The third-era Ram turned into unveiled on February 7, 2001 on the 2001 Chicago Auto Show, and debuted for 2002 version 12 months on 1500 fashions and 2003 on 2500 and 3500 fashions. This turned into a first-rate replace inclusive of an all new body, suspension, powertrains, interiors, and sheet metal. The group cab fashions for this era have been clearly Quad Cab vehicles that had conventional-starting rear doors.
The four-wheel-pressure mild vehicles (1500 collection) misplaced their stay axles in want of an unbiased the front suspension, however the 2500 and 3500 collection retained the stay axles for max sturdiness and durability. This frame fashion drew closely from the preceding era.The redesigned vehicles strengthened income, with 400,000 bought throughout 2001-2002 and almost 450,000 bought throughout 2002-2003, a brand new excessive factor for the Ram call. At the equal time, each Ford and GM vehicles have been growing in income from a 2001 top over 850,000 to the 900,000 range. But with 400,543 Rams bought that 12 months, the Ram's income couldn't maintain up with the eleventh-era F-a hundred and fifty in 2004. The number one purpose turned into that Dodge did now no longer manufacture a real group cab to compete with Ford and different manufacturers.
2006 Facelift.The Dodge Ram turned into up to date for the 2006 version 12 months. One remarkable addition turned into the "Mega Cab", providing a 6.25-foot (2 m) shipment container and 22 inches (560 mm) of greater cab space, permitting seating for 6 with rear recliners, a complete display mapping in-sprint navigation device have become an alternative, and the headlamps have been redesigned for higher overall performance.For 2006, the steerage wheel layout turned into modified to 1 from the Dodge Dakota and Dodge Durango. Bluetooth U Connect turned into now to be had as an alternative, and a the front facelift turned into given to all Ram fashions. SIRIUS Satellite Radio turned into to be had, as properly turned into a rear seat DVD leisure device with wi-fi headphones. The SRT version, with the 8.three L V10 engine from the Dodge Viper SRT/10, turned into discontinued after the 2006 version 12 months.
For 2007, Dodge modified the tail lights.In 2007, a 3500 Chassis Cab version turned into delivered with industry-trendy rear body width and wiring to deal with outfitters. In addition to the five.7 L (345 cu in), a Cummins 6.7 L (408 cu in) diesel rated at 350 hp (260 kW) and 650 lb·ft (880 N·m) turned into additionally to be had. Automatic transmissions used have been the 545RFE with the five.7 L (345 cu in) the AS68RC with the 6.7 L (408 cu in). The G56 transmission turned into the handiest guide transmission provided.
For 2008, Dodge delivered greater Chassis Cab fashions, the 4500 and 5500. These have been Class-four and Class-five vehicles with a gross weight of 16,500 lb (7,500 kg) and 19,500 lb (8,800 kg), respectively. Both vehicles got here prepared with the equal model of the Cummins 6.7 L (408 cu in) diesel because the 3500 chassis-cab version. Sterling, who labored with Dodge in development, had their very own model, referred to as the Sterling Bullet with a completely unique grille. Sterling is a department of Freightliner LLC which, like Dodge, turned into owned via way of means of the previous DaimlerChrysler. Sterling Trucks turned into certified to promote Dodge Ram 4500 collection vehicles because the Sterling Bullet. When the Sterling emblem turned into phased out via way of means of Chrysler Corporation, the Bullet turned into discontinued.Models constructed after January 1, 2007 provided a brand new 6.7 L Cummins faster diesel delivered as an alternative in 2500/3500 fashions changing the five.nine L. It produced 350 hp (260 kW) and 650 lb·ft (881 N·m). Unlike the five.nine L which turned into sponsored via way of means of the four-velocity 48RE Transmission, the 6.7 L turned into prepared with the brand new 6-velocity 68RFE transmission.
2005 turned into the ultimate 12 months for the primary model of the five.7 L (345 cu in) Hemi V8. 2006 half-ton fashions provided the Multi-Displacement System Hemi V8 engine that still have become to be had in Chrysler and Dodge sedans. This engine featured the equal overall performance however had a cylinder-deactivating characteristic enabled beneathneath mild hundreds to growth gasoline financial system via way of means of three MPG metropolis and four MPG hwy. This new Hemi nevertheless brought 345 hp (257 kW) and 375 lb·ft (508 N·m).For the 2003 version 12 months, AAM axles changed the Dana Corp axles. In the the front all 2500 and 3500 vehicles were given the nine.25" with 33 spline axles. The rear alternatives for the 2500 and 3500 have been the AAM (regularly noted as "corporate") 10.five" and 11.five". Rear axle shafts are 30 spline. The rear 11.five" has a equipment ratio "service split" at three.seventy three and numerically higher, however the General Motors AAM axles used a specific service spacing stopping set up of a Chrysler service into a few GM axles, however the GM service may be established withinside the Chrysler axle if a hoop equipment spacer is established. Strength is just like their in advance Dana 70 and eighty counterparts. Direct comparisons are hard because the axles are made with absolutely specific metallurgy.
Dodge Ram SRT 10 aka Viper Ram - This is a everyday or quad-cab frame with the Dodge Viper's V10 engine 8.3L, 22" wheels and Pirelli tires, decreased suspension, bucket seats, frame modifications, and a spoiler. The 2004 model turned into to be had handiest in a unmarried cab with a 6-velocity guide transmission and a Hurst shifter. For 2005, Dodge launched a Quad Cab model of the Viper-V10-powered truck with a changed 48RE four-velocity computerized transmission from the Ram with the Cummins turbodiesel engine. In 2004, the truck held the Guinness World Record for "World's Fastest Production Pickup Truck" with a velocity of 154.587 mph (247.three km/h). This file stood till overtaken via way of means of the Australian HSV Maloo R8, a game application coupe, in May 2006. SRT-10 manufacturing ended on June 30, 2006.
Power Wagon - This version, delivered for 2005, is an off-avenue centered model of the Ram. The call is drawn from Dodge's line of four-wheel-pressure vehicles crafted from the early Nineteen Forties thru the 1980s. It comes with the five.7 L (345 cu in) Hemi engine, digital locking differentials, digital disconnecting the front sway bar, 33" off-avenue tires, handlebar, fender flares, "Power Wagon" nameplates in preference to the same old Ram badging, and a 12,000 pound winch. This truck turned into constructed at the 2500 platform.