dodge ram

The Ram is a fullsize pickup truck from DaimlerChrysler's Dodge brand. The name was first used in 1981 on the redesigned D Series, though it came from the hood ornament used in the 1930s and 1940s trucks.

Dodge Ram trucks have been named Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year twice. The second-generation Ram won the award in 1994, and the third-generation Ram Heavy Duty won the award for 2003.

The Ram is built at Saltillo Truck Assembly in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, Saint Louis Assembly North in Fenton, Missouri, and Warren Truck Assembly in Warren, Michigan.

1981 to 1993: The 'D' Trucks

See also Dodge Ramcharger

The first-generation Ram trucks, introduced in 1981, kept the previous generation's model designations: "D" meant rear wheel drive while the "W" Power Ram meant four wheel drive. Like fellow domestic manufacturer Ford, Dodge used 150 to mean a half-ton truck, 250 to indicate a ¾-ton, and 350 for one-tons. Standard cab, "Club" extended cab, and crew cab versions were offered along with 6.5 ft and 8 ft bed lengths and "Utiline" and "Sweptline" styled boxes. Externally, the first-generation Rams were facelifted versions of the previous generation Dodge D Series pickups (known as the Adventurer) that dated back to 1972. The "new" model introduced full-height wraparound taillights, square headlights, and body lines and grill that were less rounded.

100 models were added for 1984, replacing the previous "Miser" trim on low-output manual transmission Slant-6 trucks. A "Ram-Trac" shift-on-the-fly transfer case was added for 1985, and both the crew cab and Utiline flared bed were dropped for 1986. Also for 1986, a new crosshair grille appeared. The 5.2 L engine received electronic fuel injection in 1988.

The engines were updated for 1989. The Slant-6 was dropped in favor of a 3.9 L fuel injected V6 with 25% more power. The 5.9 L V8 also received fuel injection that year for 20 hp (15 kW) more power. Rear anti-lock brakes were also made standard.

The Ram 100 models were renamed "150S" for 1990, and the exterior was redesigned the next year. The engines were substantially upgraded for 1992 (3.9L and 5.2L) and 1993 (5.9) with multiport fuel injection and new manifolds and cylinder heads for much higher output. These motors recived the "Magnum" designation to differentiate them from the motors they had replaced.

The D Series trucks sold poorly compared to the Ford F-Series and the General Motors C/K Trucks, with just under 100,000 units sold most years of their production.

B-Series Cummins arrives

A Cummins turbodiesel option was added for big (400 ft.lbf / 542 Nm) torque needs. This engine, part of the Cummins B Series, is the largest straight-6 engine ever produced for a passenger vehicle. These early B Series engines have been known to go 350,000 miles before their first overhaul.

Engines

1994 to 2001: The 'BR/BE' Trucks

The Ram line was redesigned for 1994 and was an instant hit. It featured a semi truck-look front end with separate fenders and an oversized grille; but it was the 8.0 L V10 engine and its 450 ft.lbf (610 Nm) of torque that was noticed by serious users. Models were now the 1500 (half-ton), 2500 (¾-ton), and 3500 (one-ton).

A natural gas version of the 5.2 L engine debuted for 1995. In 1998, Dodge introduced the "Quad-Cab", which used rear-hinged pillarless doors in the back for a wide cab opening. The Cummins ISB engine, introduced in 1999, was an unusual multi-valve pushrod engine.

The redesigned 1994 Ram was a tremendous sales success, with sales rocketing from 100,000 units in 1993 to 240,000 in 1994, 280,000 in 1995, and nearly 400,000 in 1996. Sales of this generation peaked at just over 400,000 in 1999 before declining against the redesigned Ford and GM trucks, which utilized some of the Ram's design elements. By 2001, the Ram was back to 350,000 sales.

Engines

2002 to 2007: The 'DR' Trucks

The third-generation Ram debuted for 2002. This represented a major update including all new frame, suspension, power teams, interiors, and sheetmetal. It included an even larger grille, and special models kept interest up as most competitors had adopted the Ram's separate-fender look. The Cummins ISB Diesel was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2004. The four wheel drive light duty trucks (1500 series) lost their live axles in trade for an independent front suspension, but the heavy duty (2500 and 3500 series) retained the live axles for maximum durability and load capacity.

The redesigned DR trucks reignited sales, with 400,000 sold in 2002 and nearly 450,000 sold in 2003, a new high point for the Ram name. At the same time, both Ford and GM trucks were declining from a 2001 peak over 900,000 to the 850,000 area. But the Ram's sales could not keep up with the eleventh-generation F-150 and the strong Nissan Titan in 2004 and 2005, with 400,543 Rams sold that year. The Toyota Tundra had never posed much of a threat, but a much larger 2007 model may erode Dodge sales further.

Special Rams

• SRT-10 This version is a regular or quad-cab body with the Dodge Viper's V10 engine, massive Pirelli 22" rimmed tires, custom lowered suspension, unique bucket seats, full body kit, and a spoiler. The 2004 version was available only in a single cab with a 6 speed manual transmission with a Hurst shifter. For 2005, Dodge debuted a Quad Cab version of the Viper V10 powered truck. It now has a 48RE four speed auto transmission that was taken from the Heavy Duty Rams with the Cummins engine. In 2004, the truck won the Guinness record of "World's Fastest Production Pickup Truck" of 154.587mph (247,3 km/h).[1] This record stood until bettered by the Australian, El Camino-inspired, Holden Special Vehicles Maloo R8 in May 2006^{citation needed]}. SRT-10 production ended on June 30, 2006. It is rumored that the SRT-10 will eventually be replaced by an SRT-8 model featuring a larger displacement Hemi-powered V8.
• Power Wagon - Introduced for 2005, the Power Wagon is an off-road focused version of the Ram. This model takes its name from Dodge's Power Wagon line of work trucks made from 1946 until 1980. It comes with the 5.7L Hemi engine, locking differentials, disconnecting anti-roll bars, oversized off-road tires, winch, fender flares, and "Power Wagon" nameplates instead of the standard Ram badging.
• Rumble Bee - The Rumble Bee is a limited edition sport-truck edition of the Hemi Ram. It was only available on regular cab/short-box pickups and included lower body cladding, 20in wheels, a hood scoop, upgraded exhaust and a specially-trimmed interior including a serialized number plate. On the rear of the box was a stripe with a "Rumble Bee" picture, meant to be reminiscent of the Super Bee. All Rumble Bees were either black with yellow trim or yellow with black trim.
• HemiSport - The HemiSport Edition was the Quad Cab version of the Rumble Bee, and was introduced in 2004. It was available in black, red or silver, and with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. It was equipped similarly to the Rumble Bee, but without the number plaque. The HemiSport was discontinued for 2006.
• Daytona - Introduced for 2005, the Ram Daytona is a new sport-truck edition of the Hemi Ram. It is available in Regular or Quad-Cab styles and features lower body cladding, 20in chrome wheels, SRT-10 hood, Borla dual exhaust, serialized number plate, and a tall rear spoiler reminescent of the famous Dodge Charger Daytona from the late 1960s. The Daytonas have a black body stripe to match the rear spoiler and come in Silver or "Go Mango" paint with matching interior trim.
• GTX - In 2004-2005, this package was very similar to the Rumble Bee in that it shared the Hemi engine, unique 20" wheels, hood scoop and specially-trimmed interior, but didn't have the lower body cladding and the stripes were different. These were available in Mango Green, Hemi Orange and Plum Crazy Purple, all with black tonneau cover and unique black-accented stripes and decals. In 2004 this was available only in a standard cab but a Quad Cab version became available in 2005. It was discontinued for 2006.

Hybrid

Dodge announced a mild hybrid version of the Ram, dubbed the Contractor's Special, in 2003. However, the schedule for delivery slipped as Dodge backed away from the vehicle. The press currently reports that the hybrid Ram will be available only for fleet purchasers and will not enter mass production. It offered an AC electrical outlet panel for running an entire jobsite worth of power tools.

Engines

2006 to date: The 'DR/DH' Refresh

The 2006 Dodge Ram is an updated version of the previous generation. One notable addition is the Mega Cab, featuring a 6-foot cargo box and 20 inches of extra cab space, allowing seating for six with rear recliners. Also, a full screen mapping in-dash navigation system is now an option.

Another change that was instituted in the mid-2005 model year, was the replacement of the first version 5.7L Hemi V8 with the newer Multi-Displacement System Hemi V8 engine that was already available in Chrysler and Dodge sedans. This engine features the same performance but has a cylinder-deactivating feature enabled under light loads to increase fuel economy.

References

• A Dodge Ram History. Edmunds.com. Retrieved on April 8, 2005.

External links

• Dodge.com Official Dodge Website
• DodgeTalk.com Online resource for Dodge enthusiasts
• DodgeTruckWorld.com Forum dedicated specifically to Dodge trucks and their derivatives
• HemiTruckClub.com Site dedicated specifically to the 2003 and later Hemi-powered Ram pickups.
• Dodge Ram and other trucks (extensive coverage at allpar)
• Review: 2006 Dodge Mega Cab 2500 4×4 Laramie Driving the Dodge Ram in everyday use.