It’s been long overdue for Dodge. Those fenders that looked like an afterthought on the Megecab dually?
Those have been replaced with fenders that look like the designers actually meant to have them there from the start. Lack of integrated trailer brake controller? That’s been addressed with an available controller capable of displaying information in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center. Dodge fans have been waiting for the scoop on the 2500 and 2500 and now the details on the all-new ’10 Dodge Ram are available.
What you’ll find under the hood comes as no huge surprise – the 6.7L Cummins is good for 350 hp at 3,000 rpm and 650 at 1,500 rpm. Because no NOx fair is camped out in the tailpipe sprinkling magic emissions powder, the inline-six will be equipped with a diesel particulate filter to meet 2010.5 emissions requirements. (There’s also a 5.7L Hemi option… yawn) To shift gears, there’s the option of the G56 six-speed manual or the 68RFE six-speed automatic and axle ratio choices are 3.42, 3.73, 4.10 or 4.56, depending on equipment level.
Not much has changed in the driveline, but being gearheads that was something that needed to be addressed sooner than later. What has had a more noticeable change is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating in the 2500 4x4 crew cab, gaining 600 pounds while going from 9,000 lbs. to 9,600 lbs. On 3500 4x4 dually models with diesel, automatic and 4.10 rearend ratio, the Gross Combines Weight Rate increased from 24,000 lbs to 25,400 lbs while on 3500 4x2 models the GCWR jumped from 23,000 pounds to 24,000. Snow plow owners will also be happy to hear that the Gross Axle Weight Rating increases to 5,500 lbs. on the 4x4 and to 5,000 lbs. on the 4x2.
Towing is what the new Dodge is built to do. The 3500 is rated to 18,500 pounds and has a maximum payload of 5,110 pounds. It’s reflected in one of the changes to the exterior in the form of larger, sculpted 7x11-inch trailer-tow mirrors that flip up and out vertically for visibility around wide trailers. Some of the new sheet metal was influenced by the re-designed light-duty lineup, but others like the larger grille opening, taller hood with louvers on each side and different front bumper design are unique to the Heavy Duty.
Front fenders and headlamps on the 2010 Ram are shared with the light-duty pickup models while the tailgate has a spoiler integrated into the upper part of the metal, which is also sculpted for better airflow. The tailgate also has a spot for an optional backup camera and includes a lift-assist feature that makes raising and lowering a one-hand operation.
On the suspension side, Dodge says they improved suspension tuning and added new C-pillar hydro mounts that improve damping through the frame-bending mode frequency to manage shake and after-shake response, resulted in less shake and an improved ride. The frame is fully boxed and hydro-formed with the front using a coil-spring setup and the rear suspension utilizes multi-lead spring design.
If there’s one place the Ram needed help most, it was the interior. If you look back at our Truck Of The Year issue in 2007, our biggest complaint with the truck was how dated and unrefined it was compared to its competitors. Dodge took many of the comfort and convenience features from the 2009 Ram 1500 and applied them to the 2500 and 3500. Six-ring instrumentation gives feedback on vehicle functions and many of the controls are stacked in the center for convenience. An available center console has an upper bin large enough to hold a laptop and the lower bin can accommodate hanging files.
Storage is something the designers paid attention to in the new Heavy Duty, building compartments into the instrument panels, door panels, seat backs and in the crew cab, two in-floor bins in the rear foot well provide enough storage for 10 12-ounce cans. Upper and lower glove boxes add additional storage to the tune of more than 800 cubic inches.
Seating has also been redesigned. For the first time, the backs of the rear seats in the Megcab can be reclined 22 to 37 degrees and the front seats boast improved lumber and lateral support. Premium seating offers heat and ventilation in the front and heating in the rear, memory seats, adjustable pedals and heated steering wheel. There’s also an entertainment option for Sirius Backseat TV with three channels of programming, uconnect tunes with a 30gb hard drive for MP3s and a 10-speaker surround sound system, another first in segment.
Trucks are expected to hit dealers in fall 2009. Bed choices are a standard 6-foot, 4-inch box or an 8-foot–long bed. For cab options, Dodge is offering a standard, crew cab and Megacab. The Dodge Ram Heavy Duty crew-size cab model is also the first time such an optional has been available to the heavy-duty pickup segment. Five trim levels will be available; ST, SLT, TRX, Laramie and the return of the Power Wagon. If you’re like us, you’re also counting the days until you get a chance to drive the new ’10 Ram.
