Dale Wurfel Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ltd.

The Ram (previously known as the Dodge Ram in the United States and Canada, and still known as being manufactured by Dodge outside the U.S and Canada) is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by the Chrysler Group LLC. As of late 2010, it has been sold under the Ram Trucks brand. Previously, Ram was part of the Dodge lineup of light trucks. The name Ram was first used in 1981 on the redesigned Ram and Power Ram following the retiring and rebadging of the Dodge D Series pickup trucks. The truck is named for the Ram hood ornament that first adorned Dodge cars in the 1930s. The Ram Truck is in its fourth generation as of the 2009 model year.

Dodge Ram trucks have been named Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year three times; the second-generation Ram won the award in 1994, the third-generation Ram Heavy Duty won the award in 2003, and the fourth-generation Dodge Ram Heavy Duty won in 2010. The Ram is currently built at the Saltillo Truck Assembly in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico and at the Warren Truck Assembly in Warren, Michigan, United States.


 

The third-generation Ram debuted for 2002 on 1500 models and 2003 on 2500 & 3500 models. This was a major update including an all new frame, suspension, powertrains, interiors, and sheet metal. It included a larger grille, and special models kept interest up as most competitors had adopted the Ram's separate-fender look. The crew cab models for this generation were actually extended cab trucks that utilized conventional-opening rear doors. The four wheel drive light trucks (1500 series) lost their live axles in favor of an independent front suspension, but the 2500 and 3500 series retained the live axles for maximum longevity and durability. This body style draws heavily from the previous generation.

The redesigned trucks bolstered sales, with 400,000 sold in 2002 and nearly 450,000 sold in 2003, a new high point for the Ram name.

2006 Face-lift

The 2006 Dodge Ram was an updated version of the previous generation. One notable addition was the "Mega Cab", featuring a 6.5-foot (2 m) cargo box and 22 inches (560 mm) of extra cab space, allowing seating for six with rear recliners. Also, a full screen mapping in-dash navigation system became an option. The headlamps have been redesigned for better performance.

Another change for the 2006 model year was the replacement of the first version 5.7 L (345 cu in) Hemi V8 in half-ton models with the newer Multi-Displacement System Hemi V8 engine that became available in Chrysler and Dodge sedans. This engine featured the same performance but had a cylinder-deactivating feature enabled under light loads to increase fuel economy by 3 MPG city and 4 MPG hwy. This new Hemi still delivered 345 hp (257 kW) and 375 lb·ft (508 N·m).

Models built after January 1, 2007 offered a new 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel introduced as an option in 2500/3500 models replacing the 5.9L. It produced 350 hp (260 kW)||650 lb·ft (881 N·m). Unlike the 5.9L which was backed by the 4-speed 48RE Transmission, the 6.7L was equipped with the new 6-speed 68RFE transmission.

Chassis Cab

In 2007, a 3500 Chassis Cab model was introduced with industry standard rear frame width and wiring to accommodate outfitters. In addition to the 5.7 L (345 cu in) HEMI V8, a Cummins 6.7 L (408 cu in) diesel rated at 350 hp (260 kW) and 650 lb·ft (881 N·m) was also available. Automatic Transmissions used were the 545RFE with the 5.7 L (345 cu in) the AS68RC with the 6.7 L (408 cu in) . The G56 transmission was the only manual transmission offered.

For 2008, Dodge introduced two more Chassis Cab models, the 4500 and 5500. These were class 4 and 5 trucks with a Gross Weight of 16,500 lb (7,500 kg) and 19,500 lb (8,800 kg), respectively. Both trucks came equipped with the same version of the Cummins 6.7 L (408 cu in) diesel as the 3500 chassis cab model. Sterling, who worked with Dodge in development, had their own version called the Sterling Bullet with a unique grille. Sterling is a division of Freightliner LLC which, like Dodge, was owned by the former Daimler Chrysler. Sterling Trucks was licensed to sell Dodge Ram 4500 series trucks as the Sterling Bullet.

The fourth generation Dodge Ram was introduced at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. This latest generation was sold as the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 starting in Fall 2008. A two-mode hybrid version was planned for production, but has since been cancelled in favor of a smaller test fleet of plug-in hybrid Rams.

Chrysler LLC attempted to keep the Ram competitive in the market through various developments for the 2009 model, including a new four-door cab style offering, new suspension, a new hemi engine option, and the Rambox, a new storage system that allows secure storage inside the truck?s bed walls.

The 5.7 L HEMI V8's output has been increased by 45 hp (34 kW) to 390 bhp (290 kW) and 407 lb·ft (552 N·m), and fuel efficiency has been slightly increased by 4%. The 4.7 L (287 cu in) PowerTech V8 produces 310 bhp (230 kW) and 330 lb·ft (447 N·m), and the 3.7 L (226 cu in) PowerTech V6 continues with 215 bhp (160 kW) and 235 lb·ft (319 N·m).

Cab options

The Mega Cab option will be deleted, at least on the 1500 series, replaced by a true four door crew cab. Other cab options are regular cab and quad cab. The mega cab option remains on the 2500/3500 models.

Handling

A coil spring rear suspension replaces the leaf-springs for the 1500 model, a move to improve ride quality and handling. The payload capacities have not been negatively affected despite the massive change in suspension.

Payload capacities

The 2009 model's towing capacity was originally rated 9,100 lb (4,100 kg) for 2WD Ram 1500 with regular cab, long-bed, 5.7L HEMI engine, 3.92 differential and 17-inch wheels; but the rating increased to 10,450 lb (4,740 kg) without changing the setup, via the new SAE testing standard. For the 2010 model, payload was increased by 50 lb (23 kg) to 1,900 lb (860 kg) for the regular cab 2WD model with the 3.7L V-6 engine.

Towing capacity for the regular cab Ram 1500 with 3.21 differential is rated at 6,100 lb (2,800 kg) with 17-inch wheels and 5,900 lb (2,700 kg) with 19-inch wheels. Crew Cab and Quad Cab models are rated at 5,700 lb (2,600 kg) and 5,800 lb (2,600 kg) respectively.

Gross Combined Weight Ratings is 11,000 lb (5,000 kg) for all Ram 1500s with 3.21 axles; max 15,500 lb (7,000 kg) for 2WD Ram 1500 with long bed, 5.7L HEMI engine, and a 3.92 differential.





Heavy Duty Chassis Cabs

Chassis Cab versions were made for the Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 models. The 3500 Heavy Duty model was unveiled at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show.

Engine choices include 5.7L HEMI V-8 rated 383 bhp (286 kW)@5600 rpm and 542 N·m (400 lb·ft)@4000 rpm for Ram 3500, 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel rated 350 bhp (260 kW)@3013 rpm and 880 N·m (650 lb·ft)@1500 rpm for Ram 3500 (optional), 4500, 5500.

Transmission choices include a standard 6-speed manual or optional 6-speed Aisin automatic. Both transmissions support the Power Take Off option.

Each model has regular or crew cab, single-rear-wheel or dual-rear-wheel (3500 and up only), 4 cab-axle lengths (60, 84, 108 and 120 inches) for 4500/5500 or 2 cab-axle lengths (60 and 84 inches) for 3500, and three trim levels (ST, SLT and Laramie).

The Ram 3500 includes 2 axles with 3 axle ratios (3.42, 3.73 and 4.10) and 17-inch wheels, while Ram 4500/5500 have 1 axle with 3 axle ratios (4.10, 4.44 and 4.88) and 19.5-inch wheels. The 4500/5500 Rams rear axle is a Dana S 110. The front axle on 4x4 models is manufactured by Magna, while 2 wheel drives models just have a solid, non-drive axle.

Safety

The Ram comes standard with four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, side curtain airbags, and an electronic stability program or ESP. In IIHS crash tests, the Ram received a Good overall score in the frontal crash test, and a Marginal score in the side impact test. It received a 5-star frontal crash test rating from the NHTSA.

Production

The Ram 2500 and 3500 are built in Chrysler's Saltillo Assembly Plant in Coahuila, Mexico, and the Ram 1500 is built at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Warren, Michigan. The Ram 1500 was also assembled at the Saint Louis Assembly plant in Fenton, Missouri before the plant was permanently closed in July 2009.