History

• The Dodge brothers opened their company in 1914. They made a half-ton pickup for the Army during WWI, but the body of the truck was actually built by the Budd Co. From 1924 to 1927 they only had one model truck--a 3/4-ton pickup. Dodge was purchased by Chrysler in 1928.
  
  

Types

• Dodge has three trucks in its lineup. The Dakota, The Ram and The Sprinter. Each category has different models to choose from. The Dakota is a pickup, The Ram is a heavy-duty pick up and The Sprinter is a panel truck.
  
  

Features

• The Dakota line has four models: The Dakota Laramie Extended Cab 4X4, the TRX4 off-road extended cab 4X4, Big Horn/ Lone Star extended cab 4X4, and the Laramie extended cab 4X2. They all have a 3.7-Liter V6 Engine and 4-speed automatic transmission.
  
  The Ram 1500 Line has the Ram 1500 Laramie Quad Cab 4X4 LWB, the Laramie Quad Cab 4X2 LWB, the Sport Quad Cab 4X4 LWB and the Sport Quad Cab 4X2 LWB. The Laramies come with a 5.7-Liter V8 HEMI(R) MDS VCT Engine, the Sports a 4.7-Liter V8 Engine and they all have a 5-speed automatic transmission.
  
  The Ram 2500 series has four models: the Ram 2500 Power Wagon Quad cab 4X4, 2500 Laramie Quad Cab 4X4 SWB, the Laramie Quad Cab 4X2 SWB and the SLT Quad Cab 4X4 SWB. They all have a 5.7-Liter V8 HEMI(R) VCT Engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission.
  
  The Ram 3500 series has four models: the Laramie Quad Cab 4X4 SWB, Laramie Quad Cab 4X2 SWB, SLT Quad Cab 4X4 SWB and the ST Quad Cab 4X4 SWB. They all have a 6.7-Liter Cummins(R) Turbo Diesel Engine and a 6-speed manual transmission.
  
  The Sprinter line has four models: the 3500 B Package, the 3500 170-in, the 2500 170-in B Package and the 2500170-in.
  
  

Function

• Each of the three types of trucks serves a different function or purpose. The Dakota series is for general use, such as on the farm. The Ram series is similar to the Dakota, but for more heavy-duty use. And the Sprinter series is a multiuse vehicle. It can be used as a delivery van or it can hold up to 12 people.
  
  

Significance

• There are so many truck models on the market it is important to know beforehand what they all have to offer. Doing your homework before you go out to shop will not only save you time, but money, as well.