Just one dumb decision after another IMHO.


When a Dodge Ram pickup approaches from behind, there's no mistaking it from any other vehicle.

The Ram's front-end design has an over-the road, semitractor look to it. The design message is clear to those viewing it in their rearview mirrors: "Get out of my way." Other pickups look sedate by comparison.

But sources who have seen the re-engineered, restyled 2009 Ram say Dodge is moving away from the semitruck look toward something closer to the segment-leading Ford F-150. Spy photos have been scarce, but they hint at a look closer in spirit to the current Dodge Nitro or reskinned 2008 Dakota.

The exterior design has been the pickup's signature since the 1994 Ram debuted.

Jim Hall, an analyst at AutoPacific Inc. in suburban Detroit, says Chrysler can ill-afford to relinquish its design edge because the pickup market is the industry's most competitive.

"The current Ram is incredibly polarizing," he said. "If you have a product where half the public hates it and half loves it, that's OK."

With new entries from Toyota and Nissan and expected declines in sales volume in the segment over the next decade, the Ram's unique selling proposition is styling.

"If they lose their styling edge, they have to find another selling proposition, and that's not easy in what has become the most competitive large pickup market on the planet," Hall says.

Interior design is one area in which the Ram has fallen behind the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado pickups.

Ralph Gilles, Chrysler vice president for Jeep, truck, advance interior and component design, says the next-generation Ram will be the first Chrysler vehicle to use a revised design process originating at the automaker's new advanced interior studio.

Chrysler's goal is to involve suppliers earlier in the process so the automaker can dictate what it wants, rather than have the end product be dictated by the suppliers' capabilities.

Getting the interior right in the 2009 Ram is crucial.

Says John Wolkonowicz, an analyst at Global Insight in Lexington, Mass.: "Ford raised the bar in 2004, and GM did in 2007. The Dodge pickup today is really uncompetitive from an interior standpoint."

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I give that two thumbs down.

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Doesn't work for me either. Looks like a funky Dakota which IMO is the fugliest truck on the road

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Dale McLean
aka PS-RagE
House of RagE

I think that would be a big mistake IMHO.

All Dodge needs to do is leave the exterior the way it is ( One of the better looking trucks as is) and concentrate on increasing HP/Torque and upgrading their interior.

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Man that does look just like a dakota. I've owned two dodges. 99 quad and 05 4dr. The 05 was a great truck. I don't see them going forward with body style, maybe back sliding a bit though.

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If you consider cars sacred objects, and find yourself treating them with adoring reverence, while others consider your enthusiasm to be fanatically extreme, then you are a certified car nut….like me !!!!


2007 Tundra DC 5.7 4X4 with very fast Radiant Red slapped on.
Custom painted engine cover(Godzilla)
One set chrome mannly truck nutz.
Putco chrome tow mirror covers and tail gate handle.
Replaced door handles with chrome.
Raptor oval nerf bars.
18X9 Ultra Goliaith wheels +25 offset, chrome.
Truxx 3/1 Level, 1in Differential Drop.
35X12.50-18 Nitto Mudd grapplers. Inflatted 35.04 H and 12.20 W.
15% tint fronts.
American Aluminum low profile tool box, carpeted.

Looks to me like they let some of the Chrysler and Jeep engineers have a crack at it. I agree it reminds me of the Dakota, but the squared edges look like the Jeep SUVs. They went from long curved edges to hard corners. I am not a fan of the new design.

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2007 SR5 Crewmax 5.7L 4x4
Mods: nerf bars, Truxedo tonneau, radar detector power, fog lights, black billet grille, rear differential breather, parking sensors, Line-X, power tailgate lock, hood safety latch mod, one off driving lights behind grille, Pioneer NAV w/ OEM camera, Flowmaster 50 SUV dual/dual, blue LED dash lights, Volant CAI
All mod descriptions and pictures © 2007,2008 by Toxarch. They may be copied only for personal use and the mods may be done for non-profit only.

Wow, that does look like a Dakota! The front end isn't too bad, but the side lines make the truck look much more compact...

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07 Crewmax SR5
07 Mustang GT coupe
07 Mustang GT convertible
04 SVT Lightning
02 SVT Lightning

Looks like that long hood of a Dakota to me.
Wonder if we're in for another bailout circa 1979, in the near future?

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5.7L RC Longbox, 4X4 SR5
I-GUIDE (Covers most common general questions)

That is one butt ugly (like on a 90 year old) truck it is boxy and skinny OMG! The positive thing is that it makes me even prouder to own the truck that I do! With designs such as this - it will be easy to beat for the competition (even GM) LOL! All they need to do now is have a Lucchese Edition interior! Somebody stop me!

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07 Tundra DC 4x4, Radiant Red, debadged, Bed Mat, Brushed stainless steel step boards, Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror, Heated Towing Mirrors, 18” Alloy Wheels, Cold Kit, Mud Flaps, Tow Package, Rear Sliding Window, All Weather Floor Mats, TomTom 920T

I don't see it as ugly at all. It's not a bad design. It's just not the brawny look we've come to associate with the Ram...

I'm going to miss the big grille and little lights look!