In the '80s and into the early '90s, pickups were somewhat vanilla in the styling department. That all changed in '94 when Dodge morphed the looks of a Kenworth onto the Ram, creating a true phenomenon in the truck world and taking home our Golden Calipers in the process. For '03, Dodge designers pegged the design and engineering meter off the scale; the heavy-duty Ram has the most visually recognizable brand character of any pickup: bigger, bolder, and brasher. As Associate Editor Brian Vance penned, "It's the SuperSize of pickups."
While the interiors have some hard plastic pieces, fit and finish are on par with Japan's best.
While some of our editors like the in-your-face look, others suggest that Dodge might have taken the image a bit too far. "The grille is 115 percent too large," wrote Detroit Bureau Chief Keebler. Exec Editor Stone took the opposing view: "This 'I wanna be a Kenworth' look is a huge element of the Ram's popularity." Irrespective of the camp, all editors agreed the design is universally defining as a Ram. Senior shooter Kiewicz noted, "You're going to either love or hate the Dodge's styling, but regardless, you're going to notice it."
Recreational towing has never been more popular, and the HD has been designed for pulling heavy loads with ease. Even in base 2500 regular-cab 2WD form, the Ram can carry 3330 pounds of payload and has a tow rating of 9550 pounds. Opt for the 3500 regular cab dually with the HO turbodiesel and four-speed automatic, and the rating jumps to a mammoth 16,400 pounds--that's best in class, kids.
When we dropped a 7000-pound 26-foot boat and trailer onto the tail of the 2500, the Hemi had no problem hauling the vessel up a seven-percent grade. In our standard-issue-loaded 0-60-mph test, it posted an impressive 10.3-second pull and 4.0 seconds in the 40-55-mph passing test. With the 3500 diesel powerplant providing the brawn, we loaded an 8800-pound 32-foot Sunsation Dominator on the hitch. A standstill to 60 mph came in at a respectable 16.4 seconds, and the passing test posted an easy 8.6.
With both Rams, adding weight to the back of the bed was a no-brainer, and the effect on handling was about nil. Loading both Rams with half of their maximum payload, the 2500 lost any road harshness while driving bumpy stretches of asphalt; the 3500 felt heavier, but adding weight to the bed could be likened to adding a drop of water to the Pacific Ocean--it hardly made a difference.
Unlike the previous-generation, the new Ram's creature comforts are more evocative of an upscale hotel lobby than a truck interior. The dash pad and other ancillary items may be hard plastic, but colors, textures, fit, and finish are more what you might find in a sedan, rather than a work-duty truck. In both series, front-bucket seats hold you in place, with good lateral, lumbar, and thigh support. Cloth interiors may be cooler in summer and warmer in winter, but we enjoy the look and feel of Dodge's leather-trimmed seats, which raise the posh level only a few notches.