Comments on: Ram division planning unibody replacement for aging Dakota pickup

By: dakotafan

dakotafan — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:09:18 +0000

I hate the idea of a unibody Dodge Truck and hate the thougt of killing the Dakota. The Dodge Dakota’s have been reliable truck’s for over 20 years, I feel that Dodge should continue to make the Dakota, but redisign it to where it is a mid-size truck (like the earlier Dakota’s in the early 90’s), and still have an optional v-8 power plant and the towing capacity that the Dakota’s have today, but offer a longer bed than todays Dakota. The Dodge Rampage concept looks like crap and how could you haul anything with such a short bed, and it probely doesn’t even offer a v-8…I’ve rather have my 90 Dakota long-bed any day over the Dakota’s possiable replacment

By: Pazzo Canguri

Pazzo Canguri — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:19:11 +0000

Now that is ONE FUGLY POS !!! truly Crap in all aspects…..

By: zoomzoomer

zoomzoomer — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:03:23 +0000

I have to question the marketing implications of moving the truck division to the tough “Ram” name, then including unibody trucks and Grand Caravan cargo vans in the mix. Despite my fondness for the Rampage concept, I think it’s a little late to the party.. Sport Trac and Ridgeline are in steady decline and neither looks like it will have a next-generation successor.

By: Need more oil for GM

Need more oil for GM — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:43:35 +0000

I have to give Dodge a tumbs-up on this one !

By: archknight

archknight — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:17:51 +0000

@ ajm11,

Perhaps you need to focus more on what you interpret, instead of creating a conclusion from what isn’t there. I said, “Many people in suburban areas don’t need a full size truck, just something that can hold a few sheets of plywood, probably landscaping supplies, etc.” Unless you represent the many and I doubt that you do, my statement holds true. Also living in Atlanta, where full size trucks are generally a showpiece (tricked out, body/lift kits, & outrageous over sized rims), I highly doubt these guys (18-35) are pulling 5th wheels behind them.

By: RaineMan

RaineMan — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:24:48 +0000

So are they going to call it Rampage, Ram Jr? Ram 500? Mountain Oysters?

By: ricky_b

ricky_b — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:22:25 +0000

I agree with Stig – unibody and Ram are not the right mix. Although, in theory, I agree with product strategy. Kind of torn on this one. Either way, it has to be better than what GM and Ford have in that segment.

By: The Stig

The Stig — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:14:03 +0000

Dunno if unibody fits with Ram’s message. BOF tends to be better received by consumers here as they equate that to ruggedness and overall capacity.

But whatever frame technology is chosen, be it BOF, BFI, unit body or a solid block of unobtainium a sure-fire way to guarantee epic failure is even contemplate FWD: only selective AWD/RWD will do. And offer a diesel for crying out loud.

By: worst 3

worst 3 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:57:15 +0000

@ajm11
he never said ever one he said many who lived in a suburb (is true a lot don’t need one) some people do, I live in a suburb and I would want a truck like that. I drive a car no because the gas for trucks is to much money and only have the money for once car. I don’t have a need for a full size truck just something I cant put plywood in or large bulky items (nice solid wood furniture i can refurbish found on the street. i also want something that looks better then the ridgeline get better mpg, and has a better torque curve and such. (also has to be manual). for some one like me a unibody body Dakota done right is what i’m looking for.

though i want a muscle car too

By: shaver

shaver — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:55:15 +0000

No one will miss Dakota. The last Gen is horrible, it is 2 close in size to the Ram. Whats the point.

By: netguru2000

netguru2000 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:40:55 +0000

To bcjohnso99:

Well spoken. American’s don’t hate the Ridgeline because it’s a unibody, that’s an oddly broad statement from a post above. I have yet to hear anyone say it was good looking though.

Unibodies are stronger and lighter, it’s possible that alone would make it the future, may still need some tweaking to make it as powerful as BOF’s.

Plus the Rampage look pretty darn cool. If it looked similar to this, I’d consider buying one.

By: ajm11

ajm11 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:31:17 +0000

Archknight – I live in the city of Edmonton Alberta, and I own a Full size pick truck. I can guarantee you it is not only for show. You might want to start thinking about the stuff before you write it. My truck is a second vehicle in my household. For everyday purposes we use my wife’s vehicle to drive to and from the LRT station, and then take the train to work. My truck is used for hauling a 32 foot 5th wheel. If I did not have a 5th wheel I would not have a truck. Some people do actually use trucks for the purpose they are designed for. Anyone who has a truck and just uses it for show is just over compensating for something that they are missing.

By: archknight

archknight — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:12:37 +0000

When you live in the city having a truck is only for show mostly and hauling things on occasion for other people. Many people in suburban areas don’t need a full size truck, just something that can hold a few sheets of plywood, probably landscaping supplies, etc. Since the new Pentastar V6 can produce upwards of 270hp, I could see it becoming the new range topper and leaving the V8’s to the larger Ram 1500.

By: archknight

archknight — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:46:17 +0000

I have to agree with Blakarr, the success of this will ride on the fact that it has to be RWD or AWD configurations. I also have to agree with worst 3 that a power mad DI 2.4T in this would definitely give it an edge in fuel economy, seeing as the Fiat multi-air engines are a part of the arsenal now. They would still have to produce a two only version of this for those who wanted something smaller. Even though the design is a few years old it still works, with a few more modern updates on the exterior and they’ve got a real winner.

By: teahead

teahead — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:39:19 +0000

This is a good idea.

For those who need a real truck, there’s the RAM 1500/2500+.

For those who would normally buy and SUV, but likes to haul on occasional load of bark, this will fit the bill w/o breaking the bank at the gas station.

Make it light, strong, and efficient. Under 4500lbs.

By: RaineMan

RaineMan — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:58:31 +0000

Making vehicles like this the “Ram Division” won’t be around very long at all. You can’t make a unibody pickup… it just doesn’t work. A unibody was never intended to haul the loads or pull the weight that mid-size pickups are used for.

By: vicdub85

vicdub85 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:26:15 +0000

Good job Dodge.

By: bcjohnso99

bcjohnso99 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:25:26 +0000

Unibody is the future for anyone that does not need extreme towing. The packaging benefits and structural rigidity are far superior to BOF – sign me up.

The Ridgeline does not sell because it is ugly. Period.

By: beatusmongous

beatusmongous — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:24:47 +0000

i.e. firing NMOFGM is good for America. I can agree with that one.

By: Need more oil for GM

Need more oil for GM — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:06:19 +0000

What’s good for General motors is good for America

By: F50

F50 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:55:40 +0000

Dodge has the LH Platform which has a longitudinally mounted engine. but that’s outdated. they could use the Grand Cherokee platform for it though.

By: zfenderguy

zfenderguy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:42:20 +0000

Well, Dodge was already and also-ran in the segment, so Iguess they don’t mind losing another chunk of the midsize market. I mean really, are they banking on there being a long list of people who would have bought Ridgelines if it weren’t for detail problems (spare tire, etc). No! People in America hate the Ridgeline because it’s a unibody, it’s got a transverse mounted engine, and it screams suburban yuppie Home Depot machine. While a lot of American males who buy trucks are just that, they don’t want to project that image. That being said, I believe any unibody midsize truck will follow the same path to irrelevence. Unibody pickups don’t project the same image unibody SUVs do.

By: rickmyers

rickmyers — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:07:00 +0000

I have seen the original concept Rampage and it was a hit with the crowd. I have owned two Dakota’s, one six one V-8 and they were both outstanding vehicles. The third generation had that “Nazi”, look to it , Daimler’s idea of attractive, bought a Ram. This would work, but I would rather have conventional doors with a “B” Pillar and the new Ram Grille and Bumper design. Marchionne is a marketing whiz so I feel this may be built with Fiat’s Diesel expertise, a Winner!

By: F50

F50 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:18:18 +0000

Build it. Its not a bad looking truck.

I thought they would have went with a shortened Ram 1500 chassis to build the next Dakota.

By: nestle_s

nestle_s — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:44:47 +0000

Not bad at all! Clean crisp lines and good looking!

By: americanAUDIfan

americanAUDIfan — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:55:25 +0000

YIKES! Dodge just needs to quit making cars, period
V.A.G——V.A.G——V.A.G

By: BIG-KC

BIG-KC — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:25:55 +0000

As long as it looks like a Dakota and not the ugly Ridgeline. And as long as it is fuel efficient, unlike the Ridegeline. And as long as it is still usefull, unlike the Ridgeline.

By: netguru2000

netguru2000 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:17:31 +0000

Rampage Rocks. Not sure why the auto industry shies away from uni-body trucks. This is cool

By: Kanucko

Kanucko — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:13:09 +0000

That car looks rad…much cooler than RidgeLine. Too bad dodge has a habit of neutering their concepts…except maybe the Challenger ! follow its example Chrysler !

By: DrFill

DrFill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:15:40 +0000

I can always count on a joke getting lost on you, Johnny
Rumors of your arrival have been greatly exaggerated
DrFill

By: worst 3

worst 3 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:24:09 +0000

i lied the rampage but i think it too big or at least that how i remember it when i saw it in person. it had some good ideas i would hope the new dodge Dakota was close in size to the original.

if done correctly it could be huge hit but any mistakes could make it a huge failure.

By: cor1977

cor1977 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:36:11 +0000

I really like the look of the Rampage, if done correctly, could be a nice product for Chrysler/Dodge.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:27:02 +0000

Gee Doc, maybe we should call you Gay Gayerson after that boner.

By: DrFill

DrFill — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:04:08 +0000

Call it the Ram Rampage!
LOL
DrFill

By: ROADRUNNR

ROADRUNNR — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:45:31 +0000

Hmmm, interior looks nice, except for the steering wheel and side profile looks like the current Tundra. Could be a real hit if Chrysler plays their cards right.