Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab SLT
The Ram 3500 was the brute of our test, and the one everyone wanted to take home at the end of the week. Visibility is good on the road, but the massive A-pillars and tall cowl can limit how well you see that Hyundai in front of you. The Ram 3500 shares many components with its 2500 series brother (1410 U-joints, AAM axles, NVG 273 transfer case) we tested, but the Cummins diesel-equipped 1-ton actually rode better than the Hemi Ram thanks to its optimized spring and shock tuning. This 9,900-pound GVW truck doesn't ride as smooth as the Silverado or F-150 in our test, but it is a 1-ton after all! We can't say enough good things about the new HO Cummins, and feel cheated that the 305 hp/555 lb-ft diesel isn't available in California. When mated to the NVG 5600 six-speed (the automatic is not available with the high-output package), the Cummins makes the 7,000-pound truck accelerate like a pickup half its size. Even though the 3500 was slower at the dragstrip than the 2500 (hey, it takes some time to shift through all those gears), it still felt like it had more power than everything in the test but the 6.0L Power Stroke. We think the real reason the Hemi engine disappointed us in the ¾-ton Ram is because the HO Cummins is so impressive. Under the hood the inline-six engine is set way back but there is still room to service everything and maybe even add a second turbo.... Inside the truck, judges still thought that the Dodge seats were too hard and flat, and that the shifter was a little rubbery and not always easy to get into gear. Be prepared to shift this truck a lot on the street thanks to the close gear spacing, and don't be afraid to experiment with Third gear launches in the sand just to keep a lid on the explosive wheelhop. Overall engine noise is lower this year thanks to a new Bosch common-rail pilot-injection system. Current Cummins owners, however, will not be disappointed with the turbodiesel sound or the newfound horsepower. This is a tow vehicle to fight over!
General
Manufacturer: Dodge
Model: Ram 3500 Quad Cab SLT
Base Price: $35,030
Price as Tested: $42,370
Options as Tested: Customer Preferred Package 28H (tow hooks, 8-way power leather seats, rear 60/40 split folding, LT265/70R17 tires, 17x8 cast-aluminum wheels, power adjustable pedals, electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case, foglamps, body-color side moldings, bright body-color grille, Infinity AM/FM/CD/cassette, 7-speaker stereo, leather-wrapped steering wheel with stereo controls, overhead console with trip computer, flat-folding load floor, sliding rear window, auto-dimming rearview mirror, woodgrain instrument panel, dual zone A/C controls, keyless entry, security alarm, transfer-case skidplate), Trailer tow group (750-amp battery, Class IV hitch, 7-pin wiring harness), supplemental side airbags, 5.9L HO CumminsTurbo Diesel BFGoodrich on/off-road tire upgrade
Engine
Type: Turbocharged, intercooled, inline-six diesel
Displacement (liters/cubic inches): 5.9/359
Bore & Stroke (inches): 4.02x4.72
Compression Ratio: 17.2:1
Induction Type: Electronic, high-pressure common rail injection
Fuel Required (octane)/Capacity (gallons): Diesel/34
SAE Peak Horsepower: 305 @ 2,900 rpm
SAE Peak Torque (lb-ft): 555 @ 1,400 rpm
Transmission
Type: 6-speed manual overdrive
Model: NVG 5600
Ratios: First: 5.63:1; Second: 3.38:1; Third: 2.04:1; Fourth: 1.39:1; Fifth: 1.00; Sixth: 0.73:1; Reverse: 5.63:1
Transfer Case
Type: 2-speed part-time with electronic shift
Model: NVG 273
Low-Range Ratio: 2.72:1
Axles
Front Type: AAM 9 ¼-inch
Rear Type: AAM 11 ½-inch
Hubs: N/A
Ratio: 3.73:1
Suspension
Front: Live axle, 4-link with track bar and coil springs
Rear: Live axle, longitudinal springs
Steering
Type: Power-recirculating ball
Turns Lock-to-Lock/Ratio: 2.75/15.40:1
Turning Radius (feet): 44.6
Wheels
Size (inches): 17x8
Material: Cast-aluminum
Tires
Size: LT265/70R17
Brand: BFGoodrich Rugged Trail
Brake System
Front: 13.9-inch discs with ABS
Rear: 13.9-inch discs with ABS
Weight (pounds)
Curb Weight: 7,150
Advertised GVWR: 9,900
Mileage
EPA Estimate (city/hwy. mpg): N/A
As Tested (mpg): 10.91
Acceleration
Standing ¼-mile (seconds @ mph): 18.51 @ 76.84
Braking
60-0 mph (feet): 160.40
Dimensions (inches)
Wheelbase: 140.5
Overall Length: 228
Overall Width: 95
Overall Height: 78.25
Front/Rear Track: 69/68.5
Front/Rear Overhang: 39.25/48
Minimum Front Ground Clearance: 8.25
Likes
*Earth-moving torque
*6-speed transmission
*Tons of cargo space
Dislikes
*Small rpm range
*Open rear differential
*Needs one more gear in the transmission
Bottom Line
A Freightliner semi cleverly disguised as a fullsize pickup