half ton for a 3/4 ton cummins, but they were only going to give me a 9600 lb tow rating with the automatic and 3.53 gears. So I'm looking at Duramax/allison/3.73.
02-08-2002, 01:16 PM
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I am very impressed with Dodge, Crysler and Jeep in the styling department. They have some of the best looking vehicles out there and get them from drawing board to highway faster than anyone else. My problem is they are JUNK. I will never buy another Crysler product. They nickle and dime you to death and are always in the shop. The 2001 and older Dodge's still have brake and transmission problems that they have not corrected and now they are introducing a new design. They may get lucky and this will be a good truck, but odds are they won't. I will stick with the proven brands until Dodge proves to me that they are building a trouble free truck.
