2014 Ram 2500/3500 HD: First Look

To say there are big suspension changes to the 2014 Ram Heavy Duty model lineup would be a gross understatement. This comes on the heels of other big changes made to the 2013 Ram HD's frame, which allowed it to brag about having the highest maximum tow capacity of any truck in its class — by a wide margin.

Here are just some of the highlights we know so far. The 2014 Ram 2500 HDs will now be offered with a standard heavy-duty rear link-coil suspension with an optional airbag option. One-ton models, which are still offered with leaf spring live axles, will get a heavy-duty rear airbag suspension option as well. Both suspension options, as well as the new coil springs offered on the three-quarter-ton Ram HDs, were motivated by the need to improve the overall ride quality. No pricing for the air suspension has been announced at this time.

More big news surrounds the fact that Ram will be the first in the segment to offer two gasoline engine options for its HD lineup with the existing 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 matched with the all-new and MDS-equipped 6.4-liter Hemi V-8. The bigger Hemi is essentially a carbon copy of the smaller one with a slightly larger bore and stroke. Society of Automotive Engineers ratings for the 6.4-liter are 410 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 429 pounds-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Both gas engines will be offered with a six-speed automatic, and the existing 6.7-liter inline-six Cummins engine — still to be offered in three horsepower and torque ratings like the 2013 models – can be paired with a six-speed manual and two six-speed automatics. The 6.7-liter Cummins high-output turbo-diesel will be mated to the heavy-duty six-speed Aisin (AS69RC) transmission.

The more powerful Hemi and upgraded suspensions should improve some of the Ram HDs' rougher edges quite a bit, but we'll have to wait and see how they haul and pull.

The 2014 Ram 2500 HD will start at $30,695 (including destination); more pricing information will be available later this summer.

For more information about the 2014 Ram 2500 and 3500 changes,  for the press release.

For the most up-to-date specs on the 2014 Ram HD, .

Editor’s note: This post was updated to include available pricing information.