Latest Buzz

[JJRSMP12]

as quoted from the latest buzz......

I've been receiving tons of questions wondering what's coming down the pike for the new Ram (DR). Rather then trying to answer all the eMail, I thought I'd put together a column reviewing Dodge's future plans for their all new truck.

In early fall of 2002 Dodge will be launching the 3/4 ton and 1 ton version of the DR (2500/3500). On the outside they will be identical to the ½ ton (1500) truck arriving in dealerships now. The biggest news is an expanded power-train line-up.

Chrysler's all new 5.7 liter HEMI V8 will be the cornerstone of the line-up. The engine features a cast-iron block with aluminum heads. It has a single camshaft with two valves per cylinder and two spark plugs per cylinder. The Buzz is that the production engine will put out 320+ horsepower and more than 400 lb. ft of torque. It will be built at Dodge's Saltillo, Mexico engine plant. The aluminum cylinder heads will be supplied by Nemak SA of Monterrey, Mexico. It's estimated that DC will build over a quarter of a million of these engines annually. While the majority will end up in 2500/3500 Rams the Buzz that there will be "extremely limited" availability in the 1500 truck. These will probably be badged as Ram R/T's.

The third generation of the 5.9 liter Cummins turbo diesel engine is sure to be a popular option. I covered the improved engine in last Friday's Buzz. The new diesel will be available with either a six-speed manual transmission or the Allison 5-speed automatic.

There is one fly in the ointment. One of my Ace Buzz Patrollers in Detroit reports that the Allison contract is currently in limbo. Though the contract has already been inked, Allison is a division of GM. GM and Chrysler are currently involved in a lawsuit regarding the use of the 7-slot Jeep grill on the upcoming Hummer H2. The Buzz is that GM is trying to block the contract as retaliation for the lawsuit. My source is "99 percent sure" that GM will end up honoring the contract.

Last year Car & Truck News broke the story that Dodge plans to build a medium duty Chassis Cab version of the new Ram codenamed DC. These trucks will be badged Ram 4500 and 5500's. One of my Ace Buzz Patrollers got a close look at a DC test mule a couple months back. He reported that the big truck looked a lot like the DR, except bigger.


The Cummins will not be used in the DC. Instead Dodge has opted to use the Mercedes built OM906 engine. The 6.4 liter in-line six uses a 18-valve head (with two intakes, and one exhaust valve per cylinder). At its base rating the electronically controlled, turbocharged engine, puts out 190 HP @ 2300 rpm and a 520 lb. ft. of torque @ 1200rpm. At its top rating the mill cranks out 300 HP @ 2300 rpm and 860 lb. ft of torque @ 1400rpm. The engine is currently being offered in the new Mercedes Unimog truck and other applications.

It will be offered with either a six-speed manual transmission or the Allison 5-speed automatic.Since the Allison 1000 Series TM 5-speed automatic has a max torque input of 545 lb-ft (and 375 hp) the version of the OM906 used in the DC will have to be rated slightly lower then that. One of my Ace Buzz Patrollers reports that the DC will make its debut in the summer of 2003.

Half way through the 2004 model year Dodge will also begin offering the OM906 diesel in the 1 ton (3500) version of the DR. The only gas engine offered in the DC will be the refreshed version of the 8.0 liter V10 currently used in the 2500 and 3500 Rams. There had been Buzz that Dodge was developing a new V10 based on the architecture of the new 5.7 liter. However, Dodge decided against this, probably due to the cost of the program vs. production volumes.

Lastly, I still receive questions daily from readers wondering when we'll be seeing a production version of the Power Wagon concept. As previously reported, Dodge has shelved plans to build a full size truck based on the design.

I recently received confirmation of my previous reports that Dodge was planning to build a limited edition version of the truck alongside the Viper and Prowler at the Conner Avenue plant. Unfortunately the program was canceled early last fall. The only silver lining is that Dodge has incorporated the Power Wagon's styling into the next generation Durango and Dakota.

i may wait until the 2003 medium duty.....