Attention: TDR Forum Junkies The new engine, which makes 345 hp and 365 lb. -ft of torque, replaces the 5. 9-liter, 245 hp V8 that currently sits under the hood of Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups. An 5. 9-liter common-rail injection Cummins Turbo Diesel inline-six, churning 305 horses and 555 lb. -ft of torque will also be available under the Heavy Duty’s hood. Dodge estimates that 75 percent of its 2500 and 3500 pickups will be powered by a diesel and 70 percent will be four-wheel drive.
The company says that it has improved the Heavy Duty’s steering ratio to the point that it is now the quickest in the industry at 13. 4:1. Four-wheel drive trucks have been engineered with a recirculating ball system designed to improve the on-center steering feel through lower internal friction and a more precise response. The four-wheel drive’s front axle is newly designed and front suspension is a refined version of the five-link, coil-spring suspension with beam axle on the current model.
Dodge is touting a number of safety firsts for the heavy duty pickup sector coming in 2003 from 2500 and 3500 pickups, including side curtain airbags, pre-tensioning, constant force seatbelt retractors, largest standard brakes, wheels and tires in the class.
Rick Aneiros, Ram design team leader, says that when it came to redesigning the pickup’s exterior, “we didn’t feel it was necessary to stray from the bold Ram design. ” Aneiros says the “massive horse-collar grille” remains the vehicle’s most prominent feature. While the 2500 and 3500 designs are unique unto themselves, neither strays very far from the redesigned 1500 which hit the streets last fall.
http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=00961877
The company says that it has improved the Heavy Duty’s steering ratio to the point that it is now the quickest in the industry at 13. 4:1. Four-wheel drive trucks have been engineered with a recirculating ball system designed to improve the on-center steering feel through lower internal friction and a more precise response. The four-wheel drive’s front axle is newly designed and front suspension is a refined version of the five-link, coil-spring suspension with beam axle on the current model.
Dodge is touting a number of safety firsts for the heavy duty pickup sector coming in 2003 from 2500 and 3500 pickups, including side curtain airbags, pre-tensioning, constant force seatbelt retractors, largest standard brakes, wheels and tires in the class.
Rick Aneiros, Ram design team leader, says that when it came to redesigning the pickup’s exterior, “we didn’t feel it was necessary to stray from the bold Ram design. ” Aneiros says the “massive horse-collar grille” remains the vehicle’s most prominent feature. While the 2500 and 3500 designs are unique unto themselves, neither strays very far from the redesigned 1500 which hit the streets last fall.
http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=00961877
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I have sat in a new 1500 quadcab and the back has a lot more room than my 99 quadcab. I think it is a nice balance between the to goddy looking crew cabs
and the smaller quadcabs. I think DC did agood job on the redisign and would be poud to own one. 
Maybe I'll get lucky and they'll read this and send me a new one for testing. :-laf :-laf :-laf I sware I'll be really careful with it. 
