checkmate zt

Quad cab 4wd. Anybody have good or bad info. on these trucks. Will mostly be used as a daily driver not much towing.
Thankee

boathead

I took one out for a test drive, the 4.7 V8 is pretty ballsy in the 1/2 ton, sounds kinda throaty!!! The trans works well with that engine, good solid shifts(for an automatic, that is!) , I'm not sure about the towing with that setup, though. It also has rack & pinion steering, and IFS in the front end now(NO MORE Dana axles- Bummer, but I guess they had to yuppify 'em like the other guys) but I'm a 3/4 or 1 ton guy anyway-gotta have that Cummins. The handling is awesome for a pickup, it reacts quickly without a lot of over or under steer feels like it has a low center of gravity. 4 wheel disc brakes with dual piston calipers were also a much neede improvement, the old brakes were marginal. The engine/trans should be pretty reliable, it's been in the Grand Cherokee for 4-5 years. Interior is also pretty sweet, movable pedals and all that jazz, and I really like the black on white gauges. I liked it enough to consider getting a 2003 in the HD(3/4 -1ton) when they come out later in the summer, but I hate giving up ol' stinky (My '95 Cummins 4x4) but I'm pulling 21,300 GCWR-waaaaaay over the rating for that truck, but well within the new truck's tow rating. I must inform you, however, that I am biased, the wife works at a Dodge dealer, so my opinion MIGHT be somewhat slanted, but I am seeing a lot of the 2002's on the road, I believe that they are even better than the old trucks.
for more info, check out
http://www.pickuptruck.com
and:
http://www.turbodieselregister.com (mostly for diesels, but lots of other info also)

Hope I helped,
Paul

Bo

Hey all, if you do get some sort of fun run going in the Hudson please post it or keep me informed if possible. We are from the Catskill- Albany area and frequently go south towards Kingston, Newburgh and NYC for the Poker run as spectators. We would definitely be interested in Fun runs or small poker runs organized on the Hudson. Heck we'd be happy just to meet some other fast boaters.......too many bass boats up this way....no fun

CYa's

mcollinstn

Agree with above comments. We've sold a few (three) from the lot (all 4x4 Quad 1/2 tons - 2 came in on trades for 3/4 tons and one from wholesaler). Sport 4x4 a much better looking package (grill not as nasty looking). Feels like a solid truck.

Racing_Fan

I just bought a 2002 Ram 1500 Quad 4x4 in March to tow my 25 Baja Outlaw. I looked for weeks at 1/2 vs. 3/4 ton trucks and finally decided on the 1/2 ton. I really like the ride of the truck and I had read that Dodge upgraded the brakes, frame stiffness, and overall handling for 2002 so I figured it would handle the load. I'm towing about 6900 lbs w/ full fuel tank and gear. I can definitely tell the boat is back there on the road, but the truck handles it fine. I've driven both the 4.7 & 5.9 liter, and I opted for the 5.9 liter and 3.92 rear axle ratio. For any serious towing, definitely get the 5.9 liter. The shift-on-the fly 4 wheel drive is nice when I'm putting the boat back into my gravel storage spot. Hope this helps.

29 OUTLAW

I've owned a few Dodge Trucks

1997 2500 with V-10
1998 Dakoda with 5.2
2001 1500 with 5.9
2002 2500 with Cummins

Why so many Dodges? My father is retired Chrysler and I am eligible for 3% under factory wholsale price (current truck had a $36,000 sticker - my price was $29,000).

Why so many trucks? I just kept trying different ones as personal needs and towing requirements changed. It took me until my 4th one to realize gas is not the way to go for a daily driver. I kept having a hard time giving up the extra $4000 for a diesel but I finally did and will never go back to gas.

The V-10 towed best of all and the gas milage was only 1-2 less then the 5.9. V-10 is history now. I'd be curious to see how the new Hemi-Magnum does next year.

26scarab

Sounds like a great truck. I've owned a 96.and a 97 both 1500's with 360's. I had no problems with either one, my only complaint was the 360 is a underpowered gas hog.
I'm sure you will have no problems with the 1500 but why don't you look for a new 2001 2500 ? It will probably be close the the same price. Or wait until October when the new 3/4 tons come out. Spend the money on the diesel ,you won't be dissapointed.

packinair

anything you want to know about a ram or pricing call me 419-392-0946.. Scott