The 2007 Dodge Ram HD

In 2003, the Ram HD got a total redesigned.  For 2007 the Ram Heavy Duty received a new engine (a diesel), a new transmission option, and some minor refinements.  The Ram Mega Cab was also launched. Mega Cab is built on the Heavy Duty chassis and comes fitted with the Hemi engine. The extra-large interior cabin was created by giving new proportions to the cab/ bed relationship. On this long wheelbase truck, 20 inches were added to the cab and the bed was shortened to 6 feet, three inches.  Despite a reputation for being the most truck-like, the heavy-duty Rams are controllable and offer a nice ride.

Lineup and Options

The 2007 Dodge Ram HD comes in a variety of sizes and configurations.  There are three trim levels, ST, SLT and Laramie, and three cabs (regular, Quad, Mega) with a range of engine choices, payloads and towing capacities.  There is a marked distinction between trim levels. In ST trim, the dash is textured plastic with synthetic-look inserts on the SLT. The Mega Cab 1500 is the light-duty configuration, but still has the heavy parts underneath and can haul payloads of up to 2,430 pounds and trailers of up to 8,750 pounds when equipped with 4.10:1 axle gears.  The 2500 comes standard with the Hemi V8 with six-speed manual or available five-speed automatic, optional with the Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel and a six speed manual or six-speed automatic.  The 3500 is more expensive because the Cummins diesel is often standard equipment, especially on dual rear wheel models.  The Ram Quad Cab may be big, but the Mega Cab is bigger. It has the power and weight to tow heavy loads for long distances. For best control handling heavy loads, the 3500 Mega Cab dually 2WD with Cummins would do the job. For heavy hauling, and accessing rough terrain when you get there, the 4x4 regular or Quad Cab 3500 single-rear wheel would be just the ticket.  A TRX4 (mild off-road) and Power Wagon (more severe off-road) model are offered only on 2500-series trucks. 

Safety

The airbag system was redesigned for 2007 because of the added length of the second-row seating area.  There are now larger side curtain air bags and the airbags have advanced technological features: each side air bag has its own impact sensor in order to trigger the air bag on the side where impact occurs.  Safety features also include four-wheel anti-lock brakes, three-point belts in all seating positions with constant-force retractors, LATCH child-seat anchors, child-protection rear door locks.

Handling

No one can deny that the Dodge Ram Mega Cab HD is a big truck with a lot of weight.  So, there is no getting away from the feeling of driving something this size.  Yet, the overall chassis is well damped, with a nice balance between the opposing priorities of comfort, control, and load-bearing capability.  As a general rule, the more weight a heavy-duty pickup carries, the more the ride improves. This is a truck that is best use for the purpose of hauling and towing, and with its size and fuel economy, it doesn't make sense to use it otherwise.  Parking a truck as big as a Mega Cab requires some care and attention. The steering has been improved on all Rams. The 2WD Mega Cab comes with rack-and-pinion steering, while 4WD models come with a recirculating ball system.

Engine

In 2007 a diesel HD was introduced, and it uses the Cummins turbo diesel engine.  It is surprisingly quiet, powerful and responsive. It provides engine braking when needed.  The diesel's power and fuel economy make it an excellent choice for owners who tow heavy trailers long distances. The Cummins engine is an inline six-cylinder built like a tractor-trailer engine, with exceptional longevity and low-end grunt, and it's frequently used in trucks and motorhomes that carry 2-10 times what a Ram pickup will.  The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is EPA-rated at 13/17 City/Highway mpg in the 1500 (2500-and-higher models are not rated) and any real-world mileage in the teens is doing well. The Hemi is an overhead-valve, pushrod V8, with a cast-iron block and hemispherical combustion chambers. It develops 345 horsepower at 5400 rpm and makes more torque than horsepower, delivering 375 pound-feet at 4200 rpm.

Exterior

The Dodge Ram 3500 Mega Cab HD carries the size to always have its presence be known.  From the front, a more refined crosshair grille with strong, full-chrome collar remains instantly recognizable as a strong Dodge Ram signature. With the front-end restyled in 2006 and a dual-rear wheel option added after introduction, the tail now gets attention with new taillight styling similar to the Dodge Durango and Dakota, and Jeep Liberty. From the side, the Dodge Ram HD makes an even more dramatic impression. Very wide rear doors are unique to the immense Mega Cab, with a very large proportion of window glass to door. The dark glass rear doors and wide pillar suggest luxury, and interior volume reinforces the impression. Behind this huge cab, the bed looks small, but it remains significantly large: 6 feet, 3 inches in length and 51 inches wide between the wheel wells.

 Interior

One of the Dodge Ram HD's best features is the huge cab space.  It can easily seat six large men, and offers plenty of head, shoulder, leg and hip room.  With the front bucket seats, a center console extends from the dashboard. Bench seat models are also available and still have a shallow floor console which may not be comfortable for the center rider.  The back seats are roomy and comfortable.  They include reclining seatbacks, separate rear heating and air conditioning outlets, and reading lights. The instrument panel cluster is located under a prominent dash brow to reduce glare and improve visibility of six white-faced gauges, the latter numbered on diesel-engine models. A substantial four-spoke steering wheel houses cruise control buttons and available stereo controls.  Several power outlets are provided for the front seats.  A third outlet is available in the center console.  Interior door handles are large and heavily built, and aid in an easy exit from the truck.   Behind the passengers there is a power sliding rear window for flow-through ventilation.  Another perk of this cabin is that there is space behind the back seats for cargo that needs to be protected from the elements. By folding down the back seats a huge cargo area with a flat load floor is created. The rear doors open big and wide, making it easy to load stuff inside. For another view on the Ram HD, read a review by JD Power.  The interior is remarkably quiet, even as we ran the air conditioning, which offers minimal fan noise on the lower settings.For more details and specifications, click here.