As if getting a low-hanging Raider stuck in the soft sands of Olancha Dunes with the boss in the co-pilot seat wasn't dramatic enough, our man decided that slipping a 5,500-pound Dodge Ram off of a V-notch and into a boulder would really get the boss excited. In order to protect the guilty, we won't tell you that the Dodge earned this beauty mark at the hands of a culprit with "tech editor" in his title.
Senior Editor Douglas McColloch:
If I towed a lot, the Ram, by a big margin. For an out-of-the-box 'wheeler, the Isuzu. But if I had to own one truck from this field, it would be the Raider. Call me a softy for the ol' Mighty Max, but of the three, the Raider's the most comfortable for long highway flogs, the most maneuverable in traffic, and 'wheelable enough to handle most basic, non-hardcore trail work. I'd order mine with the BFGs and Sirius Alpine, lose the running boards, and enjoy the quiet competence of a versatile street-and-trail rig.
Senior Editor Ken Brubaker:
For me, it is the Isuzu i-350. Nauseating front-end styling notwithstanding, of these three pickups I felt it was the easiest and most fun to cavort with on the trail. In addition, I like its economics-best fuel mileage; best warranty; and it's the least expensive of the three.
Tech Editor Sean Holman:
Even though the i-350 was the most fun on the trail, I have to go with the Ram here because it is the best all-around vehicle. It may be big, but it is powerful, handles much smaller than it is, and 'wheels with the best of the factory pickups.
Feature Editor Robin Stover:
The new 1/2-ton Dodge Ram is armed with assets from the ground up that make it favorable for individuals who need a rough and ready pickup for work or play, yet who require sophisticated in-cab comforts similar to those found in luxury sedans. A revised front suspension setup gives the new Ram better handling both on and off the pavement, while Chrysler's born-again Hemi mill supplies plenty of muscle to leave classmates in the dust.
Art Director Greg Smith:
The Ram is easily my favorite, hands down. I'm the throttle-happy type that doesn't mind paying extra for the necessary horsepower that I crave. Add in the towing benefits, and this is the truck for me.
Dodge has done it again. By offering a powerful, nimble, and refined fullsize truck, with a new aftermarket-friendly front suspension, Dodge has set the standard in 4x4 1/2-ton trucks and for all new pickups for the 2006 model year. The mileage-enhancing MDS system makes owning a fullsize truck friendlier than ever, and the changes that make the Ram more refined on the highway make it more comfortable on the trail. Fortunately in this redesign, Dodge didn't forget about the four-wheeling enthusiast community and offers a comprehensive TRX4 off-road package that stands out amongst its peers. For only $900, the TRX4 off-pavement package adds just about everything you need to explore backcountry trails and is a great foundation for a project buildup.
Testers praised the Dodge for its low crawl ratio, which allowed the Dodge to ease over obstacles, and an ABS system that was not intrusive in 4-Lo, proving that Dodge engineers had an eye toward the four-wheeler. Beefy recovery points easily accepted thick tow straps and differential breathers mounted high in the body were just a few little extras that made the Dodge trailworthy right off of the showroom floor.
There were few criticisms of the Dodge, mostly centering around its dashboard and less-intuitive navigation system, neither of which caused the Dodge to be left behind on the trail.
With so many miles of testing, over so many differing terrains, the solid performance of the Dodge Ram made it an easy pick. We can't wait to get some more miles under our belt when our very own long-term tester arrives in early 2006.
What's Hot: Hemi power, refined ride, more supportive seats, trail performance.
What's Not: Plasticky dashboard, not enough bed tie-downs, Germanic nav system.
Our Take: It's a winner!
From the Logbook:* "The new dash with its big gaps is not an improvement."* "The Ram has a good low range, making for controlled hill descents."* "The TRX4 package is great for the common wheeler."* "All of the door seals are continuous, helping to keep dust out of the cabin."* "The new IFS is supple without being wallowy."
One commonality of our test mules was the presence of independent front suspension. We spent a good amount of time under each vehicle, evaluating IFS architecture and componentry to find out how new technology is finding its way into 4x4s. This year, it was Chrysler's well-thought-out IFS under the big Ram that commanded applause from our editors. Immensely improved from the previous generations, the Ram's latest revision features a coilover shock in place of the torsion bars that were found on all 1/2-ton previous-generation ('02-'05) Dodge Ram 1500s. The system also uses an innovative aluminum spindle, which adds strength while reducing unsprung weight, which in the world of 'wheeling is of utmost importance. We favored the Dodge IFS because it dramatically improves handling, gives a smoother ride, provides more cross-lateral articulation, and can take tons of abuse. In addition, the coilover design opens the door to aftermarket suspension systems and lift kits that can offer far greater performance gains than could ever be achieved with a standard torsion-bar setup.-Robin Stover