First Drive BAR SETTER By Bruce W. Smith A five-link coil-sprung rear axle, 390-hp Hemi, weatherproof bed-side storage, interior refinements akin to a luxury sedan, and retroaerodynamic body styling all sound wonderful on paper and look sweet in person. But what determines any new vehicle’s true worth is when tires touch ground. So it is with the regeneration of the Dodge Ram—Chrysler’s best-selling vehicle. The 2009 Dodge Ram is the recipient of dozens upon dozens of design changes and improvements from the model it replaces, but no one can appreciate their cumulative effect until you spend a few hours behind the wheel. To say the “new” Dodge Ram 1500 is better than the previous model would be one of the biggest understatements of the decade. The difference between the ’08 and the ’09 is night and day. Not so much in exterior looks as it is in the package as a whole. Our first impressions after a day behind the wheel both on and off-pavement, towing and hauling loads, is the Dodge engineers and designers have taken a pickup that was several steps behind its ½-ton competitors in comfort, power, fuel economy, styling and utility value and repositioned it as the new class leader. No small feat. BODY BEAUTIFUL Dodge needed a fresh look and a sleeker design as the first step to improving fuel economy with the Ram 1500. A tough balancing act as one doesn’t want to rile the Ramfaithful. To the designer’s credit the aerodynamics and “retro” frontend styling is what’s going to bring back any Dodge owners who strayed from the Ram flock when the previous model came out. The 2009 Dodge Ram features a redesigned aluminum hood with a little bulge and the hood is now separate from the new forward-canted grille that sports a very prominent cross-hair and 3-D Ram emblem at the center. The gaudy Ram badges are a bit much, but otherwise the trim and overall look is very appealing. The headlights, wipers, mirrors, and bumpers are a new style and positioned to reduce both wind noise and drag. And even a cursory comparison between the old and new Ram will show the body gaps on the latter are dramatically tighter and cleaner. We liked the way Dodge Frenched-in the dual exhaust tips on the HEMI-equipped models, too. It gives the truck a custom look as does the built-in spoiler on the tailgate. They even changed the door styling so they no have pull-type handles that accommodate gloved hands and the tops don’t wrap into the roof.
Each box encompasses the entire length of the bed side and opens up to reveal a weatherproof, drainable, lockable storage bin capable of holding tools, tool boxes, Hi-Lift jacks, fishing/camping gear, guns, gear, drinks, whatever it is you need easy access to but don’t have room in the cab. A very nifty idea well executed. There’re also a couple more storage compartments inside the cab under the rear floor, one bin on each side.So there’s no lack of space to keep loose items in the new Ram. SUPERB SUSPENSION Another very well executed concept in the 2009 Dodge Ram is the one that makes the most dramatic change of all: The coil-sprung solid-axle rear suspension. The biggest complaint from previous Ram owners—and the brunt of many an auto scribe’s jabs toward Dodge—was the stiff rear suspension. No more. Tucked under the rear of an improved frame is the first multi-link coil spring rear suspension in a half-ton pickup. This change from leaf springs to coils dramatically improves ride and handling while retaining decent payload (up to 1,850 pounds) and towing capability (up to 9,100 pounds). We spent hours driving both a Quad Cab and the all-new Crew Cab Ram 1500 4x4 models over fast Interstates, along twisting mountain highways, and had some fast four-wheeling fun on a sandy ranch road along Central California’s coastal foothills. We towed a 6,000-pound Airstream travel trailer, equipped of course with the required weight-distributing hitch, and hauled 1,200 pounds in the bed. Not once was there any hint of sloppy handling or any unpleasantness of ride. In fact we also drove the Quad Cab Ram’s rivals—F-150, Tundra and Silverado—back-to-back to refresh our tactile memory. After few minutes on the road in each and you realize Dodge has taken the Ram 1500 4x4 from worst to first in every category related to styling, fit, finish, ride and handling. When it comes to towing, the best you’ll see out of the Quad and Crew Cab 4x4 models is 8,550 pounds with the Hemi, 3.92 gears and 17-inch wheels. Models with the 20-inch wheels are limited to 7,400 pounds. All towing capacities are given with a 150-pound driver; add more people/cargo, deduct trailer weight accordingly. THREE ENGINES, ONE CHOICE The new Ram takes the power gold as well. Dodge offers the new Rams
with three engines: 215hp 3.7L V-6 Forget the V-6; too little engine, too much truck. Forget the 4.7L; decent engine, but it can’t best the Hemi’s fuel economy (13/18) or power. That leaves the Hemi, which is the only rational choice for anyone buying a new 4x4 Dodge Ram 1500. It delivers excellent power and the Multiple Displacement System allows it to switch between V-4/V-8 modes as you drive to get decent fuel economy. Of course the new Ram will be available with either a four- or five-speed automatic (standard with the Hemi) transmission depending on the engine option. You’ll also be able to get part-time and on-demand four-wheel-drive transfer cases; and 3.21, 3.55, 3.92 and 4.10 (Reg Cab only) axle ratios. If you tow, get the 3.92 axle ratio as it has the highest towing capacity rating for the 4x4s. The On-Demand 4WD system can be shifted into high-range on the fly—or left in automatic mode leaving you free to enjoy the drive regardless the road conditions. We tested its ability a few times on a sandy, rutted field road and the only item the new Ram appears to lack is an electric-locking rear diff. By the way, for those who want a Ram that smokes the other pickups, the Hemi-powered Dodge Ram R/T regular-cab 4x2 model with a short bed and 4:10 gears is the hot ticket. It rips 0-60mph times in less than six-seconds. We didn’t experience that rapid acceleration first-hand, but we can tell you the 4x4 Quad Cab Laramie is at least 10mph faster then Ford, GM, or Toyota on the top end.
Speaking of the Ram 1500 Laramie, one will be hard-pressed to find a more well-appointed or quieter interior. The new front bucket and back seats are really well-done for both comfort and support. The leather and trim is on par with the Chrysler C-300 nicer with the creature comforts to boot. The Quad Cab we spent most of our seat time in even sported heated and cooled bucket seats for driver and passenger. In fact, if you use the remote start feature on the key fob the truck’s computer will bring the temperature to 72-degrees whether it’s 20-below or 120-degrees outside. So when you slide into the cab the temperature—and your seats—are just right. Those in the backseat can watch Sirius Backseat TV while you motor down the road, or you can take advantage of state-of-the-art systems such as uconnect GPS for real-time traffic information, a 30-gig hard drive to store/play uconnect music, and Bluetooth voice-controlled tech. CHOICES GALORE
Dodge offers the new Ram in a wide variety of either two- or four-wheel-drive configurations starting with Regular ($22,170), Quad Cab ($$26,225) and Crew Cab ($32,530) models. In addition, the new Ram is available in five trim levels within each cab style: ST, SLT, TRX, Sport, and the top-of-the-line Laramie. The well-appointed Laramie Quad Cab 4x4 we liked the most listed for $45,490. If bed length is a concern, there are three: 8-foot (Regular Cab); 6-foot-4-inches (Regular Cab and Quad Cab); and a new-for-2009 box length of 5’7” (Crew Cab). Dodge’s fully-adjustable bed extender is a great option regardless of bed length. Overall Dodge should be really proud of what they have brought to the pickup-buying audience. Some say Dodge’s timing is bad bringing out a new pickup at a time when pickup sales are falling due to the higher costs of fuel. But for those of us who are pickup owners because they fit our work needs and recreational lifestyle, the timing couldn’t be better. BASIC SPECIFICATIONS Make/Model: 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Styles: Regular Cab; Quad Cab; Crew Cab; 2WD/4x4 Base Price Range: $22,170-$32,530 Suspension: Independent coil-over (front); 5-link coil over solid axle (rear) Engines: 215hp 3.7L V6; 310hp 4.7L V8; 390hp 5.7L “Hemi” V8 EPA MPG: 3.7L V6: 15/20 (Man); 14/20 (Auto) 4.7L V8: 13/19 (2WD); 13/18 (4WD) 5.7L V8: 13/19 (2WD); 13/18 (4WD) Fuel Capacity: 26-gal; 32-gal (opt) Transmissions: 4spd Manual / 4spd Auto (V6); 5spd Auto (V8s) Transfer Cases: NVG 243 Part-Time; NVG 246 On-Demand Wheelbase: 120” (Reg Cab Short Box); 140” (Reg. Cab Long Box, Quad & Crew Cabs) Bed Lengths: 5’7” (Crew Cab); 6’4” Reg & Quad Cab); 8’ (Reg Cab) Max Payload: Reg Cab Long Box: 1490 lbs (4x2 w/ 3.7L Auto) Quad Cab Long Box: 1790 lbs (4x2 w/ 3.7L Auto) Crew Cab: 1650 lbs (4x2 w/ 4.7L) Max Trailer: Reg Cab Short Box: 9,100 lbs (4x2 w/ 5.7L, 3.92:1 & 17” wheels) Quad Cab Short Box: 8,800 lbs (4x2 w/5.7L, 3.92:1 & 17” wheels) Crew Cab Short Box: 8,550 lbs (4x2 w/5.7L, 3.92:1 & 17” wheels) Maximum trailer towing capacity might not be a high as some competitors, but the 2009 Quad Cab Ram 1500 tows with ease when equipped with the proper towing equipment and the Hemi.
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Lest we
forget the biggest exterior body change: bed-side storage boxes. The
“Rambox” design is an option (no price set at time of writing) for the
standard 5’7” box found on the Quad Cab/Crew Cab models. 
(2WD Reg Cab & Quad Cab); 310hp 4.7L V-8 (all 4WD models); and the 390hp
5.7L Hemi V-8, which is standard in all Sport/Laramie models. 
ONE FINE
RIDE 
