Drew Dowdell

The Durango R/T is HAWT in person!

Ram upgrades power output of HD Trucks High Output Cummins Turbo Diesel now rated at 800 lb.-ft. of torque Ram is only heavy-duty diesel pickup that doesn't require Diesel Exhaust Fluid 22,700-lb. maximum trailer tow weight leads the segment Gross Combined Weight Rating increased to 30,000 lbs. Cummins-equipped Ram Trucks offer class-leading diesel exhaust brake February 9, 2011 , Chicago - Ram Truck today announced a series of upgrades to its Heavy Duty truck line up that will give it outright class supremacy in trailer towing. Now boasting the ability to pull a segment-leading 22,700-lb. maximum trailer weight, the one-ton Ram 3500 Heavy Duty will get a performance boost to its 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel Engine that will increase its torque by 23 percent to 800 lb.-ft. and be upfitted with a package of components that will increase its gross combined weight rating (GCWR) to 30,000 lbs. "A Ram Heavy Duty truck owner's most important concern is towing capability – 79 percent of them rate towing as extremely important," said Fred Diaz, Ram Truck Brand President and CEO, Chrysler Group LLC. "Reliability and engine performance are tied for second – named as extremely important by 73 percent of owners. This 800 lb.-ft. performance upgrade -- combined with Ram Truck's unsurpassed 5-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and Cummins' proven reputation for reliability – are a direct response to our customers' high expectations. We stand behind our commitment to build great trucks that are best in class." 800 lb.-ft. of High-Output Torque A new powertrain control module (PCM) with revised performance calibration allows the High-Output 6.7-liter, six-cylinder Cummins Turbo Diesel to reach peak torque at 1,600 rpm and exceed the previous model's output from 1,200 through 2,800 rpm. While peak horsepower remains unchanged (350 @ 3,000 rpm), the engine's new calibration delivers more than 40 additional horsepower at typical highway cruising speeds. Behind the powerful, High-Output Cummins lies a new higher-rated torque converter. The Ram's new torque converter improves engine/transmission integration for better towing capability on grades and optimizes engine performance. In addition to the new PCM and torque converter, the 800 lb.-ft. High Output Cummins-powered Ram Heavy Duty trucks receive a new crankshaft damper, reducing engine noise and vibration (NVH). Ram Trucks with the uprated 800 lb.-ft. Cummins will feature a special "High Output Cummins" badge on their tailgates. Ram Exclusive: No Diesel Exhaust Fluid Required Cummins Turbo Diesel-equipped Ram pickups are the only heavy-duty pickups to meet 2010 EPA emissions regulations with an engine and aftertreatment system that has been proven in more than 250,000 customer trucks since 2007 and without the need for Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). Best-in-Class Maximum Towing When equipped with the "Max Tow" towing-optimization package, the Ram 3500 Heavy Duty maximum trailer weight is rated up to 22,700 lbs., the highest trailer weight in its class. Since the launch of the new Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty for the 2010 model year, towing capability has been the trucks' strong suit, with a long list of towing features including the most powerful standard exhaust brake in the segment (diesel-equipped models). This feature reduces brake fade, prolongs brake life and provides unmatched confidence and safety when hauling heavy loads on downhill grades. Ram has the largest brakes of any heavy duty pickup; 14.17-in.x1.54-in. front and 14.09-in.x1.34-in. rear with an integrated anti-lock brake system (ABS) that increases brake life and braking stability. Tow ratings for the Ram 3500 Heavy Duty meet 100 percent of 2013 model year SAE testing standards. 30,000 lbs. GCWR Dual-rear-wheel-equipped Ram 3500 Heavy Duty pickups with the Max Tow package are now rated at 30,000 lbs. GCWR – up from 24,500 lbs. For maximum towing, Chrysler Group Powertrain engineers gave the Ram 3500 an improved dual-rear wheel axle with a 4.10 gear ratio, new rear-axle pinion, new helical gears, upgraded bearings and a heat-dissipating, finned aluminum differential cover. As part of the Max Tow upgrade to the Ram 3500, the truck will also get a new engine-mounted, oil-to-coolant transmission cooler to moderate operating temperatures during trailer towing. All Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pickups will also get upgraded power steering oil coolers to manage the larger loads. Cummins Turbo Diesel If you looked up "bulletproof" in the dictionary, you'd find a picture of the Cummins Turbo Diesel engine. With its inline-six architecture and cast iron block and head, this engine has been providing decades of reliable service in everything from agriculture and construction equipment to over-the-road heavy trucks. Ram Heavy Duty pickup trucks powered by Cummins diesel engines have been the benchmark of power, durability, reliability and fuel economy since 1989, the first model year that Ram offered the Cummins engine. This partnership is defined by more than two decades of long-lasting, hard-working history – more than any other diesel pickup combination in the marketplace. The one-ton Ram 3500 Heavy Duty comes standard with the Cummins Turbo Diesel. Ram 2500 Heavy Duty pickups equipped with the optional 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel and automatic transmission (5.7-liter HEMI engine is standard) also get the 800 lb.-ft. performance upgrade. Because it uses a single rear-wheel axle, Ram 2500 GCWR remains unchanged at 22,000 lbs. Manual transmission-equipped Ram Heavy Duty pickups retain their 350 hp./610 lb.-ft. of torque performance ratings. Max Tow is available for regular and crew cab Ram 3500s only. High Output Cummins-equipped Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pickups and the 30,000 GCWR Max Tow package will go on sale in the second quarter 2011. About Ram Truck Brand With a work-hard, play-hard attitude, the Ram Truck brand offers the boldest, most powerful and capable pickup truck lineup on the planet. Introduced in 2008, the Ram 1500 is a game changer in terms of its ability to "outsmart" and "out-tough" the competition with its bold exterior design, crafted and refined interior, engineering excellence, superb innovation and best-in-class features and amenities. The Ram Truck brand added to its award-winning truck lineup with the introduction of the 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty trucks. Ram heavy-duty trucks provide customers with first-time innovations and features along with new standards of strength, utility and driveability, building on the Ram's leadership in the heavy-duty pickup segment. The Ram Truck brand is further enhancing its commercial vehicle presence with a "new crew" of commercial-grade work trucks: the new 2011 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs. Led by an all-new crew cab, the new 2011 Ram Chassis Cabs are built on a proven frame and chassis, and engineered for maximum uptime, optimum performance and enhanced commercial capability.

Ram Introduces Tradesman Work Truck 2011 Ram 1500 Tradesman Gallery Ram Truck today announced a new trim package aimed at one of the pickup truck category’s largest traditional customer bases: the Ram Tradesman. The Tradesman is a value-priced option package designed to meet the hard-working needs of small businessmen, construction jobsites and commercial fleets. “The Ram Tradesman is named for -- and aimed at -- the heart of our business,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO, Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “This is a hard-working truck for hard-working people. Durability, reliability and value for the money are the top three considerations for our customers. Their truck is the most important tool they own and one they’ll use every day. The Ram Tradesman is a truck they can depend on.” Ram Tradesman offers better performance for the price than other work trucks. For example, Ram Tradesman starts with the popular Ram 1500 ST trim package and adds useful features such as a standard HEMI engine with five-speed automatic transmission, which balances power with fuel efficiency. HEMI-equipped Ram 1500s are rated at 390 hp / 407 ft.-lb. torque and 20 mpg highway (4x2). Also included in the Tradesman package is a standard Class IV trailer hitch with lighted, above-bumper four- and seven-pin trailer wire connectors. Tradesman also features heavy-duty engine cooling and a heavy-duty transmission oil cooler. Properly equipped Tradesman models provide best-in-class standard work truck capability, towing 10,450 lbs. Ram 1500 Tradesman is equipped with durable, good-looking 17-inch full-face painted steel wheels exclusive to the Tradesman. All Ram 1500 models, including the Tradesman, feature segment-exclusive multi-link rear coil suspension that provides best-in-class ride and handling qualities. A coil-spring setup centralizes and absorbs bumps and impacts, while reducing the amount of friction in the spring system. This setup also weighs 40 pounds less than a leaf-spring configuration. Ram Tradesman is available in either regular cab short-bed (6 ft., 4 in.) and long-bed (8 ft.) models, with a choice of 4x2 or 4x4 powertrains. Buyers can choose vinyl or cloth 40/20/40 split bench seats in dark slate and medium graystone, and either carpeted or vinyl flooring. Other standard equipment includes 160-amp alternator, 17-inch steel spare wheel and full-size spare tire, 26-gallon (6-ft, 4-in. bed) or 32-gallon (8-ft. bed) fuel tank, 3.55 rear axle ratio, 700-amp maintenance-free battery, bright chrome grille, cargo bed lamp, front and rear heavy-duty shock absorbers, front and rear stabilizer bars, halogen headlamps, locking tailgate, rear wheel well liners, rack and pinion steering, rear dome lamp and sentry key theft-deterrent system. Standard interior features include air conditioning, a 12-volt auxiliary power outlet, media center with CD and MP3 player, six speakers, audio jack for mobile devices, automatic headlamps, behind the seat storage, driver and passenger assist handles, instrument panel with tachometer, tilt steering wheel , tinted glass, variable intermittent windshield wipers. Standard safety features include advanced multistage front air bags, supplemental side airbags and front curtain, electronic stability control, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, front height-adjust shoulder belts and tire-pressure monitoring. Ram Tradesman is available in bright silver metallic, bright white, brilliant black crystal pearl, deep cherry red crystal pearl, deep water blue pearl, flame red, hunter green pearl, mineral gray metallic, rugged brown pearl or white gold metallic paint. A long list of options is available for the Tradesman including 3.21 and 3.92 rear axle ratios, anti-spin differential, chrome exhaust tip, bright chrome front and rear bumpers, heated mirrors, power door locks, power windows, remote keyless entry, engine block heater, folding trailer-tow mirrors with courtesy lamps and supplemental signals, rubber floor mats, Mopar chrome side steps and bed rails, a rear sliding window, spray-in bedliner, Sirius satellite radio, Uconnect voice command with Bluetooth, remote USB port, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, tow hooks, cruise control, tire pressure monitor, vehicle information center and trailer brake controller. Ram Tradesman is also available with rugged Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tires to resist punctures and improve off-road traction. Ram Trucks come with an unsurpassed 5-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Truck customers – from half-ton to commercial – have a demanding range of needs and require their vehicles to provide high levels of capability. With their proven powertrains, proven chassis, low-cost of ownership, Ram Trucks are engineered for maximum productivity and “uptime.” Ram 1500, 2500, 3500 pickups and chassis cabs are designed to deliver a total package for commercial customers. Ram Tradesman pricing starts at $22,780, including $975 destination charge. Tradesman will go on sale in the second quarter 2011. About the Ram Truck brand With a work-hard, play-hard attitude, the Ram Truck brand offers the boldest, most powerful and capable pickup truck lineup on the planet. Introduced in 2008, the Ram 1500 is a game changer in terms of its ability to "outsmart" and "out-tough" the competition with its bold exterior design, crafted and refined interior, engineering excellence, superb innovation and best-in-class features and amenities. The Ram Truck brand added to its award-winning truck lineup with the introduction of the 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty trucks. Ram heavy-duty trucks provide customers with first-time innovations and features along with new standards of strength, utility and driveability, building on the Ram's leadership in the heavy-duty pickup segment. The Ram Truck brand is further enhancing its commercial vehicle presence with a "new crew" of commercial-grade work trucks: the new 2011 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs. Led by an all-new crew cab, the new 2011 Ram Chassis Cabs are built on a proven frame and chassis, and engineered for maximum uptime, optimum performance and enhanced commercial capability. On The Job The Ram Truck commercial vehicle program provides incentives and discounts to assist customers in purchasing, servicing and customizing their Ram Trucks. Small businesses can save big with On The Job allowances on all Ram Truck models: • Up to $1,000 commercial equipment upfit allowance • Up to $1,000 Chrysler Service Contract allowance • Up to $1,000 Mopar certificate allowance • (877) ONTHEJOB

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