Here is a plus........

[_MACKIN]

On the new RAm P/U

http:/http://www.detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0203/20/-445294.htm/www.detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0203/20/-445294.htm

MACOo.

 

[_MACKIN]

I couldn't edit?

Here is a plus on the new RAM P/U

http://www.detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0203/20/-445294.htm



Sorry about bad link above.

MACOo.

 

[TPCDrafting]

Tis good news, but I'd still rather be in my Ram in a head on rather than a Subaru!

 

[Cummins Corvette]

Re: I couldn't edit?

Originally posted by amcintyre

Here is a plus on the new RAM P/U

http://www.detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0203/20/-445294.htm



Sorry about bad link above.

MACOo.

What are you saying?

 

[_MACKIN]

CAnderson,



Sorry for the very first post on this thread. Not a actual html link. I would of dileted if possible. That is why I corrected on second post. I know a little confusing.

MAC

 

[KCJackson]

amcintyre, remember, you can always edit your own posts after the fact, you don't need to add a second one. At the bottom right corner of each post is the "edit" button



Here's a better link - the IIHS website not only shows the pictures, but gives the actual numbers in a comparison chart between the old and new body Rams. Scariest number is the steering wheel "up" intrusion. This refers to the steering wheel getting shoved upwards towards the driver's head by the impact, something made even worse by the fact that's where the airbag is mounted. For those without a calculater handy, 20cm is about 8 inches. Now sit at your Ram and imagine the steering wheel a full 8 inches higher than it is now, and its relation to your face. When the airbag and cab stay in place, the driver has a greater chance of survival. Look at the two dummies in the pics, the 2002 driver is still seated upright, while the 2001 driver has just about fallen to the floor, and is likely a paraplegic or dead.



http://www.iihs.org/news_releases/2002/pr032002.htm

 

[KCJackson]

More good crash results

This IIHS link shows that the Ram has also significantly improved its "parking lot" crash results, with MUCH lower repair costs for those 5mph bumps and bangs. Note the average repair cost for the 4 tests is the lowest of all the full size pickups tested.



http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/low_speed_lgpkup.htm

 

[RJOL]

I've seen these test results, but all the test were done on the 1500 series trucks, not the 2500 or 3500. I wonder if that would make a differnence...

 

[_MACKIN]

KCJackson,



I didn't see it. I know have edited a post before. Must be my age or them drinks were catching up... LOL:-laf

You aren't kidding about the steering column moving upward 8" and then having airbag deploy... . Not to mention on a head on the driver would be coming forward upon impact. Yip's... . That is a major improvement in the 2003 ram in safety.

MAC



Oo.

 

[Chris N5CWM]

1/2 ton v/s 3/4 ton stats?

I'm curious what the difference is

between the frames of the 1/2 and

3/4 & 1 ton trucks, and if they are

different. If so the 2500 & 3500 may

be safer in a similar headon-quartering

impact. And the added weight of the

Cummins might be a factor but I cannot

imagine how. More Ram effect?



-Chris

 

[Cummins Corvette]

Originally posted by amcintyre

CAnderson,



Sorry for the very first post on this thread. Not a actual html link. I would of dileted if possible. That is why I corrected on second post. I know a little confusing.

MAC

That was supposed to be a joke.

 

[_MACKIN]

CAnderson



Yup got it now!!!!!!!! Duh on my part... .....

MAC

 

[Pit Bull]

Comparing 1500 results to what would happen in a 2500 or 3500 is apples to oranges. In the real world you run into other vehicles and weight is the big factor. Like on the football field. The frames are heavier on our trucks and the engine is much heavier. Now if you are drunk enough to run off the rode at 45 mph and hit a solid wall it might screw you up. If this has happened to anyone and you can still post a message, please tell us how you and the truck faired and how it felt

 

[Beast2B]

Just by looking at the pics, it sure looks like the B pillar helps maintain cab integrity in the '02 1500. Seems logical, but it's good to get some facts. Just my $0. 02

 

[hammersley]

Tests are questionable....

It's funny that the media takes these tests so seriously. The old fart that runs this test, says very sheepishly, and the TV crew somehow allows it to be said, that all in all, it's better to be in a heavier rig. Hitting a totally immovable object, like these tests do, which means running into a bridge buttment, tree, etc is very rare in actual crashes - but highly fatal. They do this for simplicity. and expense and man do they draw the conclusions from them. First I'd like to see them test a 4X4, with a solid front axle. I have an idea what would happen, but would like to see for myself. And now the really wrong impression that they leave. Some fools believe that for example the new Suzuki SUV rates a 5 star from this outfit and say our lowly Ram gets a 1 or 2 Star. Now let's take that blond reporterette and see which vehicle she wants to really be in if we have a head-on! Also I would like to see a real head-on with a Full Size Ram and a small really safe car!

 

[homeka45]

I wonder how a ram HD equipped with a denver offroad/reunel/uteltd bumper would do in these tests.

 

[DuallyDean]

aftermarket bumpers

I would suspect the HD Ram would fare better with the heavy duty bumper. However, the driver and/or passengers would not. Why? Because all automakers spend lots of money to build vehicles that absorb the impact force (read: crush) without comprimising the interior cabin space. Having said that, I would still opt for the heavy duty bumper, I have had the misfortune of 3 front end crashes with my dually, one of which I was only going about 5 miles an hour while sliding helplessly toward a telephone pole in a parking lot covered in black ice. That contact caused over 4500 dollars in damage, because everything back to the fan belt collapsed to absorb the shock. (I hardly felt a thing, and the airbag did not deploy--thank God!) That amount of damage from a low speed crash like that is completely unacceptable in my opinion. Bravo for the new low speed crash test results.



It is interesting that in one breath the Ralph Nader types scream about how the big trucks and SUV's are dangerous to all those little tin-can go-karts on the road, and then turn around and complain about the high cost of fixing those trucks and SUV's when they are involved in an accident. You can't win. Crushing to absorb the shock (to both the passengers and the other vehicle) causes more bent and broken components, which cost more to fix. Big, heavy duty bumpers can minimize damage to your vehicle, but will probably destroy the other vehicle (and passengers)

Bottom line: don't do anything stupid around big trucks with big bumpers!