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Dodge is expanding its bragging rights in the full-size pickup truck market, even if sales of the Ram are consistently below rivals Ford F-150 and GMC Sierra/Chevrolet Silverado. The next addition to the Ram lineup, the Dodge Ram Mega Cab, arrives in summer 2005 as a 2006 model-year vehicle. Described by Dodge public relations as their Texas hauler, they expect the Mega Cab to do for pickups what Stow-n-Go has done for minivans. While not disclosing volume targets, Dodge believes the Mega Cab will be a high-volume Ram derivative.
By taking the 160.5-inch heavy-duty wheelbase and using a six-foot, three-inch bed instead of the eight-foot bed, Dodge gained twenty inches and put it in the crew cab; nearly all of the extra space went to the second row. Dodge will offer the Ram Mega Cab only in heavy-duty configuration, with the HEMI or Cummins diesel engines.
Along with the 2500-pound payload and 16,000-pound towing capacity of the HD truck, the interior offers the first second-row truck seats that include room enough to recline as well as to slide fore and aft. These seats fold 60/40 (without removing the headrests) for a flat cargo floor, creating 71 cubic feet in cargo room. With the seats up, available cargo space is 7.6 cubic feet, and there are several closed storage cubbies behind the second-row seats. The cab has a whopping 145.2 cubic feet interior volume overall, and at 111.1 inches long is more than a foot longer than the F-150 Crew Cab. Making ingress and egress of both people and stuff into the second row easier are doors that open a full 88 degrees.
The Mega Cab will be offered in SLT and Laramie trim levels, with available conveniences including heated seats, power sliding rear window, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, full-screen navigation, and adjustable pedals.
With the changes to the seating, Dodge also tweaked the face of the truck (sides and rear remain the same) and the rest of the interior. Among the changes are a new crosshair grille even more Magnum-like; new headlights; and a new lower front fascia. The instrument panel and center stack take on some cues from the Dakota as well.