RAM 1500 Generations: Through the Years

Over 40 years of developing the Dodge and now RAM 1500 has proven that it’s an innovative truck pushing the entire market to get better.

From Dodge to Its Own Brand

1981 Dodge RAM 150 – Hanksters Hot Rods on youtube.com | Shop RAM 1500 on Carsforsale.com

Iconic automotive mogul Lee Iacocca was the man who signed off on the Dodge RAM 1500 in 1980 to be produced for the next model year. Since then, the RAM 1500 has been one of the most innovative and tough pickup trucks on the market. Today, it’s so strong that it’s been spun off as its own brand and features the most powerful stock pickup truck available with its 702-horsepower RAM TRX offering. Today, we’ll go back through the years to see how the brand has gone from a new upstart to the top of the food chain.

First Generation RAM 1500 (1981-1993)

The first generation of Dodge RAM pickups carried over the D/W designations from the previous truck series, with D100 for rear-wheel-drives and W100 for four-wheel-drives.
Four-wheel-drive models are also called Dodge Power RAMs.
The very first Dodge RAM was offered with a 3.7-liter slant-six that made just 95 horsepower and more than 150 lb-ft of torque.
A punchier pair of V8s were also available with the smaller 5.2-liter V8 making 140 horsepower and the larger 5.9-liter V8 producing some 170 horsepower.

1989 Dodge RAM 5.2L V8 - carsforsale.com

The style of the first generation Dodge RAM was iconic from the very beginning with unique squared-off edges and a crosshair grille.
Multiple cab and bed lengths were available from the very start of production.
Two automatic transmissions were available including a three and four-speed gearbox.
Two manuals were also available including a four-speed and a five-speed stick shift.

Ride quality was considered average for its day, but the interior quality was very good for a truck. It featured a sliding rear window, cruise control, and air conditioning all as available options.
By 1985 the crew cab and the extended cab had been discontinued, and then massive engine overhauls had taken place in 1989.
The slant-six had been dropped in favor of a 3.7-liter V6 and fuel injection was a part of both V8 engines.
The Dodge RAM also got its first 5.9-liter Cummins diesel during this time. It made 160 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque.

Second Generation RAM 1500 (1994-2001)

By 1994, the engines in the all-new RAM 1500 were more powerful than ever.
The 3.9-liter Magnum V6 made 175 horsepower.
The available 5.2-liter Magnum V8 made 220 horsepower and the larger 5.9-liter Magnum V8 made 230 horsepower.
The 5.9-liter Cummins turbo diesel carried over to this generation as well and Dodge also added an available 8.0-liter Magnum V10 engine that made 300 horsepower, but both could only be had on heavy duty models.

1994 Dodge RAM 1500 5.2L V8 - carsforsale.com

The three-speed automatic transmission was discontinued in favor of a four-speed auto or a five-speed manual.
The second generation is the first to feature the swooping fenders that continue as a trademark part of the truck today.
The most simplistic version of the crosshair grille also sets a pattern that will be followed by RAMs for years.
The second generation 1994 Dodge RAM immediately wins “Truck of the Year”.

Cabin storage is a main point of pride for the Dodge RAM 1500 with a large center storage area in addition to a large glove box and more storage behind the seats.
In 1998, the RAM 1500 got a new Quad Cab configuration with clamshell rear doors.
It also got a new Sport model with a body-colored grille and a more aggressive front fascia.
In 2000, diesel models could be equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, a first for the truck.
All RAM 1500’s offered optional heated seats and dual-piston caliper brakes up front.

Third Generation RAM 1500 (2002-2008)

For 2002, the Dodge RAM 1500 received a bolder exterior design with more modern lines and a larger overall shape.
Live axles were done away with at the front of the RAM in favor of independent suspension.
Right away, the Dodge RAM 1500 was a more comfortable riding truck than any of its rivals.

2004 Dodge RAM 1500 SRT10 - carsforsale.com

That handling ability was good enough that Dodge created the RAM 1500 SRT10 for 2004. It featured a Viper V10 drivetrain.
The SRT10 could be had with a four-speed auto or a six-speed manual transmission.

For a time, it was the world’s fastest pickup truck with a top speed of 154 miles per hour.
In 2005, the RAM 1500 Power Wagon was released with a 5.7-liter HEMI engine, a factory lift kit, and a 12,000-pound winch installed on the front of the truck.
In 2006, Dodge gave the truck a facelift with updated lighting and grille designs. Then, in 2008, new taillights were added as well.

Fourth Generation RAM 1500 (2009-2018)

The 2009 model year RAM was the last time it was considered a Dodge, but it did receive a ground-up redesign.
In 2010, RAM was spun off as its own brand entirely so that Dodge and Chrysler could focus on other vehicles while RAM took the truck segment.
Interestingly, the Dodge wordmark continued on the dash of the truck until 2013.
Two and four-wheel-drive trucks continued to make up the lineup with single, crew, and quad-cab layouts available.

Three engines were available including a 215-horsepower V6, a 310-horsepower V8, and a 390-horsepower HEMI V8.
The RAM 1500 offered the most modern suspension of any pickup in its time with a five-link rear suspension in place of leaf springs.
This generation of the RAM 1500 could tow up to 10,450 pounds when properly equipped.

2016 RAM 1500 Rebel - media.stellantisnorthamerica.com

In 2013, the truck saw numerous styling changes as a part of a mid-cycle refresh.
The changes included a new front end, new trim levels, and the RAMbox cargo management system on each side of the bed.
By 2016, the RAM Rebel made its debut as a more off-road focused 1500. It got a 1-inch lift and all-terrain tires from the factory.
Before the generation concluded, RAM began to implement touchscreen infotainment systems that included an 8.4-inch unit.

Fifth Generation RAM 1500 (2019-Present)

The 2019 RAM 1500 went on sale in late 2018 and instantly became one of the best trucks in the market.
It features the best ride quality and handling even years later.
For the first time, a 12-inch Uconnect infotainment system was made available.

Also in 2019, the RAM 1500 has the option of using a hybrid powertrain called eTorque that incorporates a belt-driven generator and battery pack.
An eight-speed automatic is the only transmission available.
Two engines, a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, make up the fifth generation RAM 1500’s engine choices.

2021 RAM 1500 TRX – ramtrucks.com | Shop RAM 1500 on Carsforsale.com

The 702-horsepower RAM TRX is introduced for 2021 and uses a supercharged V8 that helps it go from 0-60 in just 3.7-seconds.
The 2021 edition gets a special trailer reverse steering control system that aids in hooking up more easily.
Towing capacity of the RAM 1500 pickup is increased to 12,750 pounds when properly equipped.