The 2007 Dodge Ram HD

The heavy-duty Ram was got a total redesigned in 2003.  For 2007 the Ram Heavy Duty benefits from a new diesel engine and automatic transmission plus some minor refinements.  The Ram Mega Cab was launched as a 2006 model. Mega Cab is built on the Heavy Duty chassis and comes fitted with the Hemi engine. The extra-large Mega cab was created by re-proportioning the relationship between cab and bed on a long wheelbase truck, adding 20 inches to the cab and shortening the bed to 6 feet, three inches.  Despite a reputation for being the most truck-like, the heavy-duty Rams are civilized and make trucking enjoyable.

Ram Trims and Configurations

The 2007 Dodge Ram HD comes in three trim levels, ST, SLT and Laramie, and three cabs (regular, Quad, Mega) with a range of engine choices, payloads and towing capacities. A TRX4 (mild off-road) and Power Wagon (more severe off-road) model are offered only on 2500-series trucks.  There is a marked distinction between trim levels. In ST trim, the dash is textured plastic with synthetic-look inserts on the SLT. The Laramie package makes extensive use of wood trim inside, with less plastic, for a more distinctive appearance.  The Mega Cab 1500 is the light-duty configuration, but still has the heavy parts underneath and can haul payloads of up to 2,430 pounds and trailers of up to 8,750 pounds when equipped with 4.10:1 axle gears.  The 2500 comes standard with the Hemi V8 with six-speed manual or available five-speed automatic, optional with the Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel  and a six speed manual or six-speed automatic.  The 3500 is more expensive because the Cummins diesel is often standard equipment, especially on dual rear wheel models.  The Ram Quad Cab may be big, but the Mega Cab is bigger. It has the power and weight to tow heavy loads for long distances. And there is comfort for passengers in the process. For better ride and handling, the 2WD 1500 Mega Cab will be the choice. For best control handling heavy loads, the 3500 Mega Cab dually 2WD with Cummins would do the job. For heavy hauling, and accessing rough terrain when you get there, the 4x4 regular or Quad Cab 3500 single-rear wheel would be just the ticket.

Inside a Dodge Ram

The result of this reworked truck is a lot of cab space, with six seats and plenty of head, shoulder, leg and hip room.  With the front bucket seats, a center console extends from the dashboard. Bench seat models still have a shallow floor console which may not be comfortable for the center rider.  The back seats are roomy and comfortable with reclining seatbacks, separate rear heating and air conditioning outlets, reading lights. The armrest opens in two parts and center console is big enough for a laptop, and is designed with fold-down dividers, and there is available DVD entertainment. The instrument panel cluster is located under a prominent dash brow to reduce glare and improve visibility of six white-faced gauges, the latter numbered on diesel-engine models. A substantial four-spoke steering wheel houses cruise control buttons and available stereo controls.  Several power outlets are provided for the front seats.  A third outlet is available in the center console.  Interior door handles are large and heavily built, consistent with the large size of the Ram doors.   Behind the passengers is a power sliding rear window for flow-through ventilation.  And there's space behind the back seats for cargo. By folding down the back seats a huge cargo area with a flat load floor is created. The rear doors open big and wide, making it easy to load stuff inside. Covered bins are provided for storing gear and smaller items, and hooks are provided for hanging things.  The interior is remarkably quiet, even as we ran the air conditioning, which offers minimal fan noise on the lower settings. With any pickup, especially a 4x4, a certain amount of noise and vibration is to be expected.

2007 Dodge Ram Design

The Dodge Ram 3500 Mega Cab offers a striking presence.  From the front, a more refined crosshair grille with strong, full-chrome collar remains instantly recognizable as a strong Dodge Ram signature. With the front-end restyled in 2006 and a dual-rear wheel option added after introduction, the tail now gets attention with new taillight styling similar to the Dodge Durango and Dakota, and Jeep Liberty. From the side, the Mega Cab makes an even more dramatic impression. Very wide rear doors are unique to the immense Mega Cab, with a very large proportion of window glass to door. The dark glass rear doors and wide pillar suggest a limousine, and interior volume reinforces the impression. Behind this huge cab, the bed looks small, but it remains significantly large: 6 feet, 3 inches in length and 51 inches wide between the wheel wells.  The Ram dually has fender flares that look tacked on, like they came from the aftermarket.

Driving the Dodge Ram HD

The Dodge Ram Mega Cab feels like a big, heavy duty pickup because it is a big, heavy duty pickup.  But, overall, the chassis is well damped, with a nice balance between the opposing priorities of comfort, control, and load-bearing capability.  As a general rule, the more weight a heavy-duty pickup carries, the more the ride improves. Considering its size and fuel economy, it doesn't make sense to buy one unless you're towing and hauling heavy loads.  Parking a truck as big as a Mega Cab requires some care and attention. It may be necessary to execute three-point turns into most parking spaces.   The steering has been improved on all Rams. The 2WD Mega Cab comes with rack-and-pinion steering, while 4WD models come with a recirculating ball system.

Engine for the Heavy Duty Ram

The new Cummins turbo diesel is quiet, powerful and responsive. It has been enlarged to 6.7 liters for 2007, meets 2010 emissions requirements and has an exhaust brake as standard.   It provides engine braking when needed.  The diesel's power and fuel economy make it an excellent choice for owners who tow heavy trailers long distances. The Cummins is an inline six-cylinder built like a tractor-trailer engine, with exceptional longevity and low-end grunt, and it's frequently used in trucks and motorhomes that carry 2-10 times what a Ram pickup will.  With either transmission it makes 350 hp at 3000 rpm, in the same neighborhood as Ford (350) and GM (365).  The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is EPA-rated at 13/17 City/Highway mpg in the 1500 (2500-and-higher models are not rated) and any real-world mileage in the teens is doing well. The Hemi is an overhead-valve, pushrod V8, with a cast-iron block and hemispherical combustion chambers. It develops 345 horsepower at 5400 rpm and makes more torque than horsepower, delivering 375 pound-feet at 4200 rpm.

Safety

The Dodge Ram HD is a true workers truck.  Because of the added length of the second-row seating area, the air bag system had to be redesigned with larger side curtain air bags. Each side air bag has its own impact sensor in order to trigger the air bag on the side where impact occurs.  Safety features also include three-point belts in all seating positions with constant-force retractors, LATCH child-seat anchors, child-protection rear door locks, and four-wheel anti-lock brakes. For more research read another Ram HD Pickup Review.