Dodge first started producing trucks in 1917, yet the Ram name wasn’t introduced until 1981. Just think of it this way, Dodge had 64 years of perfecting the truck before they introduced the Ram. Let’s take a quick look to see how the Dodge Ram has progressed over the years.
First off, Dodge used the letters “D” and “W” and the numbers “150”, “250”, and “350” to describe their models offered for the Ram. “D” stood for two-wheel-drive trucks and “W” for four-wheel-drive trucks. The numbers after the letter showed what the truck was rated to haul: 150 for half a ton, 250 for three-quarters a ton and 350 meant the truck could haul one ton. So, for example, a Dodge Ram D150 signified a two-wheel-drive, half-ton pickup.
In 1981, the Dodge Ram made some big changes. Dodge said goodbye to the 3.7-liter and hello to the 3.9-liter V6 sporting fuel injection with 125 horsepower. Later, the 5.9-liter V8 became the newest sensation, putting out 190 horsepower.
1983 Dodge Ram
In 1992, the horsepower of the 3.0-liter made a huge jump from 125 to 180; the 5.9-liter went from 190 to 230, further solidifying the Ram name.
1993 was the last year of this generation Ram and in 1994 Dodge promised some exciting things from the new generation Rams. Combining the tough looks you’d expect from a truck, a spacious interior, and a strong work rate, the Ram lived up to its expectations. The labels of the Ram changed to 1500 (half a ton), 2500 (three-quarters a ton) and 3500 (one ton). Dodge even changed the trims to be the Work Special, LT, ST and luxurious Laramie SLT.
According to Used Truck Puyallup, the engines of the Ram varied; the base model came standard with a 3.9-liter, 175-horsepower V6, followed by a 5.2-liter, 220-horsepower V8. After that you could find a couple of 5.9-liter, 230-horsepower V8s (one labeled as heavy duty), a 5.9-liter Cummins Turbodiesel with either a manual transmission or an automatic. The manual transmission came with 175 hp and 420 ft-lbs of torque whereas the automatic came standard with 160 horsepower and 400 ft-lbs of torque. That same year, Dodge was thrilled to announce the new V10, boasting 300 hp and 450 ft.-lbs. of torque. This model finally made the Dodge Ram the most powerful gas engine available in a pickup. All that power has made Ram a popular choice with people who tow boats, big and small, Boat New York says.
The Club Cab was introduced in 1995, and in 1997 Dodge continued to prove their determination in the luxury category with the introduction of leather seating and woodgrain door trim in the Laramie SLT, keyless and illuminated entry, a stereo with both CD and cassette decks, and lastly a deep-tint quarter windows for Club Cab models.
1997 Dodge Ram
The second generation Dodge Ram came to a close in 2001 and in 2002, the third generation Dodge Ram seemed to combine the best qualities of the second generation Ram with new advancements. Dodge actually made quite an effort to cater to every person’s needs. They offered two different cab styles – the regular cab or Quad – two different bed lengths – 6.3 feet and 8 feet – and three different trims – the base level ST, the mid-level SLT, and lastly the luxurious SLT Plus. So, you might be asking, what about the engine changes? Well the new advancements were the 3.7-liter V6, the 4.7-liter V8, and the 5.9-liter V8. Impressive, right?
2004 Dodge Ram
The year 2004 was big for technological advancements as Dodge welcomed Bluetooth compatibility to their trucks followed by a power sunroof and Sirius Satellite Radio in 2005. Then one year later, a new navigation system was installed as well as a rear-seat DVD system for the passengers. 2008 marked the end of the third generation but welcomed the next – a present-generation Dodge Ram.
In the past, Dodge worked hard each year to get better and better, and they continue to do so today. The current generation Ram is at its peak performance-wise, and the luxury and technology included is second to none. Choose from a regular cab, an extended (“Quad”) cab and crew cab with the traditional trim levels of the Ram – base ST, midlevel SLT and top of the line Laramie. Improvements have made the Ram a contender in what is an increasingly crowded segment, Dodge Jeep Connecticut says.
Under the hood, the Ram is as powerful as ever. A 5.7-liter Hemi V8 unleashes 390 hp, but don’t worry about fuel economy as the V8 rates the same mpg as the base V6. The interior which includes: “RamBox” (a pair of large built-in compartments atop the bed sides), a rearview parking camera, a navigation system with real-time traffic reporting, Bluetooth, iPod integration, and heated/cooled front seats. Progress is beautiful, isn’t it?
2010 Dodge Ram
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