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2002-2005 Dodge Ram 1500
Date Published: 2/20/08

2002-2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup
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Price Range:
$4,900 - 25,600

Class:
Large Pickup Truck
2002-2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup
Expert Rating Summary
Category
Dodge Ram 1500 SLT reg. cab 4WD w/4.7-liter V8, auto. Rating
Performance 4
Fuel Economy 3
Ride Quality 3
Steering/Handling/Braking 3
Quietness 5
Controls/Materials 6
Interior Room 7
Room/Comfort (rear) 0
Cargo Capacity 2
Value within Class 6
Total Score: 39
Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category
Chart: One rating chart provided for a representative model
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2002-2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup Review
Dodge's full-size pickup was redesigned for 2002, with fresh styling, two new engines, bigger cabs, and available curtain-type side airbags. Only the half-ton Ram 1500 models were affected. Heavier-duty 2500/3500 trucks were to switch over to the new design for 2003. Ram's two-door extended Club Cab was scuttled, leaving a regular cab and Quad Cab. The Quad Cab became a crew style, with four front-hinged doors. Prior Quad Cabs had rear-hinged back doors. Both cab styles came in three trim levels, with a 6.3- or 8-foot cargo bed. Exterior dimensions changed little, but both body styles gained 3 inches in cab length from a corresponding reduction to the bed. All had a 40/20/40 split front bench seat. Quads got a three-passenger rear bench, available in 60/40 split form. Available power-adjustable pedals and front/rear curtain side airbags were new. Dodge said both were "firsts" for full-size pickups. A 3.9-liter V6 gave way to a new 3.7-liter V6, while a 4.7-liter V8 replaced the previous Ram's 5.2-liter V8. An optional 5.9-liter V8 continued with automatic transmission. The other engines came with either manual or automatic. All Rams were offered with rear-wheel drive or 4WD, which must be disengaged on dry pavement but included low-range gearing. Dashboard buttons to engage 4WD were newly optional, in place of a floor-mounted lever. Ram 4x4s got an independent front suspension instead of the previous solid axle. Four-wheel disc brakes with rear ABS were standard; four-wheel ABS was an option. Other changes included standard 17-inch wheels (instead of 16s), and newly optional 20-inch alloy wheels.
Year to Year Changes
2003 Dodge Ram: A budget-priced Work Special option package with grey exterior trim emerged for 2003, along with an optional four-wheel-drive Off-Road Group for 4WD SLT models. The Off-Road option included all-terrain tires and skid plates, among other rugged extras. The top-of-the-line trim option, formerly called SLT Plus, switched its name to Laramie.
2004 Dodge Ram: All-wheel drive and a navigation system became available for 2004 models. Offered on SLT editions, the AWD system included low-range gearing, At midyear, Dodge introduced a high-performance Ram SRT-10 with a Viper V10 engine, six-speed manual gearbox, sport suspension, 22-inch wheels and special trim.
2005 Dodge Ram: Wider availability of a 6-speed manual transmission and a sunroof made available for Quad Cab models are new for '05. For 2005, the V6 and 4.7-liter V8 offer a 6-speed manual transmission, replacing the 5-speed. Also for '05, a Quad Cab SRT-10 joins the carried-over regular cab. It has a V10 engine mated with a 4-speed automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive, sport suspension, 22-inch wheels, and special trim.
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