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2004.5 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Cummins: Frequently Asked Questions
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| Big truck, bigger plans |
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| Updated |
Mar 17, 2005 19:41:50 |
| Rating |
 172 ( -24 -13.95% ) | | Author | Sue Mead |
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Description:
2004 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty
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2004 Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 Hemi. Dodge has fitted Rams with 13.9-in. front and rear disc brake rotors and standard ABS.
2004 Dodge Ram 3500 4X4 Quad. The Quad Cab uses a 60/40 split rear bench that can be folded up to increase cargo space, if needed.
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2004 Dodge Ram 3500 4X4 Quad. The 3500 series offers single- or dual rear wheels.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the new engine go on sale and starting at what price?
Dodge reports that the new Cummins Diesel engine will be available in Dodge trucks starting in February. The price range for the new engine upgrade is $29,165-$42,740 (plus $795 destination charge)
How does it handle?
We drove the new Heavy Duty Diesel in all of its offering styles over the course of a day in southern California. Our route took us from heavily-populated and traffic-congested Santa Barbara eastward to the foothills of the Sierras. Our trucks were huge, considering the size of most of the roads that we navigated, getting to a trailer tow and haul site that Dodge folks had set up with a number of exercises for towing heavy bed weights and trailering gargantuan loads of construction equipment. First, we were thoroughly impressed with the "tossability" of such a large truck. Power modulation was excellent and its brakes are heavy duty and bring this heavy truck to a halt with ease. Most impressive was the suspension modulation and steering response, and its tow/haul transmission mode that eases it down steep grades under complete control and even with relative quietness, when under maximum load both up and down hills-and its "zero-throttle start", even under heavy load of an uphill grade. We were also able to compare it to its competitors from Chevy and Ford. All agreed-Dodge has moved far ahead with its newest technologies!
What is its best feature?
By far, its most appealing feature is the quietness of the engine. I partnered on my day-long drive with the same auto writer testing this year's new model that I had partnered with during last year's introduction of the new series of Dodge Rams, including a Cummins diesel version. Last year, we were told that engine quietness had improved. We disagreed! It was noisy, particularly under hard throttle and interfered with normal conversation in the cab. This year, we were told that there had been a significant reduction in engine noise. We heartily agreed! In fact, we drove the new model for nearly 30 minutes chatting at normal conversational levels before we remembered we were in the diesel!
What makes its stopping power so competent?
Heavy duty towing requires major stopping power, so Dodge has fitted Rams with 13.9-in. front and rear disc brake rotors and standard ABS. Additionally, Electronic Variable Brake Proportioning balances front and rear braking and maximizes rear brake use when the truck is not loaded. Additionally, standard 17-in. wheels and LT245/70R17E tires provide an impressive footprint - the largest standard one on a heavy duty pickup truck.
What configurations does it come in?
Customers can slip the Cummins engine, backed by either tranny, into a variety of Dodge Ram Heavy Duty trucks. The 2500 Series Rams are available with a Regular or Quad Cab, short or long box, and a 2WD or 4WD drivetrain. In addition to these configurations, the 3500 series also offers single- or dual rear wheels.
2004.5 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Cummins 600 Turbo Diesel Reviewer's Notes
Base price: $29,165-$42,740 (plus $795 destination charge)
Engine: 5.9-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel High Output inline-6 (325 hp @2,900 rpm, 600 lb.-ft. torque @1,600 rpm)
Transmission: 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 140.5 in. (short box); 160.5 in. (long box)
Length: 227.7 in. (short box); 249.7 in. (long box)
Width: 79.9 in. (single rear wheels); 96 in. (dual rear wheels)
Height: 73.8-75 in. (2WD models); 78-79.2 in. (4WD models)
Head/hip/legroom:
Regular Cab: 40.9/65.1/41 in. (front)
Quad Cab: 40.8/65.1/41 in. (front); 40/64.6/36.4 in. (rear)
Curb weight, lbs.: 6,235 (Regular Cab, 2500, 2WD, auto transmission) - 7,549 (Quad Cab, 3500, 4WD dualie, manual transmission)
Safety equipment: Driver and passenger frontal airbags with passenger deactivation (standard); side-curtain airbags (optional); 3-point seatbelts with pre-tensioning (standard); four-wheel disc brakes with ABS (standard)
---Story by Sue Mead
---Photos courtesy of Dodge
© 2003, Sue Mead, All Rights Reserved. |
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