2002 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 Review
2002 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 Review
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Used Ram Pickup 3500 for sale
Appraise This CarDodge Ram Pickup 3500 model years
Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 types
- Regular Cab
- Quad Cab
See Edmunds pricing data
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- User-friendly cab, competent handling on- and off-road, powerful V10 and diesel options.
Cons
- Dated design, Quad Cab lacks rear-seat room when compared to GM full-size trucks.
What’s new
Three new colors: Atlantic Blue and Light Almond Pearls and Graphite metallic are available for 2002. Although the Ram 1500 was completely revamped this year, the heavy-duty 3500 Ram pickups must wait one more year for their update.
Edmunds says
Even though this is the last year for this generation, the attractive Ram 3500 pickups are still worth a look from those seeking a real workhorse.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2002 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 2dr Regular Cab ST 2WD LB DRW (5.9L 8cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
Not EPA tested for Ram Pickup 3500 ST
Ram Pickup 3500 ST
vs
$257/mo
Avg. Large Truck
Vehicle overview
Even though its little brother, the Ram 1500, was redesigned this year, the brawny 2500 is not exactly lagging behind. With a variety of handsome body styles and power options to choose from, the 3500 can still handle any job assignment, be it ranch duty or snowplowing.
The Ram 3500 comes in Regular, Club and Quad Cab one-ton configurations, and all are equipped with Magnum power. A 5.9-liter V8 with 245 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque is the standard powerplant. Optional is an 8.0-liter V10, good for 310 horsepower (305 for California) and 450 pound-feet of torque (440 for California). And the macho 5.9-liter 24-valve inline-six turbodiesel that makes huge power (245 horses and 505 lb-ft) is available if you envision some serious hauling duties and have an extra 5 grand to spend.
Speaking of hauling, a properly equipped Ram 3500 can handle up to 5,067 pounds of payload and pull a trailer weighing up to 13,900 pounds.
The Regular Cab has bench seating for three, while the Club Cab can cram up to six inside, although access to the rear for seating (and storage) is difficult. With the Quad Cab, rear-access doors on both sides make that easier, yet they're not separate full-size doors like on the new 1500 Quad Cab. Inside, the Ram features sound ergonomics with controls that are properly placed and completely functional.
Underway, automatic transmission shifts are firm, but not harsh, and the column-mounted shifter operates easily. The manual transmissions are simple to shift, with well-spaced gates. The five-speed manual tranny has a granny-low first gear for getting going while hauling a heavy load. And mated to the Cummings turbodiesel is a six-speed manual transmission. Of course, a four-speed automatic is available across the board.
Although it's a bulky vehicle, the Ram is surprisingly agile and reasonably surefooted, but think twice before making any quick maneuvers. Ride and handling are so competent you almost forget you're in a full-size pickup, except if it's unloaded, in which case, you'll be reminded over every bump in the road. Beefy disc brakes with standard antilock technology are standard. And just as it's capable on pavement, the Ram does extremely well on trails and other off-road excursions, able to clamber through technical sections with the best of 'em. Just keep in mind the Ram's size when negotiating the off-pavement stuff.
Even as it awaits next year's rebirth, the Ram 3500 pickup is ready to serve those who actually need a serious rig to pull heavy trailers or travel off the beaten path.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2002 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500.
5 star(75%)
4 star(11%)
3 star(7%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(4%)
28 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.63 out of 5 stars
diesel
CLEMDOGG, 08/20/2003
1999 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 Laramie SLT 4dr Extended Cab LB (5.9L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
I have this truck with the inline 6
diesel engine in it. All i have to say
is this truck can tow what other trucks
cant!. the maximum trailer weight
rating for this truck is 17,500lbs, i
currently tow a 50 foot Featherlite 5th
wheel trailer with my truck and it
weighs 21,500lbs full. i put on over
100000 miles on my truck a year driving
from ontario to texas to race … what i
got in the trailer. this truck had
almost a million miles on it and it has
the original engine/ tranny! and it
pulls the trailer (I find) effortlessly
on the highwy with my 6 speed manual.
BUY A CUMMINS DIESEL
1 out of 5 stars
Not a good truck
sniklefritz, 03/23/2004
2000 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 SLT 2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (5.9L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
I will never spend that much money and
time on another dodge car,truck or
anything that says dodge,etc.I have
replaced injectors 6 times and the
factory kept sending bad ones to the
shop I spent 2500.00 on a new
transmission and the turbo has gone out
again all of the little gadgets(seat
handles,etc)have fallin off or broke
and now I cant trade it cause I will be …
6,000 dollars upside down.
4.88 out of 5 stars
A great truck PERIOD!!
DodgeBoyz, 10/06/2002
2000 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 SLT 4dr Extended Cab 4WD LB (5.9L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
I have always been a Ford guy,but when
I went to buy a new Ford they would
not deal,so I seen this Dodge in this
dealership and checked it out.I bought
it right on the spot,this is by far
the best truck I have ever had,and I
have owned 15 trucks..
Simply the best truck on the road,the
5.9 Cummins makes the whole package
great..
4.63 out of 5 stars
Great Truck
hangnloose, 03/11/2002
1998 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 ST 2dr Regular Cab LB (5.9L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
I highly recommend this truck. I bought mine brand new from the factory. It is a dually and it gets 19 miles to the gal. of diesel. The only thing that is bad is it has no weight in the rear end unless you are towing, which it is a great tower. It tows a 32' fifth wheel trailer with no problem.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2002 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500, so we've included reviews for other years of the Ram Pickup 3500 since its last redesign.
2002 Ram Pickup 3500 Highlights
Regular Cab
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $23,445 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Seating | 3 seats |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Max Towing Capacity | 15,100 lbs. |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
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