Ram Pickup (fifth generation)

Ram 1500
2019 Ram Truck, Crew Cab Limited
Overview
Manufacturer	FCA US LLC (Ram Trucks)
Production	2018-present
Model years	2019-present
Assembly	Sterling Heights, Michigan (Sterling Heights Assembly Plant)
Designer	Ralph Gilles
Body and chassis
Body style	4-Door Quad-Cab 4-Door Crew-Cab
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Crew cab 144.6 in (3,673 mm) Crew cab long bed 153.5 in (3,899 mm) Quad cab long bed 140.5 in (3,569 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	Fourth-generation Ram pickup (2009–2018)

The fifth-generation Ram pickup was introduced by FCA US LLC in January 2018 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.^[1]

Exterior design

Front view

Rear view

The Ram 1500 features a more aerodynamic exterior design (CdA=13.0 ft²), with wraparound front headlamps with LED daytime running lamps (DRL's) that integrate into a new front grille, which features the 'RAM' nameplate in place of the old "Cross-Hair" front grille on previous Ram models. A new "Power Dome" hood with a name plate bearing the '1500' name and the engine the truck is equipped with adorns each side of the hood. The 2019 Ram 1500's wheelbase and cab are 4 inches longer than its predecessor. Wheel choices include eighteen-inch, twenty-inch, or twenty-two inch wheels.

Cab configurations

The 2019 Ram 1500 is available in the following two cab configurations: 4-Door Quad Cab with 6'4" Box, 4-Door Crew Cab with 5'7" Box, or 4-Door Crew Cab with 6.4" Box, depending upon trim level. The rear seats offer 45.1 inches of rear legroom.

A 2-Door Regular Cab model is not be offered on the fifth-generation Ram 1500 at least for now, and is still be offered on the fourth-generation 2019 Ram 1500 Classic.

Trim levels

The 2019 Ram 1500 is available in Tradesman, HFE (High Efficiency), Big Horn, Rebel, Laramie, Laramie Longhorn, and Laramie Limited trim levels. Each trim level of the Ram 1500 features its own interior design theme, with different materials and color schemes used throughout. Ram 1500 interior designers used different types of hammers as inspiration for interior designs.

Powertrain

All models continue to offer an eight-speed, rotary-controlled automatic transmission, and offer the 305-horsepower, 3.6L Pentastar VVT FlexFuel-capable V6 gasoline engine, as well as a 395-horsepower 5.7L HEMI Multi-Displacement System (MDS) and VCT V8 gasoline engine.

Both engines offer an optional eTorque system, similar to the system that is offered on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler (JL), which uses a mild hybrid system to improve fuel economy. The eTorque system adds up to 90 lb.-ft. of torque to the 3.6L Pentastar V6 and up to 130 lb.-ft. to the 5.7L HEMI V8. It combines a belt-driven motor generator unit with a 48-volt battery pack. All engines feature automatic start-stop technology.

At launch, the sole engine option is the gasoline-only 5.7L HEMI V8, as the eTorque 3.6L Pentastar V6 and 5.7L HEMI V8 with eTorque have been delayed due to pending EPA certification. A 3.0L EcoDiesel Turbocharged V6 diesel engine will become available for the 2020 model year.

The truck continues to use the thermal management system that can bring the transmission fluid and engine oil to optimal temperature quickly. Frame-mounted active tuned-mass modules (ATMM) detect and cancel out some unwanted vibrations caused by cylinder deactivation.

Frame and body

The frame and body structures feature 98 and 54 percent high-strength low-alloy steel respectively. Innovative high-strength steels allow auto components to be made thinner, and thereby lighter. The Ram 1500 reduced its weight by nearly 120 pounds from the chassis. The frame alone accounts for 100 pounds of weight savings. The truck has lost around 225 pounds overall when compared to the prior generation.^[2] Aluminum is used for the tailgate, engine mounts, and lower control arms.

The Ram 1500 can tow up to 12,750 pounds and has a payload of up to 2,300 pounds.

Suspension

The Ram 1500 also features the previously-available adaptive multi-level air suspension system, but the system now features additional "modes" for off-road use, as well as a mode that lowers the vehicle by two inches to allow for easier entry and exit. The latter feature can be activated via a button on the keyless entry key fob. In addition, the Ram 1500 also features active front grille shutters, which are now driver-adjustable, as well as a low coefficient of drag for improved aerodynamic performance.

Also new for the 2019 Ram 1500 is a new 4X4 Off-Road Package, which includes a factory-equipped suspension lift, off-road tires, and enhanced off-road performance and handling.

Ram is using frequency response damping (FRD) shocks as standard, allowing for more aggressive damping during cornering and braking.

Driver assistance systems

A toggle switch in the lower portion of the dashboard control parking sensor activation. The Ram 1500 gets blind spot monitoring that automatically extends down the length of a trailer when it is attached. The truck comes with a 360-degree surround view camera system providing a birds-eye view of the vehicle via four cameras. It can park perpendicular and parallel by its own by controlling steering, but braking and gear shift are still responsibly controlled by the driver.

In-car entertainment

Inside, the Ram 1500 features four different Uconnect infotainment systems: the Uconnect 3 5.0BT radio, next-generation Uconnect 4 8.4 and Uconnect 4C 8.4N infotainment systems, and a class-exclusive Uconnect 4C 12.0 infotainment system, featuring a split-screen display and hard keys for most functions located on both sides of the touch screen. The latter three infotainment systems offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. A nineteen-speaker Harman Kardon premium amplified surround-sound system is also available on higher trim levels, featuring genuine aluminum speaker grilles.

Interior

The center console can be configured 12 different ways. An available panoramic sunroof features 10 square feet of space.

Production

The truck is built at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan. FCA has retooled the plant to handle the 2019 Ram 1500.^[3]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ram Pickup (fifth generation).

• Official website