Dodge
The 2500 and 3500 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty trucks are the newest 3⁄4- and 1-ton offerings on the road. We criticized the 1500 Ram for not having enough power when it was introduced last year with the 5.9L/245-hp as the top engine. Dodge promised more powerful engines for the 2500/3500 platform, and they came through. The base engine is the new 5.7L gasoline V-8 that's not only the most powerful base engine of this group at 345 hp, but revives the historical Hemi name and accompanying hemispherical cylinder head combustion chambers. Next up is the 8.0L gasoline V-10. It's basically a Viper engine with iron heads that makes 310 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. The first diesel option is a 5.9L I-6 good for 250 hp and 460 lb-ft (specs not shown). It costs around $4700. However, we'd advise spending about $600 more to get the H.O. version of the 5.9 I-6 diesel. This Cummins design offers the most torque of any production pickup engine at 555 lb-ft.
Dodge 5.7L Gasoline Click...
Dodge 5.7L Gasoline
Click image to enlarge
Dodge 5.7L Gasoline
Engine type: V-8, cast-iron block, aluminum heads
Bore x stroke, in: 3.92 x 3.58
Displacement, ci/L: 345/5.7
Compression ratio 9.6:1
Valve gear 2 valves /cyl, OHV
Fuel induction Sequential multiport
Horsepower, hp @ rpm 345 @ 5400
Torque, lb-ft@ rpm 375 @ 4200
Recommended fuel Unleaded regular
Max GCWR, lb n/a
Max towing capacity, lb n/a
Option price Standard 2500 & 3500
Dodge 8.0L Gasoline Click...
Dodge 8.0L Gasoline
Click image to enlarge
Dodge 8.0L Gasoline
Engine type: V-10, cast-iron block and heads
Bore x stroke, in: 4.00 x 3.88
Displacement, ci/L: 488/8.0
Compression ratio: 8.6:1
Valve gear: 2 valves/cyl, OHV Fuel induction: Sequential multiport
Horsepower, hp @ rpm: 305 @ 4000
Torque, lb-ft@ rpm: 440 @ 2800
Recommended fuel: Unleaded regular
Max GCWR, lb: 23,000
Max towing capacity, lb: 12,000
Option price: $625 (est)
Dodge 5.9L H.O.Turbodiesel...
Dodge 5.9L H.O.Turbodiesel
Click image to enlarge
Dodge 5.9L H.O.Turbodiesel
Engine type: I-6, cast-iron block and head
Bore x stroke, in: 4.02 x 4.72
Displacement, ci/L: 359/5.9
Compression ratio: 17.2:1
Valve gear: 4 valves/cyl, OHV
Fuel induction: direct injection, high-pressure common rail
Horsepower, hp @ rpm: 305 @ 2900
Torque, lb-ft @ rpm: 555 @ 1400 Recommended fuel: Diesel
Max GCWR, lb: 23,000
Max towing capacity, lb: 12,000
Option price: $5300 (est)