The 2002-2003 Dodge Ram - 1500, 2500, and 3500 Specifications
CURRENT RAMS: 2009 Dodge Ram | 2002-2008 Ram 1500 | 2500/3500 | 3500 Chassis Cab | 4500-5500 | Power Wagon | Interstate
PAST DODGE RAM / HISTORY: Ram History | Ram symbol | SRT-10 | 1977 | 1983 | Campers and Motor Homes | L’il Red Truck | Sweptside
The Ram is available in regular cab and Quad Cab styles. It is built at Dodge City in Warren, Michigan (1500 only); St. Louis, Missouri; and Saltillo, Mexico. Information courtesy of Dodge.
Engines
3.7 liter "Next Generation" Magnum V-6 (1500 only)
| Design | Single overhead cam, 12 valves (2 per cylinder); 90° V-6, with balance shaft |
| Displacement | 225.8 cu. in. (3700 cu cm) |
| Fuel Injection | Sequential, multi-port, electronic, returnless |
| Construction | Cast iron block and bedplate, aluminum alloy heads, balance shaft |
| Compression Ratio | 9.1:1 |
| Power | 210 bhp (157 kW) @ 5200 rpm (56.8 bhp/L) 230 Ib.-ft. (312 Nom) @ 4000 rpm |
| Economy | 16/21 - manual transmission, 16/20 - automatic |
Type and Description
The 3.7 is based on and closely related to the 4.7 V8 engine.
4.7 liter "Next Generation" Magnum V-8 (1500 only)
| Design | Single overhead cam, 90° V-8 |
| Displacement | 287 cu. in. (4701 cu cm) |
| Fuel Injection | Sequential, multi-port, electronic, returnless |
| Construction | Cast iron block and bedplate, aluminum alloy heads |
| Compression Ratio | 9.3:1 |
| Power | 235 bhp (175 kW) @ 4800 rpm (50.0 bhp/L) 295 lb.-ft. (400 Nm) @ 3200 rpm |
| Economy | 2WD: 14/19 - manual and automatic transmission; 4WD: 13/18 - manual transmission, 13/17 - automatic transmission |
Click here for more details on the 4.7.
5.9 liter "360 LA" Magnum V-8 (1500 only)
| Design | Overhead valve, 90° V-8 |
| Displacement | 360 cu. in. (5895 cu cm) |
| Fuel Injection | Sequential, multi-port, electronic, returnless |
| Construction | Cast iron block and heads |
| Compression Ratio | 8.9:1 |
| Power | 245 bhp (183 kW) @ 4000 rpm, (39.0 bhp/liter) 335 lb.-ft. (454 Nm) @ 3200 rpm |
| Economy | 2WD: 12/18; 4WD: 12/16 |
Ye olde 360 is based on the ancient 273, with updates to the heads, pistons, and fuel delivery systems (as well as other parts, of course). Click here for more details.
5.7-Liter Hemi® Magnum V-8
| Design | Single overhead cam, 90° V-8 |
| Displacement | 345 cu. in. (5654 cu cm) |
| Fuel Injection | Sequential, multi-port, electronic, returnless |
| Construction | Deep-skirt cast iron block with cross-bolted main bearing caps, aluminum alloy heads with hemispherical combustion chambers |
| Compression Ratio | 9.6:1 |
| Power | 345 bhp (246 kW) @ 5,600 rpm 365 lb.-ft. (488 Nm) @ 4,400 rpm |
| Economy | 2WD: 14/19 - manual and automatic transmission; 4WD: 13/18 - manual transmission, 13/17 - automatic transmission |
| Bore and Stroke | 3.92 x 3.58 (99.5 x 90.9) |
| Valve system | Pushrod-operated overhead valves, 16 valves, hydraulic lifters with roller followers |
Much more information is on this page.
8.0-Liter Magnum® V-10 (2500, 3500 only)
| Design | Single overhead cam, 90° V-10, 20 valves, hydraulic lifters with roller followers |
| Displacement | 488 cu. in. (7994 cu cm) |
| Fuel Injection | Sequential, multi-port, electronic, returnless |
| Construction | Deep skirt cast iron block, cast iron heads |
| Compression Ratio | 8.6:1 |
| Power | 305 bhp (228 kW) @ 4000 rpm - (51.7 bhp/liter) 450 lb.-ft. (597 Nm) @ 2800 rpm |
| Economy | 2WD: 12/18; 4WD: 12/16 |
| Bore and stroke | 4.00 x 3.88 (101.6 x 98.6) |
5.9-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel (2500, 3500 only)
Type and Description: Six-cylinder, inline, liquid-cooled, turbocharged, intercooled
Displacement: 359 cu. in. (5883 cu cm)
Bore x Stroke: 4.02 x 4.72 (102.1 x 119.9)
Valve System: OHV, 24 valves, solid lifters
Fuel Injection: Electronic high-pressure common rail
Construction: Cast iron block and head
Compression Ratio: 17.2:1
Power (SAE net):
- 250 bhp (186 kW) @ 2900 rpm - standard output, 49 state manual or 47 RE automatic
- 235 bhp (175 kW) @ 2700 rpm - standard output, carb, automatic and manual
- 305 bhp (227 kW) @ 2900 rpm - high-output, 49 state manual
Torque (SAE net):
- 460 lb.-ft. (624 Nom) @ 1,400 rpm - standard output, manual
- 460 lb.-ft. (624 Nom) @ 1,400 rpm - standard output, automatic
- 555 lb.-ft. (752 Nom) @ 1,400 rpm - high output, manual
Transmissions
New Venture 3500 Manual
New Venture is a joint venture of Chrysler and General Motors. The 3500 is used with the Next Generation (3.7 and 4.7) engines. It is synchronized in all gears
Gear Ratios :
1st 4.04
2nd 2.33
3rd 1.39
4th 1.00
5th 0.73
Overall Top Gear Ratio 2.59 w/ 3.55 axle and 2.86 w/ 3.92 axle
45RFE four/five-speed automatic
The new 45RFE has a "fifth" kick-down second gear for better performance and smoother operation. The 45RFE has three planetary gear sets, one overrunning clutch, full electronic control, and an electronically controlled converter clutch. This transmission feels better and more efficient than the older four-speed ones. It is optional with the 5.7 Hemi, V6, and 4.7 V8.
Gear Ratios :
1st 3.0
2nd 1.67 - upshift; 1.50 kick-down
3rd 1.00
4th 0.75
Overall Top Gear Ratio 2.66 w/3.55 axle and 2.94 w/3.92 axle
46RE four-speed automatic
This ten year old transmission is used only with the 360 engine, and offers greater hauling capacity. It has hydraulic control, electronically controlled governor, overdrive lockout and converter clutch.
Gear Ratios
1st 2.45
2nd 1.45
3rd 1.00
4th 0.69
Overall Top Gear Ratio 2.45 w3.55 axle and 2.70 w/3.92 axle
NV4500 and NV4500 HD manual five-speed overdrive
This heavy duty transmission is available with the 5.7 V8 and 8.0 V-10 engines; the HD version is standard with the Cummins diesel. It is Availability: NV4500 - standard with 5.7-liter V-8 and 8.0-liter V-10 engines
NV 4500 HD - standard with 5.9-liter standard output I-6 diesel
synchronized in all gears.
Gear Ratios:
1st: 5.61
2nd: 3.04
3rd: 1.67
4th: 1.00
5th: 0.75
Reverse: 5.04
Overall Top Gear Ratio: 2.80 with 3.73 axle ratio and 3.07 with 4.10 axle ratio
NV5600 Six-speed overdrive
This transmission is standard with the high-output Cummins.
Gear Ratios:
1st: 5.63
2nd: 3.38
3rd: 2.04
4th: 1.39
5th: 1.00
6th: 0.73
Reverse: 5.63
Overall Top Gear Ratio: 2.72 with 3.73 axle and 2.99 with 4.10 axle
47RE / 48RE four-speed automatics
These older transmissions are heavy duty for the V-10 and standard Cummins (47RE) or heavy duty Cummins (48RE). Transmission: 47RE/48RE - Automatic, Four-Speed Overdrive
Availability: 47RE - Optional with 8.0-liter V-10 and standard-output Cummins diesel engine
48RE - Optional with 8.0-liter V-10 and standard-output Cummins diesel engine
They feature hydraulic control, with electronically controlled governor overdrive, overdrive lockout and converter clutch.
Gear Ratios:
1st: 2.45
2nd: 1.45
3rd: 1.00
4th: 0.69
Overall Top Gear Ratio: 2.57 with 3.73 axle ratio and 2.82 with 4.10 axle ratio
Dimensions and capacities
2500 and 3500 are very similar in most respects.
| Ram 1500 QUAD CAB PICKUP | ||||
|
Two-Wheel Drive
|
Four-Wheel Drive
|
|||
| Box Length | 6'3" | 8' | 6'3" | 8' |
| Wheelbase | 140.5 | 160.5 | 140.5 | 160.5 |
| Track, Front | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 |
| Track, Rear | 67.4 | 67.4 | 67.4 | 67.4 |
| Overall Length | 227.7 | 249.7 | 227.7 | 249.7 |
| Overall Width | 79.9 | 79.9 | 79.9 | 79.9 |
| Overall Height | 74.1 | 74.5 | 76.6 | 76.4 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 26 gal (98 L) | 35 gal (132 L) | 26 gal (98 L) | 35 gal (132 L) |
| Ram 1500 REGULAR CAB PICKUP | ||||
| Two-Wheel Drive | Four-Wheel Drive | |||
| Box Length | 6'3" | 8' | 6'3" | 8' |
| Wheelbase | 120.5 | 140.5 | 120.5 | 160.5 |
| Track, Front | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 |
| Track, Rear | 67.4 | 67.4 | 67.4 | 67.4 |
| Overall Length | 207.7 | 229.7 | 207.7 | 229.7 |
| Overall Width | 79.9 | 79.9 | 79.9 | 79.9 |
| Overall Height | 74.4 | 74.1 | 76.6 | 76 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 26 gal (98 L) | 35 gal (132 L) | 26 gal (98 L) | 35 gal (132 L) |
Suspension
1500
Two wheel drive:
Front: Upper and lower "A" arms, coil springs, gas-charged shock absorbers, stabilizer bar.
Rear: Live axle, longitudinal leaf springs, gas-charged shock absorbers.
Four wheel drive: Same as two wheel drive, except torsion bars used instead of coil springs in front.
2500 and 3500
Two wheel drive:
Front: Short and long arm independent, coil springs, gas-charged shock absorbers, stabilizer bar
Rear: Live axle, longitudinal leaf springs, gas-charged shock absorbers — 2500, auxiliary springs added — 3500
Four wheel drive:
Front: Live axle, "Quadra link" leading arms, track bar, coil springs, stabilizer bar, gas-charged shock absorbers
Rear: Same as two wheel drive
Brakes
1500
Front: 13.2 x 1.1 (336 x 28) vented disc with 2.13 (54) two-piston pin-slider caliper. ABS optional. 292 sq. in. (1884 sq cm) swept area - largest in the class according to Chrysler.
Rear: 13.8 x 0.87 (352 x 22) disc with 2.13 (54) single-piston pin-slider caliper and ABS. 274 sq. in. (1768 sq cm) - largest in the class according to Chrysler.
2500 and 3500
Front: 13.9 x 1.26 vented disc with 2.20 two-piston sliding caliper and ABS; swept Area: 313.2 sq. in. (2021 sq cm)
Rear: 13.9 x 1.18 (352.5 x 30) disc with 1.77 (45) two-piston sliding caliper and ABS. Swept Area: 309.6 sq. in. (1997 sq cm) 309.6 sq. in. (1997 sq cm)
Power Assist Type: Tandem diaphragm vacuum with Single Rear Wheels - gasoline engines.
Transfer cases: NV271/NV273
Availability: NV271 - Standard 4WD ST
NV273 - Standard 4WD SLT Plus
Type: Part Time
Operating Modes: 2WD; 4WD High, Locked; Neutral;
4WD Low, Locked
Shift Mechanism: NV271 - manual, NV273 - electric
Low-Range Ratio: 2.72
Center Differential: None
CURRENT RAMS: 2009 Dodge Ram | 2002-2008 Ram 1500 | 2500/3500 | 3500 Chassis Cab | 4500-5500 | Power Wagon | Interstate
PAST DODGE RAM / HISTORY: Ram History | Ram symbol | SRT-10 | 1977 | 1983 | Campers and Motor Homes | L’il Red Truck | Sweptside
