Comments on: It’s time for a Dodge Ram XFE … and perhaps old-fashioned granny gears.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:13:15 +0000

I’m a small contractor. I would love a Ram 1000 (or Ram 2000) ST (or WT perhaps?) with a Perkins diesel and 6 speed tranny. It would be perfect for the job site. I don’t need a fancy truck on the jobsite, but good mileage would be great. I’ll still drive a 3500 4X4 diesel quad or crew cab, but just need a basic pickup for the hired hands. Same thing on the farm. AS for the Dakota, I liked the previous models, smaller and cheaper. I would also purchase “new” 1996 or 1999 Dakotas if they were available. Better truck than the Ranger or S10/Colorado. Cheaper than a Toyota or Nissan. The smaller Dakota would be a great parts runner vehicle. What happened to “basic trucks”? I remember when even a heater and turn signals were optional (when I was a kid). Great trucks back then.

By: james

james — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:29:30 +0000

I agree with Greg’s comments, downsize the Dakota - say to a compact size AND reduce weight and engine size for those who want it on the Ram.

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:46:15 +0000

Dodge already built this vehicle in the past. It was called the Dakota. All they have to do is stop trying to make the Dakota a Ram, and let it become a Dakota again.

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:50:16 +0000

Because it’s not the same thing. Making relatively minor changes to the Ram could increase gas mileage by almost the same level as the hybrid, but at far lower cost. Diesels and hybrids are both expensive. Suspension lowering is not, and some weight reduction, accompanied by capacity reduction, might not be anywhere in the same realm as powertrain mods. Likewise, smaller engines with gearing adjustments would probably be lower cost in production though engineering investments would balance that out.