What would it take to build the Mega-Ram?

[FATCAT]

As we all see the one-ups-men-ship of the big three each and every year ... 5 hp here ... 10 ftlbs there ... I have often wondered what it would take for example Dodge ... to put this stuff to rest once and for all.



If you were willing to pay 55 or 60K for a Ram pickup with 1/4 million mile warrenty ... that would do virtually anything you need to do ... what would be the components. What would Dodge need to do to redesign the front end of the truck, front axle, frame, and rear axle for ... say drop the ISB and offer the ISM, Eaton/Allison, and Marmon/Merritor axles.



If this was a "TDR Garage" project, what would you say would be needed to this project?

 

[cumminspwr01]

Freightliner builds a truck a lot like what you have listed there almost to the T. It costs double the price range you have listed there though. They're called sport chassis. THey dont come with a bed on them usually they are for pulling 5ers but for that amount of money Im sure they would put whatever you would like on it. They are actually really nice trucks. TV's, DVD players, four doors or two. Whatever you can afford. A lot of the newer ones have the MBE 900 engine in them.

 

[Will24]

FATCAT, assuming you meant Arvin Meritor (rockwell/zf what ever you want to call them) RUN RUN RUN, my dads shop rebuilds them, half of them leave the factory broken! Go Eaton!

 

[FATCAT]

I guess my point would be what would YOU FOLKS consider the MEGA-Ram, what would be your components to once-and-for-all settle this one-ups-men-ship crap with the Ford/Chevy/GMC.



Thats why I started off with saying drop the ISB and offer the ISM (or what ever you think would be a winning engine/transmission combo). What other options in ... lets say a Ram 5500+ at just under 26K GVW. Something that ... when you are pulling a 15-18K trailer up a mountain pass, you would'nt even feel it behind you while you do 75-85 mph with no problem.



I just curious to see what you folks would consider the "ultimate" Ram combination.

 

[guava]

I'd take the engine out and put it in something japanese and about 3 times the size of what they currently make. The Ram is the only american vehicle made that I would purchase and thats only because of the engine... . I know. I'm the root of our economic woes.