Ram 3500 Ups Torque to 1,000 lb-ft

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV says the re-engineered 2019 Ram 3500 heavy-duty pickup truck will generate an industry-best 1,000 lb-ft of torque with its 6.7-liter inline-six Cummins diesel engine.

Output for the new 3500 has increased by 70 lb-ft compared with the 2018 model. The truck’s closest competitors—Ford Motor Co.’s F-Series Super Duty diesel and General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet 3500 HD trucks—produce 935 and 910 lb-ft of torque, respectively.

The Cummins diesel makes 400 hp in the new Ram 3500, up about 4% from the outgoing model. But this still trails Ford’s 6.7-liter Powerstroke diesel V-8 (450 hp) and GM's 6.6-liter Duramax V-8 (445 hp).

FCA says the redesigned Cummins diesel features a lighter, stronger cylinder block made of compacted graphite iron rather than cast iron. The design reduces vibration and helps lower weight by 60 lbs.

The engine also gets lighter and stronger pistons with low-friction rings. Other upgrades include a hollow camshaft, new rods and springs, low-friction bearings and a redesigned exhaust manifold. The diesel engine’s turbocharger also has been improved to provide a higher boost pressure, and the fuel injectors can now handle 29,000 psi of pressure.

Ram also has strengthened the truck’s available two-speed BorgWarner transfer case and added a 12-inch rear axle. The 6.7-liter diesel will be mated with an Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission with a new electronic controller that FCA says provides faster and more precise shifts.

FCA describes the diesel-powered Ram 3500 as having best-in-class payload (7,680 lbs) and towing (35,100 lbs) ratings.

Other engine options will include a less powerful (370 hp and 850 lb-ft) variant of the Cummins diesel and a gasoline-fueled 6.4-liter Hemi V-8. The latter makes 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque.

The base Cummins diesel will be paired with an upgraded Aisin 6-speed automatic, while the Hemi V-8 gets a shift-by-wire 8-speed automatic. Ram is dropping the previous manual transmission option for the 3500 pickup.