Dodge Ram

Another change for 2006 will be the availability of Chrysler's Multi-Displacement System on the Hemi V8 engine in the full size Ram. This is a commonly used, yet fanciful term, implying that an ordinary latex or oil-based paint has the same properties as true, fired enamel. Also, a full screen mapping in-dash navigation system is now an option. Some paints are called "enamel paints". One notable version is the Mega Cab, featuring a 6-foot cargo box and 20 inches of extra cab space, allowing seating for six with rear recliners. This produces tiny specks of both colours; although the eye can be tricked by grinding colors together to an extremely fine, flour-like, powder. The 2006 Dodge Ram is an updated version of the previous generation. Different enamel colours cannot be mixed to make a new colour, in the manner of paint.

It offered an AC electrical outlet panel for running an entire jobsite worth of power tools. Enamel can be either transparent, opaque or opalescent (translucent), which is a variety that gains a milky opacity the longer it is fired. The press currently reports that the hybrid Ram will be available only for fleet purchasers and will not enter mass production. The last creates delicate shades ranging from pure violet through wine-red and warm gray. However, the schedule for delivery slipped as Dodge backed away from the vehicle. Color in enamel is obtained by the addition of various minerals, often metal oxides cobalt, praseodymium, iron, or neodymium. Dodge announced a mild hybrid version of the Ram, dubbed the Contractor's Special, in 2003. Some techniques of enameling:.

Toyota's Tundra had never posed much of a threat, but a much larger 2007 model may erode Dodge sales further. According to some sources, the word enamel comes from the High German word smelzan (to smelt) via the Old French esmail. But the Ram's sales could not keep up with the eleventh-generation F-150 and the strong Nissan Titan in 2004 and 2005, with 400,543 Rams sold that year. Enameling was a favorite technique of the Art Nouveau jewellers. At the same time, both Ford and GM trucks were declining from a 2001 peak over 900,000 to the 850,000 area. The bright, jewel-like colors have also made enamel a favored choice for designers of jewelry and bibelots, such as ancient beads, the fantastic eggs of Peter Carl Fabergé, enameled copper boxes of Battersea enamellers, and artists such as George Stubbs and other painters of portrait miniatures. The redesigned DR trucks reignited sales, with 400,000 sold in 2002 and nearly 450,000 sold in 2003, a new high point for the Ram name. Other practitioners include the ancient Greeks, Celts, Russians, and the Chinese.

The four wheel drive light duty trucks (1500 series) lost their live axles in trade for an independent front suspension, but the heavy duty (2500 and 3500 series) retained the live axles for maximum durability and load capacity. The ancient Egyptians applied enamels to pottery and stone objects. The Cummins ISB Diesel was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2004. Enamelling is an old and widely-adopted technology. It included an even larger grille, and special models kept interest up as most competitors had adopted the Ram's separate-fender look. The durability of enamel has given it many functional applications, including: early 20th century advertising signs, interior walls of ovens, speckleware cooking pots, exterior walls of high quality kitchen appliances, cast iron bathtubs, storage silos on farms and process equipment such as chemical reactors and tanks for the chemical and pharmaceutical process industries. This represented a major update including all new frame, suspension, power teams, interiors, and sheetmetal. Disadvantages are its tendency to crack or shatter when the substrate is stressed or bent.

The third-generation Ram debuted for 2002. Vitreous enamel has many excellent properties: it is smooth, hard, chemically resistant, durable, can take on long-lasting, brilliant colors, and cannot burn. By 2001, the Ram was back to 350,000 sales. Also, an "enamel" is a decorative object, usually very small, having an enamel coating, such as a piece of champlevé or cloisonné. Sales of this generation peaked at just over 400,000 in 1999 before declining against the redesigned Ford and GM trucks. Vitreous enamel can be applied to most metals. The redesigned 1994 Ram was a tremendous sales success, with sales rocketing from 100,000 D-series models in 1993 to 240,000 in 1994, 280,000 in 1995, and nearly 400,000 in 1996. It is often applied in a paste form and may be transparent or opaque when fired.

The new Cummins ISB engine, introduced in 1999, is an unusual multi-valve pushrod engine. The powder melts and flows to harden as a smooth, durable vitreous coating on metal, glass or ceramic. In 1998, Dodge introduced the "Quad-Cab", which used rear-hinged pillarless doors in the back for a wide cab opening. In a discussion of art technology, enamel (or vitreous enamel, or porcelain enamel in American English) is the colorful result of fusion of powdered glass to a substrate through the process of firing, usually between 750 and 850 degrees Celsius. A natural gas version of the 5.2 L engine debuted for 1995. Counter enameling, not strictly a technique, but a necessary step in many techniques, is to apply enamel to the back of a piece as well - sandwiching the metal - to create less tension on the glass so it does not crack. Models were now the 1500 (half-ton), 2500 (¾-ton), and 3500 (one-ton). Sgrafitto, where an unfired layer of enamel is applied over a previously fired layer of enamel of a contrasting color, and then partly removed with a tool to create the design.

But it was the 8.0 L V10 engine and its 450 ft.lbf (610 Nm) of torque that was noticed by serious users. The stencil is removed before firing, the enamel staying in a pattern, slightly raised. It featured a semi truck-look front end with separate fenders and an oversized grille. Stenciling, where a stencil is placed over the work and the powdered enamel is sifted over the top. The Ram line was redesigned for 1994 and was an instant hit. A 3D type of enameling where a sculptural form is completely or partly enameled. These early B Series engines have been know to go 350,000 miles before first overhaul. Ronde bosse, French for "round bump".

This engine, part of the Cummins B Series, is the largest straight-6 engine ever produced for passenger vehicles. It has a stained-glass like appearance. A Cummins turbodiesel option was added for big (400 ft.lbf / 542 Nm) torque needs. Plique-à-jour, French for "braid letting in daylight" where the enamel is applied in cells, similar to champlevé, but with no backing, so light can shine through the transparent or translucent enamel. The D-series trucks sold poorly compared to the Ford and General Motors products, with just under 100,000 sold most years of their production. It is a form of Grisaille. The engines wore the "Magnum" name for 1992 and 1993 with much higher output. Limoges, named after the town in France where it was invented, is the technique of "painting" with an especial enamel called "blanc de limoges" over a dark enamelled surface to form a detailed picture, often human figure.

The Ram 100 models were renamed "150S" for 1990, and the exterior was redesigned the next year, including Dodge's trademark crosshair grille. Grisaille, French term meaning "greying", where dark, often blue or black background is applied, then limoges or opalescent (translucent) enamel is applied on top, building up designs in a monochrome gradient, paler as the thickness of the layer of light color increases. Rear anti-lock brakes were also made standard. Cloisonné, French for "cell", where thin copper, silver or gold wires form walls which separate different areas. The 5.9 L V8 also received fuel injection that year for 20 hp (15 kW) more power. Champlevé, French for "raised field", where enamel is fired around raised fields of metal, leaving the metal exposed. The Slant-6 was dropped in favor of a 3.9 L fuel injected V6 with 25% more power. The surface of the metal is decorated with a low relief design which can be seen through translucent and transparent enamels.

The engines were updated for 1989. Basse-taille, from the French word meaning "low-cut". The 5.2 L engine received electronic fuel injection for 1988. A "Ram-Trac" shift-on-the-fly transfer case was added for 1985, and both the crew cab and Utiline flared bed were dropped for 1986. 100 models were added for 1984, replacing the previous "Miser" trim on low-output manual transmission Slant-6 trucks.

Externally, the first-generation Rams were facelifted versions of the previous generation Dodge D-series pickups (known as the Adventurer) dating back to 1972 with wraparound taillights and square headlights. Standard cab, "Club" extended cab, and crew cab versions were offered along with 6.5 ft and 8 ft bed lengths and "Utiline" and "Sweptline" styled boxes. Like other domestic makers, Dodge used 150 to mean a half-ton truck, 250 to indicate a ¾-ton, and 350 for one-tons. The first-generation Ram trucks, introduced for 1981, kept the previous generation's model designations: "D" meant rear wheel drive while the "W" Power Ram meant four wheel drive.

. The Ram is built at Saltillo Truck Assembly in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, Saint Louis Assembly North in Fenton, Missouri, and Warren Truck Assembly in Warren, Michigan. The Ram was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 1994, and the Ram Heavy Duty won that award for 2003. The name was first used in 1981 on the redesigned D Series, though it came from the hood ornament used in the 1930s and 1940s trucks.

The Ram is a full-size pickup truck from DaimlerChrysler's Dodge brand. URL accessed on April 8, 2005.. Edmunds.com. A Dodge Ram History.

On the rear of the box was a stripe with a "Rumble Bee" picture, meant to be reminiscent of the Super Bee. It was only available on regular cab/short-box pickups and included lower body cladding, a hood scoop, and a specially-trimmed interior. Rumble Bee - The Rumble Bee edition was mainly a trim package on the Hemi Ram. Daytona - Introduced for 2005, the Ram Daytona features 20 in chrome wheels, custom paint, the Hemi engine, and a tall rear spoiler reminescent of the famous Dodge Charger Daytona from the late '60s.

Power Wagon - Introduced for 2005, the Power Wagon comes with the 5.7 L new Hemi engine, locking differentials, disconnecting anti-roll bars, oversized off-road tires and a winch. In 2004, the truck won the Guinness record of "World's Fastest Production Pickup Truck" of 154.587mph[1]. It now has a 48RE four speed auto transmission that was taken from the Heavy Duty Rams with the Cummins engine. For 2005, Dodge debuted a Quad Cab version of the Viper V10 powered truck.

The 2004 version was available only in a single cab with a 6 speed manual transmission with a Hurst shifter. SRT-10 - This version is a regular or quad-cab body with the Dodge Viper's V10 engine, massive Pirelli 22" rimmed tires, custom lowered suspension, unique bucket seats, full body kit, and a spoiler.