No One is Telling You the Truth About Dodge Rams, So I Have to
**The Evolution of Dodge Ram Trucks: A Comprehensive History**
### Introduction
The Dodge Ram truck has become a symbol of strength, reliability, and durability in the world of heavy-duty trucks. Known for its impressive performance, especially with the Cummins engine option, 75% of Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 buyers choose this powerful engine for its ability to handle towing effortlessly, even up to 29,000 pounds. This article delves into the rich history of Dodge Ram trucks, tracing their evolution from humble beginnings to becoming a powerhouse in the trucking industry.
### The Early Years: From Bicycles to Automobiles
The story of Dodge begins with two brothers, Horace and John Dodge, who started out making bicycles in Canada in 1896. Horace Dodge received patent number 567,851 for a dirt-repellent bicycle bearing, a concept that is still used in bearings today. Despite their success, the brothers decided to expand their horizons in 1900 by closing their bicycle shop and setting up a workshop to produce mechanical parts for stoves.
However, the Dodge brothers had bigger ambitions. They wanted to build their own automobile and began manufacturing auto parts, including axles, transmissions, and various engine components for cars like the Ford Model T. By 1914, rumors spread that the Dodge brothers were planning to manufacture their own car, and by 1916, Dodge had become one of the most successful companies in North America, producing 70,000 all-steel touring car bodies.
### The Transition to Trucks
By 1917, Dodge began manufacturing trucks. Interestingly, the Dodge logo underwent several changes over the years. In 1962, it consisted of three interlocking triangles called a "fret sog." This logo was used for 20 years until it was replaced by the iconic ram head logo in 1981. The ram symbol was first introduced on Dodge pickups in 1933 and was chosen because it represented strength, reliability, and durability.
### The First Generation: 1981-?
The first generation of Dodge Ram trucks was launched in 1981 with the introduction of the "Ram" name. This marked the beginning of an era where the Ram hood ornament became a defining feature of Dodge pickups. The first generation featured three models: the 150 (half-ton), 250 (three-quarter ton), and 350 (full-ton). Over time, Dodge fitted its trucks with a 5.2-liter V8 engine and later introduced the Cummins B-series diesel engine in the late 1980s.
### The Second Generation: 1994-2001
The second generation of Ram trucks made its debut in 1994, delayed from its original launch in 1991 due to design changes. This new generation was a game-changer, as Dodge introduced the largest full-size pickup with a standard cab on the market. The truck's power was increased, and it came with turbocharged V6 and V8 engines, as well as a 5.9-liter Cummins inline-6 turbo diesel engine. A few models even featured a V10 engine producing 300 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque.
The second generation Ram won the Truck of the Year award in 1994, leading to a significant increase in sales. By 1996, Dodge sold over 411,000 trucks. The changes also affected branding, with the 150 becoming the 1500, and similarly for the 250 and 350 models.
### The Third Generation: 2002-2009
In 2002, the third generation Ram made its debut, featuring improved handling characteristics and advanced technology. The trucks received a new five-speed automatic transmission, keyless remote starting, and stability control options. Sales continued to grow until the recession in 2008, which made it difficult for most Americans to buy expensive trucks.
### The Fourth Generation: 2010-Present
In 2010, Ram became its own independent brand, parting ways with Dodge. Despite this change, buyers seeking power, safety, and durability still turned to Ram trucks. By 2013 and 2014, the Ram had regained its position as a leader in its category and was voted Truck of the Year by Motor Truck.
### The Fifth Generation: 2019-Present
The fifth generation Ram kicked off with the 2019 Ram 1500 pickup, available in seven trim levels. This model featured a weight reduction of 225 pounds compared to its predecessor and introduced the e-Torque system, which provided additional torque for the 5.7-liter HEMI engine. The new UConnect platform with a 12-inch touchscreen display was also introduced.
### Comparing Models: Ram 1500 vs. Ram 2500 vs. Ram 3500
When deciding between the Ram 1500, 2500, or 3500, it's essential to consider your needs. The Ram 1500 is a versatile family truck with air suspension and mild hybrid technology, offering a smoother ride. The Ram 2500 is designed for tougher operating conditions with more power and torque, while the Ram 3500 excels in towing and hauling heavy loads.
### Conclusion
The Dodge Ram truck has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1896. From bicycles to state-of-the-art heavy-duty trucks, Ram has proven itself as a reliable and durable choice for both family and work. Whether you're looking for power, comfort, or versatility, there's a Ram model that suits your lifestyle.
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This article provides a detailed look at the history and evolution of Dodge Ram trucks, highlighting key milestones, engine innovations, and design changes over the years.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enmany people have heard of the cummings power dodge ram today an impressive 75 of the dodge ram 2500 and 3500 buyers choose a cummins engine this powerful engine can handle a 29 000 pound towing effortlessly it was 30 years ago that dodge first fitted its ram trucks with a cummings heavy duty diesel engine and that's when dodge and cummins started a diesel revolution let's rewind a bit and see how ram trucks came to be how they evolved into what we see today and what ram you should buy did you know dodge first started out making bicycles it was started by two brothers in canada in 1896 horace dodge received patent number 567 851 for a dirt repellent bicycle bearing today all bicycle bearings are made with this concept however despite success four years later the brothers decided it was time for a change in 1900 they closed their bicycle shop and set up a workshop for the production of mechanical parts for stoves but the dodge brothers were fired for bigger things they wanted to fulfill their dream and build their own automobile around this time they got busy manufacturing auto parts including parts for the ford model t's axle transmission and various other engine parts pretty much everything except for the body of the car the dodge brothers had a hand in the production of the first mass-produced american car by 1914 rumors began to circulate about the dodge brothers possibly manufacturing a car of their own by that time dodge already had an excellent reputation in the auto world so it came as no surprise that even before the first details of the dodge car were made public more than 22 000 aspiring and influential businessmen applied to open dodge dealerships by 1916 dodge had become one of the most successful companies in north america in just two years it would produce 70 000 all steel touring car bodies and in 1917 the company began manufacturing trucks by the way did you know that in 1962 the dodge logo consisted of three interlocking triangle the geometric shape was called a fret sog they used that logo for 20 years today we recognized the ram head logo the ram symbol first appeared on all dodge pickups in 1933. the company liked this logo because the ram symbolized strength reliability and durability the ram hood ornament was used until the mid-1950s even though there wasn't an official dodge ram truck at the time it wouldn't be until 1981 that dodge pickup trucks actually carried the name ram for the first time and that kicked off the first generation of the ram trucks which came with the revised iconic ram hood ornament the first generation ram was marked by three pickup versions the 150 which carried a half ton the 250 which carried three quarters of a ton and the 350 model was called a full pump a few years later dodge fit its trucks with a 5.2 liter v8 engine which included electronic fuel injection for the first time by the tail end of the first generation a cummins b series diesel engine was added to the 250 and 350 models because of direct injection and turbo charging the dodge ram gained a reputation of being rough and tough in 1994 dodge introduced the all-new second generation ram interesting note about the second generation dodge had originally planned on launching it back in 1991 but company executives at the time felt that the design of the pickup was too simple so the designers went back to the drawing board and returned with a pickup design no one else was off the second generation ram was the largest full-size pickup with a standard cab on the market the truck power was increased and came with the turbocharged v6 and v8 engines and a 5.9 liter cummins in-line 6 turbo diesel a few pickups were even equipped with a v10 that could produce 300 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque this allowed dodge to outflank ford chevy and gmc trucks in fact they won truck of the year award in 1994 which had an immediate impact on sales sales figures more than doubled jumping from ninety five thousand two hundred and thirty two thousand in 1994 in 1996 alone 411 000 trucks were sold the changes also affected the labeling now the 150 half a ton model became known as the 1500 the 250 was now the 2500 in the same way for the 350 became the 3500 it was a simple marketing ploy one which undoubtedly influenced consumer perception with increased payload specs the pickups were now well positioned as a more durable and sturdy offering which impacted sales growth but really the ram's popularity is mostly due to it being just a practical truck dodge underneath several more updates these included the quad cab to make loading and unloading easier it also added rounded mirrors dual airbags a digital odometer and clear lens four beam headlights on a safety front was the first pickup with standard driver side airbag and four-wheel abs for the interior designers for the first time offered ram owners a stylish faux wood trim a cd slash cassette player and leather seat in 2002 the third generation of ram made its debut and initially it was received very well this generation saw improved handling characteristics and advanced technology the fuel efficiency of the v6 and v8 rams had also been improved with the new five-speed automatic transmission the trucks also received keyless remote starting and a new option for stability control between 2002 and 2003 sales continued to grow with 450 000 ram pickups being sold that was until the recession made it difficult if not impossible for most americans to buy an expensive truck in fact sales then began to drop off and decline the fourth generation ram became its own independent brand that's because in 2010 it was announced that dodge and ram would part ways but still buyers who were looking for power safety and durability found that they were looking from the ram truck in 2013 and 14 the ram had once again taken the lead in this category and was voted car of the year by motor truck so we can now see how ram trucks went from being the good old american workhouse to being a family car one that was both durable and reliable with a touch of sophistication the fifth generation ram kicked off with the 2019 ram 1500 pickup it was presented in seven trim levels compared to the previous 11 but offered new features it could now carry up to 2300 pounds tow 12 750 pounds the total weight reduction of 225 pounds over the previous generation ram offered an option for the 1500 e-torque the e-torque coupled the belt-driven alternator and battery pack to provide momentary torque and energy regeneration up to 130 foot pounds of increased torque output for the 5.7 liter hemi engine ram also introduced a new uconnect platform with a 12-inch touchscreen display the largest in its class at the time let's say you're deciding between 2021 ram 1500 versus the 2500. first off they're both outstanding full-size pickups both the 2021 ram 1500 and ram 2500 are capable of handling heavy workloads but the ram 2500 has been specifically designed for more towing and tough operating conditions we can see that when we look under the hood the 2021 ram 1500 truck is powered by a 3.6 liter v6 engine puts out 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque versus the 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque of the ram 2500 with its 6.4 liter v8 hemi engine the ram 2500 is also available with the 6.7 liter cummins in line 6 turbocharged diesel with 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque clearly the larger ram 2500 is rated for pure power and performance while the 1500s engine is more suitable for being a heavy-duty pickup truck and a family car at the same time when looking at towing ability the 2021 ram 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of 12 750 pounds and a maximum payload of 2 320 pounds the 2500 on the other hand can carry up to 4 000 10 pounds and pull up to 19 780 pounds all this is thanks to an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive so when it comes to harsh environments the power of the ram 2500 is exactly what you need but the ram 1500 it's a truck that can offer a better and smoother ride because of the air springs it is air suspension on all four wheels which anyone could surely appreciate on the road whether you're loaded or not and the optional system has five levels of height to facilitate entry and exit off-road obviously the one that suits your lifestyle is better if you're looking at neck to neck between the 20 21 ram 1500 ram 2500 here's something worth considering as far as the 1500 is concerned its advantage over the 2500 includes options like the ram trx with calcad engine mild hybrid engine technology and fuel economy and pneumatic suspension at four corners the 2500 on the other hand has advantages like its v8 hemi which comes standard of the cummings turbo diesel option also it has a larger payload and towing capacity and it's pricing this reasonable price for truck that size let's look at the sticker price of the two trucks i'd say there are several points worth paying attention to the ram 1500 is more affordable and less expensive of the two however they both carry the same basic warranty of three years and 36 000 miles now if your need isn't a truck for the family but solely for work let's compare the bigger models against each other the ram 2500 versus the ram 3500 the 2500 pickup comes with a 6.4 liter hemi v8 standard 3500 is fitted with a 6.7 liter inline cummings turbo diesel although the ram 3500 seems to have less power than the ram 2500 that's 370 horsepower for the cummings versus 410 horsepower for the hemi v8 gasoline engine it is with the torque where the two diverge a lot the 2500 has 429 pound-feet of torque while the ram 3500 delivers 850 pound-feet of torque it's clear that the towing capacity of the ram 2500 and 3500 are significantly different the 3500 can easily provide 34 480 pounds of tall compared to 19 780 pounds for the 2500 the same is true for each in terms of lifting capacity the ram 3500 has a maximum payload of 7 050 pounds while the 2500 offers no more than 4 000 pounds so as you can see the towing capacity seems to be the biggest difference when comparing the ram 2500 and 3500 so if you're looking for a comfortable but heavy-duty truck you probably should give the ram 2500 a look but if your priority is hauling and towing heavy loads then it might be worth investing the extra money for a ram 3500 as far as cost the ram 2500 starts a bit under 37 000 while the ram 3500 starts a bit over 38 000. but now you tell me which do you like the most the ram 1500 2500 or 3500 please comment below and share your experience if you enjoyed the video like it and subscribe to my channel thanks for your support youmany people have heard of the cummings power dodge ram today an impressive 75 of the dodge ram 2500 and 3500 buyers choose a cummins engine this powerful engine can handle a 29 000 pound towing effortlessly it was 30 years ago that dodge first fitted its ram trucks with a cummings heavy duty diesel engine and that's when dodge and cummins started a diesel revolution let's rewind a bit and see how ram trucks came to be how they evolved into what we see today and what ram you should buy did you know dodge first started out making bicycles it was started by two brothers in canada in 1896 horace dodge received patent number 567 851 for a dirt repellent bicycle bearing today all bicycle bearings are made with this concept however despite success four years later the brothers decided it was time for a change in 1900 they closed their bicycle shop and set up a workshop for the production of mechanical parts for stoves but the dodge brothers were fired for bigger things they wanted to fulfill their dream and build their own automobile around this time they got busy manufacturing auto parts including parts for the ford model t's axle transmission and various other engine parts pretty much everything except for the body of the car the dodge brothers had a hand in the production of the first mass-produced american car by 1914 rumors began to circulate about the dodge brothers possibly manufacturing a car of their own by that time dodge already had an excellent reputation in the auto world so it came as no surprise that even before the first details of the dodge car were made public more than 22 000 aspiring and influential businessmen applied to open dodge dealerships by 1916 dodge had become one of the most successful companies in north america in just two years it would produce 70 000 all steel touring car bodies and in 1917 the company began manufacturing trucks by the way did you know that in 1962 the dodge logo consisted of three interlocking triangle the geometric shape was called a fret sog they used that logo for 20 years today we recognized the ram head logo the ram symbol first appeared on all dodge pickups in 1933. the company liked this logo because the ram symbolized strength reliability and durability the ram hood ornament was used until the mid-1950s even though there wasn't an official dodge ram truck at the time it wouldn't be until 1981 that dodge pickup trucks actually carried the name ram for the first time and that kicked off the first generation of the ram trucks which came with the revised iconic ram hood ornament the first generation ram was marked by three pickup versions the 150 which carried a half ton the 250 which carried three quarters of a ton and the 350 model was called a full pump a few years later dodge fit its trucks with a 5.2 liter v8 engine which included electronic fuel injection for the first time by the tail end of the first generation a cummins b series diesel engine was added to the 250 and 350 models because of direct injection and turbo charging the dodge ram gained a reputation of being rough and tough in 1994 dodge introduced the all-new second generation ram interesting note about the second generation dodge had originally planned on launching it back in 1991 but company executives at the time felt that the design of the pickup was too simple so the designers went back to the drawing board and returned with a pickup design no one else was off the second generation ram was the largest full-size pickup with a standard cab on the market the truck power was increased and came with the turbocharged v6 and v8 engines and a 5.9 liter cummins in-line 6 turbo diesel a few pickups were even equipped with a v10 that could produce 300 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque this allowed dodge to outflank ford chevy and gmc trucks in fact they won truck of the year award in 1994 which had an immediate impact on sales sales figures more than doubled jumping from ninety five thousand two hundred and thirty two thousand in 1994 in 1996 alone 411 000 trucks were sold the changes also affected the labeling now the 150 half a ton model became known as the 1500 the 250 was now the 2500 in the same way for the 350 became the 3500 it was a simple marketing ploy one which undoubtedly influenced consumer perception with increased payload specs the pickups were now well positioned as a more durable and sturdy offering which impacted sales growth but really the ram's popularity is mostly due to it being just a practical truck dodge underneath several more updates these included the quad cab to make loading and unloading easier it also added rounded mirrors dual airbags a digital odometer and clear lens four beam headlights on a safety front was the first pickup with standard driver side airbag and four-wheel abs for the interior designers for the first time offered ram owners a stylish faux wood trim a cd slash cassette player and leather seat in 2002 the third generation of ram made its debut and initially it was received very well this generation saw improved handling characteristics and advanced technology the fuel efficiency of the v6 and v8 rams had also been improved with the new five-speed automatic transmission the trucks also received keyless remote starting and a new option for stability control between 2002 and 2003 sales continued to grow with 450 000 ram pickups being sold that was until the recession made it difficult if not impossible for most americans to buy an expensive truck in fact sales then began to drop off and decline the fourth generation ram became its own independent brand that's because in 2010 it was announced that dodge and ram would part ways but still buyers who were looking for power safety and durability found that they were looking from the ram truck in 2013 and 14 the ram had once again taken the lead in this category and was voted car of the year by motor truck so we can now see how ram trucks went from being the good old american workhouse to being a family car one that was both durable and reliable with a touch of sophistication the fifth generation ram kicked off with the 2019 ram 1500 pickup it was presented in seven trim levels compared to the previous 11 but offered new features it could now carry up to 2300 pounds tow 12 750 pounds the total weight reduction of 225 pounds over the previous generation ram offered an option for the 1500 e-torque the e-torque coupled the belt-driven alternator and battery pack to provide momentary torque and energy regeneration up to 130 foot pounds of increased torque output for the 5.7 liter hemi engine ram also introduced a new uconnect platform with a 12-inch touchscreen display the largest in its class at the time let's say you're deciding between 2021 ram 1500 versus the 2500. first off they're both outstanding full-size pickups both the 2021 ram 1500 and ram 2500 are capable of handling heavy workloads but the ram 2500 has been specifically designed for more towing and tough operating conditions we can see that when we look under the hood the 2021 ram 1500 truck is powered by a 3.6 liter v6 engine puts out 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque versus the 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque of the ram 2500 with its 6.4 liter v8 hemi engine the ram 2500 is also available with the 6.7 liter cummins in line 6 turbocharged diesel with 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque clearly the larger ram 2500 is rated for pure power and performance while the 1500s engine is more suitable for being a heavy-duty pickup truck and a family car at the same time when looking at towing ability the 2021 ram 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of 12 750 pounds and a maximum payload of 2 320 pounds the 2500 on the other hand can carry up to 4 000 10 pounds and pull up to 19 780 pounds all this is thanks to an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive so when it comes to harsh environments the power of the ram 2500 is exactly what you need but the ram 1500 it's a truck that can offer a better and smoother ride because of the air springs it is air suspension on all four wheels which anyone could surely appreciate on the road whether you're loaded or not and the optional system has five levels of height to facilitate entry and exit off-road obviously the one that suits your lifestyle is better if you're looking at neck to neck between the 20 21 ram 1500 ram 2500 here's something worth considering as far as the 1500 is concerned its advantage over the 2500 includes options like the ram trx with calcad engine mild hybrid engine technology and fuel economy and pneumatic suspension at four corners the 2500 on the other hand has advantages like its v8 hemi which comes standard of the cummings turbo diesel option also it has a larger payload and towing capacity and it's pricing this reasonable price for truck that size let's look at the sticker price of the two trucks i'd say there are several points worth paying attention to the ram 1500 is more affordable and less expensive of the two however they both carry the same basic warranty of three years and 36 000 miles now if your need isn't a truck for the family but solely for work let's compare the bigger models against each other the ram 2500 versus the ram 3500 the 2500 pickup comes with a 6.4 liter hemi v8 standard 3500 is fitted with a 6.7 liter inline cummings turbo diesel although the ram 3500 seems to have less power than the ram 2500 that's 370 horsepower for the cummings versus 410 horsepower for the hemi v8 gasoline engine it is with the torque where the two diverge a lot the 2500 has 429 pound-feet of torque while the ram 3500 delivers 850 pound-feet of torque it's clear that the towing capacity of the ram 2500 and 3500 are significantly different the 3500 can easily provide 34 480 pounds of tall compared to 19 780 pounds for the 2500 the same is true for each in terms of lifting capacity the ram 3500 has a maximum payload of 7 050 pounds while the 2500 offers no more than 4 000 pounds so as you can see the towing capacity seems to be the biggest difference when comparing the ram 2500 and 3500 so if you're looking for a comfortable but heavy-duty truck you probably should give the ram 2500 a look but if your priority is hauling and towing heavy loads then it might be worth investing the extra money for a ram 3500 as far as cost the ram 2500 starts a bit under 37 000 while the ram 3500 starts a bit over 38 000. but now you tell me which do you like the most the ram 1500 2500 or 3500 please comment below and share your experience if you enjoyed the video like it and subscribe to my channel thanks for your support you\n"