First impressions-2002 Dodge Ram

[johnrv4]

Well, I went to the Chicago Auto Show yesterday and took a look at the 2002 Ram (actually TRIED to take a look). It was difficult to really get a good look at the truck because the only one that they had there was roped off. Their demo model was on a platform and the cab and front-end lifted off. The other one was a standard cab (roped off). I wanted to look at (sit in) a crew cab model, but I didn't see one on the floor. That one probably would have been roped off too. My first impression was that the body styling made the truck look bigger. The grill was definately bigger and the sides of the body are more contoured like a Ford F-150. The headlights look a little nicer the the current ones. I did get a look at the 1500 series front-end when the front clip raised off. It does have independent front suspension. From what I could see, the front differential axle tubes extend out to the frame rails. From there to the wheels there are cv axle shafts. It also has rack-and-pinion steering mounted in front of the differential. I was trying to get some photos, but the place was rammed and the ones I got were pretty bad. Actually the ones posted on the Auto sites are much better than I could do. My own personal opinion is the truck looks O. K. . I tried to find more info on the 2500 series due out for the '03 model year, but nobody there knew anything about it that we haven't heard here already. If it looks exactly like the 1500, I wouldn't be in a big hurry to trade mine in. The worst part of the whole show was the ride there and back. I was in the rear seat of a new 2500 Chevy quad cab. I think our Rams have a little more leg room, at 6'2" I felt like a frickin' pretzel after the 1 1/2 hour ride #ad
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2001. 5 2500 Quad cab SLT 4x4 ETH/DEE, towing package, snow plow prep, 3:55 anti-spin, and other goodies. Flame Red

 

[SteveAZ]

That's pretty much the same response in 98 when the 1st glimse of the F-350 SD came out.

My first thought was what a goofy looking truck. (Okay it still looks that way).

DC will have the same growing pains, esp since it will be hard to top the second gen body change. Everyone will expect the same dramatic change again. From the looks of the 2002 1500, that isn't going to happen.

That along with an initial poor showing of the crew cab, some of us may wind up driving the goofy looking competition afterall. Hopefully DC will produce a winner w/ a TRUE Crew!

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99' Qcab, 4x4, auto, chrome nerf bars, VA, Boost elbow, DiProcal Pillar mount gauges, 16X8 Eagle wheels, Dunlop 285/75 AT's

 

[roycrown]

"Goofy Looking" is right. Have you ever seen just a base model?, not one with loaded down with chrome wheels, running boards, brush guard, bed caps, etc. They are extremely ugly, and those mirrors seem to be attatched by two male reproductive organs!