Toughest Truck Gets Tougher
It's pretty well common knowledge among contractors, bushmen and roughnecks alike, if you want a nice, comfortable ride then you get a Chevy or GMC, if you want something a little tougher you opt for a Ford, but if you have serious work to do there's nothing better than a Dodge Ram.
 |
| Other brand's trucks are fine for light jobs, but if you have serious work to do there's nothing better than a Dodge Ram Heavy Duty. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
And there's nothing that can touch the new Ram Heavy Duty for payload or towing, especially if mated to the high-output Cummins turbodiesel. That engine gets upgraded for 2004.5 to an incredible 600 lb-ft of torque available as low as 1,600 rpm and 325 horsepower at 2,900 rpm. In case you were wondering, the Cummins "600" is once again the class leader.
I drove both the 2,500 and 3,500 Rams when they debuted to the media about two years ago, and once again when a Cummins equipped version came into the press fleet. The standard HEMI engine is sensational, with a no-nonsense 345-hp at 5,400 rpm and equally sober 375 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. Still, compared to the two diesels the HEMI, equipped with a standard 5-speed manual or optional 5-speed automatic gearbox, is for lighter loads.
 |
| That Ram engine gets upgraded for 2004.5 to an incredible 600 lb-ft of torque available as low as 1,600 rpm, and 325 horsepower at peaking at 2,900 rpm. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
For toting heavier payloads or pulling large gooseneck trailers both diesels are beyond capable. The regular output 5.9-L, turbodiesel inline-6 feeds 250-hp and 460 lb-ft of torque down to either the rear- or all-wheels, through either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. But if you want one you'd better act quickly, as it's being dropped from the heavy duty lineup for 2004.5.