Detroit 2019: 2019 RAM HD Trucks: Comments

[Drew Dowdell]

At the North American Auto Show in Detroit, Ram released the details for the 2019  Ram HD Trucks.  Ram jumps to the top of the class with a new 35,100 max tow rating and a 7,680 lbs. payload, the highest capacity for any diesel or gasoline pickup.

 

The Ram HD boasts an optional all-new 6.7 liter 6-cylinder Cummins Turbodiesel featuring 1000 lb-ft of torque at just  1,800 rpm. Horsepower is rated 400 hp at 2,800 rpm. A second variant of the Cummins Turbo Diesel also gets a performance boost with 370 horsepower @ 2,800 rpm and 850 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1,700 rpm. The standard engine on the Ram HD is 6.4 liter Hemi V8 delivering 410 hp at 5,600 rpm and 429 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,000 rpm. Ram 3500 Heavy Duty models equipped with the 1,000 lb.-ft. high output Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel employ the Aisin AS69RC electronically controlled six-speed automatic , while Ram HDs powered by the standard output Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel are equipped with a significantly upgraded version of the 68RFE six-speed automatic transmission. RAM HDs powered by the Hemi V8 get a TorqueFlite 8HP75 eight-speed automatic.

2019 Ram Power Wagon is the most capable production off-road truck in the industry. The Power Wagon features a unique suspension, factory suspension lift, locking front and rear differentials, disconnecting sway bar and a 12,000-lb. winch. New to the Power Wagon is a 360 camera, which includes forward-view camera gridlines to help navigate obstacles. An all-new and integrated front-mounted WARN Zeon-12 winch features a unique fairlead and fairlead retainer with a new synthetic line that cannot kink, does not fray and is more maneuverable. The new line also cuts weight by 28 lbs. A Power Wagon content package continues to be available on Tradesman, which includes all the off-road equipment but keeps the Tradesman design elements.

For 2019, all-new features, technology and premium materials help the redesigned Ram Heavy Duty continue its interior leadership with quality, technology and luxury. Each trim level is uniquely characterized to reflect individual identity.
 
The new instrument panel combines a strong, structurally interlocking appearance, pushing the central controls up and toward the driver, improving overall reachability of system controls. The 2019 Ram Heavy Duty features the Uconnect 4C NAV on a 12-inch fully configurable touchscreen, which can display one application, such as the navigation map, across the whole 12-inch screen, or can be divided in half, operating two different applications at once. Redundant HVAC controls and a new enhanced-ergonomic switch bank deliver improved feedback and appearance.
 
The new 2019 Ram Heavy Duty features an available 7-inch, full-color, 3D animation-capable driver information display, with reconfigurable function that enables Ram truck drivers to personalize information inside the instrument cluster. The display is designed to visually communicate information, using graphics and text, quickly and easily.
 
Across all trim levels, the 2019 Ram Heavy Duty features push-button start and a redesigned rotary e-shifter dial (HEMI V8 only). The new shifter area also intelligently groups new feature buttons, including Hill Descent Control, axle lock and transfer case controls, when equipped.
 
An active noise cancellation system and acoustic glass reduce ambient cabin sounds by nearly 10 db – the quietest Ram Heavy Duty ever. The new HVAC system features 30 percent more air flow at lower noise levels, including larger front defroster vents for better performance. All-new in-duct electric heating elements on diesel models help speed cabin warmup on cold days, and larger system controls and new larger panel ducts work better with gloved hands.
 
With up to 258 liters of interior storage volume on the exclusive Mega Cab including two bins behind the rear seats, the 2019 Ram Heavy Duty offers more than 120-percent additional storage capacity versus the closest competitor. A reimagined center console is a usable, complex piece of art with more than 12 different storage combinations. Up from 19.7 to 22.6 liters, the console includes a wider docking area with optional wireless charging, which can hold a small tablet or smartphone. A three-position sliding cup-holder tray can be stowed under the center armrest to reveal a deep storage tub designed to hold a 15-inch laptop
 
To keep devices charged, five USB ports assist in the center console type-C ports for faster communication and charging. Up to three 115-volt household plugs are available (three-prong). One in the first row and one in the second row. All outlets now handle up to 400 watts to charge or power tools quickly.

The 2019 Ram Heavy Duty is built at the Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant in Coahuila, Mexico.

 

 

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[Drew Dowdell]

Having some connection issues here. The photo gallery will be up soon.

Edit: I got 12 photos up. I'll get more later when I have better when I have better wifi.

[David]

I wonder when the Rivian pickup comes out how it will match up to the Ram Power Wagon,

[Drew Dowdell]

1 minute ago, dfelt said:

I wonder when the Rivian pickup comes out how it will match up to the Ram Power Wagon,

Not even close. Completely different class of vehicle.

[Robert Hall]

Hard to tell, but looking at the pics it looks like the cab and bed are carried over from the previous generation, not  using the cab and bed from the '19 1500...good looking truck, the new front is a big improvement over the pig nostril grille the Heavy Duty has used recently. 

Edited January 14, 2019 by Robert Hall

[ccap41]

The Rivian will be a joke next to a Power Wagon. 

[Robert Hall]

Just now, ccap41 said:

The Rivian will be a joke next to a Power Wagon. 

Different market niche, pointless to compare. 

[ccap41]

1 minute ago, Robert Hall said:

Different market niche, pointless to compare. 

Absolutely. 

[David]

53 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

Different market niche, pointless to compare. 

 

52 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Absolutely. 

Is it really? Power Wagon for off road adventure, Rivian Adventure Activity Truck for living life. 

Clearly noticeable differences between the trucks, but one could make a case as to why they would compete in the same segment.

Just saying, we redefine market roles all the time. Rivian is big into the outdoors and rock climbing. markets.

[ccap41]

Until these EV startup companies have something to sell and they pass safety requirements they're completely insignificant to me. All fluff no substance yet. 

Edited January 14, 2019 by ccap41

[David]

4 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Until these EV startup companies have something to sell and they pass safety requirements they're completely insignificant to me. All fluff no substance yet. 

Fair enough, be interesting to see what happens in 12 months.

[ccap41]

There still won't be a road legal version of the Rivian on the road in 12 months.. is my prediction. 

[A Horse With No Name]

4 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

There still won't be a road legal version of the Rivian on the road in 12 months.. is my prediction. 

Or in 24. 

[Drew Dowdell]

1 hour ago, dfelt said:

 

Is it really? Power Wagon for off road adventure, Rivian Adventure Activity Truck for living life. 

Clearly noticeable differences between the trucks, but one could make a case as to why they would compete in the same segment.

Just saying, we redefine market roles all the time. Rivian is big into the outdoors and rock climbing. markets.

The PowerWagon is a true off-road adventure vehicle. I've been in the passenger seat while the RAM rep was driving it full force taking leaps off hills with all 4 wheels off the ground. The power wagon has a remote detachable anti-roll bar, giant shocks, giant ground clearance, and a hugely strong steel frame that is used in the same trucks capable of towing 35 thousand pounds. 

No, the Rivian is not in the same class.  It's barely in the F-150's same class.  I look at it as a Honda Ridgeline EV. 

[A Horse With No Name]

15 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

The PowerWagon is a true off-road adventure vehicle. I've been in the passenger seat while the RAM rep was driving it full force taking leaps off hills with all 4 wheels off the ground. The power wagon has a remote detachable anti-roll bar, giant shocks, giant ground clearance, and a hugely strong steel frame that is used in the same trucks capable of towing 35 thousand pounds. 

No, the Rivian is not in the same class.  It's barely in the F-150's same class.  I look at it as a Honda Ridgeline EV. 

Rivian is much better looking than the Ridgeline though.

[David]

9 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Rivian is much better looking than the Ridgeline though.

Plus I doubt the Ridgeline could drive through 3 feet of water or has the Frunk, cool behind seats storage place, I am thinking it is on par with the basic full size pickups and might even reach into some areas of the offroad crowd like a Z71.

[A Horse With No Name]

Just now, dfelt said:

Plus I doubt the Ridgeline could drive through 3 feet of water or has the Frunk, cool behind seats storage place, I am thinking it is on par with the basic full size pickups and might even reach into some areas of the offroad crowd like a Z71.

Agreed. And this is what I mean by wanting new people with new ideas in the automotive marketplace.

[balthazar]

6 hours ago, dfelt said:

Rivian is big into the outdoors and rock climbing markets.

Noooooo; the Rivian MARKETING MATERIAL is big into the outdoors.
The Rivian truck is big into the garage it was hand built in.

[Robert Hall]

It seems to me the Power Wagon is country music and mud pluggin' in the rural South or Midwest, the Rivian is more urban sophistication, avocado toast on the West Coast and going to the beach and mountains there....

Anyway, a Hellcat version of Power Wagon called Mega Power Wagon would be cool...

[smk4565]

The Hemi barely makes any more power than the 3 liter V6 in the Explorer ST.   They badly need a new V8 or some sort of boosted V6 or something to replace that severely dated engine.

1,000 lb-ft diesel engine sounds epic.  You are just wasting your time driving any vehicle with under 1,000 lb-ft of torque.

As far as electrics go, the Rivian is obviously a different class, but someone could make an electric pickup that could rival this.  Tesla and Freightliner are working on electric semi's, you can get several thousand torques from electric motors and pull anything you want.

[balthazar]

30 HP / 60 Trq = "basically the same" 😆

They badly need a new V8 or some sort of boosted V6 or something to replace that severely dated engine.

We've been over this before.  Just slip a higher tune version in if its power one is looking for- there are 4 MORE Hemi's above the base 5.7L.

[ccap41]

9 hours ago, balthazar said:

We've been over this before.  Just slip a higher tune version in if its power one is looking for- there are 4 MORE Hemi's above the base 5.7L.

There's no vehicle they offer that has 5 HEMI options. 

[balthazar]

No, of course not. I was saying in response to 'they need a new V8 because it barely has anymore power than a twin turbo EcoBoost', that FCA has like 5 Hemi tunes in the catalog : 375/395 HP, 475, 707, 808, 840. The Hemi is capable of delivering more HP than any other street engine out there; the engine doesn't 'end' at 375 HP. IOW; it's in no way 'outdated'.

[A Horse With No Name]

12 minutes ago, balthazar said:

No, of course not. I was saying in response to 'they need a new V8 because it barely has anymore power than a twin turbo EcoBoost', that FCA has like 5 Hemi tunes in the catalog : 375/395 HP, 475, 707, 808, 840. The Hemi is capable of delivering more HP than any other street engine out there; the engine doesn't 'end' at 375 HP. IOW; it's in no way 'outdated'.

Worst post ever....ever....by you folks from Jersey....obviously Both Ford and GM need a nitro-methane fueled quad turbo V twin for the  Aviator and XT5...and this thing needs eight Turbos on a three cylinder variant of that same design.  Would win over the Harley guys and the Drag racing guys both...as well as suburban shoppers in the heartland.

Because somewhere in the black forest with elves and Elvis an Benz engineer is designing a similar power-plant.  And we know if people don't ape the Alpha dog in the room...the wreath and crest, the Blue oval and the Ram all three will be gone in three to five years. Just sayin...

[ccap41]

No, but those high hp versions are only in SRT vehicles. 

Also, this is a 6.4 putting out 410hp, fwiw. 

I also don't think the phrase, "The Hemi is capable of delivering more HP than any other street engine out there" is accurate.. It isn't like the 840hp engine is just the 375hp engine with a supercharger with zero modifications done to it. They build it as necessary, as would any other company. Just in the same way GM didn't just put a massive blower on the 6.2 to make 755hp. They built the engine knowing it will be 755hp with the necessary components. 

But yes, these are dated int he sense that they aren't the most powerful(the ones not in SRTs) and they aren't efficient. They're a mix of "okay".