Press Kit: 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Launch

Capability, Safety, Styling and Performance Combine to Make All-new 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 a Winning Package

Many will regard the all-new 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 as yet another example of what Dodge Trucks are all about: bold design, combined with unmatched capability. However, the full story is more than skin deep. It’s no single feature, but an entire package of attributes that puts Dodge Ram at the head of its class.

Boasting an even bolder design, improved capability, comfort and ride quality, and a new lineup of more powerful and efficient powertrains, the 2002 Ram makes just as stunning an entrance on the scene as its predecessor did when it revolutionized the full-size pickup market eight years ago.

"The previous Ram represents a mark in time when full-size pickups – as we knew them – would change in the public’s eyes forever," said Bernard Robertson, DaimlerChrysler Senior Vice President and General Manager, Dodge Truck Operations. "The 1994 Ram showed that full-size pickups could be everyday vehicles with no compromise to styling, comfort and driving pleasure. With the 2002 Ram, each of those attributes that made Ram such a hit are amplified in a positive way. We have built a truck that is even better looking, more pleasurable to drive and travel in, and even more capable. It is this package of qualities that sets Ram apart from every other full-size pickup."

Only a small player in the full-size pickup segment eight years ago, the 1994 Ram launched Dodge as a major force in the market. After averaging about 70,000 sales a year prior to its introduction, sales skyrocketed to over 200,000 in 1994. With the addition of the Club Cab and heavy-duty models a year later, annual sales almost doubled, to nearly 400,000 units. Since then, Ram has averaged about 350,000 units a year, making it the Company’s top-selling product and one of the industry’s biggest sellers.

In short, Ram’s unique package of styling, comfort and capability had made it one of the auto industry’s biggest success stories of the 1990s.

"Much like the new version, we found a combination of attributes that worked," Robertson said. "We knew at the time that we couldn’t just offer a ‘me too’ truck that mimicked the offerings from Ford and Chevrolet. We needed to carve a new path, one that not only rivaled our competitors in capability and performance but also offered styling and convenience that the others lacked. The competition noticed. In fact, they followed our lead and began focusing on those attributes, as well. For 2002, Dodge has altered the segment once again with a full-size pickup that sets new standards for the segment."

Part of the Package: An All-New Design That’s Unmistakably Ram

Whether in a crowded parking lot or a rear-view mirror, there’s no mistaking a Dodge Ram. Its massive horse collar grille, reminiscent of classic over-the-road haulers, is the first thing that sets it apart from the others.

For 2002, the image in a rear-view mirror grows with an even larger and bolder grille. And each model in the Ram lineup – SLT, SLT+ and Sport – gets a unique interpretation of Ram’s signature design element. The SLT model features a chrome grille with the signature gray honeycomb center, while the SLT+ features body-color grille surround and chrome crosshairs. The all-new Sport model could be at home on the SEMA show floor … untouched! It features bold-color grille surround and crosshairs and a unique chrome billet-bar center.

The bolder grille is supported by an equally bold hood and fender combination. The hood features a more pronounced crown effect that slopes to the robust front fenders. The windshield is much more sloped than the previous Ram and flows easily into the door surfaces. The doors overlap the A-pillar, creating a smoother transition to the body-sides. The rear fenders provide a strong "shouldered" look from the side and behind. Even the Ram badging on the side and rear of the truck follow the sculpted shape of the truck.

Part of the Package: New Quad Cab Strikes the Perfect Balance

When the Ram Quad Cab was introduced for 1998, it was the industry’s first extended cab full-size pickup with rear access doors, and set the standard for rear cab access and convenience. The 2002 Ram Quad Cab raises the bar even higher with two conventional rear doors and a unique cab/bed proportion that strikes the perfect balance between capability and interior functionality, without compromising maneuverability.

The new Quad Cab’s proportions are altered to provide more interior room while keeping – in fact, improving – hauling and towing capability. The rear of the cab has been increased in length by more than three inches while the bed length has been decreased by three inches. Ram Quad Cab now has greater legroom and storage as well as improved capacity.

"We believe that the new Quad Cab strikes the perfect balance in an extended cab full-size pickup," said Jim Julow, Vice President – Dodge Global Brand Center. "Everything has been improved, from interior comfort to carrying capability to storage capability. And all of this was done without making it too big to put in the garage."

The rear doors on Quad Cab are front-hinged and they swing open a full 85 degrees. It features both interior and exterior door handles and the windows go down all the way.

Inside, the extra three inches of cab length allow for significant improvements in people-carrying capability and storage capacity. The rear seats are larger than their predecessor and the rear area offers more leg, hip, shoulder and headroom. The standard rear seat is a full bench, while an optional 60/40 bench folds on either side to accommodate a combination of packages and passengers. The seat folds upward and out of the way for tall storage from floor to ceiling. An optional deployable steel load floor under the seat opens to form a flat load floor with additional storage sections in each footwell.

"There really isn’t a storage or people-carrying situation that Ram Quad Cab can’t handle," Julow said. "Whether strictly as a passenger area, as a safe and secure place to put large tools and packages, or as a combination of the two, this truck can handle anything."

The improved cab size is also a benefit to the driver and front passenger, as seat travel has improved significantly.

The new front seating area is not only more comfortable, but more convenient as well. The 40/20/40 seating accommodates three people comfortably or offers great center storage for the driver and passenger. The center "business console" that made the previous Ram the industry standard for driver convenience is even larger and more versatile. It can still hold a laptop, and now features individual fold-down dividers and a power outlet. And the entire center portion of the seat folds up to reveal an additional hidden storage compartment.

The all-new instrument panel nicely balances style and convenience. It features bright white gauges and easy to reach buttons and dials that can be operated comfortably with gloves on or off.

Dodge Ram Regular Cab Benefits from New Proportions – Part of the Package

The all-new Ram Regular Cab is the segment’s biggest and most convenient. Like the Quad Cab, it benefits from the re-proportioning of the cab and pickup box with improved comfort, storage and capability.

The cab is increased more than three inches, aiding in rear storage and driver and passenger legroom. Unique storage bins behind the seat are large and can accommodate large tools, packages or just about any everyday item. Like the Quad Cab, seat travel is increased by three inches and they recline further for a more comfortable seating position.

The Regular Cab is also available with the comfortable and convenient 40/20/40 front seat.

"By increasing the size of the Regular Cab interior, we’ve improved the usefulness of the cab significantly" said Robertson. "The storage area is big enough to carry large and/or tall objects and access is easier. And the driver and passengers are even more comfortable because of the seat travel and improved recline range."

Part of the Package: Powertrain Lineup Emphasizes Performance and Efficiency

The 2002 Ram 1500 features two new Magnum engines and a new state-of-the-art transmission. Each powertrain offers improved performance and fuel efficiency.

The all-new 4.7-liter Magnum V-8 engine replaces the 5.2-liter Magnum V-8. While smaller in displacement, it boasts an improvement to 235 horsepower, and approximately a mile per gallon better fuel efficiency on both city and highway driving.

The second new offering is a 215-horsepower, 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 engine. It replaces the 3.9-liter V-6 and provides 35 more horsepower and about one mile per gallon better fuel economy than its V-6 predecessor.

Both engines can be mated to a more responsive, efficient and smoother shifting 45RFE electronically-controlled automatic transmission. It features a dual second gear ratio that chooses its ratio based on the load situation.

The popular 245-horsepower, 5.9-liter Magnum V-8 returns on the 2002 Ram to round out the three-engine lineup.

Additional engines – including the 8.0-liter V-10 and Cummins Turbo Diesel – will be available on the heavy-duty Ram 2500 and 3500 models, which are unchanged for 2002. All new versions of those models will be available for the 2003 model year.

Capability Is Part of the Package

Along with power and fuel efficiency, Ram’s towing and payload are improved. Maximum towing on the Regular Cab is now 8,660 pounds, 710 pounds more than the 2001 model. Payload on the Quad Cab improves to 1,750 pounds, up from 1,567 pounds. And both Regular Cab and Quad Cab benefit from improved Gross Combined Weight (GCW) and Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) ratings.

"Full-size pickups in general – and especially Ram – are no longer looked at strictly for their performance at a jobsite or as a tow vehicle," said Frank Klegon, Vice President, Truck Platform. "They are all-day, everyday vehicles and must offer the efficiency and performance to match."

Best-In-Class Ride Gets Even Better – It’s All Part of the Package

With its re-design for 1994, Ram established a reputation as being the best full-size truck for ride and handling and braking. Several major changes to the all-new suspension and braking system on the 2002 Ram take comfort, control and quietness to a whole new level.

The foundation for the system is an all-new frame that features the highest use of hydroforming on any full-size pickup. The hydroformed frame and cross-members are stiffer yet more weight efficient than the previous model. Torsional stiffness has been improved by 400 percent and lateral bending by 150 percent.

New rack-and-pinion steering on both the two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive models provides a responsive and more precise steering feel. It is both lighter and more durable than the recirculating ball system it replaces.

The new torsion bar independent front suspension on four-wheel drive models maximizes ride quality and capability. Suspension travel improves to 8.5 inches from 8 inches on the 2001 Ram, while ground clearance is 9.5 inches. The rear leaf springs have been lengthened by three inches, which reduces wheel hop and improves durability.

Ram features, as standard, the largest four-wheel disc brakes in the class. A two-stage brake booster improves pedal feel and gives the driver better confidence that they can stop faster without slamming on the brakes. Rear-wheel anti-lock brakes are standard on all models, with four-wheel ABS available as an option.

The standard 17" wheel and P245/70R17 tire combination is the largest standard package in the segment. Along with several other optional packages is a 20-inch polished cast aluminum and P275/60R20 tire combination, the largest such package in a half-ton pickup.

In addition to the firm foundation provided by the new hydroformed frame, strategic use of sealing, isolation, deadening and absorptive materials provide noise and vibration control beyond the typical expectations for a pickup. In addition, wind noise has been minimized through efficient design of the body shape and mirrors.

Safety: A Vital Part of the Ram Package

Just like its predecessor, the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 is a segment innovator in the area of occupant safety and impact management.

The 1994 Ram was the first full-size pickup to offer dual air bags. The 2002 model will be the first full-size pickup to offer optional side air bag curtains. The curtains are hidden in the headliner and run the length of the cab to offer better head protection to outboard passengers in the front (Regular Cab) and front and rear (Quad Cab) in the event of a side impact.

Pyrotechnic pretensioners in the front outboard seat belt systems are designed to tighten when the front air bag activates, keeping the occupant securely in place. In addition, lap-shoulder belts have been added to the center position on the Regular Cab and center-rear of the Quad Cab.

The hydroformed frame is engineered to better absorb impact forces and better isolate the passenger cabin. Computer-modeled indentations and holes in the front rail strips of the frame help serve as "crush initiators." This allows the front crush zone to absorb more of the impact energy and reduces the force exerted on both passengers in the Ram and the object it impacts.

High strength steel beams in the doors are lighter while improving protection in the event of a side impact.

For Ram owners with small children, the rear area of the Quad Cab is improved in safety and capability. All three seating positions can accommodate child-safety seats and are fitted with tether anchors. On Regular Cab models, both the center and passenger seats are fitted with tether anchors. A passenger air bag cutoff switch is standard.

The Rest of the Package: Heavy-Duty Rams to Be Redesigned for 2003

Production began in the summer of 2001 on the 2002 Ram 1500 at Chrysler Group’s Dodge City – Warren Truck (Warren, Mich.); St. Louis North (Missouri) and Saltillo (Mexico) assembly plants. Production of the 3/4-ton (Ram 2500) and one-ton (Ram 3500) models will continue for one more year on the existing platform. All-new versions of the 2500 and 3500 will be introduced in the 2003 model year.