2008 Dodge Ram 2500 Bottom Line

The 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 is a fairly civilized workhorse, comfortable and composed. Granted, like a draft horse (a real one, like on a farm), to be truly happy they need to be working--pulling or carrying something heavy. But keep them in their element, and they'll be good to you.

The bodies of the 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 are identical to the half-ton 2008 Ram, and they're offered in the same configurations, including the spacious Mega Cab. The beds are even shared, with the exception of the extra-wide fenders on the duallie. Not fooling with the basic Ram package is smart thinking on Dodge's part. The Ram cabs are among the most accommodating in the business, with a clean design and enough compartments to store a whole gross of cubbies.

The chassis under the Ram 2500 and 3500 is basically the same as on the 1500. In fact, the two-wheel-drive heavy-duty Rams are the first trucks of their capacity to get rack-and-pinion steering similar to the rack-and-pinion used by lesser-capacity Rams. That steering pays off in excellent road feel and responsiveness (at least for a truck this large). Dodge, however, keeps traditionalists happy with the 4x4 Ram Heavies, which still use a recirculating-ball steering system and retain the solid front axle serious off-roaders consider an indispensable element of any real truck (the Ram 1500 4x4 switched to an independent front suspension last year). In fact, the coil-sprung 4x4 front suspension is virtually indistinguishable from that of the outgoing Ram heavy-duty 4x4.

Americans have been buying more and more high-capacity pickups over the last decade, and the category has grown increasingly competitive. Like the Ford and GM entries in the class, the Ram can be had with virtually every comfort and convenience item offered on half-ton pickups.

Power is of the utmost importance for the buyers considering the 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 heavy-duty models. The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 is standard, and produces 345 horsepower at 375 pound-feet of torque. The HEMI is matched to a heavy-duty five-speed automatic. For those who want the ultimate in power and durability, Dodge introduces a new 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine. This six-cylinder uses advanced combustion technology plus patented Bluetec exhaust after-treatment to meet 2010 emissions standards, today. It's the first heavy-duty truck to do so, and in the process nearly matches the power output of the V-8 diesel engines offered by Ford and General Motors. The diesel comes with a standard six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission.

An all-new Ford Super Duty was introduced for the 2008 model year, and it is a heck of a truck, complete with a revised Power Stroke diesel. That engine isn't a true "clean" diesel yet, but will be soon. There's no mistaking the Super Duty's style, which is as distinctive as it is imposing. Features like the optional in-tailgate step ladder are also innovative.

The Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD twins also received a major revamp in 2007. Like the Super Duty, these HD models look beefier than the half-ton Silverado and Sierra models. Both V-8 engines (one gasoline and one diesel) are matched to six-speed automatics.