97 DODGE RAM 5.9 CUMMINS TURBO DIESEL QUAD CAB genuine 77k

The Ram line was redesigned for the 1994 model year. The exterior styling was the result of design concepts by chief designer Phillip E. Payne during 1988-1990. plus extensive customer research that revealed that full-sized pickup buyers were enamored of a strong exterior design that suggested the "look of a big rig truck". [4] Dodge Truck Product Planners recognized that while some customers would not identify with the unique design. it would mandate instant recognition for the new Dodge full-sized pickup. It featured a big rig-looking front end and a large grille and was nothing like the current Ford or Chevy/GMC pickup in design. Development began in 1986. ending in late 1992. despite being originally scheduled for a 1991 production start. [5]

The redesigned 1994 Ram was a sales success. with sales rocketing from 100. 00 units in 1993 to 240. 00 in 1994. 280. 00 in 1995. and nearly 400. 00 in 1996. That year. it was prominently featured as the hero vehicle in the film Twister. Sales of this generation peaked at just over 400. 00 in 1999 before declining against the redesigned Ford and GM trucks. By 2001. Ram sales figures were below those of Ford and Chevy trucks.

Engine offerings continued over from the first-generation Ram and were the 3. 9 L V6. 5. 2 L V8. 5. 9 L V8. and 5. 9 L I6 Cummins Turbo diesel. Added to the line up was a new 488 cubic inch 8. 0L V10 engine designed as an alternative for those who wanted superior pulling power but didn't want a diesel. The new V10 and Cummins Turbo diesel could only be had in the 2500 and higher designation models. Models were now the 1500 half-ton. 2500 three-quarter-ton. and 3500 dual-rear-wheel one-ton in both 2- and 4-wheel drive. 1500 Rams offered both 6- and 8-foot (1. 8 x 2. 4 m) boxes. 2500 Rams offered 6-foot (1. 8 m) boxes only with quad cabs. 3500 Rams were only made with 8-foot (2. 4 m) boxes.

Dodge offered the 2500 series in two different gross-vehicle weight ratings for the first few years. but this was later dropped. The purpose of the light duty and heavy duty 2500 trucks was for the heavy duty 2500 to take the place of the discontinued one-ton single-rear-wheel trucks. Rear axles for the light duty 2500 trucks were Semi-floating. while the heavy duty 2500 trucks were Full-floating.

On the inside. special attention was paid to in-cab storage features. with a large glovebox. a center armrest storage area. and extra storage space behind the seat. The dash and gauge cluster were a far cry from the previous model Ram and was far more modern as well. A redesign of the dashboard and instrument cluster was introduced in 1998 along with the introduction of the quad cab. and rounded black plastic side-view mirrors replaced the previous rectangular design.

In 1998. Dodge introduced the "Quad Cab". which used smaller suicide doors in the back for a door opening. This was offered as an option on the "Club Cab" for the model year. Other changes for 1998 included rounded mirrors replacing the classic square ones. a revised interior. dual airbags. a chime replacing the buzzer for seat belts/door ajar/headlights/ and a digital odometer. The OBD II System was also standard. with a computer port near the driver's-side footwell and a code-checking system via the new digital odometer readout.

In 1999 Dodge introduced a revised front end for the Sport models with a restyled bumper. quad-beam clear-lens headlamps. and body-color grille. A 6 speed manual transmission was optioned for the diesel trucks.

The 2000 models began optioning heated leather seats. The braking system was upgraded with all wheel disc brakes. and 2 piston calipers in the front.

Although Dodge introduced a new Ram 1500 for 2002. the old second generation style Ram was carried over for the 2002 model year heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 trucks. The new third generation Ram would not appear in the 2500/3500 variants until 2002 as 2003 models. Part of this delay was due to the then new 5. 7 L Hemi engine not being ready for production.

Transmissions for the Ram

NV3500 was offered in 1500 Rams and light duty 2500 Rams.  NV4500 was standard in 2500 and 3500 trucks The NV4500HD for V10 and diesel models(except the uncommon. light duty 2500 rams). A NV5600 was offered in 1999 and 2000 Rams and was the only transmission offered behind the High Output diesel in 2001 and 2002.

There were a total of 5 transfer cases for the four-wheel-drive Ram. All were part-time and had a low range of 2. 72:1. The 1500 featured a NP231 and NP231HD. The NP241 was standard on V8 2500 Rams. The 2500 and 3500 V10 and Diesel featured a NP241DLD from 1994 to 1997. In 1997 the NP241DHD became an option for 2500 Rams and was standard on 3500 Rams from 1998 to 2002.

The Dodge Ram featured a wide variety of axles. For the front axle of 4x4 Rams. a Dana 44 was used on all 1500 Rams and some. early. light duty 2500 Rams. However. most of the 2500 and all 3500 Rams used Dana 60 front axles. The 1500 Rams and some early light duty 2500 Rams used a 9. 25 Chrysler ( Spicer )axle in the rear. A Dana 60 rear axle was used on heavy duty 2500 V8 Rams. A Dana 70 rear axle was used in 2500 Rams with a V10 or a Diesel/Automatic transmission combination. A Dana 80 rear axle was used on 2500 Rams with a manual transmission and V10/diesel engine combination. Every 3500 Ram was made with a Dana 80. The front drive axles in these Rams were unique in the fact they didn't feature Locking hubs. but featured a Center axle disconnect. The 2002 2500 and 3500 Rams saw the eventual phase out of the Center axle disconnect. in favor of front axles that were permanently locked in. Dodge continued to feature front axles like this for their 2500. 3500. 4500. and 5500 trucks until 2013 models.

In the 2003 model year. AAM axles were phased in to replace Dana Corp axles. In the front all 2500 and 3500 trucks got the 9. 25" with 33 spline axles. The rear options for the 2500 and 3500 were the AAM (often referred to as "corporate") 10. 5" and 11. 5". Rear axle shafts are 30 spline. The rear 11. 5" has a gear ratio "carrier split" at 3. 73 and numerically higher. but the General Motors AAM axles used a different carrier spacing preventing installation of a Chrysler carrier into some GM axles. but the GM carrier can be installed in the Chrysler axle if a ring gear spacer is installed. Strength is similar to their earlier Dana 70 and 80 counterparts. Direct comparisons are difficult as the axles are made with completely different metallurgy.

A natural gas engine debuted for 1995 but was not popular and was only used in fleet vehicles on a very limited production run. The Cummins B Series engine was switched from the 12-Valve to the 24-Valve (ISB) in the middle of the 1998 model year Dodge Rams due to emissions regulations. The ISB featured a new computer-controlled injection pump. 24-valve head design and an electric fuel transfer pump.

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