Photo: Ram
The Dodge D and W series were successful back in the good ol’ days, but in the early 1980s, the higher-ups and marketing boffins decided on the Ram nameplate for these pickup trucks. The first-generation Ram entered production in 1981 with the Slant inline-six engine under the hood, but the big-rig design we all know and love had to wait until 1993.
Development of the second generation started in 1986, inspired by the Louisville Slugger concept but ultimately different from both the one-off pickup truck and the original Ram. Sporting six-, eight-, and ten-cylinder engines from the Magnum family and Cummins, this workhorse stood out from the crowd thanks to its styling, premium appointments, and the Magnum V10 engine. But the story doesn’t conclude here….
Dodge premiered the third generation at the 2001 Chicago Auto Show in February, which was better in every way compared to the preceding model. One of the biggest changes came in the guise of independent front suspension instead of a live axle for the 1500 light-duty pickup, followed on a close second by rack-and-pinion steering. The 2006 model year debuted the Mega Cab, and who could forget the SRT-10 with the Viper’s 8.3-liter engine?
The fourth generation entered the scene in 2008 in Detroit under the Dodge brand, but one year later, Ram Trucks was separated from Dodge. October 2019 marks the 10th anniversary of the spin-off, transforming Ram into the commercial vehicles division of the Chrysler group.
"Since becoming a distinct brand ten years ago, Ram has had the benefit of being able to focus solely on trucks and commercial vehicles, allowing us to build the best vehicles possible for our customers,” said head honcho Reid Bigland. “We expect Ram’s momentum to continue, and we feel optimistic that we’re making the right moves, at the right time, to attract buyers.”
Given that Ram and Jeep are extremely profitable for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in North America, the future looks bright for the brand specialized in trucks and vans. What’s more, the Rebel TR and Rebel TRX are in the pipeline with a big-block V8 and the Hellcat supercharged V8 engines.
The latest redesign burst onto the scene in 2018 for the 2019 model year, bringing mild-hybrid technology to the light-duty segment for both the Pentastar V6 and HEMI V8 options. Previous-gen trucks continue to be offered for 2020 as an alternative to mid-sizers such as the Ford Ranger, and not long now, Ram Trucks is set to bring back the Dakota.
Dodge premiered the third generation at the 2001 Chicago Auto Show in February, which was better in every way compared to the preceding model. One of the biggest changes came in the guise of independent front suspension instead of a live axle for the 1500 light-duty pickup, followed on a close second by rack-and-pinion steering. The 2006 model year debuted the Mega Cab, and who could forget the SRT-10 with the Viper’s 8.3-liter engine?
The fourth generation entered the scene in 2008 in Detroit under the Dodge brand, but one year later, Ram Trucks was separated from Dodge. October 2019 marks the 10th anniversary of the spin-off, transforming Ram into the commercial vehicles division of the Chrysler group.
"Since becoming a distinct brand ten years ago, Ram has had the benefit of being able to focus solely on trucks and commercial vehicles, allowing us to build the best vehicles possible for our customers,” said head honcho Reid Bigland. “We expect Ram’s momentum to continue, and we feel optimistic that we’re making the right moves, at the right time, to attract buyers.”
Given that Ram and Jeep are extremely profitable for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in North America, the future looks bright for the brand specialized in trucks and vans. What’s more, the Rebel TR and Rebel TRX are in the pipeline with a big-block V8 and the Hellcat supercharged V8 engines.
The latest redesign burst onto the scene in 2018 for the 2019 model year, bringing mild-hybrid technology to the light-duty segment for both the Pentastar V6 and HEMI V8 options. Previous-gen trucks continue to be offered for 2020 as an alternative to mid-sizers such as the Ford Ranger, and not long now, Ram Trucks is set to bring back the Dakota.
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