By the time that the Dodge Ram’s third generation came about in 2002, the company and its flagship truck brand had already taken the world by storm. The Ram had been steadily taking a chunk out of the competition from 1998 into 2001 and, with the introductory 2002 models, more power and durability were implemented into an already tough model.
The first update belonged to the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 model and it immediately set itself apart from both its predecessors and its competition by using a large grille that even today’s Rams still implement. The 2002-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab was also a stellar addition as it was one of the first trucks to use fully functioning rear doors that opened in the same way as the front doors. Buyers could revel in the 1500 3.7L V6 as well as the mightier 4.7L V8 but the 2002 and 2003 Dodge Ram 1500s also came with the option of an imposing and bold 5.9L Magnum V8. In 2003 both the Dodge Ram 2500 and the Dodge Ram 3500 received similar facelifts but they had a particular touch that the 1500 Ram wouldn’t receive until 2004: The Hemi V8. Both the 2500 and 3500 Rams allowed you to get a none too paltry 5.7L Hemi V8 model. This allowed Dodge to claim bragging rights for the most powerful trucks on the market and to this day the company still is known for putting more might into its trucks than any other manufacturer.
This kind of power was necessary, though, due to the fact that Dodge was also creating larger and heavier vehicles. By 2007 the Dodge Ram 3500 had been given the famed Chassis Cab and, during 2008, Dodge broke the mold by offering the Chassis Cab in the brand new Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 models. These large vehicles weren’t meant to be driven by the regular consumer, though, and so for the 1500, 2500, and 3500 Dodge also introduced the Mega Cab. This option, first available in 2006, expanded the interior an extra 18 inches in cab space and rear reclining seats as well as the ability to seat six. It is because of such expansion that larger and larger engines were made necessary but one must also remember that the Dodge Ram is lauded not only for its roomy interior but for its towing capacity. This too made it important for the Rams to have massive power. Whether you bought a 4 door Quad Cab or a 4 door Mega Cab in 2002-2008, the odds are that you have either a 5.7 liter Hemi V8 or a 5.9 liter Magnum V8. The third generation of the Ram allowed Dodge to claim more market share than it ever had and though the generation is now eclipsed we can still enjoy the fun and excitement of these formative years in the Dodge lexicon.
Do yourself a favor and start on a do-it-yourself (DIY) project. These types of projects give you an unmatched satisfaction. First, there’s the satisfaction of knowing you did an honest job, and then there’s the joy in realizing that you’ve saved yourself a lot of money by doing it yourself. While DIY projects are attractive to the penny pinchers and the hard workers, some would just rather pay someone to do it all. For some, the mental stress involved with starting a project such as a home renovation project is not worth the money saved in a DIY, so they simply turn to others to do the job. Sometimes, this is the better option and the results are better (If you are not a professional to begin with). DIY projects for automobiles are common today more than ever, as people are learning how to independently work on their cars. Just the other day, I replaced my 2004 Dodge Ram Headlight Lamps, and the process was a breeze. To those who are unsure of what to do, search the OEM number: 55077121AC on a trusted search engine and results will ensue.
As the father of three boys, I also feel like their mentor. The oldest son, 17, is most like me in terms of our areas of interest. Like myself, my son was fascinated with automotive technology at a young age. I bought my first car at the tender age of 15. It was a 1965 Dodge Coronet 500 Convertible, with the flame decal on the side and the two racing stripes on the front hood. I treated that ride like the great companion it was. Now, as I watch my son fixing up his own 2000 Dodge Ram, it’s as if I’m watching my young self. He has the knowledge and skill, not to mention the patience, to work on his own car, but he comes to me for help with finding parts. Just recently, my son needed to replace his right side fog light of his 2000 Ram, so I went ahead and found him a 2000 Dodge Ram replacement fog lamp assembly. Finding it was easier than ever, since many online vendors exist. One such vendor, offered the best aftermarket parts at the lowest price, so I bought from them.
There was a time, decades ago, when online shopping didn’t exist, and purchasing automotive parts wasn’t as simple as it is today. In the present day, if you’re looking for a 2000 Dodge Ram right corner light, for example, you would simply search for it online, click the “checkout” button, enter your credit card information, and then you’re done. At this point, the only thing left to do is wait for the part to arrive. It’s easy as that. In the pre-internet era, finding automotive parts was a lot harder. First, you’d have to find a local seller of the part you need, which isn’t always easy. Then, you’d have to compare prices in choosing the best deal. Before the presence of aftermarket parts, the only option was to buy parts from the dealership, which aren’t always cheap. In summary, the internet has paved the way for the aftermarket parts industry, benefiting both the merchant and consumer.
In these tough economic times, it’s important that drivers drive safely and in terms with the law. A 350 dollar speeding ticket is a big blow to one’s finances, especially in this era. Surely then, it must be avoided. So, my advice to you is this: Don’t speed and obey all traffic laws. Your wallet will definitely thank you, as you will find that you have more money to spend on things you like. Maybe you’ve been thinking about buying that new electrically powered lawn mower, or maybe you’ve been planning that summer trip to Jamaica… My point is, those plans can come crashing down at an instant through a lack of financial funding, but that can be avoided by simply complying with the law and practicing better judgment. And also, make sure that all the parts of your car, specifically the lights, are all in working condition. You may or may not get penalized for faulty lights. In a past case, I was pulled over because my 1999 Dodge Ram driver side cornering light wasn’t working, but I was let off with a warning and the advice to get it fixed.
Be attentive and careful when shopping for automotive parts online. There are many websites out there, all claiming to offer the best deals and products, but it’s up to you to discern between the legitimate and phony businesses. Investigate a business before you buy from them. Hear testimonials and reviews from both sides, the positive and negative ones, and then compare the details to choose the best company. Most online vendors have a website structure, where the information is clearly organized. Usually, the better vendors have an easy-to-use website and their customer service is superior to that of shoddier vendors. A friend of mine with a 99 Dodge Ram Van accidentally purchased 99 Dodge Ram side view mirrors (99 signifying a quantity and not the year of the vehicle). So, the guy had unknowingly ordered ninety nine mirrors. Luckily though, the business called him to verify the purchase, where his mistake was brought to his attention. The moral of the story: be conscientious!
Whatever the case, the Dodge Ram is the truck for the job. It’s a well-respected family truck, while it’s also the rough-and-tumble off-roading truck that we’ve all grown to know. Just this past weekend, I pulled into the garage with my gorgeous red 95 Dodge Ram, wearing a fresh coat of mud over the bright red paint job. That’s right, I took my truck out for a stroll through the Tahoe Mountains for some 4X4 fun. As I closed the door and took my slippers off, about to go inside the house, I noticed the fog light bulb Dodge Ram 1500 had a crack straight down the middle of the bulb. At first I panicked, but then I collected my thoughts and constructed a plan of action to take in this situation. In the end, the bulb was replaced and my truck was ready to put on another coat of wet mud.
Dodge Ram50 cornerlights have always been the staple of the Dodge Ram style. Like a pair’s of glaring, seductive eyes, these lights have the power to draw you in and keep your attention focused. Once you gaze upon these beautiful lights, their hypnotic appeal will take effect on you, as you find it difficult to think of anything but the pair. Often times, people endlessly praise the headlights, failing to note any other parts of the car. I, on the other hand, take pleasure in the simpler pieces of the puzzle like the corner lights, marker lights, and emblems. It’s the smaller pieces, sometimes, that keep the machine moving and the bigger picture in sight.
When a side view mirror reads “Objects in mirror may actually be closer than they appear”, you’d better believe it! One fine day almost became one terrible day when I cleverly avoided a near-accident situation. As I was driving mid-day on highway fifty in the El Dorado Hills of California, I glanced to my right rear view mirror and saw an object in the distance coming closer and closer by the second, who turned out to be a speeding motorcyclist. I was traveling in the first lane, and there was a driver next to me in the second lane traveling at the same speed as I. The motorcyclist, a risky driver, tried to pass us both by driving in between us. My 1996 Dodge ram mirror assisted me by raising my awareness of the risky driver, and I was able to speed up and switch lanes, avoiding a mess.
Before purchasing that replacement part for your Dodge truck, confirm the Dodge Ram tail light compatibility. Ensure that the part you need for your vehicle is exactly the same part that you are purchasing online. With aftermarket parts, a single part may be compatible on various other makes and models. The website that you are buying from should display compatibility information that will tell you exactly which makes and models the part will fit. If a website fails to provide you with all of the necessary information, take the OEM number of that part and use that to verify the compatibility. OEM numbers are very valuable, since they are easily recognized universally. The OEM number for an aftermarket 1990 Dodge Ram Pickup tail light, for example, looks like this: 55054795. The internet is a valuable resource, so use it.