CHANGES FOR 2014:
-Best-in-class towing and gross combined weight rating (GCWR)
-New 6.4L Hemi gas V8
-New gooseneck/fifth-wheel prep package for Ram 2500
-440-amp alternator available
-new 18- and 20-inch wheel packages
The war of numbers continues among North America’s three builders of heavy duty trucks. For Ram’s part, the biggest change to its 2500 and 3500 models is the addition of a 6.4L Hemi V8 gas engine, slotting in between the 5.7L Hemi and 6.7L Cummins diesel motors. The new motor makes 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque to the 5.7L’s 383 hp and 400 lb-ft; the big diesel makes 385 hp and 850 lb-ft. 6.7L models alone can be had with a six-speed manual transmission that can be optioned to a six-speed automatic, but from different manufacturers depending on whether you choose 2500 or 3500 trim. A six-speed auto is standard on 5.7L and 6.4L trucks.
Trim levels are ST (regular and crew cab), SLT (regular, crew or mega cab), Outdoorsman (2500 crew cab), Power Wagon, Laramie (crew and mega cab), Laramie Longhorn (crew and mega cab) and Laramie Limited (crew and mega cab).
ST trucks start out with air conditioning, vinyl 40/20/40 split front bench seat, electronic vehicle information centre, Uconnect, front armrest with storage and cupholders (automatic transmission), media hub with USB and auxiliary inputs, and 12-volt power outlet, automatic headlights, black grille, black door handles and bumpers, four-wheel disc brakes with brake assist, four- and seven-pin trailer wiring, Class-V hitch receiver, heavy-duty shocks, heavy-duty engine cooling and manual transfer case (4×4 models).
Crew cab trucks add power locks and front windows with one-touch up/down, rear underseat storage, rear in-floor storage, and power/heated manually folding black mirrors. Crew cab 3500 trucks get larger trailer-tow mirrors with integrated turn signals.
SLT trim adds 18-inch chrome wheels, cloth front bench seat, satellite radio, carpeted floors, overhead console, premium door trim, colour-keyed dash accents, mini trip computer, chrome-trimmed shifter, temperature and compass displays, chrome grille and bumpers, keyless entry and electronic transfer case shifter (4×4 models).
Crew and mega cab models add a power sliding rear window, and mega cab trucks get behind-the-seat second-row storage.
Outdoorsman trucks get 18-inch forged polished aluminum wheels, rubber floor mats, body-colour grille, fog lights, front tow hooks, two-tone paint on lower panels, fender flares and bumpers, off-road tires, antispin rear differential, and transfer case skid plate.
Power Wagon also builds on the SLT, and adds 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, upgraded Uconnect with 5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, configurable in-cluster display, mini floor console, projector headlights and LED taillights, two-tone paint on lower panels and fender flares, chrome grille and Power Wagon hood decal, fog lights, front tow hooks, 4.10 axle ratio, 180-amp alternator, gas-charged shocks, front disconnecting stabilizer bar, winch, manual transfer case, fuel tank and transfer case skid plates, locking front and rear differentials, electronic trailer brake control, and hill descent control.
Laramie trim also builds on SLT, and adds 18-inch polished wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, configurable in-cluster display, leather/heated front bench seat, power 10-way driver and six-way passenger seats with lumbar, driver’s memory for seat/mirror/radio, heated steering wheel, upgraded Uconnect system, LED interior lighting, woodgrain dash accent, 115-volt power outlet, remote USB port, media hub with USB and auxiliary inputs, 10-speaker stereo with amplifier and subwoofer, overhead console with garage door opener, chrome grille with chrome insert, body-colour/chrome door handles, premium projector headlights, LED taillights, power-folding heated chrome side mirrors, bright silver metallic lower two-tone paint and fender flares, fog lights, electronic trailer brake controller, security alarm, backup camera, and rear park assist. 3500 models get larger side mirrors.
Laramie Longhorn trim adds 18-inch wheels with white gold pockets, premium leather low-back bucket seats with laser etching, heated second-row seats, premium instrument cluster, navigation, premium full-length floor console, premium leather-wrapped steering wheel, chrome grille with chrome wave-mesh insert, lower two-tone fender flares/bumpers/running boards in white gold metallic, tow hooks, spray-in bedliner, power-adjustable pedals and remote start.
Laramie Limited trim gets black leather front bucket seats, keyless enter ‘n go, instrument cluster with display screen, luxury door trim panels, wood-trimmed steering wheel, luxury floor mats, leather-wrapped grab handle, monotone exterior with bright side steps, painted front fascia and rear bumper, rain-sensing wipers, and auto high-beam control.
