2009 Dodge Ram launches with incentives, 'RamBox' costs $1,895
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Dodge Ram
In another obvious sign of the times, Dodge is launching its brand new and totally redesigned 2009 Ram half-ton pickup truck with incentives right out of the gate. Purchasers who only need a regular cab will get $500 off the Ram's base price of $22,170 before options while those looking to get a quad cab or crew cab will get double that amount off their new truck. We're sure that potential buyers won't be complaining, but it's a far cry from the 40% savings being offered on '08 Rams. We verified these numbers by using Dodge's online configuration tool, which does not yet allow you to order up the innovative RamBox option. That lockable storage unit is built right into the bed rail of the pickup and will reportedly run you $1,850. That seems pretty reasonable considering that Dodge is the only brand offering this type of storage solution. Still not sold? Did you know that a RamBox is nearly big enough to fit an adult man? Pretty cool, that. Expect to see the RamBox option come online in early November.
Gallery: 2009 Dodge Ram
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Avinash machado 10:36AM (9/22/2008)
Hope it will win the Truck Of The Year award.
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TJ 10:40AM (9/22/2008)
I don't see how it won't... more power, better gas mileage, and dramatic, potentially industry-changing features (5 link rear, rambox, in-floor cooler)
I don't see any other 'new' trucks that can compete for the award.
MemphisNET 11:14AM (9/22/2008)
Got to play with this truck at the Georgian Autoshow over the weekend - and it is quite impressive. Still a few cheap plastics here and there, but luckily they're in places that few will ever look at or touch.
Frank 10:38AM (9/22/2008)
REPORTEDLY? Could you do your own reporting and like, find out for sure first?
Now, if that's true it's too much. It's a great idea, but I don't see why it should cost more than a grand. Maybe someone who knows more about what goes into manufacturing a truck with that option can shed light on this.
As for the $500 and $1000 incentives - it's a sign of the times. I saw a sign at a Toyota dealer in Orange Park, FL that was advertising $6,000 off new Tundra's - and this was 3 or 4 months ago so it was not an end of the model year sale.
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MajorGeek 11:10AM (9/22/2008)
Well, they said that the tool didnot allow it as an option yet. What I can tell you is a good, quality toolbox costs a pretty penny and wastes space. Since this does not waste space, does not stick out drawing attention from thieves and that they are the first to do it, then the price tag is easily justified. Frankly, I expect to see this as standard equipment on many trucks factored into the sticker, or at half the cost within a year by most other truck manufacturers. Its a simple, yet brilliant idea.
MD Drew 1:44PM (9/22/2008)
Looking at the photos, it appears the Rambox bed does not have any wheel wells on its interior. This tells me that the internal width of the bed is reduced, to accomadate the storage space.
Consequently, you would lose space in the bed in exchange for the ram box; whether that lost volume is a big deal or not is the issue. It is similar to step-side trucks, where the usable bed space is less.
G-Meister 9:55PM (9/22/2008)
MD- the bed walls are still a full 4 feet wide. That means plywood will still drop in, but also, a 4-wheeler will fit. no side-by-sides though.
CarbonBlack 10:51AM (9/22/2008)
I thought $1,895 was a bit pricey. I would rather use that cash for other better options!
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Torrent 1:13PM (9/22/2008)
it should come standard.
2 thousand dollars is like 7 gallons of gas these days.
sarcasm.
But I agree 2K is a lot for an empty hole in the side of a bed. I could do that at home.
No Welfare for GM 11:01AM (9/22/2008)
Am i the only one who finds Dodge's website incredibly user unfriendly.
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CORVETTE ZR1 11:26AM (9/22/2008)
Yeah I Think You Are...
CarbonBlack 11:50AM (9/22/2008)
I tried it out and was unimpressed, but didn't have any major problems.
G-Meister 9:58PM (9/22/2008)
Its a bandwidth hog and if your browser's funimation (java, flash,...) settings are wrong, you'll be left out in the cold. Specs are hard to find...
TKOsoccer03 12:56PM (9/22/2008)
TOTY will definitely be a close contention between the Ram and F150. Both are phenomenal trucks, both with unique innovations. Both have made engine modifications, and both offer 21 mpg variants.
It will all come down to performance.. plain and simply. The F150 has a class-leading interior, but the Ram made and huge leap and are very competitive with their interiors now.
I would give it to the F150, to be honest. It does everything any other truck can do with more weight, and less power .. plus, it offers class-leading fuel economy.
It's tough, but Dodge definitely did all of the right things with the new Ram. I'm glad they took their time with this one, because they hurried the last gen. to get it out before the F150, and they failed.
Major Kudos to the Ram..
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TJ 2:35PM (9/22/2008)
What innovations does the F-150 bring to market? They have made a better truck than the predecessor, but there are no real innovations. THIS is the reason the nod will go to the Ram.
Dan 4:11PM (9/22/2008)
Heavier with less power... way to go Ford, you deserve an award.
TKOsoccer03 4:32PM (9/22/2008)
Heavier, with less power .. and achieves equal or better fuel economy. That is impressive.
Heavier, with less power .. tows 11,000 pounds. That, too, is impressive. How much does the ram tow?
Effy innovations .. uh, how about variable cam timing?
There was also a lot of innovation in the frame, including hydro-formed steel rails and a 10% increase in torsional rigidity.
Trailer Sway Control plus available rearview camera
assist as well as Integrated Trailer Brake Controller a segment-first on light-duty pickups.
Also, the F150 will be implementing Ecoboost technology. It will be the first pick-up truck with direct injection, accompanied by two turbochargers.
Plus .. on of my favorites: Sync.
There are plenty more innovations and new features of the 2009 F150, but these are the major ones.
I will agree.. the new Ram is equally, if not more impressive. It will be interesting to see how the new coil-over's in the rear compete side-by-side with the traditional leaf springs. It will certainly proved a smoother ride, but a loss in towing capacity and payload capacity.
But like I said before, I think the Effy would win overall simply do to performance measures. Slow? Ya .. but it's a truck. And 8.5 seconds to 60 really isn't that slow, to be practical.
ymmv 12:00PM (9/22/2008)
Dodge has squandered a wide open market left vacant while Ford hesitates to bring their '09 game.
The Toyota and Nissan products are just not good enough to win buyers. Chrysler/Dodge should have jumped at the chance to bring out this pickup and put a 25 mpg diesel in it while they're at it. What a waste. And a nice looking truck too (give or take the oversized badges) but they should have redone the cabin to match the Ford (even the Chevy is pretty decent now that it's had a Tahoe/Yukon makeover.)
As for the ram-box thing, $1850 will buy you a lot of WeatherGuard stuff (http://www.weatherguard.com/)
As already mentioned, so few buyers want (pay for) these gadgets, the manufacturers need to really raise the bar, not offer these silly gimmick things. That said, I think the tailgate ladder from Ford in the new F250 should be standard issue on all pickups -- it's just that good. It looks a bit silly, but it's less silly than trying to climb up there.
Other than that, all I need is second row child seat safety (airbags and LATCH) which seem to be neglected even in the very latest pickups.
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Jason 12:55PM (9/22/2008)
Dude, do some research before opening your mouth.
The 1/2-ton diesel is coming in 2010.
Have you even seen the interior pics of the new Ram? It's every bit as nice or nicer than the new F150 and much better IMHO than the new GM interior (For a truck anyway, love that interior in the SUVs).
As for LATCH... the Rams at least have had that for a while, since at least 2003... I thought that was federally mandated now anyway? I our 2006 Ram Megacab has it.
Side air bags have been available (optional) on Rams for a while now as well.
ymmv 1:20PM (9/22/2008)
Jason -- check again. The lower anchors aren't in the rear seats. Ford has made the same mistake (I don't know about GM.) As for the diesel, I didn't say it wasn't coming, I said they need it now and should be selling the car now while Ford is twiddling their fingers and worrying about when to start selling the '09 F150.
As for airbags, compare the curtain and pillar and seat airbags in a sedan or minivan to a pickup and you'll see that a child is not as well protect in side impact (though they are presumably up higher and riding in a heavier vehicle, which could be considered more important.)