Back in 1994 Dodge added its distinctive macho styling to the front of Ram pickups. Since then, every competitive full-size truck has upped the ante, with bigger, more aggressive grilles and front ends. Some of them, like the newest Ford Super Duty models, look like they’d eat you if you just walked in front.

Now, spy photographers have caught a prototype 2009 Dodge Ram pickup model undergoing testing. It looks like Dodge designers may have blended in some front-end styling cues from the Charger model, including a reverse-canted grille. The 2009 model’s headlamps are still down low so the basic overall Ram shape will likely remain, but not much else is assured. The restyled Ram should arrive in 2008. I’d also like to see a Dakota pickup with compact, economical four-cylinder and V-6 turbodiesel engines for folks who are concerned with fuel economy but don’t need a large, full size pickup.

Do you like the aggressive front-ends? What changes, mechanical and styling-wise, would you like to see?

Note:  we do not have any of the spy photos that are popping up on the internet.  We did find, however, a website that does, Edmunds Inside Line.  Click here to sneak a peak.