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[RAW]<P ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/3500drw-4x.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_3500drw-4x.jpg#ad
</A><BR><B><FONT SIZE="+1">2500/3500 Ram:
The Next Generation</FONT></B></P>
<P>The long wait is finally over, the next generation of the 2500 and 3500
Dodge Ram was introduced at the 2002 Chicago Auto Show. We can now put aside
all the speculation and rumor and deal with the facts. After the initial press
introduction, myself and TDR editor Robert Patton spent a couple of hours
grilling the design engineers and crawling all over and under the trucks to
bring you the inside story! There are a few details that I will need to fill in
next week as they didn't have the information on site and I will update this
document when I get those.</P>
<P>At the end of this document is a link to the entire press release
straight from Daimler Chrysler as well.</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B><FONT SIZE="+1">CLICK ON ANY OF THE PICTURES FOR A
LARGER VERSION</FONT></B></P>
<CENTER>
<TABLE>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/undercover1.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_undercover1.jpg#ad
</A><BR>Under
Wraps</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/robert.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_robert.jpg#ad
</A><BR>TDR Editor Robert Patton being
interviewed</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE></CENTER>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B><FONT SIZE="+1">Body and Interior</FONT></B></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">The body and interior is the same as the 1500 series that
was introduced last year, with the exception of the clearance lights and the
rear wheel fenders on the dual rear wheel 3500's. The good news is that the
body and interior has now been on the streets for a full year and should have
all the bugs worked out. So if you want to see what the body or the interior of
the new truck looks like just go down to your local Dodge dealer. The bad news
is that there isn't going to be a true crew cab available for now. You might
have noticed that I mentioned dual rear wheel 3500's, that's because there is
now a single rear wheel 3500 option as well! Body configurations on both the
2500 and 3500 include a Quad Cab short bed (not available on the DRW 3500),
Quad Cab long bed, and regular cab long bed. Some of you may remember a poll we
did on the TDR site about a year ago asking whether you wanted numbers on your
engine gauges (oil pressure for example), or if you would prefer a colored bar
showing hot or cold such as on Ford trucks and also on the new Ram 1500. The
overwhelming response was that Cummins Turbo Diesel buyers wanted actual
numbers on the gauges. The good news is that D/C listened to us and instead of
the blank color coded gauges of the 1500, the 2500 and 3500 still gets numbered
gauges. The 7 pin trailer plug has been relocated to the bumper right next to
the license plate as opposed to being down on the hitch pointing sideways as
before. In addition, there is a 4 pin trailer plug underneath the bed now - so
you won't have to carry around that 7 pin-4 pin adapter in the glove box any
more.</P>
<CENTER>
<TABLE>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/3500drw-4x.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_3500drw-4x.jpg#ad
</A><BR>3500 DRW QC
LB 4x4</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/2500qcsb1-2x.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_2500qcsb1-2x.jpg#ad
</A><BR>2500 QC
SB 4x2</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/3500drw2-4x.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_3500drw2-4x.jpg#ad
</A><BR>3500 DRW
QC LB 4x4</TD>
<TD><A href="/hdlaunch/2500rc-4x.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_2500rc-4x.jpg#ad
</A><BR>2500 RC LB 4x4</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/3500rcsrw-4x.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_3500rcsrw-4x.jpg#ad
</A><BR>3500 SRW
RC LB 4x4</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/3500srw2-2x.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_3500srw2-2x.jpg#ad
</A><BR>3500 SRW
QC SB 4x2</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/3500drw4xfront.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_3500drw4xfront.jpg#ad
</A><BR>3500
DRW QC LB 4x4</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/3500drw4xrear.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_3500drw4xrear.jpg#ad
</A><BR>3500 DRW
QC LB 4X4</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/3500srw2.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_3500srw2.jpg#ad
</A><BR>3500 SRW RC LB 4x4</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/35004xside.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_35004xside.jpg#ad
</A><BR>3500 DRW QC
LB 4x4</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/35004xdrwtop.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_35004xdrwtop.jpg#ad
</A><BR>3500 DRW
QC LB 4x4</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/interior4.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_interior4.jpg#ad
</A><BR></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/interior2.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_interior2.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/interior3.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_interior3.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/cumminslabel.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_cumminslabel.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
<TD> </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE></CENTER>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B><FONT SIZE="+1">Chassis</FONT></B></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">The frame is extensively hydroformed and is one of the
stiffest ever on a pickup truck. 2 wheel drive models get an all new rack and
pinion steering system, and 4 wheel drive models get an all-new recirculation
ball system with the quickest steering ratio in the industry. With a 13.4:1
steering ratio and 2.75 turns lock-to-lock manuevering in tight quarters will
be easier. There is now what looks like a power steering cooler as well, which
unfortunately is at the very bottom of the cooler assembly behind the lower
bumper fascia and the lines running into and out of it point straight down in
what I consider a very exposed location for anyone that will be off roading
their trucks. Anyone doing serious off roading will most likely have to
relocate that cooler or risk ripping the lines off of it. I will be verifying
that it is a power steering cooler next week and will update this document then
(it was hard to see exactly where the lines ran because of tight packaging and
lack of a flashlight). A GCVWR of up to 23,000 lbs and a GVWR of up to of up to
12,000 lbs sets new standards in it's class. All 2500 and 3500 Ram's equipped
with the CTD come with 4 wheel disc brakes with 13.9 inch rotors front and rear
with 4 wheel ABS. Four wheel drive trucks now come standard with very usable
tow hooks up front. As far as I could tell the only differences between the
2500 and the 3500 is the spring package, other than that everything else looks
identical.</P>
<CENTER>
<TABLE>
<TR>
<TD><A href="/hdlaunch/frontaxle2.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_frontaxle2.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
<TD><A href="/hdlaunch/frontaxle1.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_frontaxle1.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE></CENTER>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B><FONT SIZE="+1">Drivetrain</FONT></B></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">Transmission options are mostly carried over from last
year. Manual transmission options include the NV4500HD 5 speed with the
standard output diesel or the NV5600 6 speed with the high output diesel. For
an automatic you can get the 47RE with the standard output diesel. A mid model
year introduction of the new 48RE will allow you to finally have an automatic
behind the high output diesel. Transfer case options are all new. You have the
choice of the NV271 that comes with the ST package which is manually shifted or
the NV273 that comes with the SLT package which is push button electrically
shifted. Both transfer cases have a 2.72 low range ratio. Your choice of
differential ratio's is now 3.73's (replacing the 3.55's of previous models) or
4.10's. Both front and rear axles are now supplied by American Axle corporation
as opposed to the Dana axles of previous models. Four wheel drive trucks
continue to have a live solid axle front.</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B><FONT SIZE="+1">Engine</FONT></B></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">I bet you thought I'd never get to this! A little teaser
first. They have re-introduced the infamous Hemi (5.7L) as the base engine in
the 2500 and 3500 Rams. Since this is going out to a diesel audience I'll just
leave it at that. You can go to the D-C press release below for more
information on the Hemi.</P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">There have been 850,000 Cummins powered Rams sold between
1989 and September 2001 with diesels outnumbering gas engines by 3 to 1 in the
2500 and 3500 series. Power has been steadily increased over those years
beginning with 160 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque in 1989 to the new 305
horsepower and class leading 555 lb-ft of torque with the new high output
engine. Two thirds of the parts are new or redesigned on the ISBe as compared
to the ISB. Trucks sold in California will get a 235 hp/460 lb-ft (CARB)
version of the engine. This lower rating was necessary because of a tighter 3
gram nox carb standard and was achieved through the use of an oxidation
catalyst, programming, and smaller injectors. The standard 49 state engine will
have 250 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque and the high output option will get 305 hp
and 555 lb-ft of torque. The increased 305 hp rating is acheived through
programming alone so there may be uprated ECM's available in the future to give
the higher output to the standard engine. Beginning January 1 of 2004 (2004.5
models) the engines will be equipped with cooled EGR and at that time the CARB
version of the engine the same output as the 49 state models. This engine has
been available in Europe now for over 2 years so like mentioned above with the
body, they should have all the bugs worked out.</P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">The biggest change is the new High Pressure Common Rail
(HPCR) fuel system. Designed and manufactured by Bosch it uses the CP3.3
injection pump running at a rail pressure of 23,200 psi (1600 bar) on the high
output engine. This is the primary change that allowed a reduction of 8-10 db
of noise along with a block redesign to help keep sound levels down.
Additionally, the ability to better control injection timing along with pilot
injection provides an extended rpm peak torque band over previous engines (200
rpm lower and higher). The lift/supply pump is located on the side of the motor
right next to the fuel filter and is an all new design supplied by
Federal-Mogul. The turbo on all versions of the engine is an HY35 with a 10cm
exhaust housing (although to this reporter it looked like a 9cm housing). This
turbo has been redesigned from previous HY35's and I will be verifying the
changes to the turbo and exhaust housing sizes next week. The exhaust is now a
full 4 inch system from the downpipe to the tail as opposed to the previous 3
inch system.</P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">The new body style provided packaged challenges for
Cummins. Underhood space is 30% smaller on the new generation Ram. One
challenge will be oil filter changes - it's very tight in there. The
recommended method to change the filter is from below the truck with a long
extension and an oil filter socket. However, it looks like you will be able to
remove the intake tube from the airbox to the turbo and have enough room to
change it out from above like most do with the current truck - but it IS going
to be a lot tighter in there. The good news is that oil change intervals have
been increased to 15,000 miles from the previous 7,500 so you won't have to
change it as often. The engine is also tucked up deeper underneath the cowl. On
previous models it was difficult to access the injector on cylinder #6. On the
new model it looks like that will become #4, 5, and 6. Adding underhood
accessories or putting on different turbos is going to be difficult simply
because there isn't much room. Clearance between the compressor side of the
turbo and the shock tower is about 3/4 inch so a larger turbo will most likely
necessitate exhaust manifold and exhaust changes.</P>
<CENTER>
<TABLE>
<TR>
<TD><A href="/hdlaunch/ctdstats.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_ctdstats.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
<TD><A href="/hdlaunch/engcut1ds.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_engcut1ds.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD><A href="/hdlaunch/engcut1ps.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_engcut1ps.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
<TD><A href="/hdlaunch/engcut2ps.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_engcut2ps.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/engcut1fuelrail.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_engcut1fuelrail.jpg#ad
</A><BR>Fuel
Rail</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/engcut1injectors.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_engcut1injectors.jpg#ad
</A><BR>Injector and Valve Train</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD><A href="/hdlaunch/engine2.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_engine2.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
<TD><A href="/hdlaunch/engine1.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_engine1.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD><A href="/hdlaunch/driversbat1.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_driversbat1.jpg#ad
</A><BR></TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/fuelfilter1.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_fuelfilter1.jpg#ad
</A><BR>Fuel
Filter</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/oilfilter1.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_oilfilter1.jpg#ad
</A><BR>Oil
Filter</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/turbo2.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_turbo2.jpg#ad
</A><BR>HY35 Turbo</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/turbo3.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_turbo3.jpg#ad
</A><BR>HY35 Turbo and Exhaust</TD>
<TD> </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE></CENTER>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B><FONT SIZE="+1">In Conclusion</FONT></B></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">I've tried to give you a good picture of the overall
package with it's pluses and minuses. I'll be gathering information from my
sources in the aftermarket industry based on this information and the pictures
I've taken and I will include their comments soon. Hope you enjoyed it!</P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">-Steve St.Laurent</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B><FONT SIZE="+1">Daimler Chrysler Press
Release</FONT></B><BR>(requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B><FONT SIZE="+1"><A href="/hdlaunch/01_Overview.pdf">Product
Overview</A><BR><A
href="/hdlaunch/02_Powertrain_Chassis.pdf">Powertrain/Chassis</A><BR><A
href="/hdlaunch/03_Design.pdf">Design</A><BR><A
href="/hdlaunch/04_Specifications.pdf">Specifications</A></FONT></B></P>[/RAW]
</A><BR><B><FONT SIZE="+1">2500/3500 Ram:
The Next Generation</FONT></B></P>
<P>The long wait is finally over, the next generation of the 2500 and 3500
Dodge Ram was introduced at the 2002 Chicago Auto Show. We can now put aside
all the speculation and rumor and deal with the facts. After the initial press
introduction, myself and TDR editor Robert Patton spent a couple of hours
grilling the design engineers and crawling all over and under the trucks to
bring you the inside story! There are a few details that I will need to fill in
next week as they didn't have the information on site and I will update this
document when I get those.</P>
<P>At the end of this document is a link to the entire press release
straight from Daimler Chrysler as well.</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B><FONT SIZE="+1">CLICK ON ANY OF THE PICTURES FOR A
LARGER VERSION</FONT></B></P>
<CENTER>
<TABLE>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/undercover1.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_undercover1.jpg#ad
</A><BR>Under
Wraps</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/robert.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_robert.jpg#ad
</A><BR>TDR Editor Robert Patton being
interviewed</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE></CENTER>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B><FONT SIZE="+1">Body and Interior</FONT></B></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">The body and interior is the same as the 1500 series that
was introduced last year, with the exception of the clearance lights and the
rear wheel fenders on the dual rear wheel 3500's. The good news is that the
body and interior has now been on the streets for a full year and should have
all the bugs worked out. So if you want to see what the body or the interior of
the new truck looks like just go down to your local Dodge dealer. The bad news
is that there isn't going to be a true crew cab available for now. You might
have noticed that I mentioned dual rear wheel 3500's, that's because there is
now a single rear wheel 3500 option as well! Body configurations on both the
2500 and 3500 include a Quad Cab short bed (not available on the DRW 3500),
Quad Cab long bed, and regular cab long bed. Some of you may remember a poll we
did on the TDR site about a year ago asking whether you wanted numbers on your
engine gauges (oil pressure for example), or if you would prefer a colored bar
showing hot or cold such as on Ford trucks and also on the new Ram 1500. The
overwhelming response was that Cummins Turbo Diesel buyers wanted actual
numbers on the gauges. The good news is that D/C listened to us and instead of
the blank color coded gauges of the 1500, the 2500 and 3500 still gets numbered
gauges. The 7 pin trailer plug has been relocated to the bumper right next to
the license plate as opposed to being down on the hitch pointing sideways as
before. In addition, there is a 4 pin trailer plug underneath the bed now - so
you won't have to carry around that 7 pin-4 pin adapter in the glove box any
more.</P>
<CENTER>
<TABLE>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/3500drw-4x.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_3500drw-4x.jpg#ad
</A><BR>3500 DRW QC
LB 4x4</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/2500qcsb1-2x.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_2500qcsb1-2x.jpg#ad
</A><BR>2500 QC
SB 4x2</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/3500drw2-4x.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_3500drw2-4x.jpg#ad
</A><BR>3500 DRW
QC LB 4x4</TD>
<TD><A href="/hdlaunch/2500rc-4x.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_2500rc-4x.jpg#ad
</A><BR>2500 RC LB 4x4</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/3500rcsrw-4x.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_3500rcsrw-4x.jpg#ad
</A><BR>3500 SRW
RC LB 4x4</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/3500srw2-2x.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_3500srw2-2x.jpg#ad
</A><BR>3500 SRW
QC SB 4x2</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/3500drw4xfront.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_3500drw4xfront.jpg#ad
</A><BR>3500
DRW QC LB 4x4</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/3500drw4xrear.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_3500drw4xrear.jpg#ad
</A><BR>3500 DRW
QC LB 4X4</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/3500srw2.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_3500srw2.jpg#ad
</A><BR>3500 SRW RC LB 4x4</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/35004xside.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_35004xside.jpg#ad
</A><BR>3500 DRW QC
LB 4x4</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/35004xdrwtop.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_35004xdrwtop.jpg#ad
</A><BR>3500 DRW
QC LB 4x4</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/interior4.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_interior4.jpg#ad
</A><BR></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/interior2.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_interior2.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/interior3.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_interior3.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/cumminslabel.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_cumminslabel.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
<TD> </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE></CENTER>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B><FONT SIZE="+1">Chassis</FONT></B></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">The frame is extensively hydroformed and is one of the
stiffest ever on a pickup truck. 2 wheel drive models get an all new rack and
pinion steering system, and 4 wheel drive models get an all-new recirculation
ball system with the quickest steering ratio in the industry. With a 13.4:1
steering ratio and 2.75 turns lock-to-lock manuevering in tight quarters will
be easier. There is now what looks like a power steering cooler as well, which
unfortunately is at the very bottom of the cooler assembly behind the lower
bumper fascia and the lines running into and out of it point straight down in
what I consider a very exposed location for anyone that will be off roading
their trucks. Anyone doing serious off roading will most likely have to
relocate that cooler or risk ripping the lines off of it. I will be verifying
that it is a power steering cooler next week and will update this document then
(it was hard to see exactly where the lines ran because of tight packaging and
lack of a flashlight). A GCVWR of up to 23,000 lbs and a GVWR of up to of up to
12,000 lbs sets new standards in it's class. All 2500 and 3500 Ram's equipped
with the CTD come with 4 wheel disc brakes with 13.9 inch rotors front and rear
with 4 wheel ABS. Four wheel drive trucks now come standard with very usable
tow hooks up front. As far as I could tell the only differences between the
2500 and the 3500 is the spring package, other than that everything else looks
identical.</P>
<CENTER>
<TABLE>
<TR>
<TD><A href="/hdlaunch/frontaxle2.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_frontaxle2.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
<TD><A href="/hdlaunch/frontaxle1.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_frontaxle1.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE></CENTER>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B><FONT SIZE="+1">Drivetrain</FONT></B></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">Transmission options are mostly carried over from last
year. Manual transmission options include the NV4500HD 5 speed with the
standard output diesel or the NV5600 6 speed with the high output diesel. For
an automatic you can get the 47RE with the standard output diesel. A mid model
year introduction of the new 48RE will allow you to finally have an automatic
behind the high output diesel. Transfer case options are all new. You have the
choice of the NV271 that comes with the ST package which is manually shifted or
the NV273 that comes with the SLT package which is push button electrically
shifted. Both transfer cases have a 2.72 low range ratio. Your choice of
differential ratio's is now 3.73's (replacing the 3.55's of previous models) or
4.10's. Both front and rear axles are now supplied by American Axle corporation
as opposed to the Dana axles of previous models. Four wheel drive trucks
continue to have a live solid axle front.</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B><FONT SIZE="+1">Engine</FONT></B></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">I bet you thought I'd never get to this! A little teaser
first. They have re-introduced the infamous Hemi (5.7L) as the base engine in
the 2500 and 3500 Rams. Since this is going out to a diesel audience I'll just
leave it at that. You can go to the D-C press release below for more
information on the Hemi.</P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">There have been 850,000 Cummins powered Rams sold between
1989 and September 2001 with diesels outnumbering gas engines by 3 to 1 in the
2500 and 3500 series. Power has been steadily increased over those years
beginning with 160 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque in 1989 to the new 305
horsepower and class leading 555 lb-ft of torque with the new high output
engine. Two thirds of the parts are new or redesigned on the ISBe as compared
to the ISB. Trucks sold in California will get a 235 hp/460 lb-ft (CARB)
version of the engine. This lower rating was necessary because of a tighter 3
gram nox carb standard and was achieved through the use of an oxidation
catalyst, programming, and smaller injectors. The standard 49 state engine will
have 250 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque and the high output option will get 305 hp
and 555 lb-ft of torque. The increased 305 hp rating is acheived through
programming alone so there may be uprated ECM's available in the future to give
the higher output to the standard engine. Beginning January 1 of 2004 (2004.5
models) the engines will be equipped with cooled EGR and at that time the CARB
version of the engine the same output as the 49 state models. This engine has
been available in Europe now for over 2 years so like mentioned above with the
body, they should have all the bugs worked out.</P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">The biggest change is the new High Pressure Common Rail
(HPCR) fuel system. Designed and manufactured by Bosch it uses the CP3.3
injection pump running at a rail pressure of 23,200 psi (1600 bar) on the high
output engine. This is the primary change that allowed a reduction of 8-10 db
of noise along with a block redesign to help keep sound levels down.
Additionally, the ability to better control injection timing along with pilot
injection provides an extended rpm peak torque band over previous engines (200
rpm lower and higher). The lift/supply pump is located on the side of the motor
right next to the fuel filter and is an all new design supplied by
Federal-Mogul. The turbo on all versions of the engine is an HY35 with a 10cm
exhaust housing (although to this reporter it looked like a 9cm housing). This
turbo has been redesigned from previous HY35's and I will be verifying the
changes to the turbo and exhaust housing sizes next week. The exhaust is now a
full 4 inch system from the downpipe to the tail as opposed to the previous 3
inch system.</P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">The new body style provided packaged challenges for
Cummins. Underhood space is 30% smaller on the new generation Ram. One
challenge will be oil filter changes - it's very tight in there. The
recommended method to change the filter is from below the truck with a long
extension and an oil filter socket. However, it looks like you will be able to
remove the intake tube from the airbox to the turbo and have enough room to
change it out from above like most do with the current truck - but it IS going
to be a lot tighter in there. The good news is that oil change intervals have
been increased to 15,000 miles from the previous 7,500 so you won't have to
change it as often. The engine is also tucked up deeper underneath the cowl. On
previous models it was difficult to access the injector on cylinder #6. On the
new model it looks like that will become #4, 5, and 6. Adding underhood
accessories or putting on different turbos is going to be difficult simply
because there isn't much room. Clearance between the compressor side of the
turbo and the shock tower is about 3/4 inch so a larger turbo will most likely
necessitate exhaust manifold and exhaust changes.</P>
<CENTER>
<TABLE>
<TR>
<TD><A href="/hdlaunch/ctdstats.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_ctdstats.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
<TD><A href="/hdlaunch/engcut1ds.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_engcut1ds.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD><A href="/hdlaunch/engcut1ps.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_engcut1ps.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
<TD><A href="/hdlaunch/engcut2ps.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_engcut2ps.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/engcut1fuelrail.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_engcut1fuelrail.jpg#ad
</A><BR>Fuel
Rail</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/engcut1injectors.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_engcut1injectors.jpg#ad
</A><BR>Injector and Valve Train</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD><A href="/hdlaunch/engine2.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_engine2.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
<TD><A href="/hdlaunch/engine1.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_engine1.jpg#ad
</A></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD><A href="/hdlaunch/driversbat1.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_driversbat1.jpg#ad
</A><BR></TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/fuelfilter1.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_fuelfilter1.jpg#ad
</A><BR>Fuel
Filter</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/oilfilter1.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_oilfilter1.jpg#ad
</A><BR>Oil
Filter</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/turbo2.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_turbo2.jpg#ad
</A><BR>HY35 Turbo</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><A href="/hdlaunch/turbo3.jpg">/hdlaunch/sm_turbo3.jpg#ad
</A><BR>HY35 Turbo and Exhaust</TD>
<TD> </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE></CENTER>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B><FONT SIZE="+1">In Conclusion</FONT></B></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">I've tried to give you a good picture of the overall
package with it's pluses and minuses. I'll be gathering information from my
sources in the aftermarket industry based on this information and the pictures
I've taken and I will include their comments soon. Hope you enjoyed it!</P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">-Steve St.Laurent</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B><FONT SIZE="+1">Daimler Chrysler Press
Release</FONT></B><BR>(requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B><FONT SIZE="+1"><A href="/hdlaunch/01_Overview.pdf">Product
Overview</A><BR><A
href="/hdlaunch/02_Powertrain_Chassis.pdf">Powertrain/Chassis</A><BR><A
href="/hdlaunch/03_Design.pdf">Design</A><BR><A
href="/hdlaunch/04_Specifications.pdf">Specifications</A></FONT></B></P>[/RAW]
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