History of the Ram 1500

The first generation of Ram pickups was introduced for the 1981 model year, named the Dodge Ram 150. While Dodge had used the name “Ram” before for previous vans and trucks, it was not recognized as an official designation until 1981. The first-generation Dodge Ram 150 was available with either a 6.5-foot or 8-foot bed as well as short, extended, or crew cab body styles. For the engine and drivetrain, the first generation included three options. First was the Mopar 3.7-liter slant-six engine. The second option was a 5.2-liter V8, while the last available engine was a 5.9L V8. The first-generation Ram 150 was also eligible for four engine options, including a five-speed manual, four-speed manual, three-speed automatic, or four-speed automatic. The 1988 model year brought about some big changes to the engine lineup. For example, the 3.7L slant-six engine was replaced by a 3.9L V6, and the 5.2L V8 engine got electronic fuel injection. Perhaps the biggest upgrade, however, was the introduction of the 5.9L Cummins TurboDiesel inline-six engine.

The second generation of Ram trucks rolled out in 1994. This was also the model year that the truck received the “1500” name. The designers of the Ram 1500 went back to the drawing board for the second generation, giving the exterior a “big-rig” semi-truck look. The new body style became a big hit when it was released, earning itself the 1994 MotorTrend Truck of the Year award. Before the release of the second generation in 1993, Dodge upgraded the truck’s engine lineup. The 5.9L V8, 5.2L V8, and 3.9L V6 were all upgraded with high-flow exhaust manifolds and multi-port fuel injection systems. The second-generation Ram 1500 included four trim levels, Work Special, LT, ST, and SLT. The top-shelf SLT offered drivers a car-like feel while driving, offering features like air conditioning, an AM/FM radio, a cassette player, and power windows and door locks.

The Ram 1500’s third generation hit showroom floors in 2002. The body received some minor changes, but the engine lineup, frame, and suspension systems underwent some significant updates. While two-wheel and four-wheel drive were still available, the 4WD system’s live axle was replaced by an independent suspension system. While the 3.7L V6 engine from the previous generation was continued, a 4.7L V8 took the place of the 5.2L V8. Additionally, a 5.7L HEMI V8 replaced the 5.9L Magnum V8, which was first made available in the second generation. The third generation also brought about a handful of special editions, including the SRT-10, which boasted the Dodge Vipers 8.4L V10 engine, the Daytona, and the Power Wagon.

The fourth generation of the Ram 1500 was released in 2009 as the Dodge Ram 1500. However, one year later, Ram and Dodge split into two different companies, and Ram became the sole provider of trucks for the Chrysler Automotive Group, while Dodge continued to provide minivans, SUVs, and cars. Now simply named the Ram 1500, the fourth generation kept running with two and four-wheel-drive availabilities. These drivetrains could be had with either a single- or quad-cab body style, and either a short 5’7”, 6’4”, or long 8-foot bed was available, depending on the cab option you selected. Fourth-generation Ram 1500 engine options included the 3.7L V6, 4.7L V8, or the 5.7L V8, which proved to be the most popular very quickly. The 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 wasn’t made available until the 2017 model year. Ram focused on interior comfort for the fourth generation Ram 1500, adding power-adjustable floor pedals, heated seats, and more entertainment features, making the interior more comfortable and stylish than any other previous generation.

The current Ram 1500 you see on the roads today is the fifth generation, which was introduced for the 2019 model year. The regular cab and base manual transmission were both dropped for the new generation. Currently, the Ram 1500 is available with extended or crew cab bodies with either a 5’7” or 6’4” bed. The Ram 1500 Gen-5 lineup comes standard with a 3.6L V6 engine, while a 5.7L V8 and 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 are optional. All engine options are linked to the smooth-shifting TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission that powers either a two-wheel or four-wheel drive system. The fifth generation Ram 1500 lineup brought exciting new updates to the entire truck, including standard safety features like an electronic parking brake, heated side mirrors, cylinder deactivation, push-button start, backup cameras, and more. Features that are optional for the fifth-generation Ram 1500 models include heated seats, hill-descent control, state-of-the-art driver assistance technologies, a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen, and many more!