In an interview with pickuptruck.com the lead designer of the RAM, Ralph Gilles, answered a question in regards to the redesign of the HD version and apparently they are going to start differentiating the design of the LD from the HD. You can watch the interview below.

I sure hope they make it meaner looking...

Interview

 

This can only be a good thing... not necessarily from the asthetics standpoint but from the functionality standpoint... look at the 2009 Ram. Coil-over rear suspension with payload and towing capacity well below the competition. The Crew-Cab can only be had with a 5'-7" bed... even shorter than the Mega. The storage boxes on the Crew-Cab eliminate the wheel wells effectively making the truck bed only 4'-0" wide.

One would assume this will mean separate frames which is sorely needed. Perhaps Dodge will bring out the 10'-0" bed they had on a concept truck....

 

The bed on the 1500 is not small. It's the same size as Ford's and chevy's (+ or - 1inch) the truck bed is just as wide as the others at 49 inches. Dodge was not looking to have a half ton truck tow 30000 pouns like Ford and Toyota claim they wanted a nice truck that had a nice ride and could tow some stuff that a 1500 can actually handle.


Megabomb, I for one hope they keep this front, it looks big and mean to me IMO.

 

I hope that Dodge learned with the Mega Cab, and that when it comes time to release the 2500/3500 Models, they release their new Crew Cab with 6.4' and 8' Beds. Otherwise, they are just shooting themselves in the foot again.

 

Yeah, I'd like to have a crew cab not a quad cab or mega cab.

 

I'm glad to see at least one manufacturer step up and tell those without a clue that a half ton truck has no business trying to pull so much weight.

 

So the lead designer has never owned a truck? Hmmmm. this will be interesting.

 

lets hope they put better ball joint and u joint. And make it look more aggressive then that half ton that looks like a ricer truck

 

just watched the whole interview and he only said that they where going to " change it up a little bit" who knows what that means. it could mean anything from just a different grill to a totaly different look.

 

It will definitely be a different grill -- the need is there to allow more air flow -- the same reason that Ford and GM both made their front end much taller and open. Cummins eluded to this during interviews at the 6.7 introduction stating that one of the major limiting factors is airflow for cooling with the current Ram's front end. This will be addressed for the next bodystyle change.

 

I heard from my dealer that supposedly saw it, the new front ends look more like the Dodge Charger. The headlights taper down toward the outside edges and looking at it from the side, the top of the grille sticks out past the bottom of the grille.

Just a rumor though since I didn't see it for myself.

 

I hope they keep the Dode HD looking like a truck and not a 59 Caddy oh I mean a 2008 Chevy way too much chrome. Almost bought one but could not get over how ulgy they are this year. Do not even start me on the Ford SD they are even ulgier. They also need to keep in mind how we work on these trucks and service them. They need to be more user friendly for service and not built just for the assembly line.

 

The HDs will probably have the same body and looks, but I'm thinking the frames and bed lengths will be about the only difference aside from the obvious ones (i.e. springs, axles etc.). Dodge won't do like Ford and create a totally different truck. Probably not worth the cost to them. I just don't want the new Ram Heavy Duty trucks to be car-like, like the Ram 1500. Keep it looking and performing like a big truck. As long as they stick with a bigger frame and solid front axles with rear leafs, it should be mint.