Ram is one of the more recent car brands. Ram used to be part of Chrysler, but since 2010, it has been its own company. Because the trucks were so popular, they got their own movie. If you want to find a Ram dealer near you, you can start by searching Google for “Ram dealer near me.” Choose the top three sites, look at what they have to offer, and read the customer reviews. This should help you choose the best dealership for your needs. As for the Ram 1500 models, we’ll talk about the different transmissions you can find on these beasts from the first to the fifth generation.
First Generation
When it first came to North America in 1980, the Ram D100 was the first model of what is now the Ram 1500. This truck had a good run of 13 years, and it came in three different body styles: with two doors, with two doors that opened out, and with four doors. During the first generation, buyers could choose between I6, V6, and V8 engines and the following transmissions:
- 3-speed automatic
- 4-speed automatic
- 4-speed manual
- 5-speed manual
During this time, the smallest engine was a 3.7-liter I-6 that made 95 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. In 1993, the engine with the most strength went into use. It was a 5.9-liter Magnum V8 that made 230 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. During these 13 years, there was only one special edition truck. It was called the Prospector and had carpeted floors, cloth seats, and bigger mirrors on the sides.
Second Generation
The second generation of Ram 1500 models started being made in 1986, but the idea wasn’t ready to be shown to the public until 1994. There were a lot of ideas for new names, like Louisville Slugger and Phoenix, but in the end, the designers just decided to call it the Ram 1500. From then on, that was the name that stuck. Even though the three body styles didn’t change, they each got their own name. The Regular Cab, the Extended Cab, and the Quad Cab were their names.
There were still I6, V6, and V8 engines to choose from, but another very powerful engine was added to the list. It was a V10 model. Buyers could choose from the following transmissions for the second generation:
- 4-speed automatic
- 5-speed manual
- 6-speed manual
During the second generation, the 3.9-liter V6 engine with 175 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque was the smallest powertrain. The 8.0-liter Magnum V10 was the biggest and most powerful. It had 300 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque.
There were three special models made for the second generation. The 17-inch wheels and new exhaust tips were added to the Limited Edition Indy Pace. The SuperSport Truck (SS/T) had stripes on the hood and the back of the truck. The High Output also had an H.O. engine, which gave it 10 more horsepower. The Off-Road Edition was added to the SLT trim as a package. It had fog lights, tow hooks, heated power side mirrors, skid plates, a limited-slip differential, and a 44 transfer case. The wheels were 17 inches in diameter.
Third Generation
By 1996, work had already begun on the third generation of Ram 1500 models. But these cars didn’t come out until the year 2002. The extended cab was taken out of production for this generation to make room for another 4-door cab style. There were three new configurations: the Regular Cab, the Quad Cab, and the new Mega Cab. There were still models with I6, V6, V8, and V10 engines, but now drivers could choose from the following transmissions:
- 4-speed automatic
- 5-speed automatic
- 6-speed automatic
- 5-speed manual
- 6-speed manual
During the third generation, 16 different engines were used in Ram 1500 pickup trucks. The 3.7-liter Magnum V6 was the smallest. It had 215 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque. The most powerful engine was an 8.3-liter Viper V10 that put out an amazing 510 hp and 535 lb-ft of torque.
During the third generation, nine special editions were made. The Rumble Bee had 20-inch wheels and yellow accents on the lower body, hood scoop, and cladding. The HemiSport was like the Rumble Bee, but it came in black, red, and silver. The VTS Concept, which was based on the Dodge Viper GTS, came next. Next, a rear spoiler, 22-inch wheels, and bucket seats were added to the SRT 10.
The Power Wagon was designed to be used off-road, so it had skid plates, fender flares, and a 12,000-pound winch. Next, the Hemi GTX got custom paint, a hood that was blacked out, and leather seats. The Daytona was a more sporty truck with chrome wheels and an 11-inch spoiler. The Contractor’s Special was a one-of-a-kind hybrid, but it could only be bought by fleets. Last but not least, the NightRunner was all black to give it a dark look.
Fourth Generation
In 2008, the fourth generation of 1500 models made its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. In 2010, models with the Ram brand name set sail. Again, there were some changes to the way the cabins were set up. The Regular Cab, the Quad Cab, the Crew Cab, and the Mega Cab heavy duty were all part of the new line-up. Since the top V10 engine was taken out of the lineup, there are now only I6, V6, and V8 engines available. The following transmissions were available to buyers:
- 4-speed automatic
- 5-speed automatic
- 6-speed automatic
- 8-speed automatic
- 6-speed manual
During the first half of the fourth generation, the 3.7-liter V6 engine with 215 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque was still the smallest engine. But in 2013, it was replaced with a new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that could make 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. In 2014, the most powerful engine hit the market. It had a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine that made 410 horsepower and 429 pounds-feet of torque.
During the fourth generation, four special editions were made. The R/T was blue and had 22-inch forged wheels, the SRT signature striping, and a new front bumper with a chin spoiler. The Dodge Challenger was a big influence on the design of the Urban Concept. The Rebel was the model that could go off-road. Last but not least, the Warlock brought back a name from the 1970s.
Fifth Generation
The fifth generation of Ram 1500s hit dealer lots in 2018. They were shown for the first time at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Ram 1500’s body styles were changed again so that only the Quad Cab and Crew Cab models are available. The new models, which come in 8 trim levels, are like nothing we’ve ever seen before. Even though there are still I6, V6, and V8 engines in the lineup, all of them have been paired with the following transmissions for the current generation:
- 8-speed automatic
The 3.6-liter V6, which makes 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, is still the smallest engine. The 5.7-liter V8 is now the most powerful engine. It has 395 horsepower and 410 pounds-feet of torque.
As you can see, Ram’s truck transmission options have changed a lot over the years. The manual options have been gone for years, and now there is only one choice among the automatics. But the new 8-speed automatic is the most capable unit Ram has ever made and is a great choice for any use.
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