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Dodge

2009 Dodge Ram Information
Product Chronology (1994-2008)

  • 2008 MODEL YEAR
    Sunburst Orange exterior color
    Detonator Yellow exterior color
    Dark Maple Burl woodgrain accents for Laramie models
    New 4.7-liter V-8 engine producing 310 horsepower (31-percent increase) and 330 lb.-ft. of torque (10-percent increase), with better fuel economy and increased refinement
    6,000-mile maintenance schedule for all gasoline engines
    Improved steering linkage for 4x4 models
    Trailer Sway Control added to available Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
    Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) system available

    2007 MODEL YEAR
    YES® Essentials Stain resistant, odor resistant, anti-static seat fabric incorporated into vehicles with cloth seats
    Power accessory delay
    E85 compatible 4.7-liter V-8 engine (Flexible Fuel Vehicle—FFV)
    Optional Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
    Optional remote start
    One-touch, three-blink lane change feature

    2006 MODEL Year
    Multi-displacement System (MDS) on 5.7-liter engine is a fully functioning cylinder deactivation system on a pickup truck (first for segment)
    and enables fuel economy improvements of up to 20 percent
    Variable Line Pressure (VLP) feature on four-speed automatic transmission (mated with 3.7-liter V-6 engine) results in improved fuel economy and smoother shifts
    Front-axle disconnect system (standard on 4x4 models) minimizes energy consumption and improves fuel economy
    NV244 full-time electric transfer case standard on all 4x4 models delivers 45/55 front/rear torque split when four-wheel drive is activated
    Optional all-wheel-drive electronic transfer case
    “Tow/haul” feature provides crisper shifts and reduces gear searching when towing
    Re-engineered hydroformed, fully boxed frame with increased torsional rigidity and bending stiffness for enhanced ride and handling capability and reduced transfer of noise 
    Reduced drag brake calipers contributing to enhanced aerodynamics
    Coil-over shock, double wishbone front suspension on 4x4 models
    Specifically tuned monotube shock absorbers
    Re-tuned springs, jounce bumpers and suspension bushings for enhanced driving dynamics
    Re-engineered body mount design results in quieter cabin experience and more comfortable ride
    Re-engineered engine and transmission mounts for enhanced ride and handling characteristics
    New wheel lineup includes:
                    • 17-inch aluminum with unique finish (SLT, TRX and TRX4 package)
                    • 20-inch aluminum (optional on SLT)
                    • 17-inch chrome-clad aluminum (Laramie)
                    • 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum (standard on new Sport package, optional on SLT and Laramie)
    Thicker front door glass and re-engineered door seals for reduced wind noise contributes to interior cabin quietness
    Polymer constraint layer on front of dash panel for enhanced engine and road noise abatement
    Rear spoiler positioned on rear liftgate contributes to enhanced vehicle aerodynamics
    Redesigned headlamps, grille, front fascia and fender assemblies
    Enhanced headlamp performance
    Optional power sliding backlight
    Available in nine colors, including Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat and Light Khaki Metallic Clear Coat
    Redesigned instrument panel with four trim levels
    Optional full-screen navigation radio
    Optional DVD rear-seat entertainment system on Quad Cabs
    Optional front bucket seats with full center console available on SLT, Sport package and Laramie
    Rear-seat ladder-style headrests on Quad Cab®
    Enhanced seat design features including optional bucket seats, enhanced leather offerings and French-stitched sew lines
    Upscale finishes, including Maple Pommele accents on instrument panel and doors and Satin Silver II accents on control knobs
    Interior color offerings: Khaki and Medium Slate Gray
    New hydroformed frame enables greater front crush zone for enhanced absorption and crash energy dissipation 
    Advanced multi-stage driver and front passenger air bags and knee bolsters
    Weight-based Occupant Classification System (OCS) for controlling front passenger air bag deployment (Quad Cabs)

    2005 MODEL YEAR
    New sun roof available on Quad Cab Short Box

    New tailgate badging – ram’s head replaces “DODGE” nameplate
    UConnect® Hands-free Communication System with Bluetooth® technology; optional on SLT and Laramie
    SIRIUS Satellite Radio optional on Quad Cab Short Box SLT and Laramie(a)
    New transmission mounts for manual transmissions reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH)
    3.7-liter Magnum V-6 engine upgrade provides improved idle quality and fuel economy refinements. Engine upgrade includes a new camshaft profile, lash adjusters, low-tension piston rings and a 9.7:1 compression ratio
    4.7-liter V-8 engine adds knock sensors and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) for improved efficiency
    Getrag 238 six-speed manual transmission replaces the NV3500 five-speed manual on 3.7-liter and 4.7-liter Magnum engines
    Low Lockup Speed and turbine damper added to 545RFE with 4.7-liter engine. The turbine damper improves NVH performance allowing for torque converter lockup clutch application at lower speeds
    2004 MODEL YEAR
    Full-time electric shift optional on Laramie and SLT
    Tow/haul mode offered on light-duty models with automatic transmission
    Flexible fuel version of 4.7-liter engine available to fleet customers
    Optional larger 34-gallon fuel tank on 1500 Quad Cab with standard bed
    The 5.7-liter HEMI Magnum V-8 receives exhaust gas recirculation for improved efficiency
    New exterior color: Deep Molten Red replaces Garnet Red
    New adjustable rear seat outboard head restraints standard on Quad Cab
    Chrome bodyside moldings standard for Laramie
    Chrome surround grille with chrome billet inserts for Laramie standard
    Body-color side moldings now standard with Sport appearance group
    Chrome-clad wheels now standard on Laramie
    New available navigation radio with 4.9-inch full-color display, AM/FM stereo, CD player, 11 speakers, 240-watt amplifier and DVD-based navigation system
    Satin Silver door and instrument panel bezels for Laramie
    Laramie model features new seat appearance, with unique leather seat design with high-contrast color seat inserts
    Laramie J Package (includes ash receiver, cup holder, vanity mirror lamps for driver and passenger, glove box lighting, switchable dome lamp and electrochromic rearview mirror)

    2003 MODEL YEAR
    All-new 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 replaces 5.9-liter
    545RFE multi-speed automatic transmission available with 4.7-liter and 5.7-liter engines
    Optional rear window defogger (mid-year introduction)
    SLT Plus is rebadged as Laramie on regular and Quad Cab models with an extensive list of standard features
    New tow hooks standard on Laramie four-wheel drive, optional in Protection Group for four-wheel drive ST and SLT and optional with two-wheel drive ST, SLT and Laramie
    Adjustable pedals with manual transmission—Optional
    AM/FM stereo with six-disc in-dash CD—Optional
    Steering wheel-mounted audio controls are packaged with AM/FM stereo radio with cassette and CD player or an AM/FM stereo radio with cassette and six-disc in-dash CD changer—SLT; both equipped with 11-speaker Infinity® system
    Electronic throttle control on 5.7-liter HEMI Magnum V-8 engine
    Automatic locking retractor added to front passenger seat belt
    LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) added to regular and Quad Cab models
    2002 MODEL YEAR
    Two- and four-wheel-drive models with regular and Quad Cab bodies
    Three equipment levels—ST, SLT and SLT Plus
    Sport Appearance Group and Sport Appearance Group with 20-inch wheels and tires—Optional SLT and SLT Plus
    Next-generation 3.7-liter Magnum SOHC, SMPI V-6 engine with balance shaft
    Next-generation 4.7-liter Magnum SOHC, SMPI V-8 engine
    45RFE multi-speed automatic transmission
    Available electric-shift four-wheel-drive transfer case
    Refined manual four-wheel-drive transfer case
    All-new frames with fully boxed side rails
    Independent front suspension on four-wheel-drive models
    Refined two-wheel-drive suspension systems
    Rack-and-pinion steering
    P245/70R17 standard tires
    P275/55R20 on two-wheel-drive models and P275/60R20 on four-wheel-drive models
    Standard four-wheel disc brakes—Largest in the industry
    Truck-industry first dual-rate power brake booster
    All-new, roomier, stiffer body structure
    Bed length of short-box models reduced to provide increased cab interior roominess
    Industry-exclusive wide-opening forward-hinged rear door with outside door handles and full roll-down windows
    Trailer Tow outside mirrors with rotating heads for improved rearward visibility
    Structural rear bumper—Class III trailer towing capability without added equipment
    Class IV trailer hitch platform—Integrated with rear bumper structure
    Extended regular and Quad Cab interiors—Roomiest in the industry
    Power adjustable pedals with automatic transmission—Optional SLT, in SLT Plus
    All-new, customer-oriented interior with added storage
    All-new seats for increased passenger comfort
    60/40 split/folding rear seat—Available on SLT and SLT Plus Quad Cab models
    Improved storage compartments under rear seats on Quad Cab models
    Steel fold-flat load floor—Available on SLT and SLT Plus Quad Cab models
    Larger, more versatile cab-back storage systems on regular cab models
    Pickup truck-first Dual-zone Climate Control—SLT Plus
    Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) with customer-programmable features—SLT Plus
    Best-in-class optional Infinity premium speaker system—11 premium speakers in seven locations and a 240-watt digital amplifier
    Truck-industry first side air bag inflatable curtains (SABIC) for front and rear seat outboard occupants—Optional
    Adjustable front seat head restraints—Standard
    Outboard front seat belt pretensioners—Standard
    Enhanced interior head impact protection—Standard
    Extension of Quad Cab body allows use of rearward-facing child seats in back seat

    2001 MODEL YEAR
    July 2000 Production
    Club Cab body style discontinued
    User-ready child seat upper anchors on cab back panels
    January 2000 Production
    High Output Cummins turbo diesel engine with six-speed manual transmission only (245 horsepower and 505 lb.-ft. torque)
    2000 MODEL YEAR
    Eight-foot box with 1500 Club Cab body discontinued
    New front suspension and steering systems on all models
    All-new brake system with dual-piston front disc brake calipers and quick-response vacuum booster
    1999 MODEL YEAR
    Upgraded Sport Appearance Group—Front bumper and fascia, grille, quad headlamps
    1998 MODEL YEAR
    Quad Cab body style introduced
    Next-generation driver and front-passenger air bags (running change)(a)
    Passenger air bag cutoff switch (regular cab and Quad Cab only) (running change)(b)
    Removable storage module under rear seats of Quad Cab (mid-year introduction)
    1995 MODEL YEAR
    Club Cab model added
    1994 MODEL YEAR
    All-new regular cab models introduced
    Model designations changed to 1500, 2500 and 3500

    (a) Certified to federal regulations that allow less forceful air bags. Always use seat belts.
    Remember, a back seat is the safest place for children.
    (b) Important—Always remove key and replace cover. Rearward-facing child seats may be used
    in the front seat only with the passenger air bag turned off.

 

 

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