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Curious How They Got a 2.5-Ton Ram on the Ceiling?

Well, it’s complicated and involves a snug cradle, roller coasters, and plenty of careful maneuvering. In this video, John Tulloch of George P. Johnson, who built the innovative stand used to hold the inverted Ram, explains how exactly they placed the 5,000-pound truck on the ceiling of Detroit’s Cobo Hall. And don’t fret if you can’t make it to Detroit to see it in person — the improbably portable display could soon be coming to a show near you.

Ram 1500 Named One of the 10 Best Vehicles of 2010

The accolades just keep rolling in in the new year — the February issue of Automobile magazine, on newsstands now, names the Ram 1500 one of the 10 best vehicles for 2010.

“When a new pickup truck has the fortitude to question established practices, it deserves to be recognized,” the editors write. “The new half ton Dodge Ram is that truck. Dodge engineers created a vehicle that works smarter, drives quieter, uses less fuel, and secures cargo storage better. The Ram sets the standard by living up to the radical idea that the cabin of a $40,000 truck should be as nice as that of a $40,000 car.” They make the 1500 sound pretty great — even better: it actually starts at an MSRP of only $21,510!

Ram Turns NAIAS Upside Down

Sure, it’s an obvious gag, but the early reaction on the first press preview day at the North American International Auto Show has been one of stunned amazement — pretty much the same reaction reviewers have had when they first sink their teeth into the Ram Heavy Duty, the 2010 Motor Trend Truck of the year. “Ram Trucks continue to break the rules with big-rig styling, improved quality, durability and capability,” Fred Diaz, Ram President and CEO, said last week. “Starting with the most award-winning light-duty pickup – our Ram 1500, our all-new ultimate towing machine and Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year, the 2010 Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty, our best-in-class towing Dakota and the all-new 2011 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs, our trucks are the best on the planet.” The press is getting a full look at the entire line today and tomorrow in Detroit — apologies for any stiff necks.

NAIAS Preview: 2011 Ram Chassis Cab

If you’re one of the lucky attendees at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit (open to the public January 16 – 24), you’ll be among the first to lay eyeballs on the new 2011 Ram Chassis Cab line-up — specifically, the monstrous 3500, 4500 and 5500 models. These bad boys make up Ram’s new commercial-grade work force.

To get a sense of the sheer strength and capability of these workhorses, understand they’ll be offering up the largest standard fuel tank (a massive 52 gallons), front-break rotors (390 mm) and calipers (66 mm) around. The 4500 and 5500 also offer standard a diesel-exhaust break and 6.7-liter Cummins High-Output Turbo Diesel (an option on the 3500 model). Want to check it out for yourself? Get to the NAIAS for the new line-up’s official public debut.

Power Wagon Named to Top 4x4s of the Decade List

Normally, we wouldn’t be bragging about coming in second place, but when it’s Four Wheeler magazine and first place went to our beloved sibling the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, well, we certainly feel we’ve got something to be proud of. Calling the Ram Power Wagon “pickup perfection,” Four Wheeler editors praise everything from its capacity to its trail prowess to its 12,000-pound winch — and point out it was their Pickup Truck of the Year in both 2005 and 2010. But perhaps their most ringing endorsement? After testing the 2005 Power Wagon for a full year, the editors couldn’t let the truck go — so they bought it.

The Ultimate After-School Project: Build Your Own Ram

Proof that the kids are all right: Many high schoolers get a car for graduation, but 17-year-old Ariel Ziegler is doing it her own way. The senior from El Cajon, California took a ’55 Dodge pickup and is building her own one-of-a-kind custom truck, which she hopes to be driving around a college campus by this time next year. What inspired her to take on this rather hefty extracurricular activity? Her father Scotty Ziegler, a custom bike builder who not only built and drives his own vintage pickup, but also taught his little girl welding and fabrication when most kids are learning how to read. As you can see from the photos, Ariel’s still in the initial stages of construction, but we’ll make sure she stays with it by checking back in with her for regular status reports. She certainly earns an A so far! Check out more photos of her project after the jump… More

Show Us Your Trucks!

Remember how we asked you to submit photos of your Ram to our Flickr pool, and said we’d post our favorites to this page? Well, if you haul your eyes down and to the right on this page, you’ll see our pick of 20 great shots of your trucks, posted here for the world to admire in slideshow form. But there’s more: We want to tell the stories behind your Ram’s excellent adventures. In the comment box below, tell us in 100 words or less why you, of all people, deserve to be profiled on this site as our Ram Owner of the Week. Be convincing, be devoted, be honest — but above all, be entertaining when you tell us what your Ram has done to go above and beyond (or through, or over, or around) the call of duty. The best story of trucking glory will win RamZone immortality.

Watch the New Ad “Coming Home”

In case you missed it during the bowl games this weekend, Chrysler debuted a new TV ad that showcases the enduring history of the entire brand, starting with a 1930’s Chrysler Airflow and also featuring Dodge, Ram, and Jeep. “This ad tells a story of Chrysler products bringing home loved ones throughout the years and our commitment to continuing to bring them home. It was important to tell this story during the holiday season because it is a time when families come together,” said Olivier Francois, Head of Marketing, Chrysler Group LLC. “We want current and future customers, suppliers and partners to know that we are here and we are committed to earning their trust and restoring our reputation.” Have a watch and let us know what you think!