The Rules Have Changed... 20 Years Ago! 1994-2001 Dodge Ram

[Black Dodge]

I was just thinking how its already been 20 plus years ago that the industry changing 2nd Gen 1994-2001 Dodge Ram was introduced to the world! They raised Dodge truck sales from a total of 79,000 units in 1993 the last year of the old body style to 240,000 in 1994 and peaking at 480,000 in 1996!!! How influential was the 2nd Gen Dodge Rams? Just take a look at the sculpted body lines, raised hoods, larger grilles of all new pickups today!

Allpar has a good in-depth look at the development and history of the 1994-2001 Dodge Rams

http://www.allpar.com/model/ram/1994-ram.html

Anyway I thought it would be cool to start a thread where guys can post stories and pictures of their 2nd Gen Rams... that they had or still have! Plus post any interesting history of the 2nd Gen Ram Trucks. Also any tips and upgrades for them as well!

 

[Black Dodge]

1994 Truck Of The Year!

 

[Black Dodge]

As some of you guys already know... This is probably my all time favorite 2nd Gen Dodge Ram. It played the starring role in the 1996 movie Twister! They actually used several V8 powered 1500s and v10 powered 2500s to play the same truck.

 

[Black Dodge]

This is what the 2nd Gen Ram almost was! 1986-1988 original concept trucks for the next Dodge Ram! Keep in mind that this truck was pretty far along in development. When thankfully in late 1988 Bob Lutz and Tom Gale decided instead of playing it safe with the conservative redesign... they would go very bold taking it to the edge! So basically Chrysler started completely over and development of the awesome T300 began... changing truck history forever!

Pictures from http://autosofinterest.com/2012/07/21/design-notes-1994-dodge-ram-truck/3/

 

[Black Dodge]

Note the first dash design

 

[Black Dodge]

Early T300 ideas and development of the new Dodge Ram

A good book to read is Dodge Ram Trucks 1994-2001 Photo History by Don Bunn. It has great behind the scenes info on the development of the trucks along with year to year changes made during its production run.

 

[Black Dodge]

He is a picture of my fourth 2nd Gen Dodge Ram. It's a 1997 2500 V10 ordered new by my step dad Pete. I purchased it from him in 2010 with 62,000 original miles on it. I just completed its frame off restoration back in May and now it has just over 71,000 miles on it.

View my gallery's below for more info and pictures of the restoration.

Gallery 1
http://www.fortrucksonly.com/truckforum/vbpicgallery.php?do=view&g=99
Gallery 2
http://www.fortrucksonly.com/truckforum/vbpicgallery.php?do=view&g=100
Gallery 3
http://www.fortrucksonly.com/truckforum/vbpicgallery.php?do=view&g=101
Gallery 4
http://www.fortrucksonly.com/truckforum/vbpicgallery.php?do=view&g=103
Gallery 5
http://www.fortrucksonly.com/truckforum/vbpicgallery.php?do=view&g=131

 

[Black Dodge]

Few more of the T300 development... Note the tailgate on the dually prototype.

 

[Black Dodge]

http://youtu.be/q2SkJsjnuwc

 

[Black Dodge]

http://youtu.be/VRzQloSmpiE

 

[Black Dodge]

http://youtu.be/-wAheNAzWXE

 

[Black Dodge]

http://youtu.be/-NnVOfXkT8w

 

[Black Dodge]

http://youtu.be/x0yZGyjy4jc

 

[Black Dodge]

http://youtu.be/XpZUwcGliGE

 

[Black Dodge]

http://youtu.be/__tRPafLbX4

 

[Black Dodge]

The limited edition 1996 Indy pace truck!

 

[Black Dodge]

Bob Lutz debuting the new Dodge Ram Quad Cab.

 

[Black Dodge]

This is a pretty awesome V10 powered Walker Evans Ram 1500 sportsman class race truck! It was on eBay earlier in the year...

 

[Black Dodge]

Pretty killer shot of another Walker Evans 2nd Gen!

 

[joel d. snyder]

very interesting. I had a '97, loved that truck. still think it was the best looking truck ever!