A small suggestionon modelyear spans.

[Tbird100636]

A small suggestion. This section is listed as spanning 1994-2001. The thing is that for Ram 1500s, this is correct. It is incorrect for Ram 2500 and 3500 though. Ram 2500 and 3500 continued to use the BR/BE chassis for 2002, while the 1500 got the new DR chassis. 2500 and 3500 went to DR in 2003. We should change the descriptions of each group to reflect that.

[Tbird100636]

A small suggestion. This section is listed as spanning 2002-2005. The thing is that for Ram 1500s, this is correct. It is incorrect for Ram 2500 and 3500 though. Ram 2500 and 3500 continued to use the BR/BE chassis for 2002, while the 1500 got the new DR chassis. 2500 and 3500 went to DR in 2003. We should change the descriptions of each group to reflect that.

[RamBo]

I don't know how we're going to deal with that given that we have a single set of spans for the forum... we'd have to split the forum into three sub-groups, then do model year breakouts. The concern would be that we're creating a ton of subforums for people to wade thru.

You do bring up a valid point though. Jason is our organizational wizard and I'll leave the solution to him. In the meantime, I'm moving this post to the Suggestions section.

[BigJ]

You raise a great point T.

Maybe we reorganize not by year, but by generation. I can subtitle each generation with the years spanned by the edition? For example...

Generation 0
The old school. All pre 1981 Dodge trucks.

Generation 1 - ?? body
The first generation Rams 1981-1993.

Generation 2 - BR/BE bodies
Ram 1500: 1994-2001 ~ Ram 2500 & 3500: 1994-2002

Generation 3 - DR body
Ram 1500:2002-2005 ~ Ram 2500 & 3500: 2003-2005

Generation 4 -??? body
???

If this works, can you fill in the question marks/blanks?

[BigJ]

Merging with the post in the Suggestions forum.

[Tbird100636]

You raise a great point T.

Maybe we reorganize not by year, but by generation. I can subtitle each generation with the years spanned by the edition? For example...

Generation 0
The old school. All pre 1981 Dodge trucks.

Generation 1 - ?? body
The first generation Rams 1981-1993.

Generation 2 - BR/BE bodies
Ram 1500: 1994-2001 ~ Ram 2500 & 3500: 1994-2002

Generation 3 - DR body
Ram 1500:2002-2005 ~ Ram 2500 & 3500: 2003-2005

Generation 4 -??? body
???

If this works, can you fill in the question marks/blanks?
Gen one is the AD body, Gen 3 and 4 is complicated after 2004. Starting 2005, DH was used for 2500 and 3500 pickups. 2006 however used DH for 2500 pickups, and 1500 Mega Cabs since the 1500 Mega Cab used a 2500 frame and suspension. D1 was now the 3500 Pickup. DR was still the regualar 1500s. In 2007, DC was added for the 3500 Chassis Cab, all others remained the same. In 2008, DM was added for the 4500/5500 Chassis Cabs, all others the same. Here's some more confusion. For the 2009 all codes were the same, except the 1500 pickup, which is DS. All other models are still gen 4 for 2009. Does this help???

[BigJ]

Uhh erhh uhm, whut? :P

Do this: make me a list like I made above, in that same format but with proper labeling. Basically show me what you think the generation forum breakdown should look like and lets consider it.

[Tbird100636]

Generation 0 - D body/W Body/DW body/T Body
The old school. All pre 1981 Dodge trucks and Ramcharger.

Generation 1 - AD body/AT Body (Originally D body for 2WD, W body for 4WD, DW body for RamCharger, T Body for truck front section)
This first generation covers Rams and Ramcharger 1981-1993.

Generation 2 - BR body/BE body
This second generation covers Ram 1500: 1994-2001 ~ Ram 2500 & 3500: 1994-2002

Generation 3 - DR body/DH body/D1 body
This third generation covers Ram 1500 (DR): 2002-2005 ~ Ram 2500/3500/Power Wagon (DR, DH, D1 {Year specific codes, all are basically DR): 2003-2005

Generation 3.5- DR body/DH body/D1 body/DC body/DM body
This third generation refresh covers Ram 1500 (DR): 2006-2008 ~ Ram 2500/Power Wagon and all Mega Cabs(DH) 2006-2009 ~ Ram 3500 Pickup (D1): 2006-2009 ~ Ram 3500 Chassis Cab (DC): 2007-2009 ~ Ram 4500/5500 Chassis Cab (DM): 2008-2009

Generation 4 -DS body
This fourth generation covers Ram 1500 (DS) 2009 to present

Filled in blanks as directed. This too complicated???

[RapidTransit]

it does get complicated but it would be nice to reflect the chassis cab. We'll see what we can do.

[BigJ]

Alright I took a shot. Tbird give it a look over for accuracy if you would. Its a bit more complicated than I wanted, but we pride ourselves on being a superior technical resource, so we better darn well be accurate I think ;)

Something that would really bring it all together... Tbird, as you have time, perhaps a post in each section explaining in detail the bodies within the generation and their associated models/years? I expect someone will look to the years (in the subtitles of the forums) first to find their section, then once within it your post can help them understand what specific body code they have.

What do you think?

[Tbird100636]

Alright I took a shot. Tbird give it a look over for accuracy if you would. Its a bit more complicated than I wanted, but we pride ourselves on being a superior technical resource, so we better darn well be accurate I think ;)

Something that would really bring it all together... Tbird, as you have time, perhaps a post in each section explaining in detail the bodies within the generation and their associated models/years? I expect someone will look to the years (in the subtitles of the forums) first to find their section, then once within it your post can help them understand what specific body code they have.

What do you think?
A good comprimise. I shall post some body code threads in each section explaining the intricate (and confusing) body codes for these trucks. In the gen one section you can get rid of the T Body, as it was renamed with the AT designation.

[Tbird100636]

Something else I noticed. In the Gasoline Powered sub-forum of Technical Talk, the description leaves out the Magnum V10 and SRT V10.

[BigJ]

Took care of both issues. Thanks again T.

[Tbird100636]

Took care of both issues. Thanks again T.
Your Welcome.

[Tbird100636]

I goofed on one. Remove D1 from Gen 3. D1 didn't come until Gen 3.5.

[AIR_RAM]

The only problem I see with this is you limit participation and some sections would move slower then others. With SLOW moving sections you lose members... I think you should attempt to combine some of those sections to gain a greater number of active members in the same section. This would raise the chances of questions getting replys... this means the new member is more likely to stick around. At least starting off, then as members start to become active they will post and justify new sections... even then I would add sub forums reluctantly... Its like a party, when you dont see anyone around... you leave! Keep the party going and keep everyone on the dance floor... when the dance floor becomes crowded then you add another dance floor.

Look at some other forums who have broken things down "TOO FAR" ... they are slow. And members do not stick around.

I would like to see it broken down into 1st Gen / 2nd Gen / 3rd Gen Keep the groups general to increase active traffic. If one group shows its active enough and is large enough to support their own sub forum... then give it a shot... but I think keeping it simple will help new members find the answers to the questions they are looking for quicker with less of a wait for that ONE member who owns that exact chassis... who may not even have an answer to help. But somone in another sub form may have that answer... but will never see it because he does not visit that one sub forum because he does not own that chassis.... YADA YADA YADA... Sorry for the rant... I just want to help.

Personally I feel the 3rd Gen Rams should be literally 2002-2007 they are virtually the same trucks... With many of the same parts & issues! I would even allow the 2008-2009 to tag along until there are enough years to render their own forum section... this would allow HIGH traffic and QUICK reply's... more members, = more sponsors = more members= BIGGER sponsors! And trust me, its those big sponsors your looking for.

Its great to break things down to exacting sub forums... but you will most likely end up hanging out with you and perhaps another member... when you could join several sub forums into one larger forum and have MORE members more trafic and more fun.

I just think it will hurt the site more then it will help the site... and honestly... when I first found the site... I did not understand the break down one bit... and I have been visiting Ram forums since 2002.... I found this site a bit confusing... and I'm still not sure where I should post or hang out. This is not good for somone who is looking for help... most members will not know what chassis they have... I don't, and never heard it brought up in ANY forum conversation to date... Just some outside incite, take it for what its worth.

And by the way... GO PATS!

SPEED SAFE, AIR RAM

[Tbird100636]

The only problem I see with this is you limit participation and some sections would move slower then others. With SLOW moving sections you lose members... I think you should attempt to combine some of those sections to gain a greater number of active members in the same section. This would raise the chances of questions getting replys... this means the new member is more likely to stick around. At least starting off, then as members start to become active they will post and justify new sections... even then I would add sub forums reluctantly... Its like a party, when you dont see anyone around... you leave! Keep the party going and keep everyone on the dance floor... when the dance floor becomes crowded then you add another dance floor.

Look at some other forums who have broken things down "TOO FAR" ... they are slow. And members do not stick around.

I would like to see it broken down into 1st Gen / 2nd Gen / 3rd Gen Keep the groups general to increase active traffic. If one group shows its active enough and is large enough to support their own sub forum... then give it a shot... but I think keeping it simple will help new members find the answers to the questions they are looking for quicker with less of a wait for that ONE member who owns that exact chassis... who may not even have an answer to help. But somone in another sub form may have that answer... but will never see it because he does not visit that one sub forum because he does not own that chassis.... YADA YADA YADA... Sorry for the rant... I just want to help.

Personally I feel the 3rd Gen Rams should be literally 2002-2007 they are virtually the same trucks... With many of the same parts & issues! I would even allow the 2008-2009 to tag along until there are enough years to render their own forum section... this would allow HIGH traffic and QUICK reply's... more members, = more sponsors = more members= BIGGER sponsors! And trust me, its those big sponsors your looking for.

Its great to break things down to exacting sub forums... but you will most likely end up hanging out with you and perhaps another member... when you could join several sub forums into one larger forum and have MORE members more trafic and more fun.

I just think it will hurt the site more then it will help the site... and honestly... when I first found the site... I did not understand the break down one bit... and I have been visiting Ram forums since 2002.... I found this site a bit confusing... and I'm still not sure where I should post or hang out. This is not good for somone who is looking for help... most members will not know what chassis they have... I don't, and never heard it brought up in ANY forum conversation to date... Just some outside incite, take it for what its worth.

And by the way... GO PATS!

SPEED SAFE, AIR RAM
You don't have to know you chassis or body code. Each section has a description of years and models by weight class. I've explained body codes in each section. Generations 3 and 3.5 are the only ones that get very confusing, considering it is otherwise a "DR" truck. As far as the breakdown of Generations it's otherwise not in my control. I'm not a Mod or Admin here. I just provided some of the info to refine and better describe the sections.
Thanks for the Pats shout-out!!!

[AIR_RAM]

You don't have to know you chassis or body code. Each section has a description of years and models by weight class. I've explained body codes in each section. Generations 3 and 3.5 are the only ones that get very confusing, considering it is otherwise a "DR" truck. As far as the breakdown of Generations it's otherwise not in my control. I'm not a Mod or Admin here. I just provided some of the info to refine and better describe the sections.
Thanks for the Pats shout-out!!!

Just as you where helping with your incite and advice to help the site... I just added my 2 cents.... I know it doesnt always amount to much... but hey its 2 cents non the less.

I'm originally from Springfiled MA... Grew up in Easthampton, Northampton, Westfield, Holyoke areas... West of the Connecticut river... so Im a born an bread "PATS" fan. It was cool seeing the old logo again... its been a while since I have seen it.

SPEED SAFE, AIR RAM

[BigJ]

AR, thanks for the info. We'll certainly chew on it.

Something we, the guys that run this board, pride ourselves on is being technically minded, first. That's to say, what we feel separates our forums from similar forums, is the technical focus. TBird's suggestions and subsequent help has got us there in this regard.

And while I agree it might be a bit confusing at first, experience has shown me that over time those that climb the learning curve actually end up appreciating our technical approach, and stay. It ultimately draws similarly minded folks and that tends to enhance the enjoyment of everyone.

But again, we'll discuss your concerns and see if there's maybe a better middle ground. Thanks for bringing it up!