Mega Cab Long Bed

[zb39]

Looks like Dodge will not be offering an 8 ft bed with the mega cab. Where can I get one done that is close to the Ohio PA line. Tx is to far and same with Utah. I wonder if these conversion places will do the 2010 model? How much will it cost??

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

We reported way back in march that there would be no Mega Cab Long Bed when we covered the press introduction from the Chicago auto show - for the full article click here: 2010 Dodge Ram Press Introduction TDR Coverage

As to a conversion company. The TDR editor, Robert Patton, had a long bed conversion done to his mega cab and has had articles on it in the magazine. Here's what he said in his last update on it:

Mega Cab, Long Bed conversion by Sellers, Inc. has been flawless. The price of the truck conversion was a very reasonable $2500. You'll recall from Issue 58, page 41, that I provided the long box dually bed. Contact information on the Mega Cab, Long Box conversion: Dan Fluke, Sellers Manufacturing, Inc. , Milford, Indiana, 574 658-9461. The details are in Issue 59, page 116.

 

[RABruce]

Looks like Dodge will not be offering an 8 ft bed with the mega cab. Where can I get one done that is close to the Ohio PA line. Tx is to far and same with Utah. I wonder if these conversion places will do the 2010 model? How much will it cost??

It is true that they are not offering the 8 ft. bed. I ordered my quad cab yesterday, and was kind of shocked that I could not order a 373 rear end in a 3500. I was stuck with either the 342 (std) or 410 (opt). I didn't think the 342 would pull my 14000 lb tow behind, so I ticked the 410 box.

I can hardly wait to see the fuel mileage especially comparing it to my 2006 auto, which gets very satisfactory mileage.

It seems to me, that when you are ordering a top of the line vehicle, you should be pretty much able to tick any box that they have on the paper.

Another note - if you order the crew cab, you can get the 373, but not the 410.

What's with this? It shouldn't make any difference to Fiat what ratio we want.

 

[RABruce]

It is true that they are not offering the 8 ft. bed. I ordered my quad cab yesterday, and was kind of shocked that I could not order a 373 rear end in a 3500. I was stuck with either the 342 (std) or 410 (opt). I didn't think the 342 would pull my 14000 lb tow behind, so I ticked the 410 box.

I can hardly wait to see the fuel mileage especially comparing it to my 2006 auto, which gets very satisfactory mileage.

It seems to me, that when you are ordering a top of the line vehicle, you should be pretty much able to tick any box that they have on the paper.

Another note - if you order the crew cab, you can get the 373, but not the 410.

What's with this? It shouldn't make any difference to Fiat what ratio we want.

My mistake. I ordered a mega cab, not a quad cab.

 

[HBarlow]

RABruce,

Your update on the truck you ordered also answers the differential gearing question. A mega cab is a passenger hauler with much lower GVWR and a small bed for smaller, lighter loads so Dodge would reasonable configure it differently. Yes, I know, you may argue that a mega cab has the same engine, etc. as other Rams and will tow just as much but Dodge obviously builds them for a different market.

 

[zb39]

It is to bad they build them for a diff market. A lot of people would love to be able to load up a mega cab and haul with it. i am one of them. I can't fit a 11. 5 ft TC in a short bed.

 

[RABruce]

RABruce,



Your update on the truck you ordered also answers the differential gearing question. A mega cab is a passenger hauler with much lower GVWR and a small bed for smaller, lighter loads so Dodge would reasonable configure it differently. Yes, I know, you may argue that a mega cab has the same engine, etc. as other Rams and will tow just as much but Dodge obviously builds them for a different market.

I agree with you, Harvey. Like many people, I rarely have anyone in the back, and want the mega for the flat floor room to carry my instruments in the winter, as they don't like to get cold. With my present QC, I took out the 60 part of the 40/60 seat, and installed a piece of carpeted plywood. It was certainly functional, but tight. If the new truck works as well as my 2006 has, it will be my last vehicle (the retirement light seems to be getting fairly bright), so I figured I might as well get it right. I hope the 410 doesn't make the truck run at an rpm that I'm uncomfortable with.

 

[FDavid]

The only reason the megacab stuck around to see the new body styles was because of strong sales in the southwest.

 

[HBarlow]

RABruce,

No, you made the right choice. You will not be disappointed with the 4. 10 gears if your new truck will be an automatic six speed. IMO it is actually a near perfect combination with either the new MOPAR six speed automatic or the Aisin six speed automatic. You get the great load starting gear and grade climbing ability of a 4. 10 gear and with two overedrive gears, your final drive ratio will be down around 2. 5:1.

 

[RABruce]

RABruce,



No, you made the right choice. You will not be disappointed with the 4. 10 gears if your new truck will be an automatic six speed. IMO it is actually a near perfect combination with either the new MOPAR six speed automatic or the Aisin six speed automatic. You get the great load starting gear and grade climbing ability of a 4. 10 gear and with two overedrive gears, your final drive ratio will be down around 2. 5:1.

Thank you for that, Harvey. I have been quite concerned that I had made a grievous error - that I would worry about as long as I owned the truck. Since I expect it to be my last one, I'm hoping that is quite a while. :-laf

Now I'm getting excited. Only two months (or so) to wait.

 

[SNiebaum]

Now I'm getting excited. Only two months (or so) to wait.

I'll throw out the obligatory, you have to post pics... Oo.

 

[FDavid]

Some tidbits I found about the 2010's.





*Re PCMs and ECMs: (1) Yes they will be locked. (2) By the way, for 2010 the Cummins uses a Cummins PCM which incorporates both the engine and auto trans controls.



*The brake controller is made by continental. The brake controller works with some Electric over haydraulic brakes but not all systems are compatible.



*There is a transmission temp gage located in the electronic vehicle information center in the middle of the cluster.



*The grill was made a part of the front of the truck to reduce drag.



*All 2500 and 3500s have the gear selector on the column.



*The maintenance schedule is not any more complicated or exspensive than it was for 2008 or 2009. Fuel filter is actually easier to change than it was in the past it is now a top load catridge that can be changed without raising the vehicle or getting under the vehicle. The exhaust filter or DPF if allowed to do regens is self maintaining.



*There is a Mopar fifth wheel hitch for 6'4" and 8' boxes.



*The transmission shifts are improved, smoother shifts, the transmission software control the shifting based on a new torque strategy.



*A/C cooled seats & heated steering are available depending on the interior trim package selected.



*The HD will have B-20 for fleet applications only and will require a calibration update to do so.

 

[zb39]

Anyone have a clue as to when these will be on a dealers lot. My dealer says late November?? or so. Wonder when the 2011 will be out??

 

[EGroeneveld]

Does the Mopar fifth wheel hitch allow for a flat bed floor when not installed and can you get a gooseneck plus a fifth wheel hitch. Looking at the Ford 2011 SuperDuties' pictures yesterday on pickuptrucks.com looks like you can get a gooseneck and fifth wheel hitch that is removeable to allow for a flat bed floor when removed.

 

[HBarlow]

Standard Reese fifth wheel hitches with parallel side to side rails allow for removal of the fifth wheel hitch and installation of a gooseneck plate to the same rails. The rails are about 36" side and approximately 1" tall. Not much of a bed obstruction but not completely flat.

 

[zb39]

Ac cooled seats, i might like that!!