Dodge Adds to Its Commercial Line
By Jim Beach
Technology Editor
Dodge Trucks continues to fill out its commercial vehicle line and enter new class segments with the introduction of its new Class 5 Dodge Ram 5500 and Class 4 Ram 4500 chassis cabs.
These latest offerings follow earlier introductions of chassis cab versions of the Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups.
Both the Ram 4500 and Ram 5500 are available in 2x4, 4x4 and dual rear wheel configurations. Both can also be spec'd with a regular cab or four-door extended cab. The extended cab features seating for six, with a 60/40 split bench rear seat.
The new Rams come equipped with a Cummins 6.7-liter diesel engine and are compatible with B5 biodiesel fuel. The engine delivers 610 pounds-feet of torque and 305 horsepower. Other features include a 6-speed automatic or manual transmission with PTO capability and standard exhaust brake system.
According to Frank Klegen, Dodge executive vice president of product development, the new trucks are designed to average 350,000 miles before a major overhaul.
Dodge says the interiors of the 4500 and 5500 combine comfort and convenience with an easy-to-use instrument panel cluster and a wide center control stack that contains AC, heating and audio system controls. Oversized seats add to the comfort, and leather-trimmed bucket seats are available as an option. Seat cushions in the Quad Cab model fold up for additional interior storage area.
Safety and security features include an enhanced seat belt reminder system, constant force retractors on the front outboard seat belts, energy-absorbing steering column, an enhanced accident response system that turns on interior lights and unlocks doors after an air bag deployment, four-wheel ABS, remote keyless entry, multi-stage air bag system and sentry key engine immobilizer. The Chrysler Group's Saltillo assembly plant in Coahuila, Mexico, will build the new models. The plant also builds the Ram 3500 chassis cab and other Dodge Ram models.
The new models now give Dodge a line of commercial vehicles that range from the Class 2 Caravan cargo vans to the Class 5 Ram 5500.
New Products continued...
Correction
In February's Heavy Duty Trucking magazine, we inadvertently ran the wrong caption under a photograph dealing with hybrid development. The truck in the photo on page 98 is a Peterbilt 335.
