Ram Announces The New 2014 Heavy Duty Line
2014 Ram Heavy Duty line comes to offer best-in-class towing capacity. The range of vehicles are equipped with the 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine which is capable of generating 410 horsepower (300 kW) and 582 Nm (429 lb-ft). And the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is estimated at 37,600 pounds with Ram 3500.
The Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty are also equipped with innovative technologies, 5-link coil suspension with optional air suspension on Ram 2500 and a supplemental air bag suspension option on Ram 3500.
The five-link coil rear suspension system aims to deliver better ride and handling and also to provide better articulation over obstacles. In addition, the robust coil springs are now capable to handling the loads required of a Heavy Duty Ram 2500 — up to 17,940 pounds for towing.
The segment exclusive rear air suspension system is also to be found in the Ram 2500. An air bag replaces the coil spring which increases the load-leveling capability. In fact, the air pressure enhances until the vehicle reaches normal ride height, leveling the truck, improving stability and loaded ride.
Furthermore, the Ram 3500 keeps the rear Hotchkiss leaf spring system but will also include supplemental air suspension system on SRW and DRW applications. This addition softens the leaf springs thus allowing for more unladed suspension movement.
At the front, the Heavy Duty line includes an advanced three-link front suspension. It in turn secures better roll stiffness. The latter is very important for heavy payloads and is measured by the amount the truck's body tips side-to-side, independently of the wheels, during cornering.
2014 Ram 2500 also comes with gooseneck (center-positioned ball in the bed) or fifth wheel capability, an in-box connection junction, and a standard Class 4 and 5 receiver hitch with a four or seven pin connector on the bumper.
The Ram Power Wagon also benefits from the new five-link rear suspension, the unique front suspension system and modified front three-link system. The latter includes high-movement links, allowing for additional flexibility and axle articulation. This model is powered by the 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine, which makes the Power Wagon the most capable production off-road truck in the industry.
Moreover, the new 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 was optimized specifically for the Ram Heavy Duty lineup. The result is improved low-end torque without sacrificing high-end power. It comes mated to a 66RFE six-speed automatic transmission as a standard.
Other engine options include the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8, which is the standard equipment for the Ram 2500 and 3500 (SRW). This unit generates 383 horsepower (282 kW) at 5,600 rpm and generates peak torque of 542 Nm (400 lb.-ft.) at 4,000 rpm. The engine is matched also with the 66RFE six-speed automatic transmission.
Furthermore, the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6 is available in three versions. The first one is paired with a six-speed manual transmission that includes a wear-compensating clutch for lifetime like-new performance and a dual-trunion shift tower to accommodate a compact shift pattern. The result is 350 horsepower (257 kW) at 2,800 rpm and 895 Nm (660 lb.-ft.) of torque at 1,400 rpm.
The next option, matches the unit to the 68RFE six-speed automatic transmission, with a power estimated at a 370 horsepower (272 kW) at 2,800 rpm with an unsurpassed in ¾-ton trucks 1084 Nm (800 lb.-ft.) of torque at 1,600 rpm.
At last, the third option matches the unit to an Aisin six-speed automatic transmission (AS69RC), which helps the Ram generate 385 horsepower (283 kW) at 2,800 rpm and a torque of 1152 Nm (850 lb.-ft.) at 1,700 rpm.
Another highlight featured here is the Ram Active Air intake system. When the intake system senses extreme heat, it draws cooler air from the front of the vehicle. In case of wet, snow, ice or water-fording conditions, the same system pulls air from an under-hood inlet, clear from snow packing and water.
In addition, there are available two Borg-Warner part-time transfer cases for the Heavy Duty line-up. The BW 44-46 is an electric shifting part-time transfer case with 2WD, 4WD High, 4WD Low and Neutral, while the BW 44-47 is a manual shifting transfer case with 2WD, 4WD High, 4WD Low and Neutral.
Next to be mentioned is that the 2014 model can be equipped with range of new 18- and 20-inch wheels, including forged aluminum, polished with painted, white gold painted pockets and cast aluminum with silver inserts. Moreover, a cargo-view camera, mounted in the center high-mounted stop light (CHMSL) will deliver a view of the bed for easier fifth wheel or gooseneck trailers as well as monitoring bed loads.
At last, the 2014 Ram Heavy Duty will be offered in twelve different colors, including two new ones: Blue Streak and Granite Crystal. It can be ordered in a monotone and/or two-tone, depending on the model.
The production of the 2014 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty will start at the third quarter of this year. The initial price of the models is estimated at $29 600.
Source: Ram Truck
