| From | Message |
Lemmers
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/06/2003
13:27:20
|
 Subject: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
I've been toying with the idea of selling my '02
quad dakota and getting something else with
an automatic so my wife can drive it.
Anyway, I drove a new '04 ram slt quad 2wd
with a hemi. My local dealer "just happened"
to order a slt 2wd hemi ram quad with every
fricken option my Dakota has(towing,slider,
infinity, bedliner, trac-loc, 20's, leather wheel,
over head counsel, etc)so I was curious.
Some observations about the Ram:
* It's a dog! I'm POSITIVE my 4.7 5/spd would
smoke it. Honestly, I could hardly spin the
20's on the ram.
* It sounds like complete crap. It just sort of
weezed and buzzed when reving it up.
* It had a lot more noise and vibration than my
quad. (especially above 4,000 rpm)
* The back seat didn't seem any bigger than
my 'kota.
* The interior looked cheap compared to my
'kota. (that much more plastic)
* It looked awesome. (silver w/20's)
Overall, my Dakota felt much quieter and
tighter driving than the ram. I really thought the
ram was going to be a lot nicer and faster than
it was.
I'm crossing the Ram off my list of possible
new trucks.
Later,
Lemmers
'02 Quad Sport+, 4.7, 5spd, 3.55lsd, Hotchkis
drop, rt wheels w/toyos, Air-lift slam air rear,
Access tonneau, destickered, tint
(Possibly for sale, Offers?)
|
GreenGoblin
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/06/2003
14:13:55
|  RE: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
Sounds like I drove the same truck you did except in a 4x4. I agree with you on every point except I did find it roomier than a Dakota Quad Cab. The 4x4 wouldn't even chirp the tires. It was definitely something to look at with the 20s though.
I can tell you that the F-150 doesn't really feel any faster, although they claim the tourque is spread out better for a truck. On the F-150, I loved the interior. It's extremely well done. It looks luxurious and sporty at the same time.
I drove a Tundra Double Cab. Kinda plain outside and inside. The only choice for the front seats are buckets, which means no 6 passenger seating. What impressed me is, it felt as quick (maybe even quicker) than the Ram and the F-150. This is because the truck is lighter and has 4.10 gearing.
I still need to drive the Titan, and I'm not even going to look at a Chevy. So far, I like the Tundra because, while it is kinda plain, and the HP is lower, they have proven reliable. When they do have problems, such as the brake rotor problem, they take care of it so that it isn't an issue any longer. Unlike DC who will fix the truck under warranty, but use the same problematic parts. The Ram has the best configuration for me (full-size bed, six passenger seating, and 4 full doors), but the Tundra is second because it only has 5 passenger seating. Lastly, you can have it supercharged under warranty.
I guess I'll see how I feel once I drive that Titan.
|
STS
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/06/2003
15:32:36
| RE: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
Ever noticed when looking at the Titan form the rear you can't help but think of it as a HD truck?
Well, I test drove a F-150 larait regular cab and it the newer 5.4 had a ton of power at lower RPM's. I never needed to as hard press on the acclerater like I did the Ram 1500 (Hemi equipt) because the engine would but you in the seat at 2000 revs.
|
STS
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/06/2003
15:33:54
| RE: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
Ever noticed when looking at the Titan form the rear you can't help but think of it as a HD truck?
Well, I test drove a F-150 larait regular cab and the newer 5.4 had a ton of power at lower RPM's. I never needed to as press as hard on the acclerater like I did the Ram 1500 (Hemi equipt) because the engine would but you in the seat at 2000 revs.
|
TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/06/2003
19:12:11
| RE: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
YOu know, I think the Ram Hemi has that drive by wire BS, so when you punch it, it gives max traction by NOT spinning.
With my Dak 4.7 Quad, 5spd (The real one), spinning the tires, is never EVEN a problem, the 2nd gear posi's out at 3-5ft marks on concrete!, and occasionally third will chirp, especially when downshifting for max accelleration.
But, spinning the tires is definintely not one of my passions, and the Ram Hemi with the drive by wire thingy, doesn't give it full throttle just because you floor it at low speeds.
With that, it still might not be 'all that', but as said, they DO look good.
|
Lemmers
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/06/2003
23:19:08
| RE: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
G-Goblin,
I agree totally about the Tundra D-cab. A bit
vanilla, but overall really nice, and probably
really dependable.(Kind of like a new 'fridge) I
havn't driven the old or new supercrew yet, or
the Titan.
T-Todd,
Drive by wire or not, it's a slug.
The computer would only let it rev to about
3,800 in neutral, but once in drive, it does
indeed get full throttle when floored.
Either way, I was shocked as I really expected
the Ram to "one up" my 'kota, (especially at a
MSRP of over 33K), but pleased it didn't.
Later,
Lemmers
|
GreenGoblin
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/07/2003
15:52:58
| RE: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
Lemmers, I drove a Titan yesterday. They have two axle ratios. I drove the one that was geared higher, so it doesn't take off as quick as the other (it was the only one they had). Even with the higher gearing, this thing was impressive. No problem chirping the tires. The interior is almost as nice as the F-150, the exterior looks a little weird, but this thing delivers the power it promises. I can't wait to see what one of these will do with the lower gearing. I'm completely impressed.
|
STS
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/08/2003
16:18:54
| RE: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
You can get a optional 4.10:1 rear gear.
What I really like about the Titan and the F-150 is you don't have to shoot up your Rpm's just to reach peak toruqe.
|
01Motorsport
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/09/2003
08:47:23
| RE: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
I have heard several drivers comment about the drive-by-wire throttle lag with the Hemi. Perhaps D-C will tweak the system eventually. "Turbo lag" always drove me nuts; I hate that feeling. The engine alone is selling a bunch of Rams; one reason the Dak may be slow to get the Hemi. D-C is dangling that carrot to sell Durangos now.
|
GreenGoblin
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/09/2003
19:01:37
| RE: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
STS, if you're referring to the Titan, you cannot get a 4.10 rearend. They compare the lower gears to a 4.10 because of the 5 speed auto tranny. It is not actually a 4.10 though.
|
chief08087
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/09/2003
19:15:36
| RE: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
i am a DC tech. the hemis arent all that. drive em all the time.the first one i drove was pretty fast though. i was a 2 wheel drive shortbed with 3.96 gears. it pulled sideways off the line with no problem. all the other ones feel slow though.
|
Hemi
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/09/2003
21:46:56
| RE: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
I have owned a 4.7 QC 2wd Dakota and now own a QC 2wd Hemi Ram. The Ram is much faster than the Dakota was hands down. The drive by wire may lag a little bit off the start, but then it pulls very strong. Its passing power is superior to the Dakota's as well. The 20" wheels are also 10 inches wide, so that is a lot of tire to get spinning. Hemi Rams with the 17" wheels have no problem spinning the tires.
|
Aden
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/09/2003
23:34:50
| RE: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
hey just seen gregs garage on speed tv
and yamaha have a special ed dbl cab tundra out
looks pretty awesome in that yamaha blue
lifted 2" and has the trd supacharger already
fitted making 350 hp didnt give ya the price
yet it might be on speed .com check it out
|
yea D.C. tech
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/10/2003
19:16:40
|  RE: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
D.C. tech said it had 3.96 gears........
That a new ratio they came out with , or are you just a dumb A$$?!
|
Mopar 4-ever
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/11/2003
18:53:36
| RE: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
Yeah, that's even better than a 3.92 ratio!
|
chief08087
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/11/2003
19:34:21
| RE: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
3.96 3.92 wtf ever
|
STS
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/17/2003
16:32:15
| RE: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
The Dana axels on the 4x4 are 4.10:1
|
truckbuilder
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/18/2003
20:10:33
|  RE: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
i work at the chrysler plant in fenton mo. i install the accelerator cables on the ram. im here to tell you that the hemi is not drive by wire. it has an accelerator cable the same as the 3.7 and the 4.7 engines. there was talk of making the hemi drive by wire but that never came to pass.
|
Homer .S.
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/18/2003
22:00:36
|  RE: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
I think when he said drive by wire he didn't meen it literly. There more than likely is some type of traction control system built like speed sensors communicating to the computer and trannny to cut off engine power (ignition/fuel injectors) when wheel spin starts or something like that. I doubt there is a servo actuated throttle body. Otherwise 350 hp should be plenty to let them go! (Just my 2 cents)
|
GreenGoblin
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/18/2003
22:08:18
| RE: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
STS, if you're talking about the Dana on the Titan, they are not 4.10. This is what Nissan's brochure says:
"Lower final gear ratio (3.36:1)- part of 'OR' 'TW'; similar to a 4 speed automatic 4.10:1"
The Titan has a 2.94 standard with a 3.36 as an option.
|
JT
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/20/2003
00:22:39
| RE: Drove an '04 Ram Quad Hemi
IP: Logged
Message:
I just gotta say something here - they guy from the plant is wrong. The Hemi IS a drive by wire design. Its called an ETC system - Electronic Throttle control. He is right about one thing - there is a throttle cable. But it goes out to a sensor located under the battery box to maintain the proper "feel" on the accelerator. The engine controller handles the opening and closing of the throttle.
|
| | P 1 Next Page>> |
