Dodge's 3/4-ton 2500 and 1-ton 3500 pickups are heavy-duty versions of the 1/2-ton Ram 1500. They come in regular cab or Quad Cab 4-dr crew cab models. Quad Cabs get a 3-place rear seat and either a 6.3- or 8-ft cargo bed; regular cabs come with the 8-ft bed. All versions offer rear-wheel drive or 4WD that should not be left engaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing. Dual rear wheels are standard on 3500s except the Quad Cab short bed, which comes standard with single rear wheels. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard on all models. Curtain side airbags that protect all seating positions are optional.

Standard engine on all models except the 3500 Quad Cab short bed is a 345-hp 5.7-liter V8. Standard on that model and optional on all others is a 5.9-liter 6-cyl turbodiesel. Midyear, horsepower was upgraded from 250 to 305. Not returning for 2004 is a 8.0-liter V10. Manual transmission is standard, automatic optional. For 2004 the automatic adds a tow/haul mode.

Two new options are available for 2004, a hands-free cellular phone system with Bluetooth called U-Connect and an integrated radio/navigation system.