AM

RAM

The new Ram 3500 is still big, it?s still bold, and it still hauls...everything.

By John Stewart Photos John Stewart and Bill Delaney/Dodge Truck heavy-duty Ram pickup engines are not

Thenew

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 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. 8 / ORA MARCH 2010 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 lifeto-rebuild range, and 650 lb-ft of torque starting at 1500 rpm. The 5.7 HEMI, the more versatile of

Configured at a regular-cab longbed 4x4 with dual rear wheels, the Ram can carry payloads up to 5130 pounds. Here we have wet hay. Note the sleek, seamless rear fender design.

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 ratiosas low as 4.56 in the Power Wagon. 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

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