Ram announced today that it will offer both the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic, known internally as the ‘DS’ model, and the all-new 2019 Ram 1500 (‘DT’) at its North American dealers through the 2018 calendar year.
“As we launch the all-new 2019 Ram 1500, we didn’t want to walk away from a key part of the light-duty truck market” said Mike Manley, Head of Ram Brand — FCA. “Ram will continue to produce the 1500 Classic targeted at entry and commercial buyers.”
Ram reports that its 1500 Classic has numerous segment-exclusive features. Class-leading ride and handling is accomplished via a unique link-coil rear suspension system. Other features, such as RamBox bedside storage, hidden bins, and a flat-load floor, offer unique solutions for cargo. New ‘Classic’ badging is located on the fenders.
The Ram 1500 Classic will be offered in four trim levels: Tradesman, Express, Big Horn/Lone Star, and SSV (Special Services Vehicle). Three new packages will also be available:
- Chrome Plus is offered on the Tradesman trim that offers bundled value content which includes chrome bumpers, body color upper front fascia, 17-inch wheels, remote keyless entry, & carpet floor covering.
- Tradesman SXT is offered on the Tradesman trim that includes chrome bumpers, body color front fascia, 5-inch radio, fog lamps (new to Tradesman), dual exhaust on V8 models (new to Tradesman), and 20-inch chrome wheels (new to Tradesman).
- Express Black Accent Package is offered on all Express trim exterior colors which includes black wheels, black headlight bezels and black badging.
The 2019 Ram 1500 Classic is available in three cabs and three bed lengths: Regular Cab with 8 ft. bed or 6 ft., 4 in. bed; Quad Cab with 6 ft., 4 in. bed; Crew Cab short bed (5 ft., 7 in.); or Crew Cab with optional 6 ft., 4 in. bed.
Available in 4×2 or 4×4, other powertrain offerings include award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 or optional 5.7-liter HEMI V8. The optional 3.0-liter V-6 EcoDiesel will be available at a later date.
The Ram 1500 features a segment-exclusive multi-link rear coil suspension that provides best-in-class ride and handling qualities. A coil-spring setup centralizes and absorbs bumps and impacts, while reducing the amount of friction in the spring system. This setup also weighs 40 pounds less than a leaf-spring configuration.
Ram trucks come with an unsurpassed five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Truck customers from half-ton to commercial have a demanding range of needs and require their vehicles to provide high levels of capability.
The 2019 Ram 1500 Classic is built at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant (Warren, Michigan), which has built more than 12.5 million trucks since it started operations in 1938. Regular Cab and some Crew Cab models of the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic are built at the Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant in Saltillo, Mexico.
Ram 1500 Classic will be available in the fourth quarter of 2018.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was prepared by the staff of Hard Working Trucks, another Randall-Reilly publication.
