2009 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 Review
2009 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
- Mega Cab
- Regular Cab
- Quad Cab
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Powerful engine lineup, jumbo-size Mega Cab provides limolike rear passenger space, compliant highway ride, many standard and optional features.
Cons
- Some bed configurations aren't ideal, cramped rear seat in Quad Cab.
What’s new
For 2009 the Dodge Ram 3500 gets larger brakes and a couple of new standard features -- the Cummins turbodiesel engine and a limited-slip rear differential. Other changes include a remote-start option.
Edmunds says
The heavy-duty Dodge Ram 3500's powerful engine choices and functional interior make it a solid choice for hard-core truck users.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2009 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 ST 2dr Regular Cab LB DRW (6.7L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M) 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
$250/mo
Avg. Large Truck
Vehicle overview
Lots of people who drive pickup trucks don't really need them. Whether it's because they fancy themselves the next Kenny Chesney or relish the idea of helping friends move, we don't know. But they typically drive half-ton trucks. When it comes to driving a heavy-duty dually (dual rear wheels), only non-poseurs need apply. Piloting one of these massive brutes as your daily driver around suburbia (or worse yet, the city) makes about as much sense as using a Carnival Cruise ship as a fishing boat. However, for buyers who need a truck with immense capabilities, the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 makes perfect sense.
Only three car companies make heavy-duty pickup trucks; the others are Ford with the F-350 and General Motors with its fraternal twins -- the Chevy Silverado 3500 and the GMC Sierra 3500. Among them, the Dodge Ram 3500 is the eldest statesman, as this generation goes back to 2003. Yet it is by no means outdated, thanks to an interior redesign a few years ago and the adoption of the latest 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel inline-6 (which boasts 350 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque). For 2009, the turbodiesel is standard on the Ram 3500, giving the truck a lofty tow capacity of 16,350 pounds when properly equipped.
Apart from the short-bed Quad Cabs, all Ram 3500s also feature a dual-wheel rear axle and are available in two-wheel- and four-wheel-drive configurations, with the latter being controlled electronically on all but the lowest trim level. The 4WD 3500 has a solid front axle and recirculating-ball steering setup, while the 2WD model gets an independent front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering.
Pitted against the Ford F-350/450 Super Duty and Chevy Silverado 3500HD, the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 makes a respectable case for itself. It boasts strong work capacities, the roomiest crew cab available and ruggedly handsome styling. However, bed capacity is one area where the Ram suffers. The standard bed is shorter than expected, while the Mega Cab's truncated bed could potentially limit fifth-wheel trailering applications. Other than that, the 2009 Ram 3500 should meet the needs of anyone looking for a heavy-duty hauler.
Performance & mpg
The Ram 3500 dually is available with rear-wheel or four-wheel drive and comes with a 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel inline-6 that produces 350 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. This big mill can be paired to a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. The Cummins comes with a big-rig-like exhaust brake, an unusual feature for a factory pickup, that provides additional stability and braking power when towing very heavy loads. Properly equipped, the Ram 3500 can tow up to 16,350 pounds.
Safety
Antilock disc brakes are standard, while side curtain airbags are optional. Optional on the SLT and standard on the Laramie are power-adjustable pedals.
No crash tests have been performed on the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500, but the lighter Ram 1500 earned five out of five stars in government crash tests for its protection of front occupants in head-on collisions. Frontal-offset collision testing performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety similarly resulted in a top rating of "Good."
Driving
Although it's built to take on the most demanding tasks, the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 is still a relatively comfortable truck. The steering is light and the Ram 3500's turning circle is smaller than that of other heavy-duty pickup trucks. Ride quality is also respectably supple and nearly as comfortable as that of most half-tons. And for serious hauling along with decent fuel mileage, the 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel is tough to beat.
Interior
The 2009 Ram 3500's cabin features white-faced gauges, simple twist-knob climate controls and a huge center armrest/bin. Although it is a straightforward, user-friendly design, materials quality trails that of GM's heavy-duty pickups. Ram crew cabs can seat up to six people, and the rear seats fold up to reveal a flat load floor for carrying large items inside. Unfortunately, rear seating in Quad Cabs is noticeably more cramped than in competitors' crew-cab trucks. The Mega Cab more than compensates by expanding legroom by nearly a foot and offering a comfy, reclining backseat. If carrying passengers in comfort is a priority equal to pickup utility, it's hard to do better than a Ram 3500 Mega Cab model.
2009 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 models
The 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 heavy-duty pickup is available in three cab styles: regular, Quad Cab (crew cab) and Mega Cab (a jumbo crew cab). The regular cabs come with a long bed only, while the Quad Cab has either a short or long cargo bed. The Mega Cab rides on the same wheelbase as the Quad Cab long bed but pairs an even bigger cabin with the short bed. The regular cab comes in ST or SLT trims; the Quad Cab in ST, SLT or Laramie trims; and the Mega Cab is SLT or Laramie only. With the exception of Quad Cab short beds, all Ram 3500s have a dual-rear-wheel axle.
The Ram ST is the bare-bones trim level, offering little more than 17-inch wheels, vinyl upholstery, 40/20/40-split front bench seat, air-conditioning and a CD player. The SLT adds alloy wheels, cruise control, cloth upholstery, carpet, full power accessories and keyless entry. The SLT is equipped similarly but comes only with the Mega Cab. The luxurious Laramie gains dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seating, a power driver seat, upgraded speakers and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.
Options on the upper trims include a sunroof, remote start, power-adjustable pedals, front bucket seats, Bluetooth, a navigation system, satellite radio, an upgraded stereo and a rear-seat entertainment system.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2009 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500.
5 star(31%)
4 star(38%)
3 star(18%)
2 star(9%)
1 star(4%)
55 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
So far I have no complaints
woodinvilleguy, 05/27/2012
2008 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 ST 4dr Quad Cab 4WD SB (6.7L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M)
Have had this truck for a month and so far have no complaints.
Have put over 10,000 miles on it and am very happy with performance and the fuel mileage.
If I stay between 65 to 75, I am getting 18 mpg and have gotten up 19.5 if I am cruising 60 to 65.
On recent drive between Challlis, ID and Boise going over Lowman pass, elevation 5020 got 18.5
3.75 out of 5 stars
Fix your 6.7
kodiak, 07/31/2008
2008 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 Laramie 4dr Mega Cab SB DRW (6.7L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M)
I haul drilling equipment the first 10k miles my truck was in the shop about 16 to 18 times same problem all the time check motor light running out of fuel to the motor under load I got tired of it Dodge offered to give me back $30,000 of the $50,000 I paid for the truck well that was bull, a friend of mine told me of a old diesel mechanic that had a fix for it so I went to see him i … left my truck there for the day he told me I would have no warranty but I feel like I have no warranty any how when I came back he had a pile of junk on the floor that looked like cats tubing and hoses and he went in to my dash and killed the red light I now have 32k miles no problems and 23 mpg on the highway its fixed
4.63 out of 5 stars
Best Work Truck on the Market
DJ, 06/13/2009
2009 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 ST 4dr Quad Cab 4WD LB DRW (6.7L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M)
I traded my 06 3500 which was loaded and had the Cummins 5.9L for the 09 3500 ST with the 6.7L. Both are 4WD DRW. The 09 has a 6 spd man tran and is a bare-bones work horse. It has much more power then the 5.9L did, and the manual tran helps manage the power band well. I tow both a large boat and large 5th wheel with ease. I am hoping for better fuel economy when the engine becomes … broken-in, which occured about the 17K point with the 06. MPG increased about 25% at that point. If you need a truck to work for you take a serious look at the Dodge. I have owned 2 F350's and now on my 2nd Dodge 3500. Dodge wins hands down!
4.25 out of 5 stars
Laramie SWLBQC 4x4 68RFE
norfla71, 09/28/2011
2008 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 Laramie 4dr Mega Cab 4WD SB DRW (6.7L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M)
I bought this truck in June, with 32,000 miles, to pull a 32' toy hauler 5er'. The only major issue so far is the DPF clogged at about 40,000. This is the second HD I've owned; the other was an 04' 5.9 2X4 automatic. Stock, the 6.7 has much more grunt and this driveline is superior in all respects. All the complaints about emissions, fuel economy and injection systems are common across … the big 3. Don't harp on Dodge-Cummins builds these engines and Uncle Sam demands clean tailpipes. As for fuel economy; with mandated ULSD I bet you won't get mid 20's out of the 5.9 anymore, either; in fact, I don't remember getting above 20 in my 04'. Don't buy into driving harder to kill C.E.L.-lazy dealer.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2009 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500, so we've included reviews for other years of the Ram Pickup 3500 since its last redesign.
2009 Ram Pickup 3500 Highlights
Mega Cab
SXT
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $44,455 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Diesel |
Seating | 6 seats |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Max Towing Capacity | 16,300 lbs. |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
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