Northwest Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram

The 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickups (Ram 2500 and Ram 3500) started production on September 28, 2009. The Dodge Ram Chassis Cabs have a short 2010 model year, and were all built within calendar-year 2009; 2011 models will have the new styling and interiors, and will be built starting in March 2010.

While the Ram 1500 is aimed at the primary users of light-duty pickups - people who do not routinely tow or haul heavy loads, but need the space or shape for other reasons - the Ram Heavy Duty is aimed at commercial and fleet users, the primary buyers of serious, diesel-powered pickups and chassis cabs.

The 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty continues to use the prior generation's proven chassis and frame, but with more comfort, higher capabilities, and more body options: Dodge has replaced the Quad Cab with a crew cab, which joins the regular and Mega cabs. There are two cargo-box sizes (6-foot-4-inches and 8 feet), in single and dual-rear-wheel configurations. Even the chassis cabs come in a crew cab version.

Announced prices are lower than the 2009 models, matching Dodge's "rebate-free" plan. Dealer markup is relatively small; invoice on the 2010 Ram 3500 Laramie Crew Cab 4x4, with short box, for example, comes to $45,387, with a $49,945 list price. That includes the Cummins turbodiesel; the heavy duty six-speed automatic adds $1,575 ($1,339 dealer invoice). A heavy duty snow plow prep is just $135 ($115 invoice), and clearance lamps are a mere $80 ($68 invoice).

The ride was greatly improved through re-tuned suspension components; handling under a full load was also beefed up, while the gross vehicle weight rating increased by 600 lb to 9,600 pounds (Ram 2500 crew and Mega Cab 4x4 with Cummins diesel).

Fluid-filled hydro-mounts under the cab reduce beaming and bounce over rough surfaces. Dodge clarified what fluid-filled hydro-mounts do: "C-pillar hydro mounts were added to improve damping through the frame-bending mode frequency in order to better manage shake and after-shake response. The result is reduced shake and improved ride."

The new TRX and TRX4 (2WD and 4x4) crew cabs are designed to compete head to head with Ford; they include an anti-spin differential, 4.1:1 axle ratio, 17-inch aluminum wheel with offroad tires, skid plates, and other features. They will be priced thousands less than the Ford F-250 FX4.

The 6.7 Cummins turbodiesel will be essentially unchanged, but with a new particulate feature that slashes nitrides of oxygen by 90%; in the pickups, the engine produces 350 hp at 3,000 rpm, and 650 lb-ft of torque at a stunning 1,500 rpm, just off idle (automatic transmission). With the G56 manual transmission, the Cummins puts out 350 hp and 610 lb-ft of torque; with the chassis cabs, 305 hp and 610 lb-ft of torque.

The Hemi V8 is available, with 383 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, on Ram 2500 only; the Ram 3500 appears to now require the Cummins diesel. While the industry mix for this class is 59/41 diesel to gas, 79% of Ram heavy duty trucks sold in 2008 were diesels, and in most recent years 80%-87% of Ram 2500/3500 trucks were diesels.

The diesel pickups can be equipped with a G56 six-speed manual transmission with an extra-low first gear ratio, or the 68RFE six-speed automatic that now includes Electronic Range Select, so the driver can limit the highest gear and make manual up- and down-shifts.

The 5.7 liter Hemi is also available, with 383 horspower and 400 lb-ft of torque, somewhat more than in any other Dodge vehicle, partly due to extra underhood space which makes exhaust routing easier. Gas mileage on the 3500 Hemi is up 4%, too. The 545RFE five-speed automatic is the only transmission available with the Hemi; it too has Electronic Range Select.