1994 Dodge Ram 2500 ST Review, Prices, Photos

1994 Dodge Ram 2500 ST Review, Prices, Photos

1994 Dodge Ram 2500 ST Review, Prices, Photos

1994 Dodge Ram (continued)

Walkaround

The big-rig fender and headlamp treatments on our 1994 Dodge Ram 2500 are only part of the new face that Dodge has put on for the pickup market. The hood angles in gracefully to a distinctive grille set off by touches of honeycomb brass. The massive center-mount chrome front bumper is topped by a black vinyl step pad that integrates with a full width air dam underneath the bumper. Unusual contouring, big chrome side-view mirrors, flush-mounted, vinyl-covered door handles and a surprisingly good fit and finish present themselves in profile. Out back, a chrome step bumper is also protected with black vinyl step pads and has no less than three ball hitch holes in different sizes, each rubber-plugged when not in use.

The rear drop gate is supported by two steel cables and features a quick-release provision for easy removal.

The big, 8-foot cargo box offers two tie-down brackets on each wall and a two-tier loading design. It can be illuminated by twin halogen lamps mounted alongside the third taillight atop the rear cab wall. Taillight lenses are flush-mounted and impact-resistant, and they meld with amber wraparound side markers. We just wish Dodge had wrapped them a little farther around the side for even better visibility.

Interior Features

The interior is another major effort from Dodge to make the new Ram stand out from its full-size competition. Our test Ram 2500 greeted us with smooth instrumental panel contours and sweeping armrests that integrated perfectly with the door and the overall interior design scheme. We see nothing in here that reminds us of the last-generation pickups. While the influence is definitely truck-like, Chrysler designers took their cues from the advanced interior design found in the company’s very successful and stylish LH sedans.

The Ram 2500′s instrument cluster is housed beneath a gracefully curved padded dashtop and features a standard circular speedometer and analog oil pressure, fuel, coolant temperature and battery/voltmeter gauges. These are all easily readable through the steering wheel, which also houses an air bag – the first in any full-size pickup.

There’s room for three really big adults up front with only a lap belt for the middle passenger but belts and shoulder harnesses for the driver and far-side passenger. Door-mounted courtesy lights are complemented by an overhead dome light as well as independently operated map lights.

About the only thing that isn’t truly big about this new Ram 2500 is the glove compartment. But that’s offset by a huge fold-down center console big enough to store and/or support a laptop computer or fax machine -a real convenience for workers who take the office on the road. There’s also a second power receptacle next to the cigarette lighter to power or charge all that exotic equipment. Behind-the-seat storage is adequate and neatly compartmentalized and contains tire-changing equipment.

The standard seats on our test Ram 2500 were adequately contoured and offered a driver-side adjustable lumbar support that improved comfort some. We recommend one of Dodge’s step-up seating options for a truck this nice, however.

1994 Dodge Ram 2500 ST Review, Prices, Photos