Ram’s pickup truck is a feat of engineering.
Yes, the 2019 Ram 1550 has a more modern and sophisticated look. The pickup truck’s exterior and interior changes are not the only ones that have been made. Engineers have redesigned nearly every mechanical component to create a pickup truck that is lighter, stronger and safer.
A big diet is the first step. Thanks to weight-loss engineering, the 2019 Crew Cab weighs in at 225 pounds less than it did before. For example, an aluminum tailgate cuts 15 pounds. Thanks to the increased use of high-strength metals (plus some aluminum bits) in the frame, another 100 pounds were achieved. It’s now 98% high-strength. The cab and box weighed in at least 100 more. However, the majority of the bodywork is still made of different types of steel and not aluminum. Ram has not yet moved down the road to all-aluminum bodywork like Ford F-Series.
Jim Morrison, Ram Brand Head, stated that “We’ve left the steel where it is needed to deliver the long-term endurance that our owners want.”
Aerodynamic performance is another area that has seen significant improvements. The truck’s drag coefficient dropped nine percent to 0.3557. The standard active grille shutters and subtle Venturi design at the rear cab’s roof are big contributors to this improvement. Also, the bed side rails are higher than ever. To reduce drag, the truck has an electronically deployable aero spoiler. It extends from the front bumper at speeds exceeding 30-35 MPH. The spoiler retracts at 15 mph and can be deployed only when the transfer case is in 4-Low. However, if it does strike something (e.g. Engineers say that it can withstand rough terrain thanks to its one-way clutch linkage. For further aero gains, trucks with air suspension can also be lowered to 0.6 inches at highway speeds.
The Ram 1500 introduces mild hybrid powertrains to complement its lighter weight and better aerodynamics. The 3.6-liter V6 is standard, while the 5.7-liter V8 can be ordered as an option. The “E-Torque”, system utilizes a 48-volt starter-generator that has been upgraded to give extra power for low-speed acceleration. It’s similar to the mild-hybrid system found on the Jeep Wrangler. The back wall of the cabin houses a 0.43-kWh lithiumion battery pack, which is cooled by cabin-air.
Ram claims that the system will provide 90 pound-feet more torque when the engine is revved up, and 130 lb-ft more for the V8. According to the system, it can restart an engine in less than a third of a second (e.g. The system can also use torque assistance to help smoothen out the idle after an engine stop at a traffic signal. It also allows the V8 to activate its fuel-saving mode cylinder deactivation more often by compensating for spikes in engine load that could otherwise force the V8 into eight-cylinder operation.
The V6 engine has 305 horsepower and 269lb-ft torque (identical to the previous model). The V8 is 395 hp, 395 lb/ft and 410lb/ft. The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel-V6 engine will be back on the market shortly after launch.
That cylinder-deactivation mode, meanwhile, should be a little less noticeable on the 2019 truck. The frame rails have a pair of active dampers that vibrate in counter-phase with the engine. This helps to reduce any shaking caused by the V8 running on four cylinders.
The Ram 1500’s maximum tow capacity is now 12,700 pounds. It can also carry a payload of up to 2,300 pounds. This is an increase from the 10,620 and 1,880 maximums.
The major chassis changes also include the switch from 5- to 6-lug wheel designs. This was mainly due to the addition of larger brakes. The front discs measure 14.9 inches while the rears measure 14.8 inches. Pad sizes have increased 18 percent. Morrison promises “best-in class braking” performance. The electric parking brake is now standard. This eliminates the need for long cable runs that used to be required by the mechanical units. It also saves 20 pounds. Special coolant lines are used in rear-wheel-drive trucks to heat up the fluid quicker. This reduces rolling resistance and marginally increases fuel efficiency.
All that new equipment is wrapped up in a refreshed exterior design that balances modernity and traditional Ram truck toughness cues. Ram Trucks’ exterior design chief Joe Dehner said that even the Ram logo has been updated. The previous logo was in use since 1981, but with minor changes. These new designs reflect Ram’s current direction better.
The crosshair grille design on the front has been eliminated and the headlights moved up by 1.5 inches. You can still find classic Ram truck cues like the “drop-fender” look under the headlights or the power bulge at the hood. It’s a more modern, sleeker nose. Some models even have slim LED headlights.
The engine designations that were previously written on the front doors now move to the side of a power bulge on hood. This cleans up the profile view. Dehner also points out the A-line crease, which helps to break up the long bodysides. He also mentions the new push-to open fuel door with capless fueling and subtler capacitive touch switches (rather that huge chrome buttons) for RamBox storage bins. These are, incidentally more spacious for 2019.
The Ram’s distinctive dual exhaust tips, which measure 4 inches in diameter, have increased to 4.5 inches. Mopar will offer a dealer-installed option to add a fold-out step to the driver’s side for easy loading. The bed rails are now 1.5 inches higher than they were before. This improves aero performance as well as storage space. The aluminum tailgate has been dampened.
Dehner claims that there are 15 wheel designs to choose from, six trim levels and twelve colors. Dehner is impressed by how shiny and content Rams can appear, with full-chrome trim at the daylight opening (many competitors trucks only have part chrome) and wheels up to 22 inches.
Ryan Nagode is Ram’s chief interior designer. He promises that there has been a significant improvement in the interior. There is now more space for passengers and cargo. Crew Cab models have doors that are 1 inch longer and a C-pillar 2 inches longer. This means rear-seat passengers can sit 4 inches further back.
The storage bins under the rear seats can now hold a four foot level of equipment (a useful tool for contractors) and a four inch drop hitch (a handy tool for anyone who tows frequently). The center console bin, which can hold a 15-inch laptop, is now larger (38 liters instead of 23). It also has sliding cupholders that can be moved in three positions. Ram claims that the 1500’s interior storage area is nearly double that of Ford and Chevrolet rivals.
The overall design remains business-first with simple gauges in front of the steering wheel and an electronic rotary shifter at the driver’s knee. A new center-stack arrangement places infotainment screen right up top. The small secondary glovebox to the right of the primary glovebox now has a cover that slides upwards, instead of popping forward. There are three touchscreens, each measuring 5-, 8.4- and 12-inches in size, flanked by several physical controls that have bulky designs to make it easier to use gloves while using them. The instrument cluster’s 7-inch color trip computer has a different font and color scheme for each of 1500’s trim levels.
There are many trim levels that offer luxury options, including rough-hewn wood trim, cold to-the-touch anodized pieces of metal and soft leathers. Rear seats can be reclined up to eight degrees, have heated or cooled back seats, and come with a new key fob. Nagode says that loaded-up cars have “Real wood and real metal adorn almost every surface.”
You’ll find five USB ports, four of which are the new Type C standard, as well as two 115-volt outlets (one in the RamBox). A CD player and wireless phone charging are optional. The back console features cupholders that can hold a tablet to provide entertainment for backseat passengers. Harmon Kardon’s sound system can be upgraded to include active noise cancellation.
All the information screens in this infotainment screen are compatible with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ latest Uconnect system. A 12-inch vertical option is available. It is basically two of the 8.4-inch screens merged into one. This allows for large full-screen navigation displays, such as pinch-to zoom maps and drag-and-drop tile shortcuts. You can display Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on one side of the screen. The other half is reserved for built-in functions, such as climate control.
An option to get a wi-fi hotspot and an optional subscription for the SiriusXM Guardian Telematics service will enable owners to lock, unlock and remotely start their trucks via an app on their smartphone (smartwatch integration coming soon). This hotspot is particularly important for Ram models, as truck owners use more wi-fi data that any other customer, according to Mike Novak, Manager, Uconnect Marketing and Consumer Experience.
The 2019 Ram 1500 has active safety tech. It features a 360-degree camera and blind-spot monitoring. This works with trailers up 40 feet in length. The windshield has all the radar and forward cameras mounted on the top, not in the grille. This is important so that owners can still mount plows and “cowcatcher” bars on trucks without having to compromise the system’s performance.
Drivers will be pleased to know that the 2019 truck has a significantly improved crash performance, particularly in the difficult Insurance Institute for Highway Safety small-overlap safety test. The frame rails extend outward from the engine to absorb more impact forces. They have an octagonal shape that is designed to crackle and deform in a certain way. To prevent wheel intrusion into your cabin, there are “wheel blocker” steel bars located behind the wheel openings. Ram believes the truck will pass the small overlap test. The outgoing model received “Marginal”, the second-lowest rating. The challenging test was passed by only two rival pickup trucks: the Ford F-150 and the Honda Ridgeline.
Off-roaders will find a Rebel variant with a one inch suspension lift, 18-inch wheels with 33″ tires, Bilstein shocks and functional recovery hooks. A locking rear differential is also available. The Rebel comes with a specially designed face that adds a bit of visual toughness. The Rebel 2019 will offer steel springs instead of the air suspension. This is a welcome addition for enthusiasts who wish to modify their truck. The 4×4 Offroad package is available for other Ram 1500 models. It offers many upgrades that are not available on other trims.
We need to find out how much the 2019 Ram 1500 will run and what its fuel efficiency ratings are. Ram says that we will have these details within the next few weeks, before the new truck goes to market in the first quarter.