2009 Dodge Ram 1500
Dodge redesigns its Ram 1500 pickup for 2009, giving it an available upgraded Hemi V-8 engine, Dodge’s first-ever Crew Cab body style, innovative storage features, and a multi-link coil-spring rear suspension instead of leaf springs. Three cab configurations and three bed styles are available. The 2-door regular cab is offered with a 6-foot, 4-inch short bed or an 8-foot long bed. The 4-door Quad Cab, which has rear access doors, comes only with the 6-foot, 4-inch bed. The Crew Cab has four regular doors and comes with a 5-foot, 7-inch bed. The Crew Cab replaces the previous Mega Cab, which used components of the Ram 2500 chassis. Regular cabs seat 3, while the other body styles seat up to 6.
Five trim levels are offered on the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup: ST, SLT, TRX, Sport, and the top-of-the-line Laramie. Standard on the ST are vinyl upholstery and floor covering. SLTs have stain-repellant cloth upholstery, and top-line Laramies have leather plus all the amenities. TRX models have off-road-oriented shocks and on-/off-road tires, while TRX models with 4WD add tow hooks, skid plates, and a limited-slip differential. The Sport model has a leather-wrapped dash and 20-inch chromed aluminum wheels. An R/T package is offered for the 2WD regular cab Sport. It includes a unique transmission and torque converter, and a 4.10 axle ratio. Dodge says the R/T is capable of a 0 to 60 mph time of less than 6.0 seconds.
The base engine in the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 is a 210-hp 3.7-liter V-6 mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. All 4WD and Crew Cab models come standard with Dodge’s 4.7-liter Magnum V-8 engine, which makes 310 hp. This engine is FlexFuel capable, meaning it can operate on regular unleaded fuel or E85 ethanol. The top engine choice is an upgraded version of the Hemi 5.7-liter V-8, now up to 390 hp. Dodge says the new Hemi gets 4 percent better fuel economy, 10 percent more horsepower, and 8 percent more torque. The Hemi also continues with Dodge’s Multi-Displacement System (MDS), which shuts down four cylinders under light engine loads to conserve fuel. A 5-speed automatic transmission with a tow/haul mode is standard with both V-8 engines. All models are available with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or a part-time 4-wheel drive (4WD) system that should be disengaged on dry pavement. The Sport model is offered with a full-time, on-demand 4WD system that can be left engaged on dry pavement. Both 4WD systems have low-range gearing. Maximum payload is 1850 pounds and the Ram is able to tow up to 9100 pounds.
Available features on the new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup include a rear DVD entertainment system with Sirius Backseat TV; Dodge’s UConnect Tunes hard-drive radio; Dodge’s UConnect GPS hard-drive radio with navigation system; a rearview camera; and Dodge’s RamBox storage system. RamBox is offered only with the Crew Cab. It has 3.7 cubic feet of storage space in each bed rail. The storage is lockable, illuminated and drainable. RamBox also comes with a bed divider/extender and a cargo rail system with four sliding, adjustable cleats.
