- Introduced in 1961, the D-Series offered a number of innovations for the American truck market. The most immediately obvious of these was the new-for-1963 Crew Cab option, which took the extended-cab option and added two more doors to make the Dodge D-series the world's first four-door truck. The D-Series went through two more generations (1968 to 1971 and 1972 through 1980) before it received its Ram moniker in 1981.
- First generation (1981 through 1993) Rams were essentially D-Series trucks with a new name, as they still used the same Chrysler AD platform that underpinned the D-Series and Trailduster (later Ramcharger) SUV. First generation Rams still came with the D-Series' 225 inline-six, and 318- and 360-cubic-inch V-8s. The old 243-cubic-inch, 105-horsepower diesel was out, and the new 160-horsepower Cummins diesel was in for 1989.
- The second generation (1994 to 2002) Ram was the first truly indisputable Ram; with its new BR/BE platform, this new truck shared not a single component or engine with its predecessors. The new-generation Magnum was an evolution of the old Chrysler LA block in much the same way that Chevrolet's LT engine was an evolution of the classic small block, and came in 3.9-liter V-6, 5.2- and 5.9-liter V-8 and 8.0-liter V-10 forms.
- Chrysler designed the 4.7-liter PowerTech engine (and its 3.7-liter V-6 cousin) as a technological showcase in much the same way that Ford did with the 4.6-liter Modular and GM did with the 4.6-liter Northstar. As with its GM and Ford competitors, the PowerTech (aka Next Generation Magnum) used overhead camshafts and aluminum heads. Early engines produced 235 horsepower, but 2008's dual-plug cylinder heads and higher compression brought power levels up to 290 to 310. Earlier High Output 4.7-liters (used in 2002 to 2007 Dodge Ram 1500s) rang in at 265 horses. The original 4.7-liter remains in duty as of 2011, but Chrysler dropped the HO version in 2007 in anticipation of 2008's horsepower increase.
- Despite its small displacement, the 4.7-liter's advanced design makes it one of the most powerful engines per cubic inch that Chrysler has ever built. After its revisions in 2008, the 4.7-liter was only 35 horsepower shy of Dodge's much-balyhoo'd New Hemi (which was 60 cubic inches larger in displacement). In fact, even the mighty 426 Street Hemi of musclecar fame falls well short of matching the PowerTech's specific output, making 0.997 horsepower per cubic inch to the 4.7-liter's 1.08 horsepower per cubic inch. To put it another way, if the 4.7-liter had the same displacement as a 426 Hemi, it would be making 35 more horsepower. That's progress, folks.
next post