Dodge Ram History
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The Ram (previously known as Dodge Ram) is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by Chrysler. While the automaker had offered pickup trucks before the 1980s, the Ram name first appeared in that decade--and would also appear on the Ramcharger full-size SUV. Today's Ram is among the best of its kind, with powerful V-8 engines, good ride quality from an independent front suspension, and an especially well-executed interior that's a magnitude better than the cabins even in some Chrysler sedans. The usual variety of body, bed, and drivetrains are offered. The Ram competes with the Ford F-150 and the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra twins, with less worry coming from the big Japanese trucks--the Toyota Tundra and the Nissan Titan.
The name Ram was first used in 1981 on the redesigned Ram and Power Ram, though it came from the hood ornament used on 1930s and '40s Dodge vehicles. These trucks offered the usual choice of standard, extended and crew cab bodies; two bed lengths; and rear- or four-wheel drive. Chrysler's venerable slant-six engine powered base versions, and two V-8 engines were offered for more utility applications. An automatic-locking four-wheel-drive system came to the Ram in the late 1980s, and a Cummins diesel engine gave the Dodge pickup an edge for some buyers, over the competitive domestic trucks.
The Ram was a distant third in the truck sales derby until the second-generation versions rolled out in 1994. With a new shape borrowed from 18-wheelers, the newly macho Ram got a leg up on the GM and Ford trucks. Within a decade, sales tripled. The new truck wasn't just good-looking--it came fully up to date with two body styles, two bed lengths, available four-wheel drive, manual and automatic transmissions, a heavy-duty edition, and a truly expansive engine lineup that would eventually include V-6, V-8 and V-10 engine options, with a Cummins diesel thrown in for good measure. The V-10 engine was an offshoot of the powerplant developed for the Dodge Viper. This Ram's interior beat its rivals for functionality--big knobs, big buttons and big cupholders ruled the dash and console.
The modern era for the Dodge Ram began in 2002, with the introduction of a new light-duty Ram 1500. (Heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 versions appeared a year later.) The 2002 Ram went big for emphasis: the grille and fenders grew larger, and new Quad Cab four-door and MegaCab four-door versions gave the Ram extravagant usefulness--though parking in urban construction areas challenged even the sharpest contractor. Styling remained close to the prior Ram's smashing looks, and the drivetrain lineup kept its course--with even larger-displacement V-10 and V-6 engines flanking the newly reborn HEMI V-8. A spectacularly absurd Ram SRT8 performance truck bowed in 2002, and went out of production in 2004. Sales of the Ram continued to boom through a 2006 facelift--that despite the arrival of a new Toyota Tundra and the new Nissan Titan, not to mention new versions of the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra and Ford F-150. A new Cummins turbodiesel arrived late in this model cycle, as did cylinder-deactivation technology, which helped the Ram sip a little less fuel.
While Chrysler divorced Daimler, and went in and out of the Cerberus hedge-fund family and into bankruptcy, Chrysler still managed to design and produce a new version of the Ram. Introduced in 2009, the latest Ram is widely considered to be the best yet, and among the best choices in the segment. Mechanically similar to the previous version, the newest Ram is somewhat less aggressive looking than before--but still the best-looking full-size pickup, inside and out. The interior's particularly nice among trucks and among Chrysler products in general. Again, three body styles, two bed lengths, and a wide spectrum of drivetrains define the Dodge Ram 1500 lineup. The standout: the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 Ram with the five-speed automatic and available four-wheel drive, which can be fitted quite luxuriously in Laramie trim. The long-promised hybrid edition's still in the future, as is a new Cummins diesel Ram, but the Ram lineup has flex-fuel options. The interior remains the class of the class, with functional storage areas built below the rear seats in Crew Cab versions. The pickup bed also offers "RamBox" storage bins built into the fenders.
In late 2009, Chrysler entered an alliance with Italy's Fiat Group. As a result, the company plans to split off the Ram trucks into a new Ram brand. For now, we're keeping the truck in the Dodge family--until we're convinced the switchover will hold.
