Monday, September 8, 2008

PICKUPS.Com: SPIED 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis Cab

2010 Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis Cab Spied
By: Mike Levine Posted: 09-08-08 04:30 PT
© 2008 PickupTrucks.com, Brenda Priddy & Co.

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Our spy photographers have caught Chrysler exercising a prototype dual rear wheel 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis Cab truck with a Hemi V-8. Its 8-lug wheels distinguish it from its more capable 4500/5500 Chassis Cab siblings, which ride on 10-lug wheels.

Used almost exclusively for commercial applications, chassis cabs look like heavy-duty pickups missing their pickup parts. In lieu of a cargo box they wear bolt-on aftermarket packages, such as dump boxes, service bodies or stake beds.

Chrysler introduced the Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis Cab in 2007. It was the first Ram commercial chassis since 2001, when Chrysler surrendered the segment to General Motors and Ford.

Camouflage covers the biggest change. The 2010 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab will receive all-new sheet metal, shared with the also-updated 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 / 3500 heavy-duty pickups. Compared to the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500’s shark-nosed appearance, the heavy-duty and chassis cab trucks are expected to have upright grilles and unique hoods.

The truck in these photos also sports Dodge’s new two-piece trailer towing mirrors, which will be available as optional factory equipment on all Ram models in 2010.

Inside, the Ram 3500 Chassis Cab is expected to share most of its interior style and components with the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500.

The 2010 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab won’t see major changes to its C-channel frame, suspension, or powertrain. For 2009, its standard Hemi V-8 was upgraded to 380-horsepower / 404 pounds-feet of torque. The gas-fired Hemi V-8 is expected to remain the base engine for 2010. The 3500 Chassis Cab will also carry over its Cummins six cylinder diesel engine.

The 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 HD pickups are expected to debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. The 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis Cab is expected to debut at the 2009 Chicago auto show.

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