Specialty Dodge Ram pickup trucks

Contractor Special hybrid pickup and other notes and notions.

The Contractor Special is a Dodge Ram truck hybrid similar to the Durango hybrid - a small engine driving one set of wheels, and electrical generator powering the other set. Its claim to fame was that contractors would be able to use the generator as a standard A/C generator, saving some equipment and balancing the loss of space caused by the hybrid powertrain. It was projected to be available in calendar year 2004 with several engines, including at least one V-8. However, the vehicle was dropped from retail sale, with the company saying it would not be available except to fleet buyers; and since then we are not sure that it has ever been sold to anyone, due to problems with the hybrid system (which transmits power-sharing information using the “through the road” method). Details of the system are in the next section. Engineers who worked with Chrysler in the past were dubious about the possibility of this working, and Chrysler moved instead to using a joint system with GM and BMW, in which the automatic transmission incorporated electric motors. This can be used in a wide variety of vehicles with a minimal engineering and tooling expense.

Rumors that Dodge will drop Cummins for a Mercedes diesel seem to be incorrect, along with rumors of Ford acquiring Cummins.

Military use

Chrysler designed, built and tested a military version of the Ram HEV (hybrid-electric vehicle) for U.S. Army Tank Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM), based in Warren, Michigan. The vehicle will be designed to meet requirements of the Army's Commercially Based Tactical Truck (COMBATT) program. The project was to end in 2002.

The vehicle was based on the 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup equipped with a diesel-electric hybrid powertrain. The vehicle can be operated in either diesel-electric hybrid or electric-only mode. When parked, the vehicle's hybrid powertrain components can be used to provide up to 20 kW of continuous electrical power to operate electrical equipment at remote sites.

Dodge was to sell the Dodge Ram HEV commercially starting in 2004, but only to fleet buyers. The vehicle, based on the popular Ram pickup, was to be available in 1500 and 2500 models with either two-wheel or four-wheel drive and equipped with different diesel and gasoline engines. The electric motor provided power assist of 55 kW, or about 74 horsepower. The hybrid powertrain resulted in claimed fuel efficiency improvements of up to 20 percent as well as reduced tailpipe emissions.

At remote locations, the vehicle's hybrid propulsion components cold be converted into a stationary electrical generator capable of delivering up to 30 kW peak power or 20 kW of continuous power. The additional components add 250-300 pounds to the vehicle's weight, compared with 2,500 pounds or more for a conventional generator with similar capacity. The Ram HEV's generator is accessed through electrical connections in a pull-down box located behind the cab in the side of the pickup box. The generator on the Ram HEV is cleaner than conventional portable generators.

We don't know what happened to this project but assume it did not succeed - and that Chrysler's partnership with GM is partly to boost both companies' hybrid abilities. Ford ended up simply licensing Toyota technology.

Dodge Ram Daytona

Thought a four-door Charger was a bad idea? Stop reading now.

Dodge is bringing the historic Daytona nameplate to the Dodge Ram. The limited-edition 2005 Dodge Ram Daytona, with HEMI® power and Daytona-inspired styling, draws further attention to the Ram 1500's leadership claim as the most powerful light-duty pickup truck on the market. The primary changes from the standard Hemi Ram are 20-inch chrome wheels, a unique paint job, and an 11 inch rear spoiler. Other noticeable features include a performance-style hood scoop, rear side-exiting twin chrome tips from the Borla® exhaust, and body-colored grille and tail lamp guards. The truck is offered in Go ManGo! and Silver Metallic; the exterior color is used on the dash center bezel, and each truck has a Shelbyesque numbered plaque on the dash.

The 2005 Ram Daytona is available as a 4x4 or 4x2 and in regular cab or Quad Cab® body styles with the six-foot, three-inch bed. The regular cab features molded side sills while the Quad Cab includes a running board.

Included in the Daytona package is the 5.7-liter HEMI engine with 345 horsepower and 375 lb.-ft of torque coupled with a 5-speed automatic transmission and 3.92:1 rear axle ratio.

The first 75 production 2005 Ram Daytona models debuted just prior to the Florida Dodge Dealers 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, Feb. 18. It is priced from $32,000.

 

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