There it is Folks: Ram HD Fourth Generation.5

Spied. The 2020 Ram HD.

First, visit The Truth About Cars for their take on it.

Now here is a letter from the editor that is being typeset for TDR Issue 103.

RIGHT OR WRONG: HOW 'BOUT THAT FOURTH GENERATION.5 (4G.5)

(Brian Williams photo.)
​

Was I right? Was I wrong?

• This magazine was sent to the printer on 12/28. In this issue I have written something about a new Ram HD.

• This magazine was sent to press on 1/14. We’re about to print something about a new Ram HD.

• The folks at Ram/Cummins are in attendance at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) to unveil something on 1/14. By now my prediction is in ink.

• Your magazine arrives early-mid February and you either laugh at the editor’s prediction and/or you give his new nomenclature idea your consideration.

Okay, you may have missed it. I presented a nomenclature idea that I shared with you in the previous, Issue 102, magazine. This new nomenclature goes hand-in-hand with my prediction: You now have a Fourth.5 Generation Ram/Cummins with a new 6.7-liter, compacted graphite iron (CGI) block. This new engine gives us 400 horsepower and 930 torque.*

(*5thGenRams.com)

The following is from the last issue:

“Think back to 1/1/2007. If you will recall, Cummins met the 2010 emissions requirements with their new ’07.5 6.7-liter engine. As I’ve picked up from reading the Columbus, Indiana Republic newspaper and from watching Cummins for the last 30-or-so years, they are proactive, hence there will be a complete engine redesign for 2019.5.

“We’ve all done this mid-year emissions-rule-change/engine hardware- change song and dance before, haven’t we? Year '91.5 saw a change to the engine with the addition of a charge air intercooler. Year '98.5 saw dramatic changes as a different cylinder head (24-valve) and an electronic fuel injection pump were added to the engine. Year ’07.5 gave us the entirely new 6.7-liter engine and the addition of emissions aftertreatment components.”

So, borrowing the nomenclature idea used by others in the automotive world to designate changes that occur within a chassis/ cabin “generation”, here is what I would propose.

First Generation 1989-1991
First Generation.5 1991.5-1993

Second Generation 1994-1998 (12-valve models)
Second Generation.5 1998.5-2002 (24-valve models)

Third Generation 2003-2007 (5.9 HPCR models)
Third Generation.5 2007.5-2009 (6.7 HPCR models)

Fourth Generation 2010-2019 (6.7 HPCR models)
Fourth Generation.5 2019.5-??? (6.7 CGI models)

What do you think?

Truthfully, if TDR owners adopt the nomenclature it will stick. I will try to rename the columns on our web Forums. I have already renamed the columns in the magazine.

Am I right? Am I wrong?

 

Sorry, but what does "CGI" stand for??

 

Compacted Graphite Iron

RP

 

So the new truck is a '20? If so, where is the '19? Did we loose a year?

 

Nick, that is a good question.
I'm guessing that we need to go to Ram's web site and try to "build a HD Ram" for 2019 and see what is out there.

RP

 

It looks like 5th gen rams is calling the new truck a '19 now, the earlier reports said '20....

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awr...i-block//RK=2/RS=l0Bm6FX2Fp4YG1Ot_MbtdcbJiIU-

 

Hate to argue with the 5th Generation web guys, but this clearly is NOT a Fifth Generation

4.5 4.5 4.5 They need to get on board.

RP

 

Hate to argue with the 5th Generation web guys, but this clearly is NOT a Fifth Generation

4.5 4.5 4.5 They need to get on board.

RP

I think the 5th geners are 1/2 ton dudes

 

CGI is good, but NON-EGR would make it even better. Is that happening???

 

I would think it would have more than 930lb/ft when it is officially released. What about an 8 speed trans?

 

The rumor is 400/930 for 2500 and 430/980 for 3500. The 8spd is real close, maybe this year's model, but the Max Tow 3500 might keep the Aisin.

Generally in order to get a .5 designation there has to be a mid year change. Since the new truck will not arrive until next year, I would say it is just a '19 not .5...

 

I think one .5 was left out.
The 2004.5 and the engine configuration change to the “600”. It was substantial enough for me to open my wallet.

 

I think one .5 was left out.
The 2004.5 and the engine configuration change to the “600”. It was substantial enough for me to open my wallet.

I think that was about the time frame when the NV5600/G56 changed also.

 

You guys are making my point, there are lots of changes throughout the Generations, but none as big as the ".5" designations we will use.

Several other for instances: The change in 2013 to SCR...wait, let's back up to 2012 and the high output Ram 3500 truck; wait, how 'bout the 1996 release of the 210hp with a 5speed; then there is the 2004.5 higher output that was noted. To designate these changes would be too confusing.

RP

 

I think that was about the time frame when the NV5600/G56 changed also.

The G came 2005/6, along with the Rams head on the tailgate. Feels like yesterday

 

You guys are making my point, there are lots of changes throughout the Generations, but none as big as the ".5" designations we will use.

Several other for instances: The change in 2013 to SCR...wait, let's back up to 2012 and the high output Ram 3500 truck; wait, how 'bout the 1996 release of the 210hp with a 5speed; then there is the 2004.5 higher output that was noted. To designate these changes would be too confusing.

RP

More "smallish" changes within generations: 2006 Mega Cab; California emissions on '97-'98 12-valve trucks...still thinking...

 

Don't forget the rear disk brakes early on in the 2001 model year. My former 2001 was a June 2000 build and I had rear drums.

 

...and the release of the 2001 HO in early 2000. I bought my 01 HO in April of 2000, so the model year doesn't really need to match the release schedule when changes are made or the year of sale!

 

“Think back to 1/1/2007. If you will recall, Cummins met the 2010 emissions requirements with their new ’07.5 6.7-liter engine. As I’ve picked up from reading the Columbus, Indiana Republic newspaper and from watching Cummins for the last 30-or-so years, they are proactive, hence there will be a complete engine redesign for 2019.5.

Not a good example of "proactive" as 2008 should have gone back to 'just meeting the emissions standards for 2008'. I doubt Cummins (or GM for that matter after the early emissions LLY Duramax over-heater bit them in the ass) will attempt do do something so stupid as to try and meet emissions early again. Cummins reputation suffered. Recall, recall, recall, another flash to maybe turn off the SES light... Warranty claims through the roof. Resale value less than the older pre-emmisions trucks. Where is my MPG? Customers switched nameplates and some even dropped diesel power for gas especially with the head start in the market of the extreme repair cost Ford Navistar 6.0 Diesel Hand Grenade that was also trashing Diesel Power's Reputation. Emissions causing no end of trouble: It's how you get dropped by an OEM (Just ask Ford about Navistar...)

Stupid marketing: The emissions problems of Tomorrow solved with Today's Obsolete by Tomorrow's technology.

 

Announcements on my 30th birthday. I can dig it!!