I'm not sure what it is really. The article i read listed it as a "Lifestyle" vehicle... whatever that means.
The body changes to the Dakota does prove there could be some large changes coming to the Ram tho which is what id like to find out.
hmmmm looks like the 'avalachey' kind of style...like almost EVERY brand makes...I hope they don't change the ram tooo much, I don't want to be trading it off for a newer style one LOL
I would be surprised if they change the looks very much given the newly designed 2500/3500s came out in late 2010. With Ford and GM offering various engines with mpg in mind with some, I would be surprised if Ram did not try to keep up under the hood.
You folks are all way too young to recognize what the new Dakota really looks like. I have been wondering how long it would take the car makers to go back to that design that was so popular years back. Half car/ Half truck, anyone ever heard of an El Camino, or Ranchero?
From what I have read, the planned V-8 diesel was canceled, but will make "major modifications including powertrain and technology. This month, Chrysler announced their new 6.7L "High Output Cummins Turbo Diesel" at the Chicago Auto Show for the 2500 & 3500 models that will have 23% icreased torgue to produce total 800lb-ft of torque with 22,700lbs of towing capacity, but did not mention horse power rating. The Heavy Duty Ram gas engines will have a new 6.4L Hemi V-8.
I'm feeling a bit annoyed about a redesign of the Ram already, but, I'm in love with my truck and haven't taken delivery yet! Ha Ha I really can't imagine a full redesign after only 4 years. It looks too good to mess with! I have to agree with other members that are in the biz about engine/trans upgrades, maybe style touches like grill, lights, bumpers, but, I would be surprised by much sheet metal work. IMO
I didn't do my homework when I bought my 2008 and a few months later the 09s were out with a next gen. Now that I picked up an 11, I was a bit worried it was going to happen again.
In all honesty, the main things that drew me to gen 4 was rear park assist, dual exhaust, floor mounted shifter, and the vehicle info center.( I couldn't believe all this came out 2 months after I got my 08, I was soo mad lol) They may add power, gas milage, and other toys, but they can't take away the features I already have! I've been wanting a floor mounted shifter in my truck since my first ram in 96! I love it!
Honestly Dodge has done great with the designs since the 2nd gens. I was impressed with the 2002 design change then again with the 4th. The Ram always looks so damn good.
So when would we likely see some of these new changes announced? I haven't bought my truck yet, gotta wait a couple months at least, and I could probably push it off until Fall if it sounds like the 2012 is going to have some big improvements. Agggh, decisions decisions decisions...
I'm eager to see if Dodge will put out a new bodystyle, but cant say i'm too worried about "not waiting" just in case. I love the look of my '11, no way i'd be disappointed if they changed it for '12.
I love the look of the '11 too and i'd order one right now if i knew they weren't going to change. But i wouldn't be happy with a brand new truck that looked "dated" after 3-4 months of ownership because they went ahead and made changes in '12
I'd have the new truck payments but the new truck smell would be long gone.
Hey knsram,
so the 2012 is going to be a bigger better diesel engine than ours? I also heard that they would likely have to add the urea stuff for next year, which I absolutely didn't want to have to deal with. What is our engine rated to pull? 18,500?
Chances of Dodge changing the body style after 3 years is slim to none in my opinion. Upgrades to the drive train are more than possible so they have something to advertise and sell more trucks......
Back in the 50's, 60's and into the 70's they would change the body styles of cars on a regular basis but you don't see that anymore. Now the motor divisions want to get their money's worth out of the tooling they spent so much on. If the body style was a complete flop I could see major changes but these truck are every where and Dodge makes more profit per vehicle every year the body style survives.
Ram trucks change every 3 years
2002 - 2005
2006 - 2008
2009 - 2011
2012 - 2014
expect a larger engine & 8 speed ZF transmission in the 2X4, & soon a 9 speed ZF in the 4X4s & front wheel drive vehicles
2010/06/10
ZF and Chrysler Reach Agreement for new 8-Speed Automatic Transmissions
Chrysler Group LLC becomes new customer for ZF 8-speed automatic transmissions Additional license agreement enables Chrysler Group to produce 8-speed transmissions ZF to build new North American transmission plant by 2013
Friedrichshafen. ZF and Chrysler Group LLC have reached a supply and license agreement for ZF's 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission. Chrysler Group is licensed to produce the 8HP at the company’s Indiana Transmission Plant I and the Kokomo casting plant, starting in 2013. Chrysler Group LLC will initially receive the 8HP 8-speed automatic transmissions from the ZF Getriebe GmbH plant in Saarbrücken, Germany. By 2013, in parallel with Chrysler Group, ZF is setting up a new transmission production plant in North America, where the 8-speed transmissions will be produced.
"As the U.S. auto industry continues its rebound, we see considerable growth opportunities within it – especially for next-generation vehicles, such as those at Chrysler Group that will use the 8HP 8-speed automatic," says Hans-Georg Härter, ZF's President and CEO. "America is the birthplace of the automotive automatic transmission and we feel it is important for ZF to participate in the business here with a dedicated manufacturing facility. We are excited to begin this venture."
"The American market remains as mobile as ever, so the importance of environmentally friendly, fuel-saving technology has never been more important," says Dr. Gerhard Wagner, Group Executive of ZF's Car Driveline Division. "ZF is a leader and innovator in fuel-saving transmission technology and our 8HP 8-speed automatic offers efficiency without sacrifice."
---------------------------------------------------------------
9 speed ZF http://www.streetlegaltv.com/news/zf-developed-nine-speed-transmission-confirmed-for-chrysler/
Ram trucks change every 3 years
2002 - 2005
2006 - 2008
2009 - 2011
2012 - 2014
expect a larger engine & 8 speed ZF transmission in the 2X4, & soon a 9 speed ZF in the 4X4s & front wheel drive vehicles
I know this is semantics, but 02-05 is four years. Fair enough though, they did update the truck afterwards. I don't think Chrysler/Fiat has the funds to do anything drastic styling wise... they need to spend that money elsewhere across their lines. The eight speed is coming and MT stated last month that a light duty diesel would be available in 2013. The 6.2 might be available as an option, but I don't see how with the new Cafe standards. They'll have to sell a crap load of 500s.
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