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2008
DODGE NEW TRUCK MODEL GUIDE
 Dodge
promotes strength and power on pickups
in three sizes for the ram-horned brand.
Heading the line is the full-size Ram
1500 light-duty truck presenting a 'get-out-of-my-way
face.' The heavy-duty Ram trucks in two
weight classes pack big engines for torque-heavy
towing muscle, while Dodge's mid-size
Dakota pickup — with fresh features
inside and out — brings a new engine
and best-in-class tow ratings.
 Ram
1500
Dodge's light-duty 1500 (half-ton) pickups
offer a two-door regular cab or four-door
Quad Cab, both come in two-wheel-drive
(2WD) and four-wheel-drive (4WD) traction.
Ram's strongest engine is a 5.7-liter
HEMI V8 producing 345 horsepower with
a multi-displacement system (MDS), which
switches to a fuel-saving, four-cylinder
mode when all of the power isn't needed.
New for 2008 is a flex-fuel, E85-compatible,
4.7-liter V8 with MDS, which pushes 310
horsepower. Electronic safety devices
such as electronic stability program (ESP)
skid controls, electronic roll mitigation
(ERM) and enhanced accident response system
(EARS) line the truck.
 Ram
2500 / 3500
Heavy duty applies to this series of big
and powerful work trucks for the upward
expansion of Dodge's Ram truck line. The
collection consists of two weight designations,
with a 2500 (three-quarter-ton) and 3500
(one-ton) series. The cabs conform to
a two-door regular cab and four-door Quad
Cab. Two transfer cases, one with manual
shifting and the other with electric shift,
go to the 4WD versions. The standard engine
is the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 netting 345 horsepower.
A clean Cummins 6.7-liter, turbo-diesel
develops 350 horsepower and 650 lb-ft
of low-end torque.
 Ram
Power Wagon
This is not a muscle-bound SUV, but a
big and strong work truck rugged for 4WD
forays. It's based on the heavy-duty Ram
2500 — with two-door or four-door
cab — and includes a powerful 5.7-liter
HEMI V8, 4WD armaments and 32-inch BFG
off-road tires. The Power Wagon also stocks
electric-locking front and rear differentials
and a front sway bar that can disconnect
by electronic means. The undercarriage
carries steel skid plates to shield the
steering damper, transfer case and fuel
tank from off-road bumps and bangs. There
are also massive tow hooks up front and
a Warn winch.
 Ram
Mega Cab
The Mega Cab builds from a heavy-duty
Ram, though the long box is replaced by
a 76.3-inch, regular-length box, which
leaves 18.7 inches of space extending
to the cab's rear wall. This cab stretch
creates so much space inside that the
rear seats can recline comfortably. The
rear seats also split 60/40, folding to
convert the area to a cargo compartment.
The Mega Cab works for the Ram 1500, 2500
and 3500 with SXT, SLT and Laramie trims.
The engines includes the 5.7-liter HEMI
V8 or Cummins 6.7-liter turbo-diesel with
350 horsepower.
 Dakota
Slightly smaller than the Ram 1500, this
year's mid-size Dakota earns fresh exterior
and interior styling and a new V8 engine.
The series encompasses two cab styles,
two different powertrains, 2WD or 4WD
traction and up to six different trims.
The Extended Cab contains two rows of
seats and two rear-hinged access doors,
while the Quad Cab has four full-size
doors and seating space for six. The top
plant is the new flex-fuel, E85-compatible
4.7-liter V8, which achieves 305 horsepower
and top tow ratings to 7,050 pounds.
For
more information on Dodge
trucks.
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