2019 Ram 3500 Reaches New Torque Territory
The all-new optional high-output turbo-diesel 6.7-liter Cummins inline-six-cylinder powering the all-new 2019 Ram 3500 is the first engine in the heavy-duty pickup class to reach 1,000 pounds-feet of peak torque. And although the engine's size is the same as the one it replaces, and it looks similar to the previous iteration, there are several changes and upgrades. In fact, it was almost 12 years ago that the Ram turbo-diesel motors went to 6.7-liters in size and provided a maximum rating of 350 horsepower and 650 pounds-feet of torque. Now, the max rating for the new 6.7-liter engine is 400 hp at 2,800 rpm and 1,000 pounds-feet of torque at 1,800 rpm.
Related: 2019 Ram 3500: Bigger, Badder and Now Luxurious
From what we gathered after talking to Cummins and Ram engineers, Ram's initial request was to be the first truckmaker to hit a four-digit number in torque. Cummins responded by getting it done within the same size constraints: a 6.7-liter inline-six-cylinder motor. First, Cummins engineers created the new block from compacted graphite iron, which gave them a stronger, stiffer block to better dampen vibration. It also shaved weight from the engine, another Ram request. When combined with several other weight-saving changes, the new Cummins engine weighs 60 pounds less than the one it replaces.
This new generation of the Cummins B motor also offers a new cast-iron cylinder head that includes new exhaust valves and springs and now roller rockers to drive over the lighter hollow camshaft. Further, the new Cummins also sports new, separate aluminum oil and water pump housings for weight savings as well. Additionally, the piston heads are lighter, stronger and offer lighter lower-friction rings with newly forged connecting rods and bearings. And the new fuel system includes more computer controls that feature a 29,000-pounds-per-square-inch fuel pump and fuel rail for more precise delivery.
Finally, an all-new stronger exhaust manifold is the mounting point for the upgraded variable-geometry turbocharger, which now has a laminated heat shield and a larger set of veins on the exhaust side of the turbo (the impeller size on the intake side stayed the same).
Of course, it stands to reason that with the stronger engine, Ram needed to improvement the transmission as well. The Aisin AS69RC six-speed automatic still has the same gear ratios but includes a brand-new dual-core processor controller with more than double the memory of the previous system. The new transmission benefits from stronger planetary gears and a new heat treatment system designed to significantly widen the range of optimum operating temperatures. Additionally, the torque converter has a dynamic dampening setup to smooth out the possibility of a hard 1st-to-2nd or 2nd-to-3rd shift because of the massive amount of low-end torque.
All these changes sound impressive, but we'll have to withhold judgement until we get a chance to drive the high-output version to see how well the new Cummins works with the new transmission and computer controls. That won't be until the end of February or beginning of March. We're interested to see if this new high-output setup is better than before as the previous version gave us some problems with a few hard shifts and sluggish pulling power off the line during our 2018 One-Ton Heavy-Duty Truck Challenge.
Manufacturer images
Comments
Indeed it will be interesting to see if Ram has an improved engine after taking it on the chin finishing behind GM and Ford due to it's poor engine and transmission performance. Did Ram pay attention to the poor ratings the previous engine was getting and make improvements, or did they just go after the "Biggest Baddest" goal? The February drive test should tell us.
Hail King Cummins
@Interesting:
Yes, and yes.
Compacted graphite iron: making a big difference in engine design. Another attribute Ford introduced to the industry years ago.
With 1000 lbs of claimed TQ. This thing should be far from sluggish off the line. Should be a rocket!
Very interested in test drive.
@redbloodedxy
You give Ford credit for compacted-graphite technology? Sorry, dude. Bill Ford was in daycare when this stuff was invented. I was even younger back then.
Why not give Ford credit for inventing turbo-chargers? Or brussel-sprouts. LOL
GM/Duramax 910 real torque 10 speed Allison,
Ram 1000 torque max on a good day, going with the wind, with no air filter, no muffler, on Ram's Dyno testing,
HAHAHA
1000 torque will be a thirsty engine
what does the big "C "on the engine mean?
oh, they forgot RAP
Good to see the 'TUPY' foundry mark, Brazilian company with a CGI foundry in Mexico. A lot of Cummins blocks come from CHINA.
@water
So can we assume you're not a Cummins fan? A lot of folks are.
@redbloodedxy
You give Ford credit for compacted-graphite technology? Sorry, dude. Bill Ford was in daycare when this stuff was invented. I was even younger back then.
Why not give Ford credit for inventing turbo-chargers? Or brussel-sprouts. LOL
Posted by: papajim | Jan 23, 2019 2:46:58 PM
@redblood,
I understand what you were saying. Not that Ford invented the stuff, in fact you quite clearly said "Another attribute Ford introduced to the industry years ago.". Papa is like Don Lemon from CNN. He minces his words to smear people and spread his agenda. He's still mad that GM introduced a turbo engine in it's Silverado in response to Ford's success. Trouble is Chevy missed badly on their concept of making a fuel efficient 2.7L turbo.
Trouble is Chevy missed badly on their concept of making a fuel efficient 2.7L turbo...Posted by: Communist GM | Jan 23, 2019
Same question: did you drive one yet? If not, you're just repeating some second-hand sh*t you heard.
Did you drive MORE than one, so you can be sure the one you liked is representative of the fleet?
Everybody has been challenged building a turbo 2.7---Ford has one but their 3.3 NA motor in the base model XL pulls almost as well and it's less money. RAM, Toyota and Nissan don't offer a 2.7 in a half ton truck yet.
Papa is like Don Lemon from CNN. He minces his words to smear people and spread his agenda. He's still mad that GM introduced a turbo engine in it's Silverado in response to Ford's success. Trouble is Chevy missed badly on their concept of making a fuel efficient 2.7L turbo.
Posted by: Communist GM | Jan 23, 2019 3:35:03 PM
He's a idiotroll
The fake Frank
Water how does the saying go...Better to keep ones mouth shut and thought a fool then open it and remove all doubt.
@redbloodedxy - That's right red! Don't forget that Ford also the introduced fast burning vehicle to the industry years ago...
https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1971-1980-ford-pinto12.htm
things haven't changed a bit....
https://rocklandregister.com/news/2018/12/26/ford-motor-company-issues-truck-recall-over-heater-cable-fire-risk/
Ford is the best and always will be.
You said it Sean...Ford is the best! What other truck can burn like this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy1UZfzICi4
Adam Rippon is proud of his butt and makes it clears it’s not enhanced. He also is proud of his large, muscular thighs and six-pack abs.
how much torque is pulled in 1st gear?
Yeah but how many gears will be torque limited now?
A drivetrain upgrade would have been better
Let's wait for Ford's counter punch, at least their's are built-designed in-house, not sourced from China...
@TNT
My guess is that it will be governed off idle for driveline durability. The question is how much? No saying the driveline is weak, you just want it to last behind all that TQ. Could be s marketing.... can’t wait for the testing
@TNT
My guess is that it will be governed off idle for driveline durability. The question is how much? No saying the driveline is weak, you just want it to last behind all that TQ. Could be s marketing.... can’t wait for the testing
Chevy loses again.
"in response to Ford's success."
Posted by: Communist GM | Jan 23, 2019 3:35:03 PM
"Ford fourth-quarter results dragged down by losses everywhere"
@papjim
2001: First high-volume production commitment: Ford-PSA 2.7 litre V6 diesel engine
https://sintercast.com/corporate/history
So, Ford invented the heavy duty iron idea.
Why the hell can't they make a diesel that anyone wants? Their latest official comments about the mess in Europe that they are exiting from included comments about the abject failure of their efforts with diesel there.
Not to mention their failure to accurately predict their return on investor capital for 2018, or the crash in their capital appreciation figures. Ouch.
If you want to know this good material CGI from the ground please read about https://www.sintercast.com/
It´s is widespread around the globe and many OEMs will use it in coming engines
Congratulations to Cummins for building it and Fiat for deciding to be 1st to 1K. In the never ending contest of power this is a big milestone. While im sure other will at least eventually counter I would expect things to plateau around this figure for a while. May the trannys and rears be made sufficient to the task.
Looking forward to testing, comparison and drive information.
Nobody claimed Ford invented the CGI block but it does deserve the credit for brining it to pickup truck diesels.
The same can also be said for Ford brining the following to American Pickups, all aluminum bodies, independent front suspension, 5 star crash ratings, successful small displacement turbo engines to names of a few of the big ones.
None invented by Ford... all successfully brought to the pickup world by Ford.
Another Ranger review supporting my view that the Ranger was to little too late.
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/autos/research/2019-ford-ranger-first-test-old-dogs-and-new-tricks/ar-BBSFsGv?ocid=spartandhp
It's funny this article about Ram's class leading engine gets so many comments from people trying to badmouth Ford and GM. and then move on to discuss Ford's Ranger truck? The same fools crying that this site doesn't have enough articles about Ram decide to move the topic to GM and Ford instead of enjoying a Ram article.
My landscapers need this truck to pull their 16 foot trailer with 2 zero-turn mowers, the 3/4ton they drive now is just inadequate, not.
actually, does the vehicle they put this motor in have adequate braking to stop the load it may pull?
Hit the brakes going down Davis Dam with a full load and find out or from the Eisenhower tunnel towards Silverthorne.
Ranger too late?
GMSRGREAT | Jan 24, 2019 7:52:22 AM
The math is pretty strong in your favor. The geniuses in Dearborn who gave us the first-gen Ecoboost 3.5 (aka hand grenade) decided back in 2011 or so that one of the most popular trucks ever made (Ranger) was no longer needed. They even closed the plant. At the same time they were offering an all new midsize truck in foreign markets, which at the time would have been head/shoulders above the Tacoma and Frontier. Back then GM had the miserable first-gen Colorado/Canyon twins. Awful. Honda had the first-gen Ridgeline which even Honda fans admit was crap.
Fast forward to 2014 and GM starts selling a new midsize that has now accounted for a half million pickups. How many Rangers did Ford sell since then? (unless you tally sales outside North America = NONE)
To make matters worse, now you have Ford shills at the events saying you'll have to wait for the next gen Ranger (for electrics, hybrid, diesel, etc) if you want the good stuff. Why not just knock the legs right out from under the new model before it goes on sale.
Question: has anyone seen a sneak peek of the Super Bowl ads for the Ranger yet?
@redbloodedxy
You give Ford credit for compacted-graphite technology? Sorry, dude. Bill Ford was in daycare when this stuff was invented. I was even younger back then.
Why not give Ford credit for inventing turbo-chargers? Or brussel-sprouts. LOL
Papa: re-read my post. The qualifier "first in the [implied truck] industry".
Not a stretch at all, but nice try.
Oh, and they're "brussels sprouts".
Redblood,
Now you know why I won't respond anymore to anything he to
say. If everyone ignores him, he'll go back to his day job at CNN
as Don Lemon's gofer....
You said it Sean...Ford is the best! What other truck can burn like this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy1UZfzICi4
Posted by: Jim Hackett CEO Ford | Jan 23, 2019 7:36:17 PM
Saves Ford owners a lot of money. In previous steal models their was a lot left to have to haul to the scrap yard. Now the owners can sweep up whats left. Done. Good for the enviroment too. Doesn't take up a lot of landfill.
question: has anyone seen a sneak peek of the Super Bowl ads for the Ranger yet?...Posted by: papajim | Jan 24, 2019
@redbloodedxy
Still waiting
And STILL waiting.....waiting to a salty nutsack to suck.....Message me....
It's good to see an upgrade, but this should be the same engine across the board. This only comes in the big boy trucks and honestly the 400hp rating isn't very impressive. Diesels are usually sold based on their hp rating for a good reason. The torque that they make is always more than enough and the power when pulling is important it isn't at 1600rpm which is where the peak torque of the Cummins is. Under heavy loads pulling is usually done between 2200-3000rpm and this is where the Cummins struggles when being compared to the Ford and the Duramax. I'm happy to see another power bump, but it isn't much at only 400. Due to the torque management and turbo lag most owners will never even see this new peak of 1000. The Cummins platform is a stout setup and always will be, but they have been behind the others in power for a while.
2019 and 2020 ram 3500 ,4500 ,5500 need to keep building manual shift transmission that is the only way i will keep buy a ram 3500
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