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2003 Truck of the Year: Dodge Ram Heavy Duty


2003 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT HD & 3500 4x4 Laramie HD
POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS
Drivetrain layout Front engine, rwd Front engine, 4wd
Engine type 90-degree V-8 gasoline, cast-iron block/alum heads Turbocharged I-6 diesel, cast-iron block and head
Valve gear OHV Hemi, 2 valves/cyl OHV, 2 valves/cyl
Displacement, ci/cc 345.0 / 5654 359.0 / 5883
Bore x stroke, in/mm 3.92x3.58 / 99.5x90.9 4.02x4.72 / 102.1x119.9
Compression ratio 9.6:1 17.2:1
Max horsepower @ rpm 345 @ 5600 305 @ 2900
Max torque @ rpm 375 @ 4400 555 @ 1400
Redline, rpm 5800 3500
Transmission 5-speed automatic 6-speed manual
Axle / final-drive ratios 4.10:1 / 2.75:1 4.10:1 / 2.99:1
Suspension, front Live axle, leading arms, track bar, coil springs, anti-roll bar, gas shocks Live axle, leading arms, track bar, coil springs, anti-roll bar, gas shocks
Suspension, rear Live axle, leaf springs, gas shocks Live axle, leaf springs, gas shocks
Steering type, ratio Power assisted rack-and-pinion,15.4:1 Recirculating ball, 13.4:1
Brakes, front; rear 13.9-in vented disc; 13.9-in solid disc, ABS 13.9-in vented disc; 13.9-in solid disc, ABS
Wheels 17X8.0 cast alum 17X6.0 steel
Tires Michelin LTX A/S Goodyear Wrangler SR-A
Tire size LT265/70R17 111S LT235/80R17 120/117P
DIMENSIONS
Body style 4-door, 6-pass 4-door, 6-pass
Wheelbase, in 140.5 160.5
Length, in 227.7 249.7
Width, in 79.9 96.0
Height, in 78.5 78.4
Ground clearance, in 8.0 7.6
Bed dimns, LxWxH, in 75.6 x 66.4 x 20.2 (std bed) 96.0 x 66.4 x 20.2 (long bed)
Curb weight, lb 5256 7100
Max payload, lb 2000 5370
Max towing cap, lb 9550 15,300
Cargo capacity, cu ft 57.7 (std bed) 73.9 (long bed)
Fuel capacity, gal 34.0 35.0
Legroom, f;r, in 41.0; 36.4 41.0; 36.4
Shoulder room, f;r, in 67.0; 66.7 67.0; 66.7
Hiproom, f;r, in 65.1; 64.6 65.1; 64.6
Headroom, f;r, in 40.8; 40.0 40.8; 40.0
TEST DATA
Acceleration, sec
0-60 mph 8.1 12.3
0-60 mph 10.1 (w/1000-lb load) 16.2 (w/2500-lb load)
0-60 mph 10.3 (w/7000-lb boat) 16.4 (w/8800-lb boat)
45-55 mph 4.0 (towing ski boat) 8.6 (towing ski boat)
1/4 mile, sec @ mph 16.2 @ 85.6 18.5 @ 74.4
Braking, 60-0 mph, ft 159 160
Braking, 60-0 mph, ft 166 (w/1000-lb load) 167 (w/2500-lb load)
600-ft slalom, mph 53.5 52.7
200-ft skidpad, g 0.73 0.62
Top-gear rpm @ 60 mph 1750 2000
Turning circle, ft 44.6 52.0
CONSUMER INFO
On sale in U.S. Currently Currently
Base price $26,715 $31,970
Price as tested $32,745 $44,555
Airbags Dual front, front/rear side curtain Dual front, front/rear side curtain
EPA mph, city/hwy Not rated Not rated
Basic warranty 3 yrs/36,000 miles 3 yrs/36,000 miles
Powertrain warranty 7 yrs/70,000 miles 7 yrs/70,000 miles
Roadside assistance 3 yrs/36,000 miles 3 yrs/36,000 miles


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