New Car/Review
Dodge Ram SLT 2WD Regular Cab (2002)
SEE ALSO: Dodge Buyer's Guide
by Brendan Hagin and Mikele Schappell-Hagin
SPECIFICATIONS Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price $ 16,955 Price As Tested $ 23,135 Engine Type SOHC 12-valve 4.7 Liter V8 w/SMFI* Engine Size 287 cid/4701 cc Horsepower 240 @ 4800 RPM Torque (lb-ft) 300 @ 3200 RPM Wheelbase/Width/Length 120.5"/79.9"/207.7" Transmission Five-speed manual Curb Weight 4554 pounds Fuel Capacity 26.0 gallons Tires (F/R) P245/70R17 all season Brakes (F/R) Disc (ABS)/disc (ABS) Drive Train Front-engine/rear-wheel-drive Vehicle Type Three-passenger/two-door Domestic Content 75 percent Coefficient of Drag (Cd.) N/A PERFORMANCE EPA Economy, miles per gallon city/highway/average 14/19/16 0-60 MPH 12.0 seconds Maximum payload capacity 1780 pounds Maximum towing capacity 5800 pounds * Sequential multi-point fuel injection
BRENDAN - Dodge says its trucks are built "Ram Tough" and reading up on the new 2002 Dodge Ram SLT Regular Cab pickup made me more aware and trusting of Dodge's claims. These are tough trucks that make their drivers feel like they can take on just about anything that stands in their way. The have masculine "big-rig" looks that has other truck- makers, both domestic and imported, playing catch-up with their own versions of "rugged" styling. The Ram series has two new, more powerful and more efficient engines for 2002. They are the all-new 3.7-liter Magnum V6 with 210 horsepower, which replaces the 175-hp, 3.9-liter version, and the 4.7-liter Magnum V8 with 235 horses that replaces the 230-horse, 5.2-liter powerplant of last year. The other engine Dodge offers is its big 5.9-liter V8 that puts out 245 ponies and a ton of torque. It's the only "old" engine that's back.
MIKELE - I love old Dodges, Bren. We had a lot of fun in our 1966 Dart slant-six and I'll bet that it will keep on running forever. Your Dad told me that in the old days, he had both a van and a pickup truck that used the slant-six. Dodge has put out a real beauty in this Ram SLT that we evaluated. Besides the new engine, it has an all-new automatic transmission that is not only quieter, but adds a lot of responsiveness. It's the only transmission in its class with a reverse gear ratio equal to its low gear ratio which I guess makes it easier to back up when it's out on truck jobs like construction sites. It also has a unique "second" 2nd gear ratio that comes in handy for difficult towing jobs when they involve climbing grades. Its suspension is improved for the new year, too. Dodge developed a better balance of ride, handling, and brake performance and I guess that was done to make it more acceptable by families that buy pickups as second "cars." It's a huge market now, so the more "civilized" a truck rides and handles, the more chance it has to be accepted as part of the family by Mom.
BRENDAN - The four-wheel drive model Dodge trucks have a new torsion bar independent front suspension for 2002 and both the two-wheel and four-wheel drive models have recalibrated steering ratios for better maneuverability and easier parking. And this year, the Ram SLT has disc brakes all around. The maximum towing rate has been boosted to 8600 pounds from the 7950 pounds that was its max last year. Your brother Tom would appreciate that for towing his ski boat. The Ram pickup cab size has been increased by three inches for 2002, which aids in rear storage and seat reclining ability. I'm a big guy, so a big cab like the one on the Ram allows me to avoid that knees-into-the-steering wheel feeling that I get from our own mini-pickup. The front seats on the Ram SLT has a 40/20/40 split, which allows it to be used as a three-across bench seat for three adults. With the center section down, it has lots of storage for the driver and a single passenger. The center-section portion of the seat also has an under-cushion compartment.
MIKELE - That would be perfect for us, Bren. Most folks store a lot of junk in their pickups. Leather seating can be had in the Ram SLT, but somehow I've always thought leather seats are out of place in a "regular guy" pickup. Drivers shorter than you can have an optional power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals as part of their Ram. It's not a problem for you, but us "regular" people appreciate niceties like that.
BRENDAN - The lines of the new Ram aren't all that different from the previous model, but I think it has an even bolder front end, with an in-your-face appearance that makes it look like a semi-truck is bearing down on you when you see it in your rear-view mirror. Ram set the bar for safety in the past with the first driver and passenger airbags in its segment, and for 2002 it is the first full-size pickup to offer side curtain airbags. It also has the largest brakes in its class, making it a safe truck with class and style.
MIKELE - I know where you're going with this one, Bren, and no, we don't need a newer, bigger pickup truck.