2002 Dodge Ram Cargo Review
2002 Dodge Ram Cargo Review
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Used Ram Cargo for sale
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Bargain pricing, three different sizes and prodigious payload-toting abilities.
Cons
- Basic design dates back to the days of the Partridge Family, tight front legroom, fuel-thirsty drivetrains.
What’s new
These staples of plumbers and electricians are unchanged for 2002.
Edmunds says
The Ram's variety of body sizes, powertrains and interior fitments mean that whether the vehicle's duties are hauling cable TV or plumbing supplies, there should be a van here to suit most needs.
Vehicle overview
Dodge's full-size vans and wagons still ride on a basic platform that dates all the way back to 1971. Although first Ford and then General Motors had both redesigned their big, body-on-frame vans some time ago, Dodge soldiers on with the unibody Ram, available as a passenger wagon and a conversion van (built by factory-approved conversion specialists). You can choose from three load ranges (1500, 2500 and 3500) and three overall lengths (192.6 inch, 208.5 inch and 234.5 inch Maxi), with a host of door configurations. Payload capacity is impressive at 4,160 pounds and 299.5 cubic feet on the 3500 MaxiVan.
Base engine in the 1500 and 2500 series is a 3.9-liter V6 with 175 horsepower, but most buyers may wish to opt for a V8, either a 235-horse 5.2-liter, or a 245-horse 5.9. With 295 pound-feet of torque, the 5.2-liter can easily handle most chores, saving the 5.9-liter's 335 pound-feet for the big jobs, such as towing trailers weighing as much as 8,600 pounds. The V6 is hooked to an automatic three-speed transmission, and both V8s get a four-speed automatic. The V8s have been around a long time and are not exactly frugal with fuel. To help compensate, 109-inch wheelbase models come with a 32-gallon gas tank, and all others get a 35-gallon tank.
A body freshening, new instrument panel with next-generation front airbags, standard rear-wheel antilock brakes (four-wheel ABS is an option), and revamped suspension tuning came along with the last major upgrade in 1998.
For commercial use, Dodge offers a variety of door combinations, window styles and work-related packages to meet on-the-job needs. Optional Tradesman features include a ladder rack, shelving units, a full-width metal partition behind the seats and rubber flooring. Fleet users can even order a CNG (compressed natural gas) powertrain.
Sticking with a good basic design has kept prices down while refinements over the years have kept these vans competitive in an ever-shrinking market. When DaimlerChrysler decides on a higher-volume product for its assembly plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, it'll drop Ram Van and Wagon production and relinquish the niche to Ford and GM. In the meantime, there'll be little change to this long-standing value story. As they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2002 Dodge Ram Cargo.
5 star(50%)
4 star(0%)
3 star(17%)
2 star(33%)
1 star(0%)
6 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
2.88 out of 5 stars
Not what Dodge used to be
VanMan, 02/10/2005
2001 Dodge Ram Cargo 1500 3dr Van (3.9L 6cyl 3A)
Good solid frame and suspension. Well equipped, full power. Gauges and controls are well designed and located. Nice to drive once you are up and in. No leg room on passenger side. 318 engine seems very weak and some spark plugs are very hard to access. Terrible gas mileage (avg 12MPG). Sheet metal is flimsy and dents if you lean against it or bump it. Paint chips and scratches … very easily. Sliding side door jumped the track and scraped the whole side of the van. Rear door caught in wind and pulled bolts out of frame. Three front windshields in three years (stress point in center?). No mechanical problems with drive train. Reliable. Still not the quality my older Dodge vans had.
4.63 out of 5 stars
Great delivery vehicle
roadking, 10/13/2005
2002 Dodge Ram Cargo 1500 3dr Van (3.9L 6cyl 3A)
It's been a great delivery vehicle for my cafe business good power, economy match easily taken care of. Havent repaired anything or replaced anything but tires and normal maintenance items. Upgraded tires to Michelin LX series helped fuel economy. Would buy another in a second
2.13 out of 5 stars
Disappointmnet
Mark, 07/18/2005
2002 Dodge Ram Cargo 3500 3dr Ext Van (5.2L 8cyl 4A)
Bought this car as a commuter vehicle for a van pool. I was very disappointed in the vehicle in comparison to a 1997 model I had previously. The motor was sluggish and tended to have a rough idle. The A/C was better than the old van, but still lacked a separate control for the front and back. What I was most disappointed with was that in moving up five years, I lost driver room, the … ability to adjust the steering wheel to where I like it, and the passenger seats, by all accounts were less comfortable. What I noticed in driving is that the vehicle had a very large turning radius. Very difficult to maneuver in traffic.
5 out of 5 stars
Sweet van
Tom Sheer, 07/16/2002
2002 Dodge Ram Cargo 3500 Maxi 3dr Ext Van (5.2L 8cyl 4A)
This van rocks its the best, lots of
room. I carry a lot of cargo in mine
and i tow a lot too, it works great!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2002 Dodge Ram Cargo, so we've included reviews for other years of the Ram Cargo since its last redesign.
2002 Ram Cargo Highlights
1500
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $19,275 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 14 MPG |
Seating | 2 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 200 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
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