1994-2001 Dodge Ram Pickup: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

After 22 years in its former form, Dodge shelved its full-size pickup design in favor of a bold new Ram. Not only did the new Ram hold a driver-side airbag, it could be equipped with a V10 engine, developing 300 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. Initially sold only with a regular-cab body, the Ram came with a short or long cargo box, 2- or 4-wheel drive, in three series: 1500 (1/2-ton), 2500 (3/4-ton), and 3500 (one-ton), the latter with dual rear wheels. Short-bed Rams had a 118.7-inch wheelbase and 6.5-foot cargo bed. Long-bed models rode a 134.7-inch wheelbase with 8-foot bed. Dodge claimed to have the largest interior of any regular-cab pickup--an extended Club Cab didn't arrive untill late in 1994. Lowest-priced Ram was the Work Special 1500. Higher-cost versions were named LT, ST, and Laramie SLT. Rear-wheel antilock braking was standard; 4-wheel ABS optional on 1500 and 2500 models, operating in both 2WD and 4WD. A 3-place bench seat was standard; 40/20/40 split bench optional, including a "business console." Except for the available V10, engines were carried over from the previous generation: V6, three V8s, and a turbodiesel inline six.