Many of us need some kind of vehicle to tow our projects, non street-legal 4x4s, or miscellaneous stuff. To be able to do this, we found a brand new Mineral Gray Metallic 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4 sitting at Brent Brown Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Provo, Utah. The truck was marked down to the point that it was so hard to resist, we couldn't. We were soon driving it home.
Our Ram was a SLT trim level, but it was equipped with almost everything but leather. It had the powerful 6.7L Cummins diesel, six-speed automatic transmission, navigation, UConnect, power everything (even the pedals), HomeLink transmitter, fold-flat load floor, and trailer tow group with trailer mirrors. We had tested a 2007 1/2 Ram with the new 6.7L diesel and were impressed with the power, but the new emission controls weren't working quite right. We kept getting a "Catalytic Converter Full" warning light, even when driving on the freeway and towing. Dodge and Cummins evidently figured out the problems, because our new '08 has no issues of this kind, runs even better, and returned 16 mpg on the two-hour trip home from the dealer.
We only had to add a few things to tailor the Ram to our use. First, we installed a set of 285/75R17LT load range E Nitto Terra Grapplers on the factory Dodge alloy wheels. This gave us 34-inch tires that don't stick out and require no lift to run. The Nittos are a superb all-terrain tire with heavily siped tread blocks. They're also one of the few available load range E tires in this size. They fit perfectly on the OE alloys and the spare fits in the OE position under the bed.
We've used a BedRug from Wise Industries in every truck we've owned since the BedRug was introduced. An all-plastic bedliner that feels like a rug, the BedRug has padding molded to match your truck for a completely flat load floor. When camping, the BedRug makes a great - yes, you guessed it - bed. That doesn't mean the BedRug is wimpy. We've hauled leaking axles, engine blocks, all different sizes and kinds of wood, and other junk. A high pressure washer squirts leaks and spills off, just like it would any other plastic bedliner. Loads don't shift and slide on the BedRug, either. This time, we ordered the BedRug manufactured for Mopar Accessories that has a Ram head logo embossed in the front panel.
 Jeremiah Johnson from Brent...  Jeremiah Johnson from Brent Brown Dodge Chrysler Jeep delivers our Ram. It's a brand new 2008 that had been sitting out back in a storage lot and had been overlooked for months. |  The Ram features plenty of...  The Ram features plenty of cooling capacity for the intercooler and 6.7L turbo diesel. Of course, the AC condenser is here, too. All cooling components are easy to reach. |  The Ram features a mini paddle...  The Ram features a mini paddle shifter that allows easy manual up/down shifting of the Aisin six-speed automatic. It also has a "smart" tow/haul control that provides great performance when towing loads. |
 The center stack includes...  The center stack includes the Mopar navigation radio that features mapping, route guidance, and Sirius satellite radio. The bottom row of switches includes the exhaust brake switch, power sliding rear window switch, and the TPMS light load switch. The transfer case is shifted via the rotary switch to the left. It's fast, simple, and easy. There are two 12V outlets on the dash and one in the fold down center console. |  The 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel...  The 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel produces 350 hp at 3,013 rpm. This engine achieves peak torque of 650 lb-ft at 1,500 rpm for the automatic transmission configuration and maintains that peak torque all the way to 2,800 rpm (a "best in class" capability for a heavy-duty diesel pickup). An integrated exhaust brake is standard. Utilizing the 6.7L engine's turbocharger, the exhaust brake provides added vehicle control and vehicle brake savings by transforming horsepower into braking power. This extends the vehicle brake life. Testing has also shown more than a 30-percent improvement in engine retarding torque at 2,000 rpm compared with aftermarket exhaust brakes. We run with it switched on at all times. |  White-faced instruments with...  White-faced instruments with orange pointers are easy to read day and night. |