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Highlight 2002 Dodge Ram Copley News Service Dodge reinvented the role of the pickup truck in 1994 with the debut of its Ram pickup. The big-rig look, large cab and business-class ergonomics were an overnight success that pushed it from a modest 70,000 sales a year to more than 200,000 the first year. It went on to become the best-selling vehicle of the Chrysler group. The redesigned 2002 Ram has some big fenders to fill when it goes on sale this fall with a new look, two new engines, an automatic transmission and a 3-inch larger cab and a 3-inch shorter bed. Prices have not been set, but it will be offered in regular and Quad Cab with four standard doors. The base model is the ST, with Sport, SLT and SLT (plus) packages available. More PowerThe Ram reputation is built on pulling power, and new for 2002 are two all-new engines and an automatic transmission. The 210 hp, 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 engine replaces the 175 hp 3.9-liter V-6. The 235 hp, 4.7-liter Magnum V-8 replaces the 230 hp 5.2-liter V-8. The 245 hp, 5.9-liter Magnum V-8 also will be available. And the V-10 and diesel engines will continue in the 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty series, but they won't get the new body style until next year. The new 4-speed (45RFE) automatic transmission is the only pickup transmission with a reverse gear ratio equal to the low-gear ratio (an advantage in backing trailers). And it has an alternate second gear ratio for difficult towing and climbing hills. Quad CapacityThe Club Cab is gone, succeeded by the regular and Quad Cabs. The Quad comes with four conventional doors, not "access panels" as before. The back doors are front-hinged with inside and outside handles. The rear doors open 85 degrees and the windows go down all the way. While the cabs were lengthened, the truck's overall length is the same as the previous models, which preserved garagability. The extra space came from cheating three inches out of the bed length -- from 6 feet 6 inches to 6 feet 3 -- but payload capacity wasn't compromised, Dodge says. The added length went toward back-seat leg room and more storage compartments and conveniences: The rear seats can have an optional 60/40 split, and seat cushions fold up to create a tall storage area from floor to ceiling. An optional steel section under the rear seats can fold open to form a flat-load floor, with additional storage in the foot wells. Changes in the regular cab provides more storage behind the seats and more front leg room and ease in the seat backs. As before, the 40/20/40 front seat back allows 3-occupant seating, or the "business console" when the center seat back is folded. It still will hold a laptop but now it has fold-down dividers. The center portion of the seat also has under-cushion storage. Car-like features include white-face gauges, two power points, optional power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, optional dual-zone climate control system and optional heated seats. Four-wheel-drive trucks also can be equipped with an electronic shift transfer case dial instead of the floor shifter. Suspension SetupTwo- and four-wheel drive trucks have switched from a re-circulating ball steering system to rack and pinion to get a more precise and firm feel. Also standard are 17-inch tires and four-wheel disc brakes. Rear-wheel anti-lock brakes are standard on all models and four-wheel ABS is an option. Ride quality has been smoothed by lengthening the rear springs by 3 inches to trim wheel hop. Ground clearance is a tall 9.5 inches, while suspension travel is improved to 8.5 inches from 8 inches. Production will begin this summer at Dodge City in Warren, Mich.; St. Louis North (Missouri) and Saltillo (Mexico) assembly plants. News Index | Features Index |
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