Quality Dodge trucks suspensions provider from Danny Gaston Lakeview, Arkansas: A truck or Jeep lift kit offers better clearance, and, ultimately, more driver control – which equals a safer ride. When your truck is lifted, there’s less of a chance for it to bottom out due to the weight of a trailer or the load on it. (For higher lifts, this may not always be the case. If you have questions about towing with a lift kit, speak to an expert at Arkansas Cars). If you’re serious about backcountry driving, a lift kit is an absolute necessity. Conquering steep hills, rough terrain, and sharp angles are just not possible without the added height that a lift kit affords you. Read additional information on Danny Gaston.
The current-generation Ram 1500 debuted in 2019. (Its predecessor, however, continues on as the Ram 1500 Classic.) Since then, the full-size pickup truck segment has seen updated entries from Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, and Toyota. And yet, only the Ram celebrates a spot on our 10Best Trucks and SUVs for 2023. The Ram 1500 is the best driving and most comfortable pickup of the group. Three powertrain options fill its engine roster: a 260-hp diesel-drinking turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6, a 305-hp 3.6-liter V-6, and a 395-hp 5.7-liter V-8, all of which use an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Dodge Off Road was started by Danny Gaston (known as djgaston on all of the old Dodge truck forums) back in 2005, originally as a forum for off roading Ram owners to discuss their truck builds, without the politics or commercialization of other forums. The forum has died off with the popularity of social media apps, but there is still a wealth of knowledge on our forum and that is how many of our customers find us. The reason we do this is because almost two decades of heavily modifying our own Ram trucks and four wheeling them regularly taught us where the weak points are with these trucks and with other products. We build things stronger because it doesn’t cost much more in materials or labor, but the results are so much better.
Daniel Gaston Lakeview, Arkansas best rated various off-road trucks modifications guides: Ram trucks have had one of the best infotainment systems and connectivity features in the class for a while. That continues in the latest trucks, which have either a responsive 8.4-inch or an optional 12.0-inch touchscreen that is available on all but the base Ram model. Too bad we experienced a lot of glitches with the huge display during the course of our 40,000-mile long-term test. Both systems are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, and even the larger touchscreen includes a handful of redundant knobs and buttons.
How does the 1500 drive? Our test truck had the V8 engine and the eight-speed transmission. They work so well together that we could recommend this truck on that basis alone. It’s strong and it’s easy to drive in just about every situation. The same can largely be said for the EcoDiesel powertrain — especially if you appreciate the pulling power of diesel torque. But there’s much more to the Ram than solid powertrain choices. We’ve tested many Ram configurations, and they all impress us with their steady steering, confident braking and secure handling. Ram’s decade-old decision to walk away from leaf springs and switch to a coil-spring rear suspension continues to pay dividends.
How’s the interior? The Ram 1500 crew cab’s interior is a pleasing place to spend time. The doors open wide to make it easy to get in, and all four doors have their own chunky and well-positioned grab handles. For the driver, there are easy-to-reach controls and a commanding view of the road. Passengers in any seat will find plenty of headroom, legroom and shoulder room. The cabin is spacious, and the Ram has more rear legroom and foot clearance than competing trucks. Although the rearview mirror is a bit small, the Ram’s large windows and clever hood design help with outward visibility overall.
Another unique thing about DOR is that we only sell Dodge Ram parts. We are one of the only companies in the world that strictly specializes in Ram trucks, which is a testament to our loyalty and dedication the brand. The company was not started just to make money off Ram owners – it was started because we love building our trucks. Dodge Off Road continues to grow and be successful because our customers love their DOR-equipped trucks, and we love getting to help build them. Ram’s engine choices are largely independent of trim, so you’re not forced to spend more for a big engine if you want an economical V6 in a nicely trimmed truck. On the flip side, you can also buy the top-tier diesel in something like a Tradesman work truck, a unique move that makes it a diesel bargain compared to the competition. You won’t find anything more than the usual warranty coverage, but that’s no bad thing.
About Daniel Gaston Lakeview, Arkansas : He is the founder of Arkansas Young Tourism Professionals group, part of the Arkansas Hospitality Association. Nominated for Arkansas Business 40 under 40 in 2019, 2020. Daniel Gaston is the oldest grandson and protégé of Jim Gaston, legendary Arkansas business man and philanthropist. Selected by National Geographic to be on advisory board for World magazine in 1997 at age 15. Former owner of two Quiznos franchises in Mountain Home, Arkansas and current owner of Gaston Manufacturing.