2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie

Dodge has made a big deal about the coil spring, multi-link, solid axle rear suspension under the 2009 Ram. I think maybe they should have paid a bit more attention to the front suspension. There was a shudder that got the Ram 1500 dancing like a wild Irish jig every time it hit a bump, pot hole, expansion joint, you name it. And I drive in California - I can only imagine what the Ram 1500 would be like on some storm rutted road back east.

Outside of the dancing suspension, this is a nice truck. But the world is full of nice trucks. In order to stand out, you have to build an extraordinary truck. The Ram 1500 is not.

There are tons of good ideas, and the truck is well put together. Take the "Rambox" cargo management system that includes lockable tool boxes built into the rear fenders. It looks a little strange not to see the wheel humps in the bed but who cares? Not Bruce. You can still fit the old 4X8 sheet of plywood in the bed and you can lock your circular saw out of harm's way.

Under the hood was the 5.7-liter Hemi V8, putting out 390 hp and 407 lb-ft of torque. It allegedly is capable of 14-mpg city and 20-mpg highway. Maybe but I never saw it.

The Ram 1500 Laramie crew cab starts at almost $42,000. I think the truck needs more suspension refinement for that price.