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Dodge Ram (2002) UNVEILED! - READ ONLY

667 messages,  Last post on Apr 27, 2002 at 9:50 PM

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What is this discussion about? Dodge Ram Pickup 1500, Dodge Ram Pickup 2500, Dodge Ram Pickup 3500, Exterior, Interior, Truck

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Messages Page 1 of 67

#1 of 667 It's here! by greg116

Feb 07, 2001 (3:07 pm)

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?

#2 of 667 Analysis by kcram HOST

Feb 07, 2001 (4:16 pm)

Cab size appears to be on par with the F150 SuperCrew/Lincoln Blackwood, but maybe not quite the aize of the Super Duty crew cabs. Like the Dakota Quad, the doors are different than the regular cab. But the regular cab has a HUGE rear pillar. The rear door opens to nearly 90 degrees like the Dak as well.
 
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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#3 of 667 kcram by jcmdie

Feb 07, 2001 (4:49 pm)

Nice analysis. The two biggest issues here are the brakes and the engines. These new disks brakes should quiet the boo's in this area. The engines are a major disappointment. Thier big powerplant for the 1500 is the sma as '94 with the same poor gas mileage and not up to par acceleration. Another 2" in the rear would have been nice. It looks to put them between the chevy extended cab and the supercrew for space. The interior I'm sure is nice. Thier design department does well in that area. I should see the truck myself next week in chicago.

#4 of 667 by greg116

Feb 07, 2001 (5:26 pm)

Here's a better link:

http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/autoshows/chicago2001/dodge/2002ram.html

Lets you see more than the front end anyways.

#5 of 667 According... by rsholland

Feb 07, 2001 (7:00 pm)

to the DC media kit, the new Ram Quad-Cab will also be available with an 8' bed. This has got to be a first for the 1/2 ton market.
 
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

#6 of 667 by davids1

Feb 07, 2001 (7:54 pm)

As KCRAM indicated, my biggest dissapointment is under the hood. I wanted the 5.7 to make it in there. I have driven a Dakota Qual with the 4.7, and the performance is awesome, sounds great too. I just don't know how it will pull the full size Ram. Looks like the tranny is the same as in the current generation Dakota also. Hopefull it will be more durable than the current Ram trannies. I have heard a lot of bad things about them, but I have had no trouble out of mine, nor do I know anybody personally who has. Time will tell. I am definitely in the market for a true 4-door truck. The Dakota Quad is just a little too small when it comes to interior space, and the Ford supercrew seats are just way too uncomfortable. At least they have the adjustable head restraint. Very important at 6'-5". All I know is I'll be saving my pennies. I WANT ONE!

#7 of 667 2002 Dodge Ram Stinks! by viperle

Feb 07, 2001 (7:59 pm)

Oh my God! I can't believe how the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 looks. The current model looks way better. The designers have gotten "fruity". I was hoping the it would look like the PowerWagon. This truck will not get them out of the red-ink.
 
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!

#8 of 667 I'm liking this truck! by greg116

Feb 07, 2001 (11:15 pm)

Aside from the exterior styling - which will definitely take some getting used to - I'm all for it! Front-opening rear doors, a larger extended cab, new engines (can't WAIT for the 5.7 Hemi!!!) and a FLOOR-MOUNTED TRANSFER CASE LEVER! HURRAAHHH!!!!! Good for Dodge! Thats where it SHOULD BE! I can't wait for this thing to hit the showroom! I'll be the first one there, to drool all over it!

#9 of 667 nice truck by bobs5

Feb 08, 2001 (4:10 am)

If I didn't already have the dakota quad cab, this would have been my choice.

#10 of 667 The new ram looks cool! by pocahontas

Feb 08, 2001 (6:19 am)

Anyone here on a waiting list?
 
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!
 
Pocahontas
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Messages Page 1 of 67

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