10 Dodge Diesel Truck Facts
The Dodge diesel trucks are special, well-loved trucks, here are 10 facts that make them the legendary engines they are.
1. First Diesel Ram
In 1989, Dodge debuted the first diesel engine. The diesel motor was offered with the Dodge Ram 3500, and it was a 5.9-liter Cummins turbo diesel. The Ram 3500 produced 160-horsepower, and 400 pound-feet of torque. The new diesel became an instant hit, and it took the Ram to new levels.
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2. Best In Class Title
Since 1989 and the introduction of the Dodge diesel engine, it has earned "best-in-class" titles more than any other diesel engine on the market. Even in 2016, the Ram 2500 diesel engine received "best-in-class" title, and numerous others in between 1989 and 2016.
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3. Cummins Engine
The Cummins diesel engine is still being used since 1989 and until this modern day, in fact, 85% of the Ram Heavy Duty trucks have Cummins engines. The latest best-in-class Cummins engine is found in the Ram 2500, and it is a 6.7-liter diesel that produces 900 pound-feet of torque. This engine is the only pickup truck motor being used u heavy equipment. Finally, the Cummins diesel engine has cast-iron head, on opposed to the competitors' aluminum, and it offers the largest bore and stroke on the marker, and 40% less moving parts.
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4. Ram Diesel Capabilities
The massive 6.7-liter Cummins diesel motor found on the Ram 3500 can tow absolutely anything you attach to the rear of the truck. In fact, the diesel engine is the current towing capacity leader, offering a towing rating of 30,000 pounds, much higher than any other competitor on the market, including the F-350 Super Duty, and the Silverado 3500.
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5. The Computer Age
In 1998, the Cummins diesel engine entered the computer age when it introduced the 24-valve. The big changes in 1998 took to the engine to whole new heights, which were the electronically-controlled injection pump, and the four-valve for each cylinder head. In 1998, the Cummins diesel engine was developing as much as 460 pound-feet of torque.
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6. Eco-Diesel
The Eco-Diesel was introduced in 2014 for the Dodge Ram 1500, and it featured a 3.0-liter V-6 engine, with turbodiesel. The small V6 engine produced more torque than many of the V8 trucks on the market, and the 240 horsepower made it instantly popular. This impressive turbodiesel is rated to use 28-mpg on the highway, making it the only diesel motor with this low fuel consumption.
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7. First Diesel Compact Pickup
The Ram 1500 EcoDiesel featured the very first diesel engine to ever be put in a light truck. The EcoDiesel proved that small trucks can highly benefit from a diesel motor, especially as it proved its impressive torque, excellent fuel mileage, and brilliant overall capabilities, not to mention its affordability, as it can be had for approximately $4,000 more than the gas engine in the Ram 1500.
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8. Cummins TurboDiesel Power Timeline
The Cummins TurboDiesel has been used in Dodge trucks from 1989 all the way until this very day. The evolution of this engine has been nothing short of amazing, starting out in '89, developing 160-horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, then evolving in 1996 to produce 215-horsepower. In 1998, the 24-valve was introduced, and the Cummins started developing 235-horsepower, and again increasing in 2001 to 245-horsepower when the high-output Cummins was introduced. The evolution kept increasing throughout the years, from 325-hp in 2004, 350-hp in 2007, 370-hp in 2013, and now, the Cummins is rated at 385-hp, and 900 lb-ft of torque.
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9. Eight Speed Transmission
The EcoDiesel is complemented by the eight-speed automatic transmission, balancing it perfectly between being a fuel-sipper, and an absolute monster. The Ram 1500 is equipped with two more forward gears than any transmission found in a full-size truck, which makes it capable of choosing the perfect ratio for towing, accelerating, or saving gas.
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10. Best Cabin in the Business
Most trucks with diesel engines are all business, which means there is no room for a fancy cabin. The Ram 1500 is equipped with the EcoDiesel engine, and the cabin is known to be the best cabin in the business, especially on a diesel truck. The leather interior features two-tone colors with fine stitching, as well as U-connect touchscreen infotainment system, and the fine details around the interior screams luxury.
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And, for information on maintenance and repairs for your Ram, take a stroll through our How-To section by clicking here.