Turbo-Cummins Power, Quad-Cab Highlight Dodge Ram Pickup

By Vince Bodiford
Automotive Editor

I've been waiting awhile for this weekend's vehicle to arrive - a jet-black, Dodge Ram 3500 4X4 Quad cab SLT with a Cummins turbo-diesel. I wanted to see for myself what all the fuss was about with Dodge's biggest and most powerful pickup yet. Dodge has raised the bar in the big pickup market with distinctive look, feel and value in the new 3500 Ram.

The base model MSRP for the Ram 3500 is $27,320 with the price of our vehicle as tested and equipped at $35,730 - nearly $4,700 of which is the 5.9L Cummins diesel engine option alone. That makes the Cummins engine the most expensive single engine option of any vehicle - car or truck - made in America. As a comparison, the 6.5L diesel option on the 3/4 ton Chevrolet 4X4 is $2,860.

For the 1999 model year, Dodge Ram continues with a four-door option throughout its entire lineup. This feature, in combination with the first full year of the all-new 24-valve Cummins Turbo Diesel engine and the Ram Sport, makes for the most options offered by Dodge in many model years. The Ram 3500 4X4 ride has improved, with a quieter interior and improved sound system. Steering response at slow, parking-lot speeds offers some torque-like resistance, a bizarre characteristic probably caused by slow engine idles under-powering the power steering pump. At highway speeds, steering response improves to precision handling and velvety soft wheel movement. Nice job.

The next-generation 24-valve Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, which began production midway through the 1998 model year, is more powerful and fuel-efficient than the popular engine it replaced. The new engine retains all the characteristics that made the Cummins B Series diesel engine a proven winner - reliability, durability, simplicity of design, fuel economy and superior low-end torque. With 24 valves and a high-pressure, electronically controlled fuel injection system, the new Cummins diesel engine offers more pulling power and improved responsiveness throughout a broader operating range. For Rams equipped with five-speed manual transmissions, horsepower is increased to 235 horsepower from 215 horsepower, while torque is increased to 460 lb.-ft. from 440 lb.-ft. For automatic transmissions, horsepower is increased to 215 horsepower from 180 horsepower, with 420 lb.-ft. of torque. Torque is the big advantage with the Cummins-equipped models. The engine's 24-valve cylinder head features a four-valve-per cylinder configuration that increases air flow and en-ables vertical injector mounting over the center of the piston bowl for improved combustion, low-end torque and quicker response. The Cummins 24-Valve Turbo Diesel engine meets every 1998 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resource Board (CARB) emissions standard without a catalyst or Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR).

Additional upgrades include an overhead valve rocker system designed for a minimum of 150,000 miles without adjustment, a redesigned piston for increased power and fuel efficiency, reduced noise and cleaner operation with reduced emissions. The 1999 Ram Sport features a bolder front-end design with a new grille and lights. The new front bumper and fascia have a more aggressive stance.

The choice of Magnum gasoline power trains remains the same on the 1999 Ram. This includes the 3.9-liter V-6 (175 hp, 230 lb.-ft. torque), 5.2-liter V-8 (220 hp, 300 lb.-ft. torque), 5.9L V-8 (250 hp, 340 lb.-ft. torque) and the 8.0-liter V-10, with 300 horsepower and 450 lb.-ft. of torque, the most powerful gas engine in the full-size pickup class.

Photo by Vince Bodiford/Sidney Daily Sun