Turbo Diesel

• The Ram 1500 is the only Dodge Ram not to receive the diesel.
  
  In 2009, the most rugged diesel on the market is the Cummins turbo 350-hp 6.7-liter straight-6 engine that generates 650 foot-pounds of torque. It comes standard in the Ram 3500 ST, SXT, the 3500 Big Horn and Lone Star, the Sport and the Laramie models. It's an option in the same trim models in the 2500 class. The Ram's 5.7-liter gasoline-powered Hemi V-8 provides more horsepower at 383 than the Cummins diesel. Yet the Cummins provides 246 more foot-pounds of torque.
  
  

Chassis Cabs

• The quad cab Ram 2500 is equipped with the optional 6.7-liter turbo diesel.
  
  For 2010, Dodge announced a new line of Dodge Chassis Cab models for the ultra heavy-duty commercial 3500, 4500 and 5500 models. All models have a gross vehicle weight of more than 16,001 pounds. These models add six inches of leg room for up to six passengers and are powered by the 6.7-liter turbo diesel.
  
  

Background

• The 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 is equipped with the turbo disel as standared equipment.
  
  Chrysler-owned Dodge Ram pickups debuted in 1981, replacing the Dodge D-Series trucks. The truck had a reputation as a durable workhorse, but its styling did not garner much praise. In 1989, Cummins signed a contract with Chrysler to supply a 5.9-liter inline 6-cylinder diesel engine for its then-named 250, a three-quarter ton model, and the 350 one-ton models.
  
  

Makeover

• The Ram 4500 Chassis Cab model requires extra torque.
  
  In 1994, the Dodge Ram received a major makeover that mimicked the big rig trucks with a raised hood, separate fenders and prominent crosshairs grille. To match this masculine look, Dodge equipped its renamed 2500 and 3500 models with four diesel engine options. All four were 5.9-liter 12-valve straight-6s ranging from 175 horsepower and 420 foot-pounds of torque to 245 hp and 505 foot-pounds of torque.
  
  

Torque

• The Ram 5500 has the turbo diesel engine as standard equipment.
  
  Dodge likes its pickup truck engines over-engineered with massive pulling power and acceleration to match the larger commercial trucks. Dodge engineers emphasized the pulling capacity by demanding from Cummins more torque, which is the twisting force from an engine's rotating force to literally jump the truck from a dead stop. The higher the torque, the greater the acceleration and towing ability. Dodge sought diesels that fulfilled those needs for the 2500 and 3500 models.
  
  

Cummins

• The Cummins 6.7-liter straight-6 turbo diesel engine.
  
  The Indiana-based Cummins Inc. has been manufacturing diesel engines since 1919. It has been providing Dodge diesels off and on for many decades before inking a contract in 1989 to supply the Dodge Ram with diesel power. Cummins has helped the Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 model trucks win numerous awards for best in class for delivering diesels with exceptional pulling power. The 1500 model was not designed for heavy towing and isn't equipped with the diesel.
  
  

Today

• Virtually all Ram trucks used for commercial purposes are equipped with a diesel engine.
  
  Cummins has produced more than 1.5 million diesel engines for the Ram. An estimated 80 percent of Dodge Ram owners buy their trucks with a diesel engine. The 6.7-liter turbo diesel has a life expectancy of 350,000 miles, outstripping its competitors by 100,000 miles.