2013 Ram Chassis Cab
The 2013 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab truck is the pinnacle of capability. Engineered and designed for extreme daily work, the Ram Chassis Cabs are products of a demanding environment and direct customer input. Ram's halo truck line focuses on best-in-class capability and best-in-class total cost of ownership, a leading concern among business owners. For 2013, the new Chassis Cab trucks also receive an all-new interior, the latest infotainment technology and exclusive upfit solutions, giving Ram Chassis Cab a competitive advantage. The new Chassis Cab goes further to offer a best-in-class powertrain warranty of 5 years/100,000 miles.
ENGINEERING:
For 2013, Ram Heavy Duty trucks feature new frames built with high-strength 50
KSI steel, including, eight separate cross-members hydroformed main rails and
fully boxed rear rails for optimal strength and mass efficiency. Wider front
frame rails (approximately one inch per side; two inches overall) enable front
suspension springs to be positioned slightly outboard, an enabler for
generating more positive roll stiffness. A new front suspension cross member is
now a two-piece welded component between the front axle and oil pan.
Suspension
To handle the best-in-class towing and payload capability of the new Ram Heavy
Duty, a new front and rear suspension system with advanced geometry builds upon
the chassis improvements and greatly improves overall roll stiffness.
Steering
The new premium reciprocating ball steering gear, redesigned steering knuckles,
ball joints and more robust steering linkages deliver enhanced and precise
on-center feel despite the vehicles higher towing and payload capacities.
Body
The new truck comes equipped with an updated engine, transmission and body
mounts, including pioneering hydro-mounts at C-pillar positions for
class-leading NVH characteristics despite the truck's aptitude for higher
payloads and towing.
Electrical
The new Ram Heavy Duty now features the Powernet electrical architecture system
allowing both high and low-speed data networks to be equipped with as many as
40 individual modules, all designed to improve vehicle performance and enhance
the comfort and safety of driver and passengers.
Additional new features
New for 2013, central locking includes the RamBox cargo management system and
tailgate power locks, creating a convenient solution for locking all exterior
doors and storage with one push of a button. Auto rain-sensing wipers and
SmartBeam headlamps also find their way into the feature availability list of
the new 2013 Ram Heavy Duty.
POWERTRAIN
For 2013, the 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 makes its debut in Ram 3500 Heavy Duty pickup
as standard equipment (single rear wheel). Also standard in the Ram 2500 Heavy
Duty, the engine produces 383 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and generates peak torque
of 400 lb.-ft. at 3,950 rpm. The HEMI V-8 is mated to a 66RFE six-speed
automatic transmission.
For 2013, all Ram Heavy Duty diesels benefit from an all-new cooling system. A
high-efficiency fan, dual radiators, dual transmission coolers and charge air
cooler afford 25 percent more heat-rejection capacity. Lower operating
temperatures deliver improved performance, durability and lower operating
costs.
DESIGN
The new 2013 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty models uphold a bold presence while
retaining comfort and styling with exterior design changes. The new Ram Heavy
Duty also features an all-new interior and all-new segment-leading technology every model offers new, specific content.
Exterior
Aligning with all-new grilles, the 2013 Ram Heavy Duty quad headlamp design has
improved light spread, pattern consistency and distance. An all-new premium
headlamp and lighting system features bi-functional halogen projectors and LEDs
for park/turn and tail lamps. New power folding 6x9-inch outside mirrors help
to monitor traffic and obstacles on the side of the truck and allow a better
view of the trailer when towing.
A tailgate handle-mounted rear camera back-up system has been upgraded for 2013
with higher definition and dynamic imaging in the 8.4-inch display. Also, a new
center high-mounted stop light (CHMSL) camera provides a view of the bed for
easier 5th wheel or gooseneck trailers as well as monitoring bed loads.
The new, wheel-to-wheel, polished stainless steel running boards have a
sturdy-looking box cross-section design with a hexagon tread pattern and offer
aerodynamic improvements while providing customer's improved access to the
forward portion of the truck bed.
Interior
New Ram Heavy Duty features and technologies create an opportunity for a
redesigned interior with material upgrades, improved fit and finish, new
colors, HVAC controls and new multi-media systems.
colors and materials.
The center consoles for both the bucket and 40-20-40 bench seat configurations
are all-new with efficient storage in mind. The new bucket seat console uses
the extra space as additional storage. The bench seat design includes three new
cup holders built into the console lid that features a washable rubber bellow
lining. Both versions of the console feature two tiers of storage and are
available with a new multi-media port with USB, SD card and auxiliary inputs in
the upper tier. Additionally, a 2.5-amp USB power port and 12-volt outlet are
available to meet device-charging needs.
UCONNECT
The 2013 Ram Heavy Duty lineup offers a truckload of innovative,
segment-exclusive technology, adding all-new features to an already
best-in-class interior. New for 2013, Ram offers the next-generation radio
platform, which features Uconnect Access, a more powerful, in-vehicle
connectivity system.
Building upon base radio capability, two new Uconnect systems are offered to
provide Ram customers with a range of features and connectivity options to best
suit their needs. The Uconnect 8.4A and 8.4AN provide Ram truck owners with a
built-in wireless connection allowing vehicle occupants to automatically
connect to a variety of new services. Users can remotely lock or unlock doors
or start their vehicles from any distance via the web or a smartphone
application. The new Uconnect system includes a 911 button on the rear-view
mirror for a direct connection to emergency services. An ASSIST button also is
integrated into the rear-view mirror to summon help directly from a roadside
assistance provider or connect with Chrysler Group's Vehicle Customer Care
Center.
Wi-Fi hotspot capability enabled by Uconnect Access provides in-cabin wireless
Internet connectivity via laptop, tablet or smartphone, whether on the move or
at the worksite.
The new Uconnect Access system features best-in-class functionality,
integrating new entertainment content, including the first time Ram has offered
HD radio to its customers. Ram owners also will have access to SiriusXM radio,
handsfree mobile phone operation, handsfree navigation, handsfree texting with compatible
phones and handsfree control of music.
Uconnect Voice Command allows drivers to control their mobile phone, music and
navigation system while staying focused on driving. The phone book within a
compatible phone is automatically downloaded, synchronizing as many as 1,000
phone book entries, which can then be selected by simply saying a contact name.
The feature also allows drivers to switch radio modes, tune to AM, FM, HD and
SiriusXM Radio stations and request real-time information (such as fuel prices)
from the available SiriusXM Travel Link using natural voice commands.
Uconnect supports Bluetooth-equipped cell phones with Message Access Profile
(MAP) advanced text-messaging. This industry-first voice recognition uses the
embedded connectivity to access cloud-based voice-recognition and enable
advanced text messaging, which converts the spoken word into verbatim text
messages. Communication is limited only by the user's vocabulary.
SAFETY AND SECURITY