Dodge Ram
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Dodge’s Ram Pickup is another truck that needs few introductory notes. Originally rolled out in 1981, the Ram Pickup immediately earned a reputation for reliability and off-road capability from farmers and commercial drivers. Considered a full-size pickup, the Ram came available with a varied lineup of motors – most notably, the 5.9L Cummins diesel straight-6. This mammoth of a motor was perhaps the physically largest non-V8 engine ever produced in a standard truck. This unusual take on a truck’s powerplant incorporated an eccentric but ultra-reliable multi-valve pushrod top end that displaced a staggering 359 cubic inches with an equally surprisingly large 4.02” bore.
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The 5.9L Cummins also broke the mold in compression, blowing other motors out of the water with a 17.2:1 ratio, mostly thanks to its large turbocharger. Direct injection meant the motor didn’t have to rely on glow plugs like the indirect-injected diesels of Ford and GM. The motor’s construction incorporated an all-iron build with forged connecting rods, assembled camshaft, and cast aluminum intake manifold. A rail injection system helped keep compression and timing in check under load and the Cummins generally unmatched power and reliability made it one of Dodge’s most popular engines ever produced, even to this day. Putting all that power to the Ram’s wheels was either an equally reliable A727 automatic transmission or a 4- or 5-speed manual. For customers favoring a more traditional power plant, Dodge offered gas straight-6s and its popular series of Magnum V8s.
The Ram came available as a quarter-ton, half-ton and full-ton truck with many comfort options to boot: Front bumper guards, sliding rear cab window, air conditioning, cruise control, tilt steering column, power locks and windows, AM/FM stereo with cassette player, and a plowing package available for 4×4 made the Ram one of the most user-friendly and “luxury” trucks available in an economy, workhorse truck market. The drivetrain maintained its own high remarks for reliability thanks to available Dana 44, Dana 60, Dana 70, and even Dana 80 axles. Dodge ditched locking hubs in favor of a center axle disconnect. This alternative to locking hubs allowed the spider and side gears to spin independently of the differential carrier, pinion and drive shafts, reducing drivetrain wear and risks of failure.
Today, the Ram is Dodge’s most popular vehicle sold with updated and modernized 6.7L Cummins and 6.4L Hemi motors provide some unbeatable power figures and towing capacities. The modern Ram sports a best-in-class towing and max payload rating and is rated #2 in reliability by U.S. News and World Report, making it one of our top picks on our list of Toughest Trucks.
