RAM/Cummins Celebrate 25th Anniversary

1989 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis diesel

Ram Truck and Cummins Celebrate 25 Years of Diesel Powertrain Partnership

Towing Equipment Behind Today's Dually Pickups Probably Requires The Driver To Have A Valid Cdl

Twenty-five years ago, Ram and Cummins changed the face of heavy-duty pickups – and the lives of hard working truck owners – forever.  

The two companies combined their respective areas of expertise to literally build a new truck platform that would push the heavy duty pickup market to new standards for performance and reliability.

The automotive marriage created a cult following in the process.

Since that time more than 10 million B-series Cummins engines have been produced with more than 2 million finding a home in Ram Heavy Duty and Chassis Cab trucks. 

Together, the two companies have succeeded by combining dominant truck engineering and superb diesel powertrain design. The result, competitors continue to chase the legacy which began in 1989 and Ram’s 2014 Heavy Duty and Chassis Cab truck lines grip best-in-class titles in the No. 1 purchase reason: capability.

“Ram and Cummins are names synonymous with power, quality and durability. We’ve enjoyed a successful relationship and remained leaders in the diesel pickup market for 25 years,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO — Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC.

“The numbers don’t lie. Backed by a Cummins engine, our Ram Heavy Duty is King of the Hill with 30,000 lbs. of towing capacity – three tons more than the closest competitor and our flagship Chassis Cab trucks hit Gross Combined Weight Ratings of up to 37,500 lbs.”

When first introduced in 1989, the Dodge Ram 3500 with the 5.9-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine produced 160 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque.

Today’s 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel available in the Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pickups and Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab trucks delivers up to  385 horsepower and a ground shaking 850 lb.-ft. of torque – more than any competitor.

“The Cummins and Ram Truck partnership has created a legendary package over the last 25 years and we appreciate their continued loyalty to Cummins,” said Dave Crompton, Cummins Vice President and General Manager – Engine Business.

A VIDEO BLAST FROM THE PAST

1989 Ram Ad clip

Bragging Rights

  • The Cummins engine has an 85 percent take rate on Ram Heavy Duty trucks
  • Since 1989, the Ram Heavy Duty with Cummins engine has held more best-in-class titles than any other pickup truck manufacture
  • Best-in-class long-term quality, reliability and durability  when compared to other automaker
  • Only engine also found in heavy equipment when compared to other truck manufacturer
  • More Cummins B-series million-mile club members and the greatest brand recognition when compared to other automaker
  • Built to last, Cummins’ 6.7-liter is the benchmark in medium-duty truck markets, featuring a cast iron head (competition uses aluminum), 30-40 percent fewer moving components and the largest bore and stroke – a testament to its durability, structure and longevity

Best-in-class

Heavy Duty:

  • Power – 850 lb.-ft. of torque
  • Towing – Up to 30,000 pounds with Ram 3500
  • Towing – Up to 17,970 pounds with Ram 2500
  • Payload – Up to 7,320 pounds with Ram 3500
  • Capacity – Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 37,600 pounds with Ram 3500

 Chassis Cab:

  • 3500 GCWR of up to 30,000 pounds and max trailer weight of 22,750 pounds
  • 4500 GCWR of up to 32,500 pounds and max trailer weight of 24,650 pounds
  • 5500 GCWR of up to 37,500 pounds and max trailer weight of 29,600 pounds