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?

 

I'm really interested in what we are going to see for transmission options. GM announced a 10 speed Allison, Ford has been using 10 speed transmissions in its F150 a few years now so I would expect they are working on one for the Super duty. Hopefully Ram keeps their units serviceable - aka a dipstick - unlike the 8HP in the Ram 1500.

The 10-speed Ford transmission is a joint venture between Ford and GM. Same transmission in the F150 and the Chevy Camaro for example with minor variations. I have 10K on my F150 with that trans. Great gear spacing and 3 OD gears.

Lots of discussions on one of the RV sites I frequent about the new 10-Speed Allison being an "Allison Approved" transmission and not a true Allison. I'm not certain that it isn't a HD version of that same 10-Speed developed in the joint venture.

 

The rumor I read was 8 spd HD ZF, so if it's like the 1/2 ton version it won't have a dipstick. Maybe they saw the light??? Nah!

Ive read the same, but I really do have to hope it is as different as it is similar. I've got some miles under my belt with a 5.7/8HP, its a stellar transmission in that application but 400 lb ft of torque is in a whole nother zip code compared to 930+ lb ft.

 

Ran across this teaser today:

 

Here it is Tom!

https://www.edmunds.com/ram/2500/2019/

 

No Manual transmission anymore..

 

The biggest surprise to me is no 8 speed in the diesel segment. Retaining both 68 and Aisin.

https://moparinsiders.com/introducing-the-new-2019-ram-2500-3500-heavy-duty/

 

I like the no 3.42's, upgrade rear axle and t-case.

 

I like the no 3.42's, upgrade rear axle and t-case.

Agreed! Apparently their stance has changed here. I plan on keeping my truck on the long, other than the big D word the only mod I have considered is changing gear ratios. Never been a fan of the 3.42's.

 

Another 4k tow rating, can you imagine 50k in a pickup? 43k is crazy...

 

I thought sure they'd have more cogs in the box. But the Aisin has proven to be a stout, reliable unit.

 

I didn't see any mention of the rumored new, non-DEF emissions strategy.

 

I didn't see any mention of the rumored new, non-DEF emissions strategy.

Maybe TDR will get all the little goodies, some are more important than the big stuff. I wonder if the 8spd will follow the 6.4 gasser all the way to the 4500/5500 trucks?

 

Maybe TDR will get all the little goodies, some are more important than the big stuff. I wonder if the 8spd will follow the 6.4 gasser all the way to the 4500/5500 trucks?

Thinking about that, I wonder if it even has PTO capability?

 

I read that the Aisin has hardware improvements, and a controller with twice the capacity. I wonder if torque management will be less intrusive???

 

Electric heating elements to speed the cabin heat, also 4.250 axle tubes on the upgrade 12" rear axle. One article says the new engine "contorts the pavement"

 

Same too-small fuel tanks

 

"Shutterstat" like a White Road Boss...

 

TFL has a video with a Cummins rep who says the pump is now CP4.2.

 

I think the CG block will be huge news, as in a complete new block from the ground up. I really think they will address the head gasket and Siamese block issues with a wider bore spacing.

Note, at about the 1:50, view of the block cutaway

 

Guys, so is this the new 5th Gen truck, or is it the 4.5th Gen truck with an all new truck coming soon?? If it's the all new 5th Gen, it appears they didn't change the body/cab and just resigned the grill.