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Police-spec Ram 1500 4x4 Special Service Package Debuts

By Jake Lingeman

By AutoWeek Nov 9, 2011 12:46PM

The Ram 1500 4x4 Special Service vehicle gets heavy-duty parts to deal with long hours of usage by police. (Photo by Ram.)




The horde of vehicles vying for police duty got bigger on Nov. 8 with the announcement by Ram of a new 1500 4X4 Special Service pickup prepped for police work. It includes options tailor-made for cops on patrol.


Ram outfitted its new truck for long hours both running and idling with 100,000-mile spark plugs, a large oil cooler and an engine hour meter and idle hour meter for keeping track of maintenance and use.


Cop-spec electrical gear is part of the package too, with a 220-amp alternator and a unique wiring harness delivering power via an electrical distribution center, with fuses and relays for a camera, computer, modem and printers.


The front bucket seats are cloth while the rear bench is covered in vinyl. A special headliner houses a dome light over the front seats, and the center console is removed to add more space for equipment. The shifter is moved to the steering column. Extra welds are added to the body structure to handle the weight of the ballistic materials used by law-enforcement officials.


The Ram 1500 Special Service pickup is only offered in Crew Cab configuration, which allows for 125 cubic feet of interior volume. It's also available with the RamBox, an option we'd expect most police officers would like.


Power from the Hemi engine stays at 390 hp and 407 lb-ft of torque, while towing remains at 10,000 pounds. The brakes and tires are also stock, and the truck has 17-inch steel wheels. The Ram's rear coil-over suspension setup, which we've applauded for its smooth ride, also carries over unchanged.


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136Comments
The Beltway
Nov 10, 2011 8:51AM
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This is overkill. Cops don't need to drive a vehicle this powerful when they have a radio.
Maybe not in an urban environment, but there are plenty of places in North America where police need powerful vehicles.  In addition, there are places where a pickup such as this, or an SUV, are pretty much mandatory because a standard sedan can't hack the conditions.  Klaus, do expect them to drive a Prius in the backwoods of Alaska, Maine or Montana?  A Prius wouldn't make it 500 feet down a logging road.


God Bless the Troops and America
Nov 14, 2011 3:50PM
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What the heck is everyone crying about? The VERY first thing I hear people say when something is wrong is where's the cops? Everyone wants to beat on them over this? Good grief. They deserve to ride in something dependable, something useful. I get so tired of people complaining about the police, most are just like you and I, doing their job and most, like you and I, do their job well. As previously mentioned, different tools are needed for different jobs.
Same thing at my work unless you'd want me to use a throat swab for your gen probe. Hmmmm?

howlin1_inab
Nov 14, 2011 3:51PM
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Where I live (in Alberta Canada) there's been use of pickups, SUV's, etc for YEARS! A car would never EVER make it down some of the roads around here...I DO HAVE a Dodge Ram 1500 with a Hemi..I NEVER use my car in the winter & in fact, drive the truck MOST of the time!  I'm in oil country & if the police have to attend an accident/theft/crime​ of what ever sort on an oil road, they'd never get 30ft down it! ( LESS in Spring when it's break-up) The mud can be 2ft deep! (when you have a 4x4 & have to "chain up" or get pulled down the road by a Cat!!?? Been there-done that!  I have NOOOOOO problem with our police buying the necessary vehicle !!!
maddogmark
Nov 14, 2011 2:22PM
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 our police officers just like our troops deserve what ever it takes to get the job done.
gatcr
Nov 14, 2011 3:37PM
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Way to go DODGE!  Put some muscle on the street and do whatcha gotta do!  Keep it between the ditches though officers!  That's a lot of power with that Hemi under the hood!  Thanks for keeping us safe here at home!
Cop Wife
Nov 14, 2011 2:16PM
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Every one hates cops until their they or their family needs one then they wonder why the cops are not around. These vehicles are made for rural areas where four wheel drive is a matter of life and death. What price would you put on your loved ones life 
hybrid455
Nov 14, 2011 3:37PM
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Ford Wolfe, yes search and rescue, swat operations, dive team, K-9, bomb team, accident reconstruction just to name a few. Lots of equipment to carry around. All designed to help people like you and your family should you ever need it.

 

"Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do"

 

Benjamin Franklin

 

Thomas Green (TomBorsh)
Nov 14, 2011 2:32PM
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AT least they are buying american.
NICK CONSTANTINO
Nov 14, 2011 7:08PM
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First, It's a hell of a truck! 2nd, I see a lot of you complaining about tax payers footing the bill for these awesome trucks, paying for the gas, and even about the  officers taking them home.  I sure there are other vehicles they could purchase, and a few of you would like them to buy Fords, Chevys, even suggested a Smart car(maybe you should throw in a trailer for it to carry the extra equipment). IF IT GETS THE JOB DONE, Who cares, You don't piss and moan when the 535 Senators and  Representatives fly 3000miles to attend a 15 minute meeting before the golf, baseball, basketball, football game, by the way, NOT ON THE SAME JET, now do you. The Officers are more like the Soldiers of the home land, Give them equipment they need to get the job done. To all the Officers out there, or if you prefer, one solider to another, THANKS FOR BEING THERE and JOB WELL DONE.
Food_For_Thought_Original
Nov 14, 2011 1:02PM
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I Support My Local Police-I Pay taxes-And I say they can Do like the rest Of US And drive the Old Stuff til wheels Fall Off
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