Autoblog

Cummins builds 2-millionth diesel for Ram

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:01:00 EST

Ahead of a new Ram Heavy Duty that will debut sometime next year (check out the spy shots below), Chrysler and Cummins are celebrating a milestone in a 24-year partnership that has supplied the Ram pickup with diesel engines.

In its early years, the Cummins straight-six turbo diesel was rated at just 160 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, and its clattering 12 valves could be heard from a mile away. Its most recent configuration still uses a straight-six layout, but displacement grew to 6.7 liters in 2007 allowing the engine to now produce up to 385 hp and a whopping 850 lb-ft of torque. While a rumored smaller Cummins engine for use in the light-duty Ram 1500 never materialized, the work-ready 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel accounts for 80 percent of all Ram HD sales.

Chrysler has not yet announced when and where this two-millionth engine will be on display, but you can read more about the engine and the partnership in the press release below.

Continue reading Cummins builds 2-millionth diesel for Ram

Cummins builds 2-millionth diesel for Ram originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Ram HD spotted inside and out

Zach Bowman — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 10:14:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Truck, Work, Ram

Our spy photographers have managed to lay their lenses on the 2014 Ram HD family ahead of the truck's launch next year. From the looks of things, designers have graced the pickups with a new grille and projector headlamp arrays as well as LED taillamps. It's unclear whether the upgraded rear light arrays well be standard equipment or optional as on the 2013 Ram 1500.

More importantly, we've finally been given a glimpse of truck's interior, and the new cabin will feature a massive touchscreen interface. With a screen even larger than the 8.4-inch Uconnect piece found on so many Chrysler products, it will be interesting to see exactly what sort of functionality the new tech will bring to the table.

In addition, the 2014 Ram HD looks to leverage a revised suspension design. According to Inside Line, the front multilink array appears to have gone the way of a single trailing arm setup and the shock absorbers look to have been relocated as well. According to our photographers, Ram engineers were working particularly hard to keep the trucks locked up in enclosed trailers at night. The powertrain picture for these heavy-duty haulers remains unclear at this time.

Word has it these machines will bow at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show. Check out our gallery for a closer look.

2014 Ram HD spotted inside and out originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 10:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch this Subaru lug a Ram pickup and a trailer out of the mud

George Kennedy — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Videos, Hatchback, Subaru, Humor, Off-Road, Ram

Well this should make a Ram fan or two blush. A Ram four-door pulling a trailer was saved from the clutches of a muddy rut by none other than a second-generation Subaru Impreza. That's the power of all-wheel drive for ya!

It's unclear where the video was taken, but amidst many other trucks (all appear to be pulling camper trailers as well), it was the humble Subie that came to the rescue. Using your standard canvas tow strap, the Fuji Heavy hardware barely appears to struggle, though the Ram does its part, too.

We don't get much of a reaction from the driver of the compact hatchback, but we can infer: "AWD, FTW!" One can argue the merits of the Subaru's footing in contrast to that of the mighty full-size pickup, but there's no denying the video evidence below.

As Autoblog scribe Zach Bowman sagely remarked upon watching the footage, "That video is why I hate buying used cars." Touché.

Continue reading Watch this Subaru lug a Ram pickup and a trailer out of the mud

Watch this Subaru lug a Ram pickup and a trailer out of the mud originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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At $45,700, Laramie Limited is most expensive Ram trim yet

Scott Burgess — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Luxury, Ram

The newest trim line of the Ram family will also be its most expensive. The 2012 Ram Laramie Limited will have a starting price of $45,700 for a 1500 4x2 model, Ram officials tell Autoblog. That's well over double the $21,820 asking price of a no-frills 1500.

Of course, spending that kind of money, you'd expect the interior trim to come with some fancy name like "black burled walnut," an overpowering smell of leather every time you open the door and more shiny chrome exterior accents than a 1934 Chrysler Airflow. The Laramie Limited, introduced at the Chicago Auto Show in February, does that and more, playing its role as the ultimate Ram when it arrives at dealerships in the coming months in the full-size and heavy duty offerings. The starting price for a Ram Laramie Limited 2500 HD SWB 4x2 is $47,780 (prices do not include $995 in destination charges).

In recent years, Detroit's pickup builders have continued to create more high-end pickups along with their work versions. Hey, how's a One Percenter supposed to tow his yacht? Just a few weeks ago, Ford introduced a Platinum trim of its Super Duty trucks, which will push the price of an F-450 Platinum north of $70,000. There appears to be a growing market for these vehicles as well, as the J.D. Power Information Network notes that nearly 30 percent of heavy duty truck buyers spend more than $50,000 for their vehicles. All of that money is not simply going for the diesel powertrain upgrade. No, these trucks are loaded up with all of the amenities of a luxury sedan. After all, affluent buyers want to flaunt their success a little, but it's not like you can carry a load of lumber in the trunk of a BMW 7 Series.

At $45,700, Laramie Limited is most expensive Ram trim yet originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler recalling nearly 243,000 Ram pickups over tie rod concern

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Recalls, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram

2010 Ram 3500 HD - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler has announced a recall that affects 242,780 Ram pickups manufactured between 2003 and 2011. This includes the 2008 Ram 1500, and 2003-2011 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty trucks.

According to the official recall statement from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these trucks may have a defective left tie rod ball stud that can fracture during low-speed parking maneuvers. According to NHTSA:

This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.

To remedy this potential problem, dealers will inspect the tie rod ends and perform an alignment if necessary. NHTSA states that Chrysler has not yet provided an owner notification schedule, but we'd expect this recall to ramp up within the coming weeks. Follow the jump for NHTSA's official statement.

Continue reading Chrysler recalling nearly 243,000 Ram pickups over tie rod concern

Chrysler recalling nearly 243,000 Ram pickups over tie rod concern originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge announces plans for heavy-duty diesel RAM

John Neff — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Green, Technology, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford

Dodge is the last of the full-size truck producers to indicate its plan of attack concerning the conversion of its diesel engine used in heavy-duty Ram pickups to meet new federal diesel emissions standards that take effect January 1st. Frank Klegon of the Chrysler Group says that heavy-duty diesel Rams sold after January 1st will feature expensive diesel particulate filters and oxides of nitrogen absorber. The two components will reduce the amount of oxides of nitrogen, but will also reduce the engine's performance as it further restricts the flow of exhaust through the exhaust system. The modified engine will be able to run on new Ultra-Low Sulfur diesel fuel that began being produced on June 1st and will available nationwide beginning January 1st.

GM has announced similar modifications for its Duramax diesels that include a new variable geometry turbo and exhaust gas recirculation system. Ford, meanwhile, will be dumping its troubled 6.0L Powerstroke diesel in favor of a new, cleaner 6.4L unit with equally expensive Piezo injectors.

AutoWeek indicates that both Dodge and GM may release new diesel powerplants in the near future since their current units will likely see a performance loss from these modifications.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Dodge announces plans for heavy-duty diesel RAM originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Jul 2006 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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