The Ram (previously known as the Dodge Ram in the United States and Canada, and still known as being manufactured by Dodge outside the U.S and Canada) is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by the Chrysler Group LLC. As of late 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. The truck is named for the Ram hood ornament that first adorned Dodge cars in the 1930s. The Ram Truck is in its fourth generation as of the 2009 model year. Dodge Ram trucks have been named Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year three times; the second-generation Ram won the award in 1994, the third-generation Ram Heavy Duty won the award in 2003, and the fourth-generation Dodge Ram Heavy Duty won in 2010. The Ram is currently built at the Saltillo Truck Assembly in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico and at the Warren Truck Assembly in Warren, Michigan, United States.
The first-generation Ram trucks, named for the Ram hood ornament that first graced Dodge cars in the 1930s, was introduced in 1981. Dodge kept the previous generation's model designations: "D" or Ram meant two wheel drive while the "W" or Power Ram meant four wheel drive. Similar to Ford, Dodge used 150 to indicate a half-ton truck, 250 for a three-quarter-ton, and 350 for one-tons. Standard cab, "Club" extended cab, and crew cab versions were offered along with 6.5 ft (2.0 m) and 8 ft (2.4 m) bed lengths and "Utiline" and "Sweptline" styled boxes. Externally, the first-generation Rams were facelifted versions of the previous generation Dodge D-Series pickups introduced in 1972. The new model introduced larger wraparound tail lamps, single rectangular headlamps, and squared-off body lines. The interior was updated and included a newer style bench seat, and a completely new dashboard and instrument cluster. Available engines for these trucks were the 225 cu in (3.7 L) slant six, the 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8, and the 360 cu in (5.9 L) V8 with a variety of carburetors available for each engine. Among the other options offered on the Ram were front bumper guards, a sliding rear cab window, power door locks and windows, and a plowing package for the 4-wheel drive version (referred to as the Sno Commander).
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 1994-2001 models a "poor" rating, for poor structural performance, poor dummy control, and high head and neck forces caused by a late-deploying airbag. No full-sized pickup from an American automaker earned better than a "marginal" during this time period.Transmissions for the Ram were the lower geared A500/42RH-RE for light duty applications found behind the 3.9 L V6, the A518/46RH-RE for more heavy duty applications found behind the 5.2 L and 5.9 L V8 engines, and the A618/47RH-RE for heavy duty use behind the V10 gasoline and Cummins diesel engines. The 47RH was used in 1994 and 1995 model years, while the 47RE was used from 1996 through 2002. A NV3500 was offered in 1500 Rams and light duty 2500 Rams. A NV4500 was standard in 2500 and 3500 trucks (except the uncommon, light duty 2500 rams). A NV5600 was offered in 2000 Rams and was the only transmission offered behind the High Output diesel in 2001 and 2002.There were a total of 5 transfer cases for the four wheel drive Ram. All were part time and had a low range of 2.72:1. The 1500 featured a NP231 and NP231HD. The NP241 was standard on V8 2500 Rams. The 2500 and 3500 V10 and Diesel featured a NP241DLD from 1994-1997. In 1997 the NP241DHD became a option for all 2500 Rams and was standard on 3500 Rams from 1998-2002.A natural gas engine debuted for 1995 but was not popular and was only used in fleet vehicles on a very limited production run. The Cummins B Series engine was switched from the 12-Valve to the 24-Valve (ISB) in the middle of the 1998 model year Dodge Rams due to emissions regulations. The ISB featured a new computer controlled injection pump, 24 valve head design and a electric fuel transfer pump.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 1994-2001 models a "poor" rating, for poor structural performance, poor dummy control, and high head and neck forces caused by a late-deploying airbag. No full-sized pickup from an American automaker earned better than a "marginal" during this time period.Transmissions for the Ram were the lower geared A500/42RH-RE for light duty applications found behind the 3.9 L V6, the A518/46RH-RE for more heavy duty applications found behind the 5.2 L and 5.9 L V8 engines, and the A618/47RH-RE for heavy duty use behind the V10 gasoline and Cummins diesel engines. The 47RH was used in 1994 and 1995 model years, while the 47RE was used from 1996 through 2002. A NV3500 was offered in 1500 Rams and light duty 2500 Rams. A NV4500 was standard in 2500 and 3500 trucks (except the uncommon, light duty 2500 rams). A NV5600 was offered in 2000 Rams and was the only transmission offered behind the High Output diesel in 2001 and 2002.There were a total of 5 transfer cases for the four wheel drive Ram. All were part time and had a low range of 2.72:1. The 1500 featured a NP231 and NP231HD. The NP241 was standard on V8 2500 Rams. The 2500 and 3500 V10 and Diesel featured a NP241DLD from 1994-1997. In 1997 the NP241DHD became a option for all 2500 Rams and was standard on 3500 Rams from 1998-2002.A natural gas engine debuted for 1995 but was not popular and was only used in fleet vehicles on a very limited production run. The Cummins B Series engine was switched from the 12-Valve to the 24-Valve (ISB) in the middle of the 1998 model year Dodge Rams due to emissions regulations. The ISB featured a new computer controlled injection pump, 24 valve head design and a electric fuel transfer pump.