Dodge · 1980–present

Dodge Ram

The Ram pickup (marketed as the Dodge Ram until 2010 when Ram Trucks was spun-off from Dodge) is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by Stellantis North America (formerly Chrysler Group LLC and FCA US LLC) and marketed from 2010 onwards under the Ram Trucks brand. The current fifth-generation Ram debuted at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, in January of that year. Previously, Ram was part of the Dodge line of light trucks. The Ram name was introduced in October 1980 for model year 1981, when the Dodge D series pickup trucks and B series vans were rebranded, though the company had used a ram's-head hood ornament on some trucks as early as 1933. Ram trucks have been named Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year eight times; the second-generation Ram won the award in 1994, the third-generation Ram heavy-duty won the award in 2003, the fourth-generation Ram Heavy Duty won in 2010 and the fourth-generation Ram 1500 won in 2013 and 2014, and the current fifth-generation Ram pickup became the first truck in history to win the award four times, winning in 2019, 2020, 2021 and most recently, 2025.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Dodge Power Wagon|Dodge D Series

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First generation (1981; D/W)

The first-generation Dodge Ram trucks and vans introduced in October 1980 feature a Ram hood ornament first used on Dodge vehicles from 1932 until 1954. Not all of the first-generation trucks have this ornament and is most commonly seen on four-wheel-drive models. Dodge kept the previous generation's model designations: D or Ram indicate two-wheel drive while W or Power Ram indicate four-wheel drive. Just like Ford's F-Series, Dodge used "150" to indicate a half-ton truck, 250 for a three-quarter-ton truck, and 350 for a one-ton truck. The truck models were offered in standard cab, "Club" extended cab, and crew cab configurations. They also were offered along with 6.5 ft (2.0 m) and 8 ft (2.4 m) bed lengths and "Utiline" and "Sweptline" styled boxes along with standard 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, dual rectangular headlamps, and squared-off body lines. Engine choices were pared down to the 225 slant-6 and 318 and 360 V8s. The interior was updated, included a new bench seat, a completely new dashboard and an instrument cluster with an optional three-pod design – a speedometer in the center, with the two side pods containing an ammeter on the top left, a temperature gauge on the bottom left, a fuel gauge on the top right and an oil pressure gauge bottom right. Models without the full gauge package had only indicator lights in the place of the temperature and oil pressure gauges. Among the options offered on the Ram were front bumper guards, a sliding rear cab window, air-conditioning, cruise control, tilt steering column, power door locks and windows, AM/FM stereo with a cassette tape player, styled road whee

Second generation (1994; BR/BE)

The second-generation Dodge Ram began development in 1986. The original concept, dubbed the "Louisville Slugger" by Chrysler's Advanced Packaging Studio, was to be a modular platform that would accommodate a full-size truck and full-size van, which would have provided a roomy cab and cargo bed. The modular design was scrapped in 1987 and was replaced with a more conventional truck design when the design was moved to the American Motors design studio. The more conventional design, dubbed "Phoenix", was originally scheduled for a 1991 production; when Bob Lutz showed it to the new styling designers, chief designer Phillip E. Payne told him, "It looks like nothing more than a rehash of everybody else's truck." At that, Lutz told him he had six months to come up with something better. The exterior styling of the truck that was eventually released was the result of design concepts by Payne during 1988–1990. A review by the Dodge pick-up truck studio designers felt that modern pick-ups looked "too flat and sedan-like", while the early 1950s Studebaker pick-up and the semi-trailer trucks had just the right "macho" look to them. The design included a big-rig style front end and a large grille that was deemed risky at its introduction, but ultimately proved popular with consumers. Debuted on January 5, 1993, at the North American International Auto Show and going on sale on October 1, 1993, the redesigned 1994 Ram was a sales success and was named "Truck of the Year" by Motor Trend in 1994. Sales increased from 95,542 units in 1993 to 232,092 in 1994, 410,000 in 1995, and 411,000 by 1996. The latter third year, it was prominently shown as the hero vehicle in the film Twister, as well as the CBS television series Walker, Texas Ranger. Sales of this generation peaked at just over

Third generation (2002; DR/DH/D1/DC/DM)

In development from 1996 (styling by Cliff Wilkins finalized in 1998), the third-generation Dodge Ram debuted on February 7, 2001, at the 2001 Chicago Auto Show. Production later began for the 2002 model year on 1500 models, and 2003 on 2500 and 3500 models. This major update included an all-new frame, suspension, powertrains, interiors, and sheet metal. The crew cab models for this generation were actually Quad Cab trucks that had conventional-opening rear doors. The four-wheel-drive light trucks (1500 series) remove their beam axles in favor of an independent front suspension, but the 2500 and 3500 series retained the live axles for maximum longevity and durability; rear-wheel-drive 2500 and 3500 trucks had class-exclusive rack-and-pinion steering for their independent front suspension (the 1500 also received rack-and-pinion steering for the first time). This body style drew heavily from the previous generation. The redesigned trucks bolstered sales, with 400,000 sold during 2001–2002 and nearly 450,000 sold during 2002–2003, a new high point for the Ram name. At the same time, both Ford and GM trucks were increasing in sales from a 2001 peak of over 850,000 to the 900,000 range. However, with 400,543 Rams sold that year, the total did not keep up with the eleventh-generation F-150 in 2004. 2006 refresh. The entire lineup was updated for the 2006 model year. One notable addition was the "Mega Cab," featuring a 6.25-foot (2 m) cargo box and 22 inches (559 mm) of extra cab space, allowing seating for six with rear recliners. A full-screen-mapping in-dash navigation system became an option, and the front fascia was modernized. For 2006, the steering wheel design was changed to the same as seen in the Dodge Dakota and Dodge Durango. The Bluetooth Uconnect radio was now av

Fourth generation (2009; DS)

The fourth-generation Dodge Ram 1500 was introduced at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, for the 2009 model year. The redesigned 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pickups followed for 2010, while 3500, 4500 and 5500 chassis-cab models followed for 2011. The Ram Trucks brand was separated from Dodge for the 2011 model year. Changes to the 1500 included a new Crew Cab body style, the optional RamBox cargo-management system and a five-link, coil-spring rear suspension replacing the previous leaf springs. For 2013, the Ram 1500 received a revised front fascia and interior, a new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, an available eight-speed automatic transmission, electric power steering and an optional four-corner air suspension. A 3.0-liter EcoDiesel turbocharged V6 was added for 2014. For 2019, the fourth-generation 1500 remained in production alongside the new fifth-generation 1500 and was renamed the Ram 1500 Classic. The Classic retained Regular, Quad and Crew Cab configurations and was marketed primarily as a lower-priced and commercial-oriented model. The 2500 and 3500 were redesigned for the same model year as the fifth-generation Ram Heavy Duty. The Ram 1500 Classic remained in production through the 2024 model year.

Fifth generation (2019; DT)

The fifth-generation Ram made its debut at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, on January 15, 2018, while its HD version made its debut at the next year's show on January 14, 2019. 2019 Ram 1500 sales began the first quarter of 2018 as an early 2019 model year vehicle. The 2019 Ram 1500 pickup truck offered just seven trim levels, compared to the previous 11 different trim levels. Ram added eTorque to the 2019 Ram 1500 as an option. eTorque combined a belt-drive generator with a battery pack to provide short-term torque and energy regeneration to increase torque output by up to 130 pound-feet (176 N⋅m) to the 5.7-liter Hemi. Also introduced in 2019 was the new Uconnect platform sporting a 12-inch touchscreen display, the largest in its class. The 2019 Ram 1500 saw increases in capability for this new model year with payload increasing to 2,300 pounds (1,000 kg) and maximum trailer towing capacity reaching 12,750 pounds (5,780 kg) when properly equipped. This pairs with a total weight reduction of about 225 pounds (102 kg) compared to the previous generation. For the 2025 model year, the Ram 1500 received a mid-cycle refresh, and the Hemi V8 engine was discontinued in favor of the 3.0-liter Hurricane twin turbo inline-six engine. The Ram HD received the ZF Powerline 8-speed automatic transmission for Cummins-equipped trucks. The Hemi engine returned for the 2026 model year.

Concept vehicles

=== Revolution === The Ram Revolution is Ram's first all-electric concept pickup truck. Featured for the 2024 model year, the Revolution is a body-on-frame design, with two motors providing all-wheel drive. As of January 2023, Ram has not provided any motor specifications other than stating that 100 miles of charge can be achieved within 10 minutes at a Level 3 DC fast-charging station.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Dodge Ram / Ram pickup

Manufacturer

Dodge/Ram Trucks

Model years

1981–present

Production

October 1980 – present

Class

Full-size pickup truck, Heavy-duty pickup truck, Medium-duty chassis cab truck (Mexico only, possibly 1998–2002)

Layout

Front-engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive

Predecessor

Dodge D series

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1211586CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_pickupCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1377533270 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:81-93_Dodge_Ram.jpgPublic domain · Photo: IFCAR · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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