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2009 Dodge Ram Preview

In the past two years, the midsize truck segment has become incredibly

It isn't just toughness or capability that will be defining the new Ram, as quality and refinement play a big part too. (Photo: Dodge)

competitive. The redesigned Toyota Tundra nailed home a message that the Japanese were serious about running with the big three, while Chevrolet and GMC introduced their GMT900-based trucks that picked up North American Truck of the Year for '07. Things are going to get even tougher throughout 2008, and the year is starting off with a bang with the launch of two of the most important trucks in the segment – the new Ford F-150 and this, the fully-redesigned Dodge Ram.

Since 1994, the Ram has been about big-rig styling. It's a bold, in-your-face, love it or hate it sort of look that has really done well for Dodge, setting it apart from other pickup trucks on the market. The next level for Dodge's stylists isn't necessarily to make the Ram any bigger, but, if you can believe it, to make the truck more aggressive. The big, crosshair grille still sits center stage, but instead of being set vertically, it's canted inwards at the bottom to give it an almost shark-like appearance. Dodge likens the look to a ram lowering its head and preparing to charge. Dodge has also paid attention to some of the finer details, such as integrated turn

Dodge put the Ram in the wind tunnel to make it more efficient. (Photo: Dodge)

signals in the side view mirrors and new rear bumpers that feature insets for the tailpipes. The body, as a whole, has a smoother appearance which translates into a much-improved drag rating, allowing the Ram to be quieter and more fuel efficient when cruising at higher speeds. There is little question that the new Ram will sit well with those who like the current truck's styling.

Modern pickup trucks offer an unusually wide assortment of configurations effecting cab, bed and wheelbase lengths. The new Ram can be had with either 120- or 140-inch wheelbases, with Regular Cab, Quad Cab (four-door) and Crew Cab (extended length four-door), and with three bed lengths, 6-foot, 4-inch long for Quad Cab and short-bed Regular Cab, 8 feet for long-bed Regular Cab and 5 feet, 7 inches for the Crew Cab. Dodge is also introducing a new feature called the RamBox, available on Crew Cab models. This clever lockable storage system consists of a pair of 5-foot, 7-inch boxes as wide as the rear wheel wells that are also illuminated and drainable. Together, the two boxes create

RamBox - two lockable, lit, drainable and weather-proof bins, good for storing your gear or dozens and dozens of cans of soda. (Photo: Dodge)

additional covered space of 8.7 cubic feet, and are big and wide enough to accommodate a set of golf clubs, sports gear, and, if you're in need of some serious refreshment, 240 cans of soda. With the RamBox system in place, Dodge says that the standard 5x7 sheet of plywood can still fit flat on the floor of the truck's bed, and the package includes a bed extender and a cargo management system to keep things organized and safely tied down.

The new Ram will certainly get some folks talking about what's going on underneath. Through hydroforming and greater use of higher-tensile steels the Ram's chassis is more rigid than ever, but the big news is that the truck's rear suspension setup contains coil springs rather than the standard leaf springs. Dodge says that some of the heaviest-hauling equipment on the planet, like cargo trains, use coil springs, so it isn't as if they're any less capable of carrying loads or durable over the long haul. Other advantages of the coil setup include a better and more controlled ride and reduced weight of up to 40 pounds. The all important numbers to pickup truck owners, payload and towing capacity, are still very high with the new Ram; it can tow up to 9,100 pounds and haul up to 1,850 pounds in its bed. To maintain safety while under load the Ram packs the biggest-sized brakes in

Leaf springs are out; they've been replaced by rear coils and a five-link suspension setup. (Photo: Dodge)

the business, with two-piston calipers that bite down on discs all-round. They are assisted by ABS and ESC stability control, both of which are standard. The Ram also includes front and side-curtain airbags as standard equipment.

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