What's in a name?

[NNICKB]

Dodge, er the newest iteration of the Chrysler Corp, is now marketing its full-size pickups exclusively under the name "Ram." Apparently the Dodge name is being phased out.

I know that by itself, a name doesn't mean much. For better or worse, it is still the same truck. The Dodge name has appeared on just about every type of car as well as truck over the years, from big rigs to compact Japanese pickups.

Still, the "Dodge" and "Dodge Truck" brands stand for an awful lot. Although I have owned Chevy, Ford, and Jeep trucks, I have always been most proud of my Dodge.

[Hobcobble]

I'm happy with my old Dodge Sweptline trucks. I
have enjoyed working on them and driving them
for years. My newest Dodge truck is a '92 W250.
I did own an '03 W2500. When I went to trade it
in for an '09 model, I found out that every dealership
I went to was "phased out" in their philosophy. I
wound up with an '09 F350. I've owned every U.S.
brand of truck. For my "hobby", I'll stick with Dodge
trucks and cars. For my new truck, it simply comes
down to a "business decision" between FIAT/RAM
and F*rd. We'll see if the RAM dealerships in my region
will wake up from their "slumber" when I'm ready to
trade my F350 in.
John

[gusbratz]

I have a tough time with very much brand loyalty anymore. I own a 62 m37 used to drive a 72 d-500, great dodge trucks. but I feel that the company that made those trucks is as gone as the one that made maytag wringer washers .here in the usa by us. hard to get excited about a ford or a chevy when they all out source their axles trannys and electrical and all use the same standard industry technology. made in brazil or mexico and assembled in canada.
something has changed in the engineering field. I think it used to mark you as a good engineer when you were building a superior product. something that by design was easy to work on had replaceable parts and could by serviced and worked well. now it is all about the bare minimum. how cheap and light can we build them and get away with it. I had a 97 2500 ram with the cummins 12 valve in it. loved the engine and was totlly dissapointed with the rest of the truck. it used to do the death wobble. i finnally learned after about 3 track bars that the problem was in it's design. the only thing keeping the front end aligned was the track bar. once my radius arm bushings wore and my camber angle went negative all the stress is on the track bar. most of the parts were dealer items. nice. final solution. get rid of the truck. one of my freinds had the same truck and he put a 1972 ford f-250 front end under his. now he has lock out hubs and leaf springs says it rides 100% better. pretty sad when you get something 30 years older than the one you have and the engineering and materials are superior to the new one. I could rant all day.