The 2019 Ram Heavy Duty features a towing capacity of 35,100 lbs. and a payload capacity of 7,680 lbs. Driving it all, a never-before-seen torque rating of 1000 lb.-ft. from the Cummins I6 Turbo Diesel engine.
“Ram Heavy Duty owners constantly demand the highest levels of capability to tackle the biggest jobs and with 35,100 lbs. of towing capacity, pulled by 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque from our Cummins engine, we now hold the most important titles within the segment,” said Reid Bigland, Head of Ram Brand, FCA. “We’ve also surrounded owners in luxury and technology that, until now, was unavailable in a heavy-duty pickup.”
With a long list of upgrades, the new Cummins 6.7-liter I6, high output Turbo Diesel delivers up to 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1,800 rpm and 400 hp @ 2,800 rpm. Changes begin at the core, with a cylinder block made from compacted graphite iron. Overall, the new Cummins Turbo Diesel weighs more than 60 lbs. less than the previous-generation engine, yet delivers more power and torque. A new cast-iron cylinder head builds on the new block with changes that include new exhaust valves and springs, and new rocker arms. Lighter and stronger pistons include new low-friction rings and connect to the crankshaft via newly design forged connecting rods and new bearings. An new exhaust manifold is the mounting point for an improved variable-geometry turbocharger with laminated heat shields, delivering boost pressure up to 33 psi.
The second variant of the Cummins Turbo Diesel also gets a performance boost with 370 hp @ 2,800 rpm and 850 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1,700 rpm.
The standard engine in the 2019 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty is a 6.4-liter HEMI V8, delivering 410 hp @ 5,600 rpm and 429 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,000 rpm to handle the payload and towing requirements of the heavy-duty truck user.
Transmission Options
Ram 3500 Heavy Duty models equipped with the 1,000 lb.-ft. high output Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel employ the Aisin AS69RC electronically controlled six-speed automatic. This transmission is engineered to handle the torque of the Turbo Diesel engine and increased vehicle weight ratings while delivering improved shift quality. Along with hardware upgrades, the Aisin AS69RC uses a new transmission controller with double the memory of the previous controller and a dual-core processor. This delivers faster, more precise shifts under all driving and loading conditions.
Ram Heavy Duty trucks powered by the standard output Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel are equipped with a significantly upgraded version of the 68RFE six-speed automatic transmission. Changes designed to improve the electronically controlled transmission’s shift quality include new variable-force solenoid controls for the torque-converter clutch. A new reverse accumulator improves shift feel when placing the transmission into park from reverse. Drive-to-park shifts were also improved through refined hydraulic control.
In a first for the Ram Heavy Duty, the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 comes mated to the proven TorqueFlite 8HP75 eight-speed automatic. There are more than 40 individual shift maps to optimize shift points for fuel economy, performance and drivability. The transmissions use shift-by-wire technology, eliminating a mechanical linkage between the transmission and the gear selector. The 2019 Ram Heavy Duty uses a rotary e-shift dial mounted on the left side of the instrument panel’s center stack – freeing up space traditionally occupied by a console- or column-mounted shift lever.
Transfer Cases and Axles
Four-wheel-drive versions of the 2019 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty are equipped with a BorgWarner part-time transfer case. The 6.4-liter HEMI V8 and variant of the Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel drive power through either an electronic (BW 44-46) or manual shift (BW 44-47) transfer case, depending on model.
Ram Heavy Duty trucks with the high output version of the Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel are equipped with a new part-time BorgWarner transfer case (BW 44-48). This transfer case is designed to handle the higher input loads for maximum towing capability up to 35,100 lbs.
New front and rear axles on the 2019 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty have been engineered to improve durability, handle industry-leading payload and towing capabilities, and minimize NVH, as well as take advantage of opportunities to optimize weight. The Ram 3500 Heavy Duty is offered with an new, larger 12-in. AAM rear axle to handle the class-leading power and capability.
Frames
Ram Heavy Duty trucks feature new frames built with 98.5-percent high-strength steel, six separate crossmembers, hydroformed main rails and fully boxed rear rails for optimal strength and mass efficiency. Although the new Ram Heavy Duty is stronger and more capable, lightweight materials in the frame, powertrain and an aluminum hood reduce overall weight by up to 143 lbs. Two Active-Tuned Mass Modules (ATMM) mounted on the frame rails search out unfavorable vibrations and apply countermeasures to eliminate them.
Wide front frame rails enable front suspension springs to be positioned slightly outboard – an enabler for generating positive roll stiffness. In the rear portion of the new frame, the structure includes fully boxed rear rails. The rear-axle structural crossmember with provisions for fifth-wheel and gooseneck hitches, has been upgraded for 2019 to accommodate the increased towing capacity.
On vehicles equipped with the optional auxiliary camera prep package, the standard 4/7-pin bumper connector is replaced with a 12/7-pin connector to support the remote camera option (available Mopar accessory). A tailgate handle-mounted, rear high-definition camera backup system is standard with dynamic imaging on the 12-in., 8.4-in. or 5-in. displays with turning guidelines. Also, the cargo-view camera located in the Center High-Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) provides a view of the bed for easier connection to fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailers, as well as monitoring bed loads.
Suspension
Heavy Duty trucks generally have a suspension equipped for constant, heavy payloads. This leads to a harsher ride when unloaded. The 2019 Ram Heavy Duty includes Frequency Response Damping (FRD) shocks on all four corners. The valves of an FRD shock automatically adjust for the type of vertical wheel input, allowing the Ram Heavy Duty to have sports-car-like suspension for handling and a supple suspension on rough terrain. Engineers added progressive springs and upgraded bushings to the suspension system, including the exclusive five-link coil design on Ram 2500, providing better load-carrying characteristics and improved articulation over obstacles when compared to a leaf-spring system.
An Active-Level rear air suspension is available on both the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 and includes a new Bed-lowering Mode to simplify the heaviest trailer hook-ups. The 2019 Ram 2500 uses two air bags to replace the coil springs. The Ram 3500 features a Hotchkiss rear leaf-spring system with optional air suspension. By adding supplemental air bags, Ram engineers were able to soften the heavy-load leaf springs, allowing for more unladed suspension movement.
In the front, a new, two-piece, front-suspension crossmember structure adds a longer welded interface and greater strength to the frame. The Ram Heavy Duty line features an advanced three-link front suspension to ensure roll stiffness.
Brakes
A new braking system upgrades the calipers, booster and master cylinder. Combined with a larger-ratio pedal swing, the 2019 Ram Heavy Duty delivers a more confident and powerful execution with little effort from the driver. The reengineered system also offers shorter stopping distances and braking to match the highest capability.
Body
Several body elements are upgraded from mild steel to high-strength steel on the 2019 Heavy Duty pickups. Additional light-weighting efforts consist of an aluminum hood, which contributes to an overall weight reduction of 143 lbs. on the volume model.
Through wind-tunnel analyses and three million miles of real-world durability tests, engineers have created the quietest Ram Heavy Duty ever with a segment-leading drag coefficient of .409. Upgrades to improve Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) include new C-pillar hydromounts, anti-vibration devices, new engine mounts, active noise cancelling and new exhaust-system attachments.
