The 2019 Ram Heavy Duty, the most powerful, most capable pickup in the segment with a towing capacity of 35,100 lbs. and a payload capacity of 7,680 lbs., was revealed today at the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Driving it all, a never-before-seen torque rating of 1,000 lb.-ft. from the Cummins I-6 Turbo Diesel engine. The new Ram Heavy Duty also sets benchmarks in ride and handling, luxury, materials, innovation and technology extending well past any competitive offerings. Giving maximum effort all day, every day with confidence, the new 2019 Ram Heavy Duty line of pickups steps forward with the full force of modern capability.
“Ram Heavy Duty owners constantly demand the highest levels of capability to tackle the biggest jobs and with 35,100 lbs. of towing capacity, pulled by 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque from our Cummins engine, we now hold the most important titles within the segment,” says Reid Bigland, Head of Ram Brand, FCA. “We’ve also surrounded owners in luxury and technology that, until now, was unavailable in a heavy-duty pickup. The highest quality interiors, active safety systems and of course our award-winning Uconnect technology contribute to the best Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks we have ever built.”
With a long list of upgrades, the new Cummins 6.7-liter I-6, high output Turbo Diesel delivers up to 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1,800 rpm and 400 horsepower @ 2,800 rpm. Changes begin at the core, with a cylinder block made from compacted graphite iron. Overall, the new Cummins Turbo Diesel weighs more than 60 lbs. less than the previous-generation engine yet delivers more power and torque. A new cast-iron cylinder head builds on the new block with changes that include new exhaust valves and springs, and new rocker arms. Lighter and stronger pistons include new low-friction rings and connect to the crankshaft via newly design forged connecting rods and new bearings. An all-new exhaust manifold is the mounting point for an improved variable-geometry turbocharger with laminated heat shields, delivering boost pressure up to 33 psi.
The 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 in the 2019 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty is upgraded to the proven and potent 6.4-liter HEMI V-8, delivering class-leading 410 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm and 429 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,000 rpm to handle the payload and towing requirements of the heavy-duty truck user.
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. This transmission is engineered to handle the colossal torque of the Turbo Diesel engine and increased vehicle weight ratings while delivering improved shift quality. Along with hardware upgrades, the Aisin AS69RC uses a new transmission controller with double the memory of the previous controller and a dual-core processor. This delivers faster, more precise shifts under all driving and loading conditions.
Four-wheel-drive versions of the 2019 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty are equipped with a BorgWarner part-time transfer case. The 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 and variant of the Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel drive power through either an electronic (BW 44-46) or manual shift (BW 44-47) transfer case, depending on the model. Ram Heavy Duty trucks with the high output version of the Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel are equipped with an all-new part-time BorgWarner transfer case (BW 44-48). This transfer case is designed to handle the higher input loads for maximum towing capability up to 35,100 lbs.
The 2019 Ram Heavy Duty is the most powerful, most capable pickup in the segment with a towing capacity of 35,100 lbs. and payload capacity of 7,680 lbs. But big capability is irrelevant if the truck fails to instill confidence to the driver. Ram redefines the phrase “you don’t even know it’s back there” when towing or hauling.
After hundreds of sketches, the new 2019 Ram Heavy Duty line of pickups came forward with the full force of modern capability. Interiors mirror the design expressed on the recently launched Ram 1500 with unmatched luxury, materials, innovation and technology extending well past any competitive offerings.
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, 3-D 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
Several body elements are upgraded from mild steel to high-strength steel on the 2019 Heavy Duty pickups. Additional light-weighting efforts consist of an aluminum hood, which contributes to an overall weight reduction of 143 lbs. on the volume model.
The 2019 Ram Heavy Duty is built at the Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant in Coahuila, Mexico.
New Power Wagon Content
2019 Ram 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.
