2003 Dodge Ram

The 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup truck is aimed at the heart of the HD market, with two new engine offerings and, for the first time on a Ram, a 3500 single rear wheel option.

Two New Ram Truck Engines for 2003

HEMI Magnum Engine
Standard this year is the all-new 5.7-liter HEMI Magnum V-8 engine, which Dodge calls "the most powerful diesel engine on the market and the most powerful standard V-8 engine in its class." The all-new engine produces 345 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 375 lb.-ft.

of torque at 4,200 rpm. When compared to vehicles with similar size gas engines, it delivered best-in-class acceleration and towing capability, plus improved fuel efficiency over the Ram engine it replaces.
Cummins Turbo Diesel Engine
Another Ram truck engine choice is the new, high-pressure, common-rail injection, High Output Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, producing 305 horsepower at 2,900 rpm and 555 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,400 rpm (towing capability of 23,000 pounds).

Also available on 2003 Ram trucks is a standard Cummins Turbo Diesel with 250 horsepower at 2,900 rpm and 460 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,400 rpm.

The Cummins Turbo Diesel has average major overhaul intervals of 350,000 miles. An inline six, the new 5.9-liter Cummins has 30 to 40 percent fewer parts than typical V-8 diesels, enhancing durability and reliability.

Ram's Enhanced Steering

2WD Pickups
Ram trucks have a new rack and pinion steering system that's tuned for more precise on-road handling.

4WD Ram Pickup Trucks
Four wheel drive Rams have a new recirculating ball system that's designed to improve steering precision, especially when making tight turns, or maneuvering a trailer in close quarters.

Ram Truck Chassis
The trucks feature an extensively hydroformed frame -- one of the stiffest ever on a pickup truck. The chassis stiffness provides a firm foundation for tuning out noise, vibration and harshness from the suspension.

Ram Truck Suspension & Off-Road Handling

• Two new transfer cases, a conventional manual shift and a new electric shift are available on 2500 and 3500 four-wheel drive Ram trucks, resulting in quieter operation and more durability.
• The manual-shift unit is standard on ST and SLT trucks. The electric-shift unit is standard on Laramie pickups.
• 4WD units have a new front axle, but retain solid beam construction.
• Front suspension on 4WD 2500 and 3500 trucks is a refined version of the five-link, coil-spring suspension with beam axle used in the previous modesl.
• A link-tye sway bar and heavy-duty tubular shocks are standard.
• Leaf springs on both the 2WD and 4WD models are three inches longer than found on previous HD Ram trucks.

Safety Features

• Standard driver and front-passenger air bags. The passenger side air bag can be turned off on Standard Cab Rams.
• Side curtain air bags.
• A Lower Anchor and Tether for Children (LATCH) child seat anchoring system.
• Four-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS).
• Power adjustable pedals on both automatic and manual transmission equipped trucks.
• Pre-tensioning, constant-force seat belt retractors.

Dodge Ram Warranty

The 2003 Dodge Ram HD has the only seven year/70,000 mile warranty in the heavy-duty truck segment.

More 2003 Ram

Ram HD Motor Trend's 2003 Truck of the Year