Performance and
Capability
Ride and Handling
• The all-new frame makes the most use of
hydroforming on any pickup. The frame is not only lighter, but more
durable. Hydroforming allows for cross-members to be welded to the top and
bottom of the side wells, which also improves torsional
stiffness.
• Ram's best-in-class ride and
handling package is made even better through an all-new rack and pinion
steering system. This new system provides reduced friction and thereby
provides a more precise handling feel than recirculating ball systems.
• The all-new torsion bar independent
front suspension on four-wheel drive models will provide ride quality and
quietness unmatched by other full-size pickups. Static ground clearance is
improved over the link-coil system and solid axle, and dynamic ground
clearance is superior to all competitors' independent suspension systems.
Braking
• The standard four-wheel disc
brakes are the largest in the industry and continues to keep Ram best in
class in terms of braking performance. Not only is stopping distance
improved, but so is lining life and quietness.
Wheels and Tires
• Ram offers a host of standard and optional tire and
wheel combinations, including the largest standard tire and wheel
combination (17" wheels and P245/70R17 tires) in a light-duty full-size
pickup.
• Not only stunning in design, the
20-inch polished cast aluminum wheel and P275/55R20 tire is the largest
available combination in the segment.
• The
all-new suspension design provides clearance for off-road tires up to 34
inches in diameter – by far the largest in the full-size
segment.
Powertrain
• Performance has always been a key part of the Ram package. For
2002, Ram gets two new Magnum engines that are more powerful, yet more
fuel efficient than the ones they replace:
The all-new 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 produces
215 horsepower, 35 more than the 3.9-liter
engine it replaces.
The 4.7-liter
Magnum V-8 delivers 240 horsepower, compared to 235 from the 5.2-liter
V-8 on the 2001 Ram.
Both engines get about one mile per gallon better fuel economy
than their predecessors.
• The 45RFE four-speed
automatic transmission is new for Ram. It's the only transmission in its
class with equal reverse and low gear ratios. It also has an alternate
second gear that kicks in for towing and climbing situations.
Towing and Hauling
• Four cargo tie-down cleats bolted to the
lower sides of the pickup box can sustain up to 1000 pounds
each.
• The bed is only slightly smaller,
but there's no compromise to payload. In fact, the maximum payload on Quad
Cab is increased to 1,750 pounds.
• Towing
is better on Regular Cab and Quad Cab. Both the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) and Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) are up on both
models.
Safety
Seat
Belts
• Both front
seat belts have pyrotechnic pretensioners that tighten when an air bag
activates, thereby helping to keep the occupant safely in
place.
• The back seat of the Quad Cab is
fitted with tether anchors at all three seating positions to better
accommodate child safety seats. There are anchors at each of the two front
passenger seat positions on the Regular Cab, in combination with an air
bag on/off switch.
Air Bags
• Ram features the full-size
segment's first available side curtain air bags. The air bags are tucked
in the headliner just above the doors and provide additional head
protection to front and rear outboard passengers.
Door frames
• High strength steel beams in the doors are lighter
while improving protection in the event of a side impact.
Brakes
• The largest brakes in the segment offer greater responsiveness and
shorter stopping distance.
• A new brake
booster delivers two different rates of force depending on how hard the
driver presses on the brake pedal. This gives the driver greater
confidence that they can stop faster when needed.
Head impact protection
• Ram features padded trim covers on the
pillars and driver and front passenger assist handles, as well as a
structural foam headliner. These features help absorb energy in the event
of an impact, as well as help Ram meet the more stringent federal head
impact safety standards a year ahead of the requirement.
Pedals
• Ram offers the segment's first optional power adjustable
accelerator and brake pedals. This allows for shorter drivers to maintain
a safe and comfortable seating position and improve driver control.
Frame
• Highly tuned indentations and holes in
the front tips of the frame serve as "crush initiators," and allow Ram's
front crush zone to absorb much of the energy in the event of an impact.
This reduces G-forces to the
passengers.
Specifications (See Specification
Chart)
2002 DODGE RAM 1500 FEATURE
HIGHLIGHTS
MODELS
Two- and four-wheel drive models with regular and Quad Cab™
bodies
EQUIPMENT GROUPS
Three equipment levels: ST, SLT and SLT Plus
Sport Appearance Group—optional SLT and SLT
Plus
POWERTRAIN
Next-generation 3.7-liter Magnum SOHC, SMPI V-6
Engine
Next-generation 4.7-liter Magnum SOHC, SMPI V-8
Engine
State-of-the-art 45RFE Multi-speed Automatic
Transmission
Available Electric-shift 4WD Transfer Case
Refined Manual 4WD Transfer Case
CHASSIS
All-new Frames with Fully Boxed Side Rails—Stiffest
in the industry with the most extensive use of hydroforming
Independent Front Suspension on 4WD models for
best-in-class on-road ride and handling
Refined 2WD Suspension Systems for fun-to-drive ride
and handling with truck-functional attributes
Rack and Pinion Steering on all models providing
firm, crisp and precise steering feel with linear response characteristics
and excellent returnability
Largest Standard Wheels and Tires in the
industry—P245/70R17
The Largest Available Original Equipment Tires in the
industry—P275/55R20 on 2WD models and P275/60R20 on 4WD models
Standard Four-wheel Disc Brakes—Largest in the
industry
First truck with dual-rate brake
booster
BODY
Enhanced appearance differentiation among equipment
groups
All-new, roomier, stiffer body structure
New boat-cleat style cargo tie-down in pickup
box
Industry-exclusive wide-opening forward-hinged rear
doors with outside doors handles and full roll-down windows
Quad Cab™ Body to enhance rear passenger comfort and
convenience
High-efficiency Halogen Headlamps provide outstanding
performance
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
Exterior Colors: Atlantic Blue Pearl Coat (new),
Black, Bright Silver Metallic, Bright White, Dark Garnet Red Pearl Coat,
Flame Red, Forest Green Pearl Coat, Graphite Metallic (new), Light Almond
Pearl Metallic (new) and Patriot Blue Pearl Coat
INTERIOR
Extended Regular and Quad Cab™ Interiors—Roomiest in
the industry
Longest Front Seat Track Travel in the
industry
Power Adjustable Pedals with automatic
transmission—Optional in SLT and SLT Plus
All-new Interior with added storage
All-new seats for increased passenger
comfort
Front Center In-seat Cushion Storage—Included in SLT
Plus; optional with SLT
More Versatile Storage in Business
Console—Standard
Electrical Power Outlet in Business Console—SLT and
SLT Plus
60/40 Split/folding Rear Seat—Available on SLT and
SLT Plus Quad Cab™
Improved Storage Compartments under rear seats on
Quad Cab™
Steel fold-flat load floor—Available on SLT and SLT
Plus Quad Cab™
Larger, More Versatile Cab-back Storage Systems on
Regular Cab
Best-in-class Air Conditioning system
performance
Pickup Truck-first Dual-Zone Climate Control—In SLT
Plus
New Colors: Dark Slate Gray, Navy Blue and
Taupe
ELECTRICAL and ELECTRONIC
SYSTEMS
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
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Truck industry first supplemental side curtain air
bags for front and rear seat outboard occupants—optional
Adjustable front seat head
restraints—standard
Outboard front seat belt
pre-tensioners—standard
Center-occupant Unibelt restraint system—Regular cab
front and Quad Cab™ rear
Enhanced interior head impact
protection—standard
Sentry Key® Theft Deterrent System—optional SLT,
standard SLT Plus
HomeLink™ universal remote security system
transceiver—standard SLT Plus
NVH
CONTROL
Fully integrated body and chassis engineering for
outstanding NVH control
Frames tuned for consistent NVH control
characteristics among all wheelbase and powertrain
combinations
ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION
In California, the 4.7-liter engine meets ULEV
(ultra-low emission vehicle) requirements
In California, the 5.9-liter engine meets ULEV
requirements
All dimensions are in inches
(millimeters) unless otherwise noted. All dimensions measured at curb
weight with standard tires and
wheels.