Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Last year Buzz Watch broke the story that Dodge is developing a medium duty truck code named DC. Before I fill you in on the latest Buzz regarding this new truck let me get you up to date on what's coming down the pike for the all new Dodge Ram (DR).
As previously reported, when the 2002 Ram debuts late this summer it will only be offered as a half ton (1500). The new truck will only be available as a quad cab or regular cab for 2002. In 2003 Dodge will launch the three quarter and one ton versions of the truck (2500/3500), club cabs will also become available throughout the line-up. While 4x4 Ram 1500's will have an independent front suspension, 4x4 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks will have solid axles. Note: several readers have written in wondering if the 2500/3500 will look like the Power Wagon concept. Just like the current Ram the 2500/3500 models will be identical to the 1500.
Diesel equipped Rams will also be added to the mix for model year 2003 (in 2500/3500 models only). One of my Ace Buzz Patrollers reports that Cummins indeed be providing their next generation ISB for the truck. The Buzz is that the new Mercedes Benz turbo diesel will be available as an option in 2004. A source who has driven a DR with the Cummins reports that they are amazingly quiet, with noise levels similar to what you hear from a gas V8.
While an updated version of the NV5600 manual transmission will be used, I've been getting conflicting reports on which automatic will be used. There's been Buzz that Cummins will supply an automatic as a package with the ISB. I've also heard that Dodge is working on a new transmission, called the 48RE, which will be built at Kokomo. It's possible that the Cummins trans. will be used with the ISB and the 48RE will be for use with the V10 and possibly with the 5. 7 liter HEMI V8 as well.
Speaking of HEMI's the 6. 1 liter engine that was planned for the truck line has been dropped from the line-up. Know internally as the 440 HEMI (though 6. 1 does not equal 440cid), this engine was identical to the 5. 7 (besides the displacement). Apparently, the brass felt that the engine was unnecessary and went against the companies engine reduction plans.
5. 7 liter HEMI availability will be fairly tight for 2003. One of my Ace Buzz patrollers reports that only 10,000 of these engines will be available for 2003. He adds that the ancient 5. 9 (360cid) liter V8 will continue to be used throughout 2003.
In 2004 Dodge will launch the "DC" chassis cab truck. The medium truck will be offered as a 3500/4500/5500. The big truck (which has been developed in cooperation with Freightliner) will be offered as both a standard cab and as a quad cab. It styling will be almost identical to the DR (just bigger).
While Cummins has a contract for the life of the DR, they where not awarded the contract for the DC. Last year Buzz Watch broke the story that Mercedes Benz is developing an all new compact turbo diesel for use in light and medium truck applications. This will be the only diesel offered when the DC debuts for model year 2004. *
*car-truck.com
As previously reported, when the 2002 Ram debuts late this summer it will only be offered as a half ton (1500). The new truck will only be available as a quad cab or regular cab for 2002. In 2003 Dodge will launch the three quarter and one ton versions of the truck (2500/3500), club cabs will also become available throughout the line-up. While 4x4 Ram 1500's will have an independent front suspension, 4x4 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks will have solid axles. Note: several readers have written in wondering if the 2500/3500 will look like the Power Wagon concept. Just like the current Ram the 2500/3500 models will be identical to the 1500.
Diesel equipped Rams will also be added to the mix for model year 2003 (in 2500/3500 models only). One of my Ace Buzz Patrollers reports that Cummins indeed be providing their next generation ISB for the truck. The Buzz is that the new Mercedes Benz turbo diesel will be available as an option in 2004. A source who has driven a DR with the Cummins reports that they are amazingly quiet, with noise levels similar to what you hear from a gas V8.
While an updated version of the NV5600 manual transmission will be used, I've been getting conflicting reports on which automatic will be used. There's been Buzz that Cummins will supply an automatic as a package with the ISB. I've also heard that Dodge is working on a new transmission, called the 48RE, which will be built at Kokomo. It's possible that the Cummins trans. will be used with the ISB and the 48RE will be for use with the V10 and possibly with the 5. 7 liter HEMI V8 as well.
Speaking of HEMI's the 6. 1 liter engine that was planned for the truck line has been dropped from the line-up. Know internally as the 440 HEMI (though 6. 1 does not equal 440cid), this engine was identical to the 5. 7 (besides the displacement). Apparently, the brass felt that the engine was unnecessary and went against the companies engine reduction plans.
5. 7 liter HEMI availability will be fairly tight for 2003. One of my Ace Buzz patrollers reports that only 10,000 of these engines will be available for 2003. He adds that the ancient 5. 9 (360cid) liter V8 will continue to be used throughout 2003.
In 2004 Dodge will launch the "DC" chassis cab truck. The medium truck will be offered as a 3500/4500/5500. The big truck (which has been developed in cooperation with Freightliner) will be offered as both a standard cab and as a quad cab. It styling will be almost identical to the DR (just bigger).
While Cummins has a contract for the life of the DR, they where not awarded the contract for the DC. Last year Buzz Watch broke the story that Mercedes Benz is developing an all new compact turbo diesel for use in light and medium truck applications. This will be the only diesel offered when the DC debuts for model year 2004. *
*car-truck.com
