Okay, so im sitting here looking at the 2009 Rams, when I start to wonder....What classifies a truck as a new "gen"? Such as, 3rd gen, there are two styles of rams...2002-2005 which I would say would be 3rd and then 2006-2008 which i would say would be 4th...I guess im just wondering what qualifies a truck to create a new "gen"? body style? mechanics? years? not that I dont love the 2006-2008 rams im just wondering so in advance...no offense to anyone, I love all moparers if thats even a word...

 

The 2006-2008 didn't really change that much. In our eyes they did a lot, but not to the manufacturers viewpoint. The fenders, grille, top bumper valence were the major exterior changes, along with the front suspension. Then in 2007 was the changed taillights. From a side view, the Ram looks almost exactly the same each year from 2002-2008. However, comparing a 2008 to a 2009, and it is major differences everywhere. Different bed, front end, doors, grille, hood, interior, etc. The 2006-2008 might also be considered a 3.5 gen Ram, just depends upon the person.
Maybe someone else can pitch in and give a better explanation than this, but this is the general picture of it.

 

Basically what ried69 said. There were pretty much just cosmetic changes from 2002-'08, the basic body style was the same. Now with the 2009's, its a whole new body, new suspension, new interior, different motors, ect.

 

It's basically whenever there is a complete redesign of a cartain model. And as said before, depending on who you talk to, an updated look or minor mechanical changes could be considered a .5 gen change like in the 06s-08s case.

 

Basically when a manufacturer redesigns a model from the ground up, it's a new generation. The 02-08s share most parts, even though there were a lot of cosmetic changes, and a new front suspension on the 06-08s. But the 09s were build from the ground up, new frame, new suspension, upgraded engines, whole new body design. The 02-08s and the 09s share almost no parts, despite having the Ram nameplate. Even the engines were revamped to the point that a lot of parts from a 3rd gen Hemi won't work on a new Hemi.

Edit: I don't consider the 02-05s and the 06-08s a separate "generation" simply for the fact that if you had the time and money, you could unbolt the front body panels from an 04 Ram and bolt on the panels from a 07 and they'd fit just fine.

 

like i said, just a thought, but thanks for the clarification guys...

 

didnt some one do a swap on a 04 or 05 to the newer 06/07 front end or was that on ....dt....it went really well and looked good....