The Dodge Ram 1500 has had an interesting history and undergone a number of changes over its history. Dodge has been offering a variety of full-sized pickup trucks for decades, but the Dodge Ram 1500, in its current state, has only been a small part of the puzzle. For the most part, Dodge was also considered to be well behind Chevy and Ford in sales, however in the middle of the 1990’s it underwent a huge redesign and instantly become more popular. Another redesign was done more recently, which featured some major improvements as well. As far as half-ton trucks are considered, the Dodge Ram 1500 is now up there with the rest of them. Here is a quick review of the Dodge Ram 1500 and what it has to offer.
The first turning point in the Dodge Ram 1500 took place in the second generation, which was introduced in 1994. There were a large number of improvements and features that were not part of the Dodge lineup until this generation of trucks. Some of the highlights include 4 wheel ant-lock brakes, driver side airbag, and a complete redesign of the interior.
Even though the second generation was a breakthrough for this truck if you are looking at a used Dodge Ram 1500, then you probably won’t go back much farther than the 3rd generation, which was released from 2002 to 2008. This period of time resulted in a lot of incremental improvements to both the engine and the transmission. Additionally, if you look at the entire 3rd generation, then you will see a lot of different wheel/tire packages, sound systems, and much more.
The current generation again showed a lot of improvements. If you are looking for a used Dodge Ram 1500 then you will likely see huge jump in price on the secondary market between the 2nd and current generation. This generation offers 5 trim levels, 3 different cab, and 3 different engines. The most important change in this generation is the addition of the coil-spring rear suspension. This is the first generation that ditched the traditional leaf springs. The change was great news for Dodge Ram 1500 owners because the new spring system provides for a much smoother and more stable ride.
If there is one potential drawback to the Dodge Ram 1500, it is the standard V6 engine. Compared to similar trucks, it is weaker and more inefficient. On the other hand, the Hemi V8 is definitely one of the best on the market.
Overall, the Dodge Ram 1500 has changed over the past decade from being just another pickup truck to arguably the most versatile half-ton truck on the road. It went from a modest looking vehicle to its current big-rig inspired look and more aggressive exterior. The interior has steadily improved on a yearly basis over the past decade as well. When it’s all said and done, the Dodge Ram 1500 has become competitive on the half-ton market and continues to improve on a yearly basis. If you are looking to save money on a used Dodge Ram, then stick to the second generation. If price isn’t your primary concern, then the current generation definitely has more options as well as the Hemi V8 engine.
