Pre-Owned: 1994-2001 Dodge Ram 1500

It took Dodge a long time, 22 years, in fact, to introduce a new pickup. Until the '94 model year, Dodge trucks were blocky tools, designed to haul, tow, and keep rain and bugs out of the driver's face. But overnight, Dodge transformed the staid 1/2-ton truck from farm-grade implement to stylish cruiser. It changed the way pickups were perceived by the public, a trend that continues to this day.

Like any pickup, the Dodge Ram could be configured to fit a buyer's needs. Engine choices ranged from a 3.9-liter/175-horsepower V-6 (fit for commuter duties) to an 8.0-liter/ 300-horse V-10 in the 2500 and 3500 series, which could pull homes off their foundations. Customers wanting a versatile truck opted for the 5.9-liter/235-horse V-8 gasoline engine. Tow-hungry drivers tended to opt for the 5.9-liter turbodiesel I-6, available in either 2500- or 3500-series Rams. All the engines, with the exception of the V-10, were carried over from the previous-generation.

Short- and long-bed setups were available, with a 6.5-foot bed riding on a 118.7-inch wheelbase, while an 8-foot bed was fitted onto a 134.7-inch wheelbase. Late in '94, the Club Cab arrived, with a 138.7-inch wheelbase and a 6.5-foot bed or an 8-foot bed on a 154.7-inch wheelbase. For the '98 model year, Dodge introduced the Quad Cab, which used four opposing opening doors in an extended cab, an industry first.

Another feature that set the pickup community on its ear was the styling reminiscent of a big-rig tractor. With a prominent grille and step-down front fenders, it seemed to polarize buyers: They either loved or hated it. But there was no mistaking it for any other truck. Sales more than tripled in '94, with over 232,000 sold.

A few troublesome areas came along, such as the air-conditioning evaporator that tended to ice up, a clunking front anti-roll bar, and various transmission bugs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued more recalls than we have space for (check NHTSA.dot.gov for systems that bear scrutiny).

The Dodge Ram was built in sufficient numbers to allow current buyers to pick and choose one that's been well cared for. This generation of Rams holds its value when properly maintained. Don't settle for anything but the best; it'll pay off down the road.