Is There a 2019 Ram 2500?

[Tulbox]

Greetings, I just became a member so hope I am in the right place to ask this question. Last Nov and Dec I looked all over at many Dealers for a 2019 Ram 2500 but received the same comment which was that Ram is not building a 2019 2500 and that (for what ever reason) they were skipping that model year. When I picked one out and made the purchase of a New Ram Bighorn I had to wait for delivery from the factory and took possession in Jan 2019. I picked it up and it had a manufacture date on it of Dec 2018 and indeed it was licensed as a 2018 truck.

So I keep hearing and reading references to 2018 and 2019 Ram 2500. Did Ram actually make a 2019 2500 (I know they did the 1500) or did they have a glitch like ford where the design they used on the 1500 wouldn't work with the diesel? Example: I read the 2018 has towing capacity of 17,900 lbs and the 2019 is 21,500 and for the 2500 Cummings. I would like to be sure what mine is and can do and if perhaps the model of 6.7 is different? Thanks for any input.

 

[sag2]

It's easy. What is the last 8 of the VIN? If it is JGxxxxxx it's an 18, KGxxxxxx it's a 19, LGxxxxxx it's a 20.

 

[Tulbox]

I apologize as I must not have worded my question properly as there has never been any confusion as to what year my truck was. As I said, my Ram 2500 is a 2018 with a build date of Dec 2018 (yes it has JG in the vin). Did Ram produce a 2019 year model 2500 and if so did they change when the new model year comes out. It used to be at the late summer or fall time of year. In December, 2019 year model vehicles had been out for months so why were they still building 2018 Ram 2500's?

 

[HPSimpson]

I have 2019 2500 Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 that I bought August 2019!

 

[Newsa]

I've seen 2019 2500's on the lot complete with a window sticker that says what year it is. I believe the cgi block was included with all 2019+ Cummins?

 

[HPSimpson]

The towing ratiing for my 2019 Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 is max 18320, max for bed 2310 lbs I have no idea were you got 21,500 lbs.

 

[Ozymandias]

I think he wants to know if Ram changed something from MY18 to MY19 or if they are identical.

 

[Tulbox]

As near as I can tell after doing more research is that Ram did make 2019 2500 with a Cummings, but giving all those Dealers that told me they were not making them, the benefit of the doubt, they may have started producing them after my Jan 2019 purchase so as to use up 2018 parts. Who the heck knows for sure. That being said Load and Towing capacity is a strange thing and is determined by many factors from wheel base to gear ratio and from engine mdl to transmission to cab size. Here is a link to an informative list of Ram models and the respective load and towing capacities which can range from 13k+ to 18k+ towing for the Ram depending on how it is equipped.

https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing-guide.html

 

[pwr2tow]

Yes FCA built a 2019 2500, they changed the body style for 2019 to closely match the 1500.
As a side note you can get a 2019 and 2020 1500 in classic (old body style) and new body style.

 

[Conifer]

Ram did make a 2019 2500 that is different in a few different ways from the 2018 models, mostly with new front sheetmetal and some interior updates. Power levels and some engine stuff was changed as well. The reason your truck from December 2018 was still a 2018 truck is because Ram announced the 2019 models last January if I'm remembering correctly, and they didn't start showing up at dealers until the spring of 2019.

 

[Tulbox]

Thanks Conifer, Yours is the closest answer to my question yet.

 

[Timd32]

Welcome to the TDR.

What set up is your '18.

 

[HPSimpson]

Besides the minor metal changes the LED headlights are giant improvement bright has day light.
Glad you decided to join TDR excellent group of Cummins folks actual the best!

 

[Tulbox]

Mine is a half breed 2018, Bighorn, 4x4, Crew Cab, Front & Rear Sensors, I say mine but only half.... My wife drives and claims it and my half are the payments.
Half Breed as the more I research it the more I can't find on an 18. It came with 3.73 gears but don't think that was available except maybe special order in 18, 19 seems to be stock.

 

[Tulbox]

Mine also has the raised ridges on the hood similar to the 2019 1500 but not quite as drastic. Don't know if they were on the 18's or prior.

 

[pwr2tow]

Mine is a half breed 2018, Bighorn, 4x4, Crew Cab, Front & Rear Sensors, I say mine but only half.... My wife drives and claims it and my half are the payments.
Half Breed as the more I research it the more I can't find on an 18. It came with 3.73 gears but don't think that was available except maybe special order in 18, 19 seems to be stock.

Look on the right side of your window sticker you'll notice under options you have 3.42 gears. Non, nada, elzipo 2500's in 2018 model year 2018 were built with anything but 3.42 gears. Only 3500' and bigger with an Aisin transmission could be ordered and or built with higher numerical gears.

 

[sag2]

They built 2018 model year trucks until the end of December 2018. At that time they switched over production to 2019 model years and they were available in Spring 2019. The biggest change was the cab was essentially the same as the 1500, and the new engine with the CGI, block hydraulic lifters, and the CP4 pump.

 

[Tulbox]

Pwr2tow, My widow sticker verifies 3.73 gears. Sorry sag2, but that went over my head. What is a non-nada elzipo?

 

[TFucili]

The broader, non-crosshair grill, and the model emblem attached to the new fluttering aluminum hood, not the fender, are the quickest visual ID of a '19.

 

[RVTRKN]

Welcome to TDR, you certainly have joined an informative site.

Back to your 3:73 rear diff, the window sticker can be confusing when it comes to the 3:42, your VIN will determine what options and standard equipment your 2500 came with. I never take the sales persons words as gospel. They want to move the older MY vehicles and discourage you from waiting for the newer MY. The sales management will offer bonuses to the sales persons, to move the now older MY, espeacily when a major change will be taking place, like the new MY changes with RAM for 2019. I would not purchase a 2018 with the 3:42 rear diff. There are alot of opinions on the 3:42, but the 2014 2500 CTD I had to drive was a nightmare, with a GVW of 10K. The 68rfe may have been part of the problem, but I had numerous issues, including the rear diff exploding. When I heard the new 2019's was standard with the 3:73, I started to concider a new truck. I chose the SRW 3500 to get the HO and Aisin auto. You have a lot of good things with your 2018 CTD, except the 3:42, if thats what it has, BUT that is only my opinion. A lot of members here defend the 3:42 rear diff, and I can understand that, but after my experience with it, not my truck.