What is it?
2002 Dodge Ram 1500
What's special about it?
The new Dodge Ram 1500 full-size pickup replaces the current Ram, which debuted in 1993 as a '94 model. Although Dodge is overtly proud of the grille on the current Ram, it enlarged and refined it so it looks less mean and more affluent. Dodge claims it renovated every aspect of the Ram exterior for better aerodynamics, performance and cooling. What we notice is that the Ram now reminds us less of a junkyard dog than the current model and more of a baleen whale — mouth agape, cruising for plankton. With its big, square nose, clear, square, dual-lamp headlights and expanse of chrome grillework (on SLT models only) it looks similar to a Cadillac Escalade. We still like it — a lot — but it's not as mean looking as it used to be.
It's not as primitive either. Badging is no longer accomplished with decals like biker's tattoos, but now polished metal nameplates do the job. The taillights are no longer ringed in black like swollen eyes, but are clean and refined. And Dodge stiffened the frame and added front independent suspension and rack-and-pinion steering for a smoother, more supple, more responsive ride. Four-wheel disc brakes are standard as is rear-wheel ABS. Four-wheel ABS is optional. Side air bags are also now available — a first in full-size pickups. Dodge also took 3 inches from the bed to enlarge the Ram interior for more head, hip and leg room. The instrument panel is all new and includes bright, white gauges, two power points and, on four-wheel-drive models, the transfer case dial is now dash-mounted. It's all just so civilized. It seems success will soften even the baddest dudes.
There are three engines available for the new Ram, including a 210-horsepower 3.7-liter V6; a 235-horsepower 4.7-liter V8; and the haul-ass 245-horsepower 5.9L V8. Torque is 230 foot-pounds, 295 ft.-lbs. and 335 ft.-lbs. respectively. A five-speed manual transmission is standard with the two smaller powerplants and a new four-speed with overdrive automatic is also available. The new Ram 1500 will go on sale this fall and heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 models will follow next year.
Why should you care?
It's not that we think the new Ram's refinements aren't positive, it's just that it's now more like the increasingly car-like, full-size pickup competition, that is: Ford, Chevy, GMC and Toyota. We mourn the apparent passing of the ruff 'n' tuff Ram and hope that it only looks like a gentleman, but is still actually a barroom brawler. — Neil Dunlop
2002 Dodge Ram 1500
What's special about it?
The new Dodge Ram 1500 full-size pickup replaces the current Ram, which debuted in 1993 as a '94 model. Although Dodge is overtly proud of the grille on the current Ram, it enlarged and refined it so it looks less mean and more affluent. Dodge claims it renovated every aspect of the Ram exterior for better aerodynamics, performance and cooling. What we notice is that the Ram now reminds us less of a junkyard dog than the current model and more of a baleen whale — mouth agape, cruising for plankton. With its big, square nose, clear, square, dual-lamp headlights and expanse of chrome grillework (on SLT models only) it looks similar to a Cadillac Escalade. We still like it — a lot — but it's not as mean looking as it used to be.
It's not as primitive either. Badging is no longer accomplished with decals like biker's tattoos, but now polished metal nameplates do the job. The taillights are no longer ringed in black like swollen eyes, but are clean and refined. And Dodge stiffened the frame and added front independent suspension and rack-and-pinion steering for a smoother, more supple, more responsive ride. Four-wheel disc brakes are standard as is rear-wheel ABS. Four-wheel ABS is optional. Side air bags are also now available — a first in full-size pickups. Dodge also took 3 inches from the bed to enlarge the Ram interior for more head, hip and leg room. The instrument panel is all new and includes bright, white gauges, two power points and, on four-wheel-drive models, the transfer case dial is now dash-mounted. It's all just so civilized. It seems success will soften even the baddest dudes.
There are three engines available for the new Ram, including a 210-horsepower 3.7-liter V6; a 235-horsepower 4.7-liter V8; and the haul-ass 245-horsepower 5.9L V8. Torque is 230 foot-pounds, 295 ft.-lbs. and 335 ft.-lbs. respectively. A five-speed manual transmission is standard with the two smaller powerplants and a new four-speed with overdrive automatic is also available. The new Ram 1500 will go on sale this fall and heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 models will follow next year.
Why should you care?
It's not that we think the new Ram's refinements aren't positive, it's just that it's now more like the increasingly car-like, full-size pickup competition, that is: Ford, Chevy, GMC and Toyota. We mourn the apparent passing of the ruff 'n' tuff Ram and hope that it only looks like a gentleman, but is still actually a barroom brawler. — Neil Dunlop
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