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Motor Trend’s Secret to Expensive Testing? Save Receipts!

Posted on January 29th, 2010 by Ram Zone

Somehow we’d lost this funny gem from the Ram Heavy Duty Motor Trend 2010 Truck of the Year announcement on the cutting room floor until now, but we didn’t want you to miss it: Motor Trend Senior Editor Edward Loh lets us in on some cool secrets of their testing process — notably, that they test a truck’s payload with bags of rock salt from Home Depot, they naturally pick the full load up in a Ram in the first place, and (“I probably shouldn’t tell you this,” Loh admits) they then return the thousands of pounds of bagged rock salt to Home Depot the next day! As he points out, “Logistically, how do you test payload? Do you use manure?”

An Update on Ariel’s After-School Custom Ram Build

Posted on January 28th, 2010 by Ram Zone

California’s been getting some major storms lately, but that hasn’t stopped Ariel Ziegler’s progress with her ’55 Dodge pickup! Remember the 17-year-old who’s building her own truck from the ground up? Well, we stopped back in for a status report. And we have to say that everything seems to be coming together nicely: As you can see in these photos, the main cabin’s shell is basically constructed — and is looking pretty slick.

But Ariel’s not going to cut any corners. As her mom puts it, the high school senior is “a perfectionist.” A straight-A student (including many AP classes), she was accepted early into the honors program at San Diego State University, where she plans to study mechanical engineering and art. The pairing seems natural: you only need to look at her work on the ’55 pickup as evidence (plus, her father is an artist and her sister an art major). Next year, look for this extremely talented student driving her self-constructed truck around campus! Check out more photos after the jump, and be sure to check back for our next progress report. And give kudos to Ariel in the comments below for all of her hard work!

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Boost Your Fuel Economy with the iDFSO System

Posted on January 27th, 2010 by Ram Zone

In 2009, Ram set the bar high with improvements to almost all areas of its trucks and, driving forward, it continues to push the envelope for all others in its class. But there’s more to the makeover than meets the eye, particularly when it comes to better real-world fuel economy. Chrysler’s new Interactive Decel Fuel Shut-Off (iDFSO) system, introduced in 2010 on all DS powertrain combinations (3.7, 4.7, and 5.7-liter) and cab/box configurations of the Ram 1500, cuts fuel to the engine during deceleration, boosting real-world city and highway gas mileage, dependent on conditions and driving style. And to address that driving style, Ram has also added a fuel-saver indicator that turns on when the truck is being driven within the optimal range for fuel economy. Because who couldn’t do with a little positive reinforcement?

Cummins Turbo Diesel: The Cleanest Meanest Engine Around

Posted on January 26th, 2010 by Ram Zone

A true workhorse with best-in-class low-end torque, the Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel comes standard on all Ram 3500s. (In fact, it’s the only truck in its class to offer a diesel engine standard.) A truly peerless power train, the Cummins was a key reason that the Ram HD was named Motor Trend’s 2010 Truck of the Year.

But did you know it’s also one of the cleanest, quietest, most eco-friendly motors available? To put it in perspective, the Cummins Turbo Diesel met 2010 emission requirements way back in 2007 — leading the way for the innovations achieved in this year’s incarnation. Cummins used a High Pressure Common Rail fuel system and cooled exhaust gas recirculation to lower emissions. And they didn’t forget noise pollution in the process: the NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) dampening features in the 2010 model have led to a 50 percent quieter engine and all-around reduction in cabin noise levels. Wouldn’t you know it: The Ram Heavy Duty is the strong, silent type.

Watch the Yeti Custom Truck Demolish Winter

Posted on January 25th, 2010 by Ram Zone

Here’s a video to cheer up anyone who’s already sick of winter’s wrath. Using a modified Ram 3500 Cummins diesel, 76-inch tractor tires, Unimog portal axles and a Samson machine, fabricator Rex Bailey built his Yeti custom truck (named after the abominable snowman) in 2007 to conquer up to three feet of snow like it was nothing. As the video shows, with that much clearance, the Yeti makes shoveling a thing of the past — if you’ve got the spare time to build one.

The Ram Outfitter Is Now Open for Business!

Posted on January 22nd, 2010 by Ram Zone

“Sure,” you’re thinking, “I drive my Ram everywhere and wouldn’t even be seen dead in another vehicle if Ram made hearses, but what about those rare times when I’m actually out of my truck? What am I supposed to do then to show the world that I’m the biggest Ram fan on the planet?!?!”

Well, we’re glad you asked. Because you now have the chance to brand yourself, your wife or girlfriend, your kids, your friends’ kids, your friends’ kids’ friends (you get the picture), even your gear with a logo that will show everyone around that you know how to work.

Just click over to the Ram Trucks Outfitter to check out the offerings. Here are a few highlights for anyone on your Groundhog Day gift list:

The Bubba Cooler ($32.95)

This foot-high stainless-steel cooler not only holds 128 ounces of your favorite beverage, it even uses Bubba Fat™ dual-wall insulation to amazingly keep that same beverage hot or cold! Perfect for camping, sporting events, and all those other big events in your life where careful control of your transported liquid’s temperature is crucial.

The Atomic Solar G-Shock Watch ($299.95)

From the multi-band atomic timekeeping to the stainless steel case, this shock- and water-resistant watch can take the pounding of hard work. Liek the Ram, it also comes fully equipped, with a 1/20 second chronograph, world time in 29 time zones, 12 and 24 hour formats, and an automatic calendar pre-programmed until 2099.

The Women’s Dry-Tec Polo Shirt ($41.95)

This classic tailored Cutter & Buck polo is made of moisture-wicking fabric in red or charcoal, with dyed-to-match buttons, side vents, and embroidered Ram logo.

The Sandwich Visor Cap ($11.95)

This classy six-panel cap is the perfect accompaniment for your head. Made of 100% brushed cotton twill with a cloth backstrap with buckle, the cap rightfully comes only in black, with the Ram logo embroidered in gray.

The Ram Stuffed Toy ($11.95)

Because every kid needs a cute and cuddly representation of a powerful, dangerous animal. This eight-inch-long stuffed Ram has flexible limbs for imaginative play and is fully machine washable for when it inevitably gets dropped in the mud.

The Leatherman Blast ($64.95)

This Ram-branded stainless steel multi-tool is loaded with everything from needlenose pliers and a knife to various screwdrivers and a saw. Best of all, it comes with Zytel comfort-grip inserts that allow you to keep working all day without destroying your hands.

The Long-Sleeve Thermal Onesie ($12.95)

You’re never too young to learn what a real truck is. Educate your baby in style with this black Ram-branded onesie that features retro ribbed stitching.

Finally, Get Live TV on the Road!

Posted on January 21st, 2010 by Ram Zone

It’s an age-old quandary: It’s time to hit the road for that family trip, but the playoffs are on. What to do? At long last, now you no longer have to choose between mobility and entertainment. Last month, Chrysler became the first automaker to offer live mobile television inside its vehicles through FLO TV Auto Entertainment, which allows you to browse up to 20 channels — from ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX to ESPN, MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon — using a wireless remote control; the system’s tiny antenna is practically hidden (unlike most roof-mounted satellites). The Mopar package costs $629 (plus installation) and is offered on new Ram, Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep vehicles — and can even be installed on some 2009 models. Check with your local Ram dealer for more details.

Check Out the World’s Only 11-Passenger Ram

Posted on January 20th, 2010 by Ram Zone

If you happen to find yourself in London and in need of a classy group ride to a state function, formal party, or even your own wedding, you could do much worse than the unique offering from Easy Limo: a one-of-a-kind stretch Ram. With enough mood-lit room for 11 passengers, plush seating, and a fully-stocked bar — plus plenty of hauling room in the bed under the remote-control cover — you may just decide to keep your party on the road.

Mitch Rall’s Ultimate Family Truck

Posted on January 15th, 2010 by Ram Zone

Mitch Rall traded in his ’04 dualie for a new ’09 half-ton Ram as soon as they were available, three weeks before the SEMA Show. It wasn’t just about wanting a new truck — it was more about creating something unique that no one else had. Mitch works at Ekstensive Metalworks of Houston, so he’s used to elaborate projects like this. Still, as you can imagine, it’s no easy task. First he and his crew had to disassemble everything. And we mean everything — the front, sheetmetal, grille, bumpers, bed, interior, and rear. Then the real work began. They modified the suspension and dropped the truck down. They got the fuse box out of the way, mounted two Kinetik batteries, and relocated the brake lines in the front of the truck.

And these were only the first few steps; a lot more work went into getting the Ram ready for the show — Sport Truck Magazine has a great recap of the whole process. At SEMA, it was featured as a part of Chrysler’s special Mopar Alley section, but sadly, Rall couldn’t make it to the show himself — although he had a good excuse: His wife was giving birth to their son. Now the newest Rall certainly has the coolest ride in the neighborhood!

Fred Diaz Talks of “Turning the Industry Upside Down”

Posted on January 14th, 2010 by Ram Zone

The Ram display at Detroit’s North American International Auto Show doesn’t just have the best trucks and the most jaw-dropping display — it also has Ram President and CEO Fred Diaz, eager to talk about the new brand’s offerings. “From top-to-bottom, we are serious truck contenders with a serious world-class product,” Diaz says in the video. “I also want people to understand that although we will market and brand our Ram trucks as Ram trucks, they will always and forever be Dodges,” he adds. “They’ll always be VINed as a Dodge, and somewhere either on the exterior or the interior of the truck, you’ll always be able to see the Dodge logo and the Dodge name.”