Brigham-Gill Chrysler Jeep Dodge

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Walk Around

2010 marks the first time Dodge has differentiated the styling between light-duty (1500) and heavy-duty Ram pickups. The changes are moderate and not as substantial as the 2009-to-2010 heavy-duty model was upgraded, and apply essentially from the windshield forward; the Mega Cab and dual-rear-wheel trucks have different appearance but aren't offered in the 1500 line.

With a forward tilt to the grille and an upward, inward point to the headlights, grille and bumper the new heavy-duty nose looks like a stout blunt instrument, rather like the point on an anvil. This is Dodge's in-your-face styling with a bigger face and broader shoulders.

While the style and lights are from the 1500 only the latter are the same parts. The HD's grille is larger to allow more cooling air in, the bumper is reshaped, and the hood has a larger central bulge and faux louver contouring, but the easiest way to distinguish the HD from the 1500 is the gap between the bumper and everything above it; the 1500 has no such gap.

Also new for 2010 is an HD crew cab, the same size that debuted on the Ram 1500 and a closer match to competitor crew cabs. Dodge's crew replaces the Quad Cab, and the ultra-long Mega Cab is back and uses the same rear doors as the crew.

However, the Mega Cab does not get its own bed size, the 6-foot, 4-inch box also offered behind the crew cab. It doesn't look that long behind the imposing Mega Cab but it is; you can not get a Mega Cab long-bed as it would be a bit unwieldy anywhere outside the great plains.

Dual-rear wheel trucks, including the Mega Cab use a single outside panel for the wide rear fenders, to eliminate seams and fasteners that might prove problematic long term. And the bed sides are steel, for easier straightening than fiberglass if you ding one.

The Dodge slots between the GM and Ford HD pickups in terms of sheer mass and sleekness; perceptively bigger and more angular than the GM and smoother than the Super Duty. Very mild fender flares or various colors are used on some trims, and the Power Wagon gets a new graphics package and flat, dark paint for the center of the hood.

Roof clearance lamps, government-mandated for vehicles like dual-rear-wheel pickups that exceed a certain width, now use clear lenses for a better-integrated look. Upper trim level mirrors get puddle lamps, and the flip-up towing mirrors get turn signal repeaters and a separately adjustable, much larger wide-angle element at the bottom (in tow position); in the retraced position the outboard wide-angle element is very useful in traffic and tight parking areas as you can view both rear tires. Worth noting, you can adjust the electric mirrors without having the truck switched on.

A tailgate lock is standard, as is assist so it can be opened and closed with one hand. On trucks with backup cameras, the lens is far enough from the latch so you won't scratch it opening the gate, and it gets decent protection and snow/ice rejection from the tailgate's upper lip. Bed rails are protected from load scuffing, and the bed is contoured for 2x4s and 2x6s to make it dual-level.

On trucks with satellite service for audio or navigation the antenna is on the right rear of the roof. It should be safe from contact with contractor racks or cabover campers but those pieces, or their contents, may well block the antenna's ability to receive signals.

Interior

2010 Dodge Ram HD

The 2010 Ram heavy-duty adopts the same cabin as the Ram 1500 received for 2009; the five percent that has changed is for features or shifter locations the 1500 does not have. If you recognize anything from previous heavy-duty Rams it'll be a switch or the center seat section with fold-down armrest.

Materials and trim are appropriate by model line, be they the base truck or a Laramie Mega Cab with Ram's head embosses on the seatbacks and console. We found no fit-and-finish issues, a benefit of fine-tuning the interior during a year of half-ton production. The Laramie's fake wood looks just like real wood and gloss surfaces generate no glare to bother the occupants. Although a vinyl floor is standard on only the base ST model you can order it with a more upscale interior if it's only your boots that get filthy.

There is plenty of room in the Regular Cab for two people, three across if you don't mind the floor hump. The biggest guy we could find who claimed to be 325 on a good day had no qualms about space.

He would fit just fine in the back of the new Crew Cab which offers essentially the same head, leg and width space of the front seat. Most crew cabs have a split folding rear seat and a center armrest, and all of them have three complete baby seat anchor sets and three adjustable headrests. Our 6-foot, 3-inch tester was quite comfortable for an hour-long ride with nothing in the bed. Coat hooks are above the rear window, which can be powered open/close or replaced with a defrost-able window on most models.

The Ram Mega Cab is nine inches longer than a Crew Cab. It has an extra five inches of legroom plus space behind the reclining seatback, and with the seats folded flat offers up 72 cubic feet of lockable cargo space, considerably more than behind the front seat in a Chevy Tahoe SUV. But plan on a lot of AC use in warm climes, as the only vents in back are on the floor.

Whether in the 40/20/40 front split bench or the buckets, we found the seats quite comfortable and widely adjustable. The seat cushion and backrest adjust as a unit, unlike the separate component approach that makes you go back-and-forth to get both pieces where you like. Lateral support is notably improved over earlier models without adding any difficulty to entry and exit. Big 4WD trucks are be design tall but side steps are available.

More expensive models may be outfitted with power adjustable pedals which combine with a tilt wheel and power seat adjustments to accommodate most of the population. You can even get a heated steering wheel and ventilated cooling front seats if you don't want to give up luxury to drive a truck.

The instrumentation is complete with oil pressure and battery information, and on diesels all the ancillary gauges are numbered. On any but the ST, the center dash EVIC (Electronic Vehicle Information Display) can call up transmission temperature and tire pressures (2500 only) among the slew of data, adjustments and messages; ours told us to clean rear park sensors rolling down a dry highway so we opted to wait. We were pleased to find EVIC, navigation, audio and brake controller displays were all easily viewed through polarized lenses. The EVIC is run through buttons on the front side steering wheel spokes; the back side of the spokes is reserved for audio system functions.

Switchgear is straightforward, with audio and navigation controls above climate controls in the center stack, plus operating controls for the Tow/Haul mode, Exhaust Brake. The Light Tire Load switch on 2500 models allows you to set the tire pressure in the rear tires on an unloaded 2500 notably lower than the front, for better wear and ride comfort without the low tire pressure warning light coming on. On electric-shift 4WDs the switch is on the left side of the center panel and includes a Neutral position for flat-towing. The trailer brake controller is below the headlight switch to left about knee-high and some drivers reported the steering wheel partially obscured it.

Side pillars are larger than in some cars but you sit far enough back that they don't intimidate. The bodywork is reasonably well defined for close quarter maneuvering, and the rear park sensors and/or camera will get you within inches.

Interior storage is extensive and even better than the half-ton Crew Cab's forty-odd places to put things because the heavy-duty has no shifter and gets an extra space in the console. Upper and lower door pockets are complemented by a variety of shapes from the broad tray on the dash that we emptied on the first corner to the under-floor storage areas behind the front seats; you can't reach these from the driver's seat but the liners are removable for cleaning and locks are available.

The audio and entertainment systems bring new offerings and sonic performance for 2010. Partial credit must go to the noise and vibration tuning that includes liquid-filled body mounts that helps make this the quietest Ram heavy-duty yet without adding much weight.

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