Dodge Ram

See also Dodge Ram 50, an unrelated Mitsubishi-produced truck

The Ram is a fullsize pickup truck from DaimlerChrysler's Dodge brand. The name was first used in 1981 on the redesigned D Series, though it came from the hood ornament used in the 1930s and 1940s trucks.

The Ram was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 1994, and the Ram Heavy Duty won that award for 2003.

The Ram is built at Saltillo Truck Assembly in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, Saint Louis Assembly North in Fenton, Missouri, and Warren Truck Assembly in Warren, Michigan.

1981 to 1993: The 'D' Trucks

See also Dodge Ramcharger

The first-generation Ram trucks, introduced for 1981, kept the previous generation's model designations: "D" meant rear wheel drive while the "W" Power Ram meant four wheel drive. Like other domestic makers, Dodge used 150 to mean a half-ton truck, 250 to indicate a ¾-ton, and 350 for one-tons. Standard cab, "Club" extended cab, and crew cab versions were offered along with 6.5ft and 8ft bed lengths and "Utiline" and "Sweptline" styled boxes. Externally, the first-generation Rams were facelifted versions of the previous generation Dodge D Series pickups (known as the Adventurer) dating back to 1972 with wraparound taillights and square headlights.

100 models were added for 1984, replacing the previous "Miser" trim on low-output manual transmission Slant-6 trucks. A "Ram-Trac" shift-on-the-fly transfer case was added for 1985, and both the crew cab and Utiline flared bed were dropped for 1986. The 5.2L engine received electronic fuel injection for 1988.

The engines were updated for 1989. The Slant-6 was dropped in favor of a 3.9L fuel injected V6 with 25% more power. The 5.9L V8 also received fuel injection that year for 20hp (15kW) more power. Rear anti-lock brakes were also made standard.

The Ram 100 models were renamed "150S" for 1990, and the exterior was redesigned the next year, including Dodge's trademark crosshair grille. The engines wore the "Magnum" name for 1992 and 1993 with much higher output.