2004 Dodge Ram 2500

The 2004 Ram 2500 is Dodge's heavy-duty pickup, the one you buy when you need to tow or haul serious loads. It drives like a proper work truck, with a firm ride and a heavy feel that tells you it's built for the job. The cabin is straightforward and functional, with plenty of room up front and a bench seat that fits three. You get a choice of regular, extended, or crew cab bodies, and the bed swallows whatever you throw in it. The 5.9L Cummins turbodiesel inline-six sets this Ram 2500 apart from the gas-engine models below it. It makes 330 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque, routed through a five-speed automatic and four-wheel drive, which means it pulls heavy trailers without breaking a sweat. The trade for that capability is a stiff ride when the bed is empty, but you'll appreciate the stability when you're loaded up.