Powerful heavy duty pickup is ready to go anywhere

The all-new 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty has staked its claim as the most powerful heavy-duty pickup on the market. The new model, in various pickup configurations in 2500 and 3500 classifications, offers the strongest diesel engine on the market, as well as a standard 5.7-litre, Hemi Magnum V-8.

In addition, enhancements for the new model include a stiffer frame, new front and rear axles, improved suspension, new transfer cases, larger brakes and safety improvements, which combine to create a smoother, more comfortable ride and better handling.

The High Output Cummins turbodiesel really packs a punch, producing 555 lb-ft of load-hauling torque and 305 hp. It’s the motor most buyers of these models will choose, says Dodge. It is powerful, as expected, yet surprisingly quick and smooth. And we found it to be amazingly quiet, even on cold startup.

The diesel’s towing rating is 23,000 lb — that’s about the most you can get with any pickup today. Payload ranges to as much as 3,300 lb on the Ram 2500 and 5,370 lb on the 3500, enough for lots of the gear needed for those maintenance jobs in the field. The all-new Hemi — also powerful and quick — produces 345 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque. The Hemi has hemispherical combustion chambers, a design which allows the use of larger valves and provides better air flow for more power. It has the best acceleration in its class, and a towing rating of 18,000 lb. Also available is a 8.1-litre Magnum V10 gasoline engine that extracts 450 lb-ft of torque from a 305 hp package.

All the muck around mines, oilfields, pulp mills, and remote worksites shouldn’t phase the new Rams if they’re equipped with the available four-wheel drive system. In our off-road test, we had no trouble easing up a sloppy, muddy dirt hill after crossing a creek, and the suspension readily absorbed the huge potholes on an old logging trail.

Transmission options include five- and six-speed manuals and four- and five-speed automatics in two- and four-wheel drive configurations. The majority of Heavy Duty Rams are ordered with four-wheel drive. Two new transfer cases, a conventional manual shift and a new electric shift, are available on the 2500 and 3500 four-wheel drive models. They are designed to provide quieter operation than previous designs.

The four-wheel drive front axle is all-new, but retains solid beam construction. All-new rear axles contribute to a GVWR of up to 12,000 lb. For the first time, a 3500 single rear-wheel option is being offered, while duallies continue to be available.

New from grille-to-tailgate, the 2003 With over 50 model, cab and powertrain ver the Ram Heavy Duty’s price range is from $28,950 for a 2500 Regular Cab 2WD, up to $42,580 for a 3500 Quad Cab 4×4, before options.