This should be interesting. I was thinking about what I would buy for a new (or even used) truck if money wasn't a factor, and I couldn't really come up with the perfect truck. They all had good points, but some drawbacks. So I'm speculating about what the perfect truck, designed by me from the ground up, would consist of. I haven't really put thought into this, I'm just shooting from the hip. Lets hear from others with your ideas also.

-Engine: CUMMINS of course! I won't get into power details...the more the better of course, but as long as it gets decent mileage and moves the truck along, I'll be happy.
-Transmission: This is tough. It is definately a manual, and I want enough gearing options to have a very low gear and a good overdrive. Its a tossup between a single box with lots of gears, like a 9 or 10 speed. Or, what I'm kind of starting to lean toward with my truck, 2 boxed. A 5-speed with OD in front, and a 3 speed (low, direct, and OD) behind it. That would give an easy to drive 5-speed for daily use, and the option for low gearing when you need it, and a big OD for highway cruising. If I had to have only 1 truck, it would have to be 4x4, so add in a transfer case. I have seen people who have fit all of this into a pickup, so its possible, although kind of tight.
-Axles: BIG but low drag for economy. Dana 80 rear, and one of the new Dana 70s up front.
-Frame and Suspension: Ford has it over Dodge here. Give me a very beefy frame with options for a long wheelbase. I want leaf springs up front with my 4x4. I like to keep things simple.
-Body: I like the space inside the Dodge cab, and the comfort of the seats. Fords are just too tight for me, and the seats feel like one of those concrete park benches. I can't say I'm thrilled with the looks of the Rams, especially the new ones. I actually don't mind the looks of the Fords, but I'll never admit that to a Ford owner.

-Details: I would make sure the truck has stainless steel lines for the brakes and fuel. I don't know why a $40,000+ truck has cheap lines that can rust out in a few years. Don't skimp on safety...give us stainless lines! I also want real U-bolts securing u-joints, not the cheesy straps. I have to tighten mine about once every 2 weeks. I want disk brakes all around, and 19.5" wheels with tall tires. None of this low-rider 17" and 18" low profile stuff like is coming on many trucks now.

-I left out the bed. I think the factory should offer a real bed as an option. Its pretty bad that I have gotten into the habbit of removing the bed from my trucks as soon as I buy them because I know I will destroy it. Factory beds are thin and cheesy. I've had my ram for just a few months now and the original bed is dented up, the tailgate doesn't work any more, etc. Give us a real bed made from a minimum of 1/8" steel plate. For our diesels, 3/16" is probably better. (I have 1/8" on my Dakota, and it works fine there, but is probably a little light for a fullsize truck).

I left lots of things out, but those are the basics. Jump in with your opinions.

Jim

 

I think you pretty much nailed it, I'll take one

 

First of all it would have AMC-style paddle handles.
Quad front headlights and dual cargo lights. And back-up lights that actually do something.
Front seats with adjustable height so that us short people wouldn't have to sit on phone books.
It would come with dash-mounted boost, pyrometer and tachometer.
It would come with a frame-mounted 60 gallon auxiallary-tank option for us folks that want to convert it to SVO.
It would have a hood scoop.
It would have a light under the dash so that you can see your fuse box or the rest of your wiring harness.
It would have a spare tire that was possible to take out and put back in all by yourself.
It would have factory stacks as an option.


And last of all, it would have a concrete bedliner.

 

You gotta start with the basics. Find a nice burned or rolled 1 1/2 ton chassis. 8.3 or larger, 10 speed at least. Mount your Ram cab on it, maybe with a six inch hood and fender extention. A nice paint job, 19.5 alcoha wheels, full air brakes. But thats me, the way I think....

 

No offense guys, but it sounds like many of you should just opt for one of these:





Rich

 

A price of not more than $10. would be nice

~Rob

 

Yup, a 1 ton KW Conventional w/ 5.9 Cummins, Fuller 6spd. with a .60 OD...and red paint.

 

Not totally stupid here... (most of the time anyway) A ram cab on a big chassis plates and insures as a pickup, a big truck on a smaller chassis is harder to get by as a light vehicle. No matter how heavy I build the Ram, it still has the same serial number and insurance ratings. And I can run passenger tags at will for rv use.

 

as I posted in another thread I want a manual tranny tht lets me shift of the fly without usin the dang clutch! is it that difficult???

 

So raise the cab and put a roadranger in it. If that is what you want.

 

got to have gauges....lots of gauges

 

I dunno bout you guys

But, IM NOT VERY FOND, of power accessories, nor am i fond of this vacuum actuator dodge system, I wouldnt mind an option of lock out hubs, and lever shift transfer case..

Base engine... 600 RWHP 1200 FTLBS of TQ... (wishful thinking)...

Tx

 

How about one of these? http://www.sportchassis.com/

MikeyB

 

1992.5 Dodge Ram W250 and $100,000 cash. That way I could do what I wanted to it, without having to worry about money. Maybe swap to an 8.3 liter Cummins just for fun

 

$100,000? Why not $500,000? I could blow $100,000 easy.