The All New 2008 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs

Having gained popularity in the Auto show in Chicago from February 9, 2007 to February 18, 2007, Dodge's all new big rig truck Ram 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs-2008 hold good expectations of Dodge for future. In past, Dodge was the leader in middle sized trucks production but later its competitors had introduced their better productions to the mid-sized commercial trucks market. But this new launch of Dodge has proved that the company is still a leader. The all new 2008 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 Chasis Cabs have the largest standard fuel tank, which can hold 52 gallons and the largest brake rotors, at 15.3 inches.

The official website of Dodge declares following features of the new vehicles :( Press Release):

1) Legendary Cummins Turbo Diesel in 6.7 liter displacement (610 lb.ft. of torque)

2) Six speed automatic or manual transmission with Power Take Off (PTO) capability

3) Largest standard fuel tank in segment (52 gallons)

4) Best in class first gear launch provides optimum acceleration on vehicle take off

5) Largest brake rotors in segment (390 mm)

6) Largest caliper piston size in segment (66 mm)

7) Life to overhaul intervals of 350,000 miles

8) Standard diesel exhaust brake system, together with class leading brakes and pistons, extends brake life while giving driver increased control

9) Commercial grade frame (50,000 psi steel) to maximize strength and reduce weight

10) Flat, "clean" frame rail all chassis components below top of frame surface to facilitate after market upfits or retrofits

11) To ensure quality, more than 1.5 million test miles by Dodge truck engineers

12) Fourteen advanced safety technologies and enhanced accident avoidance features offered .

"We built the all new 2008 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs for heavy duty chassis cab buyers who want a powerful, capable and versatile commercial quality vehicle," said George Murphy, Senior Vice President Global Brand Marketing, Chrysler Group. "With commercial performance, durability and capability, the 2008 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs offer dominant power train packages, a commercial grade upfit friendly chassis, and bold, big rig Ram styling."

The standard 6.7-liter Cummins High Output Turbo Diesel Engine is capable of producing 305 horsepower and 610 lb.ft. of torque. This powerful engine has life to major overhaul intervals of 3,50,000 miles. The engine is not only more powerful, it's also cleaner as it is B5 bio diesel compatible. Bio-diesel compatibility means reduction in particulates and Nitrogen Oxide (N2O3) and the vehicles emission comply with the 50-states 2007 heavy duty emission standards.

Small business traders, fleet customer users and traditional chassis cab users are the target consumers for these vehicles. The Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs will compete within the Class 4 and 5 segments with a gross vehicle weight range of 14,000 to 19,500 lbs. Overall industry forecasts for these vehicles were 140,000 units in 2006 with 11 percent growth expectations to 156,000 units by 2012. The Class 4-5 chassis cab segment is expecting further growth to 18 percent by 2015.

"The commercial vehicle market is essentially white space for the Dodge brand," said Murphy. "We will continue to fill it with bold, powerful and capable vehicles."

The Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs have two models regular and quad cab models with lineup of 4 by 2 and 2 by 2 drive systems. The rear suspensions on two and four-wheel drive models are equipped with leaf springs and include standard two-stage springs as a part of the spring design for great load carrying capability.

Four cab-axle lengths (60, 84, 108 and 120 inches) are available with these vehicles. Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) for 4500 models is 16,500. For 5500 models, the maximum GVWR is 19,500 lbs. The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) for both 4500 and 5500 models is 26,000 lbs.

The standard diesel exhaust brake system, together with class-leading brakes and pistons, provides extended brake life and increased driver control. Standard four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock braking system (ABS) ensure better control and crash-avoidance capability. Enhanced seat belt reminder system, child protection rear door lock, Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS),Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH), Multi-stage Air Bag System, and three-point seat belts are some of the special safety features of these vehicles.

The Chrysler Group's Saltillo Assembly Plant in Coahuila, Mexico is assigned to build the all new 2008 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs. The Saltillo Plant is one of the company's most flexible plants which also produces the all new Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis Cab, Dodge Ram Mega Cab, Dodge Ram Power Wagon, and Dodge Ram Heavy Duty 2500- 3500 models, takes on production of the Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs as part of the company's Flexible Manufacturing Strategy (FMS).