2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Review Summary & Specs
Base Short Bed Regular Cab Pickup
Truckville's mayor fulfills its promise.
Summary & Specs
reviewed by
Dodge has done it again: Eight years after breaking the rules for pickups, Dodge redesigned its Ram and reasserted itself as a top contender among full-size trucks. The 2003 Dodge Ram remains stylish and highly capable. It's also comfortable.
Quad Cab models offer a brilliant combination of comfort and utility. Regular Cab versions are far roomier than they used to be, and are thoughtfully set up to accommodate gear behind the seat.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Pickups |
| Editor |
Mitch McCullough, NCTD Editor-in-Chief |
| Model Lineup |
2WD ST Regular Cab short-bed 120-inch wheelbase ($18,330); 2WD ST Regular Cab long-bed 140-inch wheelbase ($18,615); 4WD ST Regular Cab short-bed 120-inch wheelbase ($21,575); 4WD ST Regular Cab long-bed 140-inch wheelbase ($21,915); 2WD ST Quad Cab short-bed 140-inch wheelbase ($22,510); 2WD ST Quad Cab long-bed 160-inch wheelbase ($22,790); 4WD ST Quad Cab short-bed 140-inch wheelbase ($25,710); 4WD ST Quad Cab long-bed 160-inch wheelbase ($26,040) |
| Engines (standard) |
4.7-liter sohc 16-valve V8 |
| Engines (optional) |
215-hp 3.7-liter sohc 12-valve V6; 240-hp 4.7-liter sohc 16-valve V8; 245-hp 5.9-liter ohv 16-valve V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) |
five-speed automatic |
| Transmissions (optional) |
5-speed manual; 5-speed automatic; 4-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
rear-wheel ABS, dual front airbags |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
side-impact curtain airbags for front and rear seats; four-wheel ABS |
| Basic Warranty |
3 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In |
St. Louis, Missouri; Warren, Michigan; Mexico |
| Manufacturer Phone |
1-800-4A-DODGE |
| Manufacturer URL |
www.4adodge.com |
| Base Price MSRP |
$18,330 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
Ram 1500 4x4 short-bed Regular Cab 120-inch wheelbase ($21,575) |
| Standard Equipment |
air conditioning |
| Destination Charge |
740 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
SLT Package 24G ($3315) includes 4.7-liter V8, five-speed automatic transmission, cloth 40/20/40 split bench seat, power windows w/driver's one-touch down, power door locks, power heated foldaway mirrors, overhead console with compass and trip computer, cruise control, tilt steering column, cab back storage w/bin, leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear view auto dim mirror, floor mats, body-color upper fascia, gray bodyside molding, SLT badge, bright grille; Premium cloth seats with center seat storage cushion ($405); Sport Appearance Group w/20-inch wheels ($1610) includes anti-spin rear differential, 3.92 axle ratio, P275/55R20 tires on 20x9-inch cast aluminum wheels, fog lamps, body-color grille, front fascia, and rear bumper; Trailer Tow Group ($465) includes 750-amp battery, auxiliary transmission oil cooler, heavy-duty engine cooling, Class IV receiver hitch, 7-pin wiring harness, 7- to 4-pin adapter; Security Group ($415) includes remote keyless entry, Sentry key theft deterrent system, security alarm; four-wheel ABS ($495); sliding rear window ($140); AM/FM/CD/cassette stereo w/6 Infinity speakers ($875); steering wheel audio controls ($75); power-adjustable pedals ($120); under-rail bed liner ($245) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
|
| Layout |
four-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested |
$30,475 |
| Horse Power |
240 @ 4800 |
| Torque |
300 @ 3200 |
| Fuel Economy |
13/17 |
| Wheelbase |
120.5 |
| Length/Width/Height |
207.7/79.9/76.6 |
| Track Front/Rear |
|
| Turning Radius |
39.6 |
| Seating Capacity |
3 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room |
40.9/65.1/41.0 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Trunk Volume |
|
| Payload |
1510 |
| Towing Capacity |
6400 |
| Front Suspension |
independent |
| Rear Suspension |
live axle |
| Ground Clearance |
8.0 |
| Curb Weight |
4836 |
| Stock Tires |
P275/55R20 |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
disc/disc with four-wheel ABS |
| Fuel Capacity |
26.0 |