Rumor mill-changes for '05?

[Erik Unthank]

Has anyone heard if there will be any significant changes for the '05 model year? Just wondering if it's worth the wait over '04. 5.

 

[PJ]

someone had posted that the rear seat would actually have leg room for someone other than Billy Barty.

 

[XcumminsX]

I heard there was going to be a true quad cab in 05



Nick

 

[jungledave]

I would wait for the longer cab. And ther is always a chance that if the new engine has any bugs in it that they will have em taken care of by then. Maybe by then they will have all the vibration issues taken care of. Wait for the 05. or amybe they will offer fenderflairs. If I could do it a ll over again i'd be in an 05 instead of my 04.

 

[jlasich]

If space is important to you, then I would wait and see if the crew cab rumor comes true. Of course, I've heard that rumor and also some refreshening of the dash. If they don't make a crew cab for '05, then the '04s might have a pretty good rebate on them this fall.

 

[Gauthier]

A friend, who works at the local Dodge dealer, told me that he heard from a Dodge engineer, involved with engine development, that a 720 lb-ft Cummins would be available by 12/04. Supposedly, the engine is currently in the final emissions and durability testing. Now I know this is third hand information, but this thread is asking for rumors. I trust my friend implicitly, but you know how a story can evolve even when all the participants are trying to be truthful.

 

[Bill Stockard]

A 4500/5500 1-1/2 ton series with GVWs around 15,000-16,000 lbs and GCWs up to 30,000 lbs? Straight frame rails as a cab & chassis for trailer towing beds/specialty beds or as a pickup? Mercedes diesel engine with 700+ lb-ft torque and automatic transmission? Factory 19. 5" wheels?



Bill

 

[JHayward]

Gauthier,



Any ideas on a trans offering for this 720 lb. ft. engine? Any engine details?

 

[JRMora]

From what I have read in the industry mags, I would be surprised if Dodge releases a larger cab. The reason is simply math. Dodge is able to build all of it's configurations on only 3 wheelbases: 120. 5", 140. 5" and 160. 5". That's why the SB's are only 6' 3" instead of the 6' 6" of old. If you enlarge the cab, you'll end up with a "Ford Supercrew" like truck with a very short (5½'?) bed. Or, yet another wheelbase/frame.



In manufacturing, it's all about economies of scale. Ford has to make 7 different chassis to support all their configurations. For Dodge to increase their size, it's a major re-tool and in this economy, I think it's unlikely that this will happen.



I hope I'm wrong, but...



Anyway, I like the size of my truck - it's much easier to manuever and park than a Crew Cab Ford (even a SRW Ford!) and I don't really miss the extra 4" of legroom. I'm 6'3, my wife is 5' 10, and we have three boys (2 of them in car seats) and we do just fine.



I have 10,000 miles in 5 months and happy as a clam!



Juan



p. s. I'd love to see some new changes, too, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Briman]

Front axle disconnect.

 

[Erik Unthank]

I really doubt they'll offer a larger cab configuration too. They're losing money:

http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosinsider/0402/19/autos-69169.htm



I was wondering more if they'd do any interior upgrade to offset the new F150.

 

[gonzo2]

I wouldn't be surprised by a few interior changes. Last generation started in '94 and the changed the interiors in '98 then the whole truck in '02 (even though only available in 1500). hmm see a pattern, '06 maybe?

 

[cpizz]

Yea I heard that it was going to have 700lb/ft. of torque, a 7speed automatic, 6" exhaust from the manifold, and a option to order a fueling box from the factory that will add 100hp/200torque!

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I guess when I ordered my 97 in July 1996 I should have waited and ordered a 2003; no, a 2004; no, a 2005????

Face it, Cummins and Dodge are improving the package constantly. I wanted a new truck in October, so I bought one. It is great and I am happy. I felt that way back in 1996 too. I still like my 1997 and am glad I bought it. When I buy another in a few years, I will be happy about the improvements, and will still wish for 800 hp from the factory.

 

[skcmcc]

Crew Cab

I would be surprised if they didn't offer a crew cab. Since more people are using pickups as all-around family vehicles, the trend is moving to crew cabs. Every major manufacturer has, or is coming out with, a full size pickup with a crew cab.

We'll see, but I'm guessing they'll use the 160" wheelbase to conserve costs and come out with a full crew with a short bed.

If you look at the overall length of a quad cab with an 8' bed, you could steal a foot from the bed and give it to the cab. That would give you a true crew, with out compromising too much of the bed's carrying ability. It would be pretty comparable to a F*#! superduty shortbed crew and I think it would allow Dodge to capture some of the market its missing now. (Now if they could give it 4-wheel steering so you could park it )

Just my uninformed opinion.

 

[Jeff Clark]

For years and years Dodge said there was no market for a crew cab and they didn't have the capacity to build it. They got the capacity by eliminating the extended cab. I don't think Dodge is going to re-tool to build a larger cab after just 2 years of production. Maybe 2007 or 2008, but not 2005.

 

[Matt400]

A larger cab would entail a larger turning radius and the Ram QC turns shorter than GM or Ford. I think the turning radius is a big plus and was another selling point for me.

 

[FATCAT]

?????

Originally posted by Gauthier

A friend, who works at the local Dodge dealer, told me that he heard from a Dodge engineer, involved with engine development, that a 720 lb-ft Cummins would be available by 12/04. Supposedly, the engine is currently in the final emissions and durability testing. Now I know this is third hand information, but this thread is asking for rumors. I trust my friend implicitly, but you know how a story can evolve even when all the participants are trying to be truthful.

HEY!!! lets get some more info on this "720 lb-ft Cummins"!!!



Don't just leave us hanging here!



Get back to your friend and point us to something to look at ... some website peeking into automaker's "Skunkworks".



Or are you just yanking our chain? Maybe the ISC is replacing the ISBe?



Whats the scoop?

 

[DPelletier]

Don't hold your breath.

 

[JeffreyHahn]

I worked for DCX PVO last year and there was no rumor of this engine. Ricardo Engineering wanted to build something like this for the PowerWagon but DCX wouldn't bite.