Two Lane Desktop

The second part of the large-scale Dodge Ram’s looks at a few long-serving models in my collection and one of them is the most-popular casting out there that has been through several company names. The new 1994 Dodge Ram was a revolution in the truck world now giving the little guy from Dodge a big boost in the popular U.S. truck market with big rig styling and up-to-date features.  Even more menacing is placing that big rig look to the heavy-duty one-ton models like the 3500 dually.  While lots of diecast manufacturers went for the 2500 regular-cab, long-bed with V-10 motor a company called JRL went for a one-ton 3500 with dual rear wheels and a V-10 mated to a 5-speed manual, and all of this was created in 1:18 scale.  This was the first dually truck in 1:18 scale and boy was it big!  I remember when I got mines from a Wal-mart after-Christmas clearance back in 1996 with a few that were left behind; I can’t imagine how popular ...

This is part one of three that will look in to the largest-scale Dodge Ram’s out there, leading right to the biggest Ram out there and the biggest diecast model in my collection.  The first look is the two dueling Ram Quad Cab’s from 2002, both 1:18 and each done differently from Motormax and Welly. The Ram was redesigned in 2002 that was now larger with larger lamps, grille, and interior thanks to the new Quad Cab that has forward-hinged rear doors instead of the rear-hinged half doors of the previous-generation.  The frame has been stiffened up, the interior improved with a cleaner and car-like appearance.  The engines are new as well that start with the 3.7L SOHC V6 from the Jeep Liberty to the new 4.7L SOHC V8 from the Grand Cherokee that produces 235 horsepower.  In 2002 the 5.9L pushrod V8 would carry over, but by 2003 a new 5.7L four-valve pushrod HEMI V8 was introduced and produced 345 horsepower.  The Hemi only come...