2009 Dodge Ram 3500 Review Summary & Specs
Base Regular Cab Pickup
Mechanical upgrades improve the heavy-duty Rams.
Summary & Specs
reviewed by
The Dodge Ram HD heavy-duty pickups have the power and weight to tow heavy loads for long distances with big comfort for driver and passengers. The Mega Cab is designed to be the flagship of the heavy haulers. The Quad Cab may be big, but the Mega Cab is bigger. It comes down to choosing whether cab space or bed space is more important. For the best ride and handling, our choice is for a 2WD Ram 1500 Mega Cab. For best control handling heavy loads, a 2WD 3500 dually with the Cummins would do the job. For heavy hauling followed by accessing rough terrain when you get there, a 4WD 3500 single-rear-wheel model would be the ticket.
NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent John Stewart reported from Virginia, with Mitch McCullough and G.R. Whale reporting from California.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Pickups |
| Editor |
New Car Test Drive |
| Model Lineup |
Dodge Ram 2500 ST 2WD regular cab ($28,185); Laramie 4WD Mega Cab ($43,860); 2500 Power Wagon Quad Cab ($37,520); 3500 SLT 2WD regular cab ($37,235); 3500 Laramie 4WD Mega Cab ($50,195) |
| Engines (standard) |
6.7-Liter Cummins Turbo Diesel I6 |
| Engines (optional) |
383-hp 5.7-liter ohv 16-valve V8; 350-hp 6.7-liter ohv 24-valve I-6 Cummins turbo diesel |
| Transmissions (standard) |
6-speed automatic |
| Transmissions (optional) |
5-speed automatic; 6-speed manual; 6-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
dual front multi-stage airbags, three-point belts in all seating positions with constant-force retractors, LATCH child-seat anchors, child-protection rear door locks; four-wheel ABS |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
side-curtain airbags for front and rear seats |
| Basic Warranty |
3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In |
Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico |
| Manufacturer Phone |
800-4A-DODGE |
| Manufacturer URL |
www.dodge.com |
| Base Price MSRP |
$28,195 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
Dodge Ram Mega Cab 3500 Laramie 4x4 ($50,195) |
| Standard Equipment |
dual-zone climate control, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, heated front seats, security alarm, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Sentry Key engine immobilizer; overhead console with mini trip computer and compass, cruise control, power windows and door locks, keyless entry, four-wheel disc brakes with four-wheel ABS; part-time manual shift transfer case |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
side curtain airbags; 6-speed automatic transmission; bucket seats; entertainment/radio system; limited-slip differential; towing mirrors sunroof; state surcharge |
| Destination Charge |
900 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
|
| Price as Tested |
$57,500 |
| Layout |
four-wheel drive |
| Horse Power |
350 @ 3000 |
| Torque |
650 @ 1500 |
| Fuel Economy |
|
| Wheelbase |
160.3 |
| Length/Width/Height |
247.7/96.0/79.1 |
| Track Front/Rear |
|
| Turning Radius |
49.7 |
| Seating Capacity |
5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room |
40.8/64.9/41.0 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
40.5/64.6/44.2 |
| Trunk Volume |
|
| Payload |
2681 |
| Towing Capacity |
16,400 |
| Front Suspension |
live axle, four-link plus track bar, coil springs, stabilizer bar, monotube shock absorbers |
| Rear Suspension |
live axle, longitudinal leaf springs, monotube shock absorbers |
| Ground Clearance |
7.7 |
| Curb Weight |
7819 |
| Stock Tires |
LT235/80R17E |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
vented disc/vented disc with ABS, EBD |
| Fuel Capacity |
35.0 |