Dodge-Ram

Dodge-Ram

The Ram (formerly the Dodge Ram) is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by the Chrysler Group LLC. As of 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 as well as B-series vans. The truck is named for the Ram hood ornament that first appeared on Dodge vehicles in 1933. The Ram Truck is in its fourth generation as of the 2009 model 

 The Dodge Ram 1500, Dodge Ram Mega Cab, Dodge Ram 2500/3500, DX Chassis Cab (Mexico Market), Dodge Ram 4500/5500 are built in Chrysler's Saltillo Assembly Plant in Coahuila, Mexico; the Dodge Ram 1500 and Dodge Dakota are 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.

For 1989, the 5.9 L V8 also received throttle body fuel injection for a 20 hp (15 kW) gain. Rear ABS also became standard equipment. Additionally, Dodge introduced a new overdrive automatic transmission for reduced fuel consumption. This light-duty transmission was designated the A500, and was offered with the 3.9 L V6 and 5.2 L V8. An "O/D Off" pushbutton switch to lock out the overdrive 4th gear was added to the message center. The A727 automatic saw continued use for heavy duty applications.
The grille was redesigned for 1991 but kept the large rectangular headlamps and crossbar appearance. The engines were substantially upgraded for 1992 (3.9L and 5.2L) and 1993 (5.9) with multi-port fuel injection, new manifolds and higher compression cylinder heads for noticeably higher output. These newly revised engines were marketed under the "Magnum" name. A heavy-duty overdrive Torqueflite automatic transmission called the A518 was offered with the 5.2 L and 5.9 L engines. As part of Chrysler's overhaul of corporate transmission nomenclature, the A500 and A518 were redesignated 42RH and 46RH, respectively, in 1992. The initial "4" signified a 4-speed transmission, the second digit identified the transmission's relative torque capacity, the letter "R" in the third position denoted a rear-wheel drive transmission, and the final letter "H" signified hydraulic shift control. The 3-speed automatic remained available; the A727 was redesignated 36RH, and the A904, A998, and A999 became the 30RH, 31RH, and 32RH. During this time, Dodge reintroduced the Club Cab, which was equipped with fold-out jump seats. Entry was made through the passenger or drivers doors as there were no rear doors for this configuration.

The heavy hitters from Dodge come to market with the same brash appearance as its light-duty sibling, but with a lot more attitude. Available in 2500 and 3500 series, the heavy-duty Ram trucks will be offered in numerous combinations of the following: regular or quad cab; short or long bed; two- or four-wheel drive; single or dual rear wheels. Three powerplants will be offered: a 5.7-liter Hemi Magnum V-8—featuring hemispherical combustion chambers—producing 345 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 365 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm; an 8.0-liter Magnum V-10 generating 305 horsepower at 4000 rpm and 450 lb-ft of torque at 2800 rpm; and a 5.9-liter Cummins turbodiesel that, depending on transmission and state emissions, puts out between 250-350 horsepower at 2700-2900 rpm and 460-555 lb-ft of torque at 1400 rpm. Available transmissions include five- and six-speed manuals, and four- and five-speed automatics.