Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 |
For a V-8 full-sized pick-up truck this may not have been so much a chore, but we were using a compact-pickup with a small V-8 in its place. People were a bit skeptical at first, to say the least, to tow a rig over 1200 miles in something less than a full-size. However, The Dodge Dakota, which comes with a 5.2 Liter “Magnum” V-8 performs admirably in the worst conditions. Flat-towing any vehicle is hard enough, but put it on a rented U-Haul flatbed trailer, the pounds add up quickly. Take it through the steepest of mountain grades, through the spans of an open and barren desert and through blizzard like conditions with frozen and icy roads. It responds really well.
The interior of this Sport model Club Cab is a bit lackluster with no power options except for steering and brakes (power windows, locks and keyless remote entry available by option), but the other options makes it well worth its weight in gold. A 230 horsepower, 300 lb-ft of torque Magnum 5.2 Liter mill and a 6-speaker Chrysler / Infinity sound system that absolutely “booms” makes any long trip comfortable and blithe. The interior fit and finish is a perfect ten and the large knobs on the dash are well placed and accommodates the largest, gloved hands.
The cloth high-back bucket seats, floor and overhead consoles and a near perfectly engineered dash puts the icing on the cake and allows us to forget the power goodies typically associated with a decked vehicle. Lastly, the interior room is a real bonus. Front seat people enjoy lots of legroom, head and hip room and elbowroom. The back seat section in the Dakota is really large. But not large enough to accommodate two full size men, but still large. The exterior is a typical Dodge. Smooth geometric lines coupled with an aggressive stance and its now classic grill and front fenders is a real bonus to the Dodge Ram lovers.
Driving the Dakota Sport on the road is a real treat. The V8 produces a good amount of power, although a 5.9 Liter is on the top of any ones wish list and the LT 31×10.50R15 tires gripped the road well. Torsion bar suspension with a front stabilizer bar keeps the body from rolling out when it is thrown into a turn at high speeds. The truck has a bit of understeer but is easily correctable by feathering the accelerator. The slush box, a four-speed automatic (44RE model) shifts way too much in any driving conditions and is helped only a bit by taking it out of overdrive. Towing this 4×4 pickup truck to Moab actually goes well. Dont keep any doubts with this compact pick up because the V8 really comes through with its 300 lb ft of torque. It is able to maintain 50 m.p.h. or better ascending the steepest grades. It also has great control towing such a heavy load at all speeds and in turns.
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Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 |
The Power Wagon is based on the ordinary Dodge Ram 2500, but it’s not a standard Ram; it’s been fitted with skid plates to protect undercarriage areas (including the gas tank), oversized all-terrain tires, tow hooks, a towing package, and heavy-duty alternator. More unusual is the built-in winch up front, which can pull up to 12,000 pounds - handy if the Power Wagon winds up in a ditch with a full load; or if you simply need very heavy things to be pulled. From the interior, you can lock the rear axle as easily as turning a knob; and you can lock both front and rear axles by turning that same knob a little more.
The Power Wagon uses an American Axle TracRite GTL locking rear differential, which both locks fully when desired, and acts as a standard limited-slip differential the rest of the time. Skid plates cover the steering system and shocks, transfer case, and gas tank; there are both cross members and lengthwise bars to prevent rocks from getting stuck between plates and to provide additional protection.
In on-road driving, the Ram, despite its height - which dwarfs Expeditions and Suburbans - manages to be surprisingly controllable, with cornering that we would not have believed from a truck of this size just a few years ago. The ride, while quite firm, is not harsh, and even without a load, bounciness and jouncing are kept within reason. Generally, heavy-duty light trucks have a better time of it when there are a few hundred (or thousand) pounds weighing down the bed; most are fairly uncivil when empty, but the Power Wagon is not so bad. That said, any Jeep will easily provide a more comfortable ride and better cornering - but they can’t tow a few thousand pounds, or carry five or six thousand pounds.
The Hemi engine is, not surprisingly, full of power and eager to go; despite its bulk and aerodynamic challenge, the Power Wagon had ample power for acceleration at just about any speed, just a quick touch of the gas away from higher speeds. The engine sounds as though it’s been modified for racing, especially when the transmission downshifts and it goes into the high revs. The transmission is quick and responsive, albeit smooth, after about a minute of warmup, during which it tended to be sluggish. This five-speed automatic comes with a Tow/Haul mode, using the exact same control as Chevy trucks. Visibility is very good in all directions though the height can lead neighboring cars and people to be missed; the large rear-view mirrors help. Headlights are large and powerful, and the sun visors on both sides slide out to block the sun when it’s in a spot ordinary visors can’t reach.
The quad cab interior is large, with good headroom and the ability to seat six people if needed - though five will be more comfortable. The rear seats fold down for more interior storage space. Up front, there is an ashtray, large, locking cup holders that fold out of the center console, map pockets (on all four doors), and a massive center console that can either be divided into three compartments, or used as a single large space.
When it comes to a truck that can be used during the week for off-road work, particularly hauling heavy loads, and yet be behaved enough for family use on weekends, it’s hard to beat the Power Wagon. On other hand, ordinary drivers are better served by standard vehicles (and those who need heavy-duty pickups for towing or hauling would find their money better spent on the Cummins turbodiesel option). The Power Wagon’s claim to fame is its offroad capacity; if you don’t need that, you don’t need a Power Wagon and its extra fuel use and cost. On the other hand, if you find an ordinary 4×4 pickup truck, just can’t be used in your line of work, the Power Wagon is right up your alley.
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Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 |
Dodge Ram is available in many different versions depending on the need and convenience. Dodge Ram pickup trucks come in regular cab and four-door Quad Cab body styles. Light-duty Rams have V-6 or V-8 power, while heavy-duty models have V-8 or diesel power. A sunroof is available on Quad Cab models, and Sirius Satellite Radio is offered. A Power Wagon version of the 2500 pickup is available. Dodge also offers a Mega Cab model.
The 2500 Power Wagon edition holds a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 that cranks out 345 hp and 375 pounds-feet of torque. Either a six-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automatic can be installed. Special features include locking front and rear differentials, an electronically disconnecting front sway bar and a custom-built 12,000-pound winch. Polished, forged-aluminum 17-inch wheels hold 33-inch BF Goodrich tires.
Regular 2500 pickups are available with a diesel engine or the Hemi V-8. Serving as a replacement for the Cummins 5.9-liter turbo-diesel inline-six-cylinder beginning in January 2007, a newly optional Cummins 6.7-liter turbo-diesel inline-six develops 350 hp and 610 pounds-feet of torque (650 with the new six-speed automatic transmission).
Dodge Ram 2500 pickups with the regular cab have an 8-foot cargo bed, ride a 140.5-inch wheelbase and measure 229.7 inches long overall. Quad Cab models come with either a 6.3- or 8-foot cargo bed and ride a 140.5- or 160.5-inch wheelbase. Truck accessories have been also loaded to the optimum levels. All heavy-duty Ram models have a Sweptline (slab-sided) cargo bed. A remote starter is optional for 2007.
A Ram 2500 with the Hemi V-8 sounds and feels like a muscle car when pushed, though it settles down quietly for ordinary use. Performance is this Ram’s strong point, but it’s accompanied by a seriously lumpy ride over uneven pavement. Steering is confident for a full-size pickup, but the back wheels spin easily on wet pavement when the bed is empty. Long seat bottoms in the Ram 2500 offer an easy-chair experience. Interior space is plentiful, especially in the Quad Cab. Overall, the Ram 2500 doesn’t feel much like a typical heavy-duty pickup
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