Mr. ‘Very Big Pickup’
The RAM 3500 is a full-size cargo-passenger pickup by Stellantis NV (former Fiat Chrysler Automobiles). It is a four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive body-on-frame vehicle. A pickup truck with the Regular Cab 3500 can comfortably sit three adult passengers, the Crew Cab offers seats for six people, while the Mega Cab is able to freely accommodate six or more passengers. In 2021, it was possible to purchase the fifth generation of the 2020 pickup.
The RAM 3500 was designed and developed by Dodge. The pickup became the third in the range, which also includes the 1500th and 2500th. The 3500 is a subcategory of Dodge pickups, in which the evolution of power has reached its maximum, while the level of comfort is comparable to that of passenger cars, including premium ones.
The first generation
It was produced from 1981 to 1993. Strictly speaking, in 1981, the RAM 3500 did not exist yet, instead there was the Dodge RAM 350, a reinforced version of the base 150 model. It was distinguished by its high payload, capacity and dual rear wheels. The model was offered with a 2-door standard and 2-door long cab, as well as with a 4-door crew cab. The 350 was equipped with an impressive arsenal of options for towing, transporting goods and conveniently accommodating a team of workers with a foreman.
In terms of design, the RAMs of this generation differed little from the utilitarian D-series pickups, which had been produced by that time for a decade. But the interior of the 350 had a new bench seat and a three-stage dashboard design with a speedometer in the center, an ammeter at the top left, a temperature gauge at the bottom left, a fuel gauge at the top right, and an oil pressure gauge at the top. The pickups were powered by a Cummins B engine with a robust version of an automatic or 5-speed manual transmission. In 1988, the pickup started featuring a ‘message center’, which displayed signals such as ABS warning and parking brake notification.
The second generation
It was produced from 1993 to 2003. The second generation was important because Dodge for the first time officially introduced the 3500 RAM as a separate brand direction. The design of the second-generation RAM pickup was completely changed and acquired the canonical contours by which RAMs are unmistakably recognizable to this day. The interior of the 3500 featured an oversized glove compartment, storage space in the center armrest, and plenty of storage behind the seat. The dashboard and side mirrors became more advanced.
The RAM 3500 was powered by a 5.7-liter V8 Hemi Magnum with 345 hp and a powerful 5.9-liter Cummins straight-six turbocharged diesel engine with 305 hp. The engines were accompanied by a new 5-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive with manual or electronic control with active front axle. Safety for the 3500 was improved by such features as side curtain airbags, power-adjustable pedals and seat belt pretensioners.
The third generation (2003 - 2008)
It was produced from 2003 to 2008. The Dodge RAM design remained roughly the same, but was upgraded for the first time using computer-aided design tools. As a result, its exterior became more unified and modern. The third generation 3500 was equipped with a two-wheel rear axle (excluding four-wheel cabs with a short body) and is available in an all-wheel-drive version, with the latter being electronically controlled on all trim levels except the base one. The all-wheel drive 3500 had a solid front axle, independent front suspension, and rack and pinion steering. The third generation 3500 was the first model to feature a progressive 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel with 350 hp, which allowed towing up to 7.4 tons.
The third generation 3500 acquired an especially large modification of the Mega Cab with a cargo compartment of almost two meters and an additional 55 cm of space in the cab. Options include air conditioning and CD player, alloy wheels, cruise control, and keyless access. A year later, the company introduced the 3500 Chassis Cab for business.
The fourth generation
It was produced from 2009 to 2020. It was the latest generation Dodge RAM made under the Dodge umbrella. Dodge was forced to part with the RAM brand, which moved to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, where it remains until the beginning of 2021 (as of 2021).
FCA kept RAM pickups at a competitive level in the markets and continued Dodge’s journey of increasing the power and size of its rams. The base engine for the fourth RAM 3500 was a 6.4-liter V8 engine coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission, producing 410 hp, and a 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel engine of the same power. The engines allowed the fourth generation RAM 3500 to tow up to 15 tons and carry up to 3.4 tons of cargo.
The engines allowed the fourth generation RAM 3500 to tow up to 15 tons and carry up to 3.4 tons of cargo.
The vehicle started looking even more muscular, with an even larger grille (but without the Dodge crosshair) and huge RAM letters in the center of the grille. It was now possible to connect five USB-type C devices, three 110-volt 400 W sockets and an additional mobile phone charger. The pickup was available in the base Tradesman version, the fuel-efficient Big Horn/Lone Star version, the Power off-road version, the Laramie premium version, an even more luxurious Laramie Longhorn version, and a limited-edition Limited version for the coolest.
The fifth generation
It has been produced from 2020 to the present (as of 2021). The new RAM 3500 is a full-size four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive cargo-passenger pickup. It is presented in three types of cabs: Regular Cab 3500 for three adult passengers, Crew Cab designed for six people, and Mega, which is a longer version that can freely accommodate six or more passengers.
The RAM 3500 is standardly equipped with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine generating 410 hp, and a 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel engine generating 370 hp. All pickups are equipped with 18-inch wheels as standard and 20-inch wheels (premium versions). The vehicle comes standard with a 5-inch touchscreen offering Bluetooth streaming, AM/FM radio, USB port, and a six-speaker sound system.
The new RAM 3500 is offered in five trim levels:
- Tradesman – for business;
- Big Horn - improved previous version;
- Laramie - features chrome elements and an advanced infotainment system;
- Longhorn – the same as the previous version, plus wood grain trim, rear air suspension with load control;
- Limited - maximum luxury elements and options.
The 2020/2021 RAM 3500 is equipped with six airbags, a rear-view camera, a roll suppression device, and a stability control device. Additional options include front and rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring system, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, frontal collision warning system and intersection detection device.
