2002-2008 Dodge Ram pickup trucks
The main changes for the 2002 Ram 1500 were:
- Bigger, four way disc brakes for much better stopping power and longer-lasting brake pads and rotors
- A frame with hydroformed parts for less vibration and greater capacity
- A more friendly interior, with more storage space and facilities for child seats and extra passengers
- Four new grilles, one for each body style, the most muscular going with the Sport model
- Rack and pinion steering and an independent front suspension, even on 4x4 models, for better handling
- Another 40 horsepower in the base V6 as a result of the swap from the 318-based 3.9 liter to the much more modern 3.7 liter engine (the 3.9 had been engineered on an accelerated schedule to power the Dakota)
- As of December 2002, much more power in the optional V8 as a result of the swap from the 5.9 liter (360) to the 5.7 liter Hemi.
- A side airbag option
The Quad Cab lost three inches in the cargo box (now 6 feet, 3 inches), while the cab grew by 3.7 inches for the benefit of rear seating, in the transition from the 1994-2001 series.
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New features included fully-lowering rear windows, under-rear-seat storage, large grocery bag hooks in the regular cab, and an augmented console that can store a laptop and charge a cell phone.
2002 - 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 drivetrain
The 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 started out with the 45RFE automatic from the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It's a very pleasant transmission, which, including a helpful passing gear, actually has five speeds. Based on our experience, it is both more responsive and smoother than the older transmissions. (Note that this new transmission was not available with the 360 engine).
The 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 featured two new engines at first. The base engine was a 3.7 liter V6, smaller but more powerful than the old 3.9, with 210 horsepower instead of 175. The 3.7 was based on the new 4.7 V8, just as the old 3.9 was based on the 5.2 V8, whose basic design dated back to the 1950s. Both engines had the same torque, 230 lb-ft. The new engine is more fuel efficient by about 1 mpg, as well as more powerful.
Click here for more information on the new Hemi for Dodge trucks!
The 3.7 liter V6, by the way, is 225.6 cid - yes, the press materials refer to it that way, though all other displacements are rounded off.
The 4.7 V8 from the Grand Cherokee replaced the 318, increasing power slightly (to 235 hp) while raising gas mileage, again by 1 mpg. This is a smooth, quiet engine on the Grand Cherokee, more pleasant to drive than the 318 - though we really hate to admit it.
The 360 V8 was replaced in 2004 when the new Hemi line of engines came out with more power and better economy - and cheaper assembly costs. (Review!)
The Ram 1500's towing capacity was 350 lb above the Silverado and F-150, but its payload was about 160 lb less than the Chevy and 125 lb less than the Ford. Its base V8 had 235 horsepower, 35 hp less than the Chevy and 15 hp more than the Ford.
| . | Regular Cab | Quad Cab | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model Year | 1994-2001 | 2002-2006 | 1994-2001 | 2002-2006 |
| Towing | 7950 | 8660 | 7650 | 8350 |
| Payload | n/a | n/a | 1567 | 1750 |
Dodge Ram pickup transmissions (2002-2008)
The new 545RE transmission (which debuted in 1999 on the Grand Cherokee) is available, but only with the Hemi. This highly responsive, fully electronically controlled five-speed automatic (plus kickdown gear) provides fast downshifts and seems to have fewer parasitic losses than the other automatics. If you don't get the Hemi, you have to settle for the standard 47RE and 48RE automatics, which are heavier duty than the 545RE and trace their design back to the bulletproof 727 Torqueflites. Both of these are optional with the V10 and standard-output diesel.
Also available were the NV4500 manual five-speed (5.7 and 8.0 engines; NV4500HD with standard output diesel), and the NV5600 six-speed manual (only with high-output diesel). (Click here for our transmissions page.) The NV4500 and NV4500HD carry over from 1994; the NV5600 is newer.
The new-for-2007 68RFE, 6-speed automatic transmission, priced at $1,575, cost about the same as Ford’s 5- speed transmission, and less than GM’s Allison transmission. The 68RFE has increased torque capacity, with a new torque rating 40 lb. ft. higher than the previous four-speed (now 650 lb. ft.) It is available in the 2500 and 3500 (but not the chassis cab.)
4x4 independent front suspension
Rack and pinion steering on both the two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive Ram models provides a precise and firm steering feel. The system is not only lighter in weight but is more durable than a conventional recirculating ball steering system. Steering ratios have been recalibrated on all models, helping maneuverability and turning ease.
A new torsion bar independent front suspension [back to the future!] on four-wheel drive models improves ride quality and quietness. For extreme conditions, ground clearance is a comfortable 9.5 inches, while suspension travel improves to 8.5 inches from 8 inches on the 2001 Ram. The rear suspension continues to use leaf springs, but the springs are lengthened by three inches to reduce wheel hop and improve durability. [We welcome this change, since wheel hop was a shortcoming].
The 2002 Ram will have an independent front suspension even with the four wheel drive setup, joining a very small number of 4x4s with independent suspensions - such as the Hummer and Tatra 615. Bob Sheaves noted that an independent front suspension-equipped 4x4 need not sacrifice ground clearance - due to a floating carrier housing, which Chrysler patented in 1995 (patent number 5,402,859).
Seventeen inch wheels are standard, with optional 20-inch wheels. The frame is stiffer, and as one would expect from Chrysler, noise, vibration, and harshness have all been cut quite a bit.
Other new Dodge Ram 1500 features
Probably the most welcomed change among those who don't actually own a Dodge Ram will be the heavier-duty, completely redesigned brakes, designed to stop the Ram faster than an F-150 or Silverado 1500. Payload and towing have both been increased since the previous generation of Rams.
Chrysler also worked on the Ram's safety features, adding adjustable pedals, redesigning the frame and crumple zones, making the interior child-friendly, improving the brakes, and adding side curtain airbags.
While the two-door Club Cab will not be made, an extended-cab four-door model, with four real doors, will be available. The bed on the standard 1500 model will be three inches shorter, but the cab will be 3.5 inches longer.
Aerodynamics appear to be better than the 1994-2001 models, including an integrated air dam which helps to cool the engine and air conditioner condensor; and extended, tapered edges on the door frames to reduce wind noise and channel water over the roof instead of the side windows. Headlights have been substantially improved. The interior has been upgraded, especially on the Quad Cab, which now features full, front-hinged doors and seat cushions that fold up to create a tall storage area. An optional steel section under the rear seats can fold open to form a flat load floor, with more storage in the footwells. The seat folds 60/40 to allow for carrying passengers and gear in the back at the same time, while tools can be securely locked. The powered center console now has fold-down dividers, and the center portion of the seat has under-cushion storage.
Options include four-wheel antilock brakes, dual-zone climate control, an electronic shift dial for four wheel drive, and heated leather seats.
Special pickups
In 2006, Dodge launched the Dodge Ram Mega Cab, a Ram 2500 with the industry's largest cab. The rear seats reclined by 37°, and with the diesel engine, one could get 19-20 mpg on the highway (good for a 3/4 ton full sized pickup), but it had a shortened 6.5 foot bed; the standard engine was the Hemi. We reviewed the Dodge Ram Mega Cab when it came out. The Mega Cab was dropped after the 2008 model year, in favor of a more conventional crew cab in the 2009 Dodge Ram pickups. |
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| Created by Performance West Group, the Dodge Ram 3500 Interstate Rated was based on the Dodge Ram 3500 Mega Cab 1-ton Dually 4x4, with the Cummins 610 Turbo Diesel. At just a whisper above idle, the Ram 3500 Interstate Rated could clean-break over 11 tons of rolling weight. It was available from Dodge dealers nationwide. |  |
The Dodge Power Wagon, similarly, was launched from this Ram series, with heavier duty 4x4 capabilities; and we reviewed the Power Wagon, too.
