2002 Dodge Ram 1500

The bumper (which has step pads) and front valance are set lower, giving the Ram an aggressive street racer look, especially in Sport model trim. This level also features an aftermarket-inspired billet-look grille.

A common complaint about the previous-version Ram was the enormous gaps in its wheelwells. Dodge closed the tire-to-fender distances for the 2002 Ram with a new front suspension that gives the truck a one-inch lower stance. Extending this more-aggressive attitude, designers increased the rake of the windshield by 5 degrees. Rear fender bulges were built into the truck bed to add to the brawny look.


Dodge also achieved a longer, stretched appearance by smoothing the visual transition between the cab and bed. This gap has always marked a dividing line between the two. By giving the cab's rear panels slight bulges, Chrysler engineers created the illusion of a continuous line from front to rear. A corresponding inward curve in the bed allows the same clearance as a typical pickup, but now there's no visible space between the two.

Jeep PowerTech engines make their ways into '02 Ram 1500s. Repackaged as Magnums, the 4.7L V-8 comes from the Grand Cherokee, and the 3.7L V-6 is shared with the Liberty.

Two new engines were developed for the 2002 Ram; both have smaller displacements yet produce increased power over the engines they replace. A 3.7-liter V-6 puts out 215 hp, 40 more than the 3.9 it replaces. A 4.7-liter V-8 delivers 240 horsepower, more than the previous 5.2-liter/318cid V-8. Both engines see an increase of 1-mpg fuel economy. The stalwart Mopar 5.9L/360cid V-8 is also still available.


Coupled to the 3.7- and 4.7-liter engines is a new 45RFE 4-speed automatic transmission that has two different Second gears that narrow the gear-gap depending on conditions: uphill, downhill and such. We hope that the reliability of this new trans is better than the one in a test vehicle we drove. Granted, this truck was a pre-production unit, but we experienced major transmission problems and a near loss of gears. However, this happened to only one Ram in the test fleet.

The new hydroformed frame gives the chassis 400% greater torsional stiffness and 150% better lateral stability. Increased towing and hauling ratings are two of the benefits.

Rack-and-pinion steering and an all-new independent front-suspension system are incorporated into the '02 Ram 1500s. Dual-wishbone IFS is now standard: 4x2 models use coil springs while 4x4s get torsion bars. This configuration helps give the Ram a smoother, less-harsh ride. The retention of a solid rear axle still produces lateral hop on washboard dirt roads, even though the leaf springs are now longer to smooth out the ride.