Vehicle Overview
The heavy-duty Ram 2500 and 3500 are available in three cab styles: regular cab, crew cab and mega cab. Buyers can choose single or dual rear wheels and a 6-foot-4-inch or 8-foot cargo box. The Hemi-powered Power Wagon is a rugged off-road version of the Ram HD. Heavy-duty versions of the Ram can seat up to six people in certain configurations, and competitors include the Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-Series Super Duty.
New for 2012
Ram HD trucks with the 5.7-liter gas V-8 now have a six-speed automatic transmission. Other changes include:
- New steering wheel with auxiliary controls
- New black grille and bumpers on ST trim
Exterior
Ram HD pickups share headlamps and fenders with the 1500, but the grille is bigger to keep the engine cool while towing big trailers, and the hood is different to make room for the Cummins diesel. The front bumper has aggressive stamping. The single-piece chrome bumper wraps around the front of the truck, giving it a modern look and improved aerodynamics to help fuel economy. Ram HDs with dual rear wheels have sculpted fenders stamped into the sides of the cargo box. Other exterior features include:
- Adjustable tow mirrors with integrated turn signals
- 17-inch steel wheels standard; 17-inch aluminum wheels optional
- Available roof-mounted running lights
- Power Wagon model features a two-tone color scheme, underbody skid plates, a Warn electric winch rated at 12,000 pounds, distinct stripes and lettering, and 33-inch BFGoodrich off-road tires
Interior
The Ram HD’s cabin features all the high-quality materials and ergonomic and electronic options of the Ram 1500. The available integrated trailer-brake controller eliminates the need for an aftermarket kit to control a trailer’s electric brakes for improved towing control.
The front seats can be equipped with heat and ventilation functions. Rear-seat heating is also optional, as is a heated steering wheel.
The luxurious Laramie Longhorn has full leather seating with laser-etched bolsters, and the front seatbacks have metal buckles (bearing the Ram logo) with magnetic clasps, like a mailbag. An exclusive instrument cluster has the appearance of hand-wrought jewelry with six chrome gauge rings set against a painted taupe silver background and a tooled-metal Laramie Longhorn edition badge. The carpet is protected by specially designed all-weather rubber mats with polished metal badging and removable carpet inserts. The Laramie Longhorn is equipped with all of the standard equipment found on the top-level Ram Laramie plus navigation radio, remote start, a backup camera, front ventilated seats and rear heated seats. Other interior features include:
- Front bench or bucket seats in cloth or leather
- Available memory feature for seats, mirrors, pedals and radio
- Optional power-adjustable pedals
- Optional surround-sound system
- Available Mega Cab provides massive interior space
- Numerous storage options, including in-floor bins
Under the Hood
The Ram Power Wagon features higher ground clearance, electric-locking front and rear differentials, an electronic disconnecting sway bar, Bilstein shocks and a 4.56 axle ratio for difficult off-road driving. Additional mechanical features include:
- 383-horsepower, 5.7-liter V-8 with iron block and aluminum cylinder heads, cam-in-block, two valves per cylinder and 400 pounds-feet of torque
- 350-hp, turbocharged 6.7-liter inline-six-cylinder diesel with iron block and cylinder head, cam-in-block, four valves per cylinder and 650 pounds-feet of torque with the manual, 800 with the automatic
- Six-speed manual (5.94:1 1st gear) standard with 6.7-liter diesel engine
- Six-speed automatic standard with 5.7-liter gas engine
- Six-speed automatic optional with 6.7-liter diesel engine
Safety
Safety features include:
- Standard all-disc antilock brakes
- Standard electronic stability system (single-rear-wheel models)
- Standard side curtain airbags
- Optional rear park assist
- Optional backup camera
