Spoolin

iTrader: (8)

Saw this on Tech and thought I'd share. This is a awesome package and one that will really make some noise on the street! I wish GM would do something like this for us!!


Ram Introduces New Tradesman Model







Ram Truck today announced a new trim package aimed at one of the pickup truck category's largest traditional customer bases: the Ram Tradesman.

The Tradesman is a value-priced option package designed to meet the hard-working needs of small businessmen, construction jobsites and commercial fleets.

"The Ram Tradesman is named for – and aimed at – the heart of our business," said Fred Diaz, President and CEO - Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "This is a hard-working truck for hard-working people. Durability, reliability and value for the money are the top three considerations for our customers. Their truck is the most important tool they own and one they'll use every day. The Ram Tradesman is a truck they can depend on."

Ram Tradesman offers better performance for the price than other work trucks. For example, Ram Tradesman starts with the popular Ram 1500 ST trim package and adds useful features such as a standard HEMI® engine with five-speed automatic transmission, which balances power with fuel efficiency. HEMI-equipped Ram 1500s are rated at 390 horsepower (291kW) and 407 ft.-lb.(552 N•m) torque and 20 mpg highway (4x2).

Also included in the Tradesman package is a standard Class IV trailer hitch with lighted, above-bumper four- and seven-pin trailer wire connectors. Tradesman also features heavy-duty engine cooling and a heavy-duty transmission oil cooler. Properly equipped Tradesman models provide best-in-class standard work truck capability, towing 10,450 lbs.

Ram 1500 Tradesman is equipped with durable, good-looking 17-inch full-face painted steel wheels exclusive to the Tradesman.

All Ram 1500 models, including the Tradesman, feature segment-exclusive multi-link rear coil suspension that provides best-in-class ride and handling qualities. A coil-spring setup centralizes and absorbs bumps and impacts, while reducing the amount of friction in the spring system. This setup also weighs 40 pounds less than a leaf-spring configuration.

Ram Tradesman is available in either regular cab short-bed (6 foot, 4 inch) and long-bed (8 foot) models, with a choice of 4x2 or 4x4 powertrains.

Buyers can choose vinyl or cloth 40/20/40 split bench seats in dark slate and medium graystone, and either carpeted or vinyl flooring.

Other standard equipment includes 160-amp alternator, 17-inch steel spare wheel and full-size spare tire, 26-gallon (6-foot, 4-inch bed) or 32-gallon (8-foot bed) fuel tank, 3.55 rear axle ratio, 700-amp maintenance-free battery, bright chrome grille, cargo bed lamp, front and rear heavy-duty shock absorbers, front and rear stabilizer bars, halogen headlamps, locking tailgate, rear wheel well liners, rack and pinion steering, rear dome lamp and sentry key theft-deterrent system.

Standard interior features include air conditioning, a 12-volt auxiliary power outlet, media center with CD and MP3 player, six speakers, audio jack for mobile devices, automatic headlamps, behind the seat storage, driver and passenger assist handles, instrument panel with tachometer, tilt steering wheel, tinted glass, variable intermittent windshield wipers.

Standard safety features include advanced multistage front air bags, supplemental side airbags and front curtain, electronic stability control, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, front height-adjust shoulder belts and tire-pressure monitoring.

Ram Tradesman is available in Bright Silver Metallic, Bright White, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl, Deep Water Blue Pearl, Flame Red, Hunter Green Pearl, Mineral Gray Metallic, Rugged Brown Pearl or White Gold Metallic Paint.

A long list of options is available for the Tradesman including 3.21 and 3.92 rear axle ratios, anti-spin differential, chrome exhaust tip, bright chrome front and rear bumpers, heated mirrors, power door locks, power windows, remote keyless entry, engine block heater, folding trailer-tow mirrors with courtesy lamps and supplemental signals, rubber floor mats, Mopar chrome side steps and bed rails, a rear sliding window, spray-in bed liner, Sirius satellite radio, Uconnect® voice command with Bluetooth®, remote USB port, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, tow hooks, cruise control, tire-pressure monitor, vehicle information center and trailer brake controller.

Ram Tradesman is also available with rugged Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tires to resist punctures and improve off-road traction.

Ram Trucks come with an unsurpassed 5-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Truck customers – from half-ton to commercial – have a demanding range of needs and require their vehicles to provide high levels of capability. With their proven powertrains, proven chassis, low-cost of ownership, Ram Trucks are engineered for maximum productivity and "uptime." Ram 1500, 2500, 3500 pickups and chassis cabs are designed to deliver a total package for commercial customers.

Ram Tradesman pricing starts at $22,780, including $975 destination charge. Tradesman will go on sale in the second quarter 2011.

Spoolin

iTrader: (8)

Recap for those who don't wanna read the whole thing...

RCSB 4x4 with 390/402 V8 and you can option it out to the moon or go with the base model and make it light!

I would buy one, drop it, put some wheels on it and use it as a tow rig or as a street bruiser!!

dlt76028

iTrader: (13)

Dodge has always let you configure cabs, beds, and engines tons of different ways. Chevy is the only company that won't put anything bigger then a 5.3 in a reg cab...

Bowtie03

iTrader: (4)

They are going in the right direction with this truck, Chevy of course will be the last to follow suit lol

Spoolin

iTrader: (8)

Now that tuning software is catching up to the Dodge systems...

1slow01Z71

iTrader: (36)

Meh, any of us guys who mod further than the typical NA stuff still dont have anything to worry about from 99% of the modded dodges. Aftermarket parts and total tuning solutions still arent there. While its cool that you can buy it direct from the factory with the big engine, why not just swap in a 6.2 if thats what you really want and it would outrun the Dodge. I realize the point is that its from the factory this way but most who really care about going fast arent afraid of a motor swap...

Stoichiometric

iTrader: (10)

Huh? I bet the ebay power resistor would take care of most major mods...

Seriously; it would be nice to have a link/coil suspension on the rear and a bigger engine in a stock package. The differential is not too bad, trans???

Spoolin

iTrader: (8)

Yup, I know what your saying. But you know what I'm saying too. It's the whole part about it coming from the factory in that trim. Swapping in a 6.2L or bigger engine or modding isn't anything I'm afraid of (obviously), but being able to enjoy something that's still in stock form, under warranty, and reliable yet still can pack a punch would be awesome to see from GM. I've learned that modding every vehicle I own isn't necessarily the best idea in the world, I still want a truck but one that also packs a wallop. And that way I could keep my modding to one vehicle.
I'm wishing and waiting for the day where GM offers us a RCSB 4x4 6.2L. I would be in hog heaven.


I'd leave it stock, just drop it and put some wheels on it and use it as a beater, grocery getter, DD, tow-rig, and whatever.
And anyways...You Mr. shouldn't be talking about buying Dodges!!

fastnblu

iTrader: (2)

I red-marked a few cool things. So it's got a Ford 390 or a Chevy 402?

Jules, not completely true. Either a 4x2 or a 4x4 is avail. It does have the Hemi, but the 5.7, not their biggest, badboy Hemi.

Notice they call a shortbed a 6' 4" bed; GM gives a 6' 6" or is it 6' 6 1/2" bed. When a few inches matters.

I do like that u can: get 3.55 std. rear or the other 2 choices if ya want. Can get rubber mats & even seats are no frills if wanted for a light stripper, rear suspension is lighter (40# is 40#, even on a heavy Ram) & HD eng. / trans coolers. I'm kinda shocked it has TPMS, but I haven't shopped for a new rig, so govt. may make that std. now (as it was supposed to be, not sure on what yr. it'd be mandated). Sounds like u option how u want & can afford.

GM is always late to the game, rather than come out w/. somethin 1st & let others follow suit. It irks me to no end.

Stoichiometric, trans is 5A.

Wyttrash96

iTrader: (16)

I strolled through the new truck lots just before I bought my crew cab. A new RCSB Chevy, with a 4.8, was around 40 grand. Nothing that special about it. Someone who's gonna be looking at that truck is obviously into it for the performance end of it. So they'd probably notice that at the Dodge dealer down the street, a comparable truck would sell for ten grand less. And this is with a hemi, which would KILL a 4.8. I'd much rather have a Chevy, but come on, what's up with their pricing? GM needs to screw their heads on tighter...