Dodge Ram 5.9 Engine Diagram

Whether you need a truck for work or for home life, the Ram 1500 will do the job. It's a workhorse with style that's got pedigree. Back in 1993, a Ram truck was named the very first North American Truck of the Year and then 20 years later it won the award again showing that America might have changed over the last two decades but the Ram truck remains as dependable as ever. The 2017 model was named Best Family Pickup Truck by the Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association so this isn't just a great truck for work.

Ram 1500 Tradesmen

Although the Ram has been in production since 1981, the current car is only the fourth generation. The current model has been available since 2010 so there are lots of examples of used Ram trucks if you're looking for a pre-owned pickup. If you're buying new, you'll have just as much choice because there are several cab options and various trim levels. The basic model is the Ram 1500 Tradesmen but there's nothing basic about the specs. It's got a 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 engine with 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. The standard TorqueFlite 8 eight-speed automatic transmission has a thermal management system that optimizes the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid to aid efficiency and durability. Although it only has a regular cab, you can opt for a six feet four inch bed or an eight feet bed length.

As you'd expect, there's a choice of cabs including the regular cab, crew cab and the quad cab. The regular cab seats three and is available in both the six feet four inch bed and the eight feet bed length. The quad cab can seat up to six passengers and offers a six feet four inch bed. There's good interior space and plenty of legroom for most people but you'll need to opt for the crew cab if you want even more comfort for your passengers. This truck cuts seven inches off the bed length unless you opt for the longer model that increases the bed length to the standard six feet four inches found in other Ram 1500s.

Ram 1500 Hemi

The Ram 1500 model range adds premium features as you spend more like chrome wheels and parking sensors, but the only extra most drivers will notice is the 5.7 liter Hemi V8 if they opt for a model that comes with that motor rather than the standard V6. There's nothing wrong with the V6. It's a capable engine that has enough torque to push your truck up steep inclines and enough power to cruise at high speed but there's nothing like a V8 for a truck like this. Each generation of the Ram 1500 has offered V6 engines but the Hemi V8 has heritage because Chrysler has been making them since 1951.

Ram Laramie Longhorn Southfork Edition

The Ram 1500 Hemi is a special truck but it's not part of the company's range of Special Edition 1500s. These trucks take models like the Ram Laramie Longhorn and add more to the mix. The standard Laramie Longhorn already has front leather seats, polished aluminum wheels and real wood accents in the cabin but the Southfork Edition has even more luxury including a suede headliner and walnut brown wood and galvanized metal accents in the refined interior.

Special Editions

The Ram 1500 Harvest is an interesting truck because it brings the Ram back to its original purpose – as a working vehicle. As you'd imagine from the name, this model was made to work on farms so every inch of it is designed to work in that environment. Farmers will find features like the spray-in bedliner, on/off road tires and the bumper step useful when carrying out their duties while the distinctive chrome grille shows that this truck doesn't compromise on aesthetics.

Safety and Other Features

Ram designs their trucks to last but a tough vehicle isn't always a safe one for the driver and passengers. The latest generation Ram 1500 comes with advanced safety features including dynamic crumple zones, side-impact door beams and an uprated airbag system that protects the cabin and those within it. Ram's trucks are covered by a five year / 100,000-mile limited warranty for diesel models. Five years / 60,000-mile cover is given on gasoline models.