History of Dodge (RAM) Trucks

A Far Too Brief History of the Dodge (RAM) Trucks!
Dodge has had trucks for most of their history and played a huge part in the Mexican-American war, WWI, and WWII. Since then they've often been a distant third to Ford and Chevy in the truck market, but have also often innovated with more consumer-focused offerings, sport-truck offerings, and many exterior and interior advancements!
And it's paid off, where they now challenge the sales of Chevy and Ford!

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[johnh]

Great history video once again Jon. When I was a teenager I got a chance to drive an ‘89 Cummins model owned by a old man that was a tractor trailer diesel mechanic. The 12V Cummins at the time was the only pickup diesel he liked and trusted. It served him well over 400k miles as his daily driver.

[scmroman]

There's nothing I love more than a 2nd Gen Ram, best truck ever built in my opinion.

[DanoFSmith-yctg]

The 2nd generation Ram is the best looking truck of all time in my opinion

Just timeless, they still look modern today, but also hint at the classic pick ups from the 50's with its rounded front fenders.

I have a couple of them, but one is a 2001 Mexican market only RamCharger, it has 2014 Ram 20" chrome clad wheels, and people think its a car that was just released in 2023, i get it all the time, so crazy to me.

[rntt]

I was a kid in the 90s, and I remember just absolutely LOVING the DODGE RAM as the ULTIMATE version of the TRUCK!

[deejay]

The offering of the Cummins turbo diesel turned things around for Dodge in '89. Had a '93 D-250 5.9L. Put 225K miles on it. It's still on the road today with it's 3rd owner. You could pull a house off it's foundation w/ the bastard. A 5 speed, it could start out in 4th gear if need be. Best truck ever.

[Randy.E.R]

Thank you for sharing this video. I worked as a transmission mechanic at a Ford dealer from 1983 through 2006. Perhaps the best job I ever had. In 1996 the dealership owner became part owner of a dealership which didn’t have a transmission mechanic, so I was doing transmission repairs for the Ford and CDPJE dealers.

Let’s just say I made a small fortune until both auto manufacturers moved toward replacing automatic transmissions on warranty repairs rather than repairing them. And I get it; it. It made it possible to return the vehicle to the customer within a couple of days as opposed to a week or longer. Especially since there were times I was waiting for repair parts for several days.

But that’s all beside the point. I absolutely loved Dodge Ram trucks. I had a loyalty to Ford trucks because that was my base dealer, but I never owned one. I so badly wanted to buy a Ram but was never able to afford one. Not because I didn’t make enough money- like most married men I have to buy what the wife wants. My wife has always been partial to BMWs, so that’s what we’ve always owned. This never made my boss happy, but hey- I sleep with my wife, not my boss.

After the Ford dealer closed in 2006 and he sold off his share in the CDPJE dealership, I went to work as a fleet mechanic for a utility company that owns both Ram and Ford pickups. I am still very drawn toward the Ram pickups. Very well designed and nice looking.

[calevel]

I’m a proud owner of a third generation dodge Ram 2500 with a 5.9IL turbo diesel cummins engine. I have her since 2006 and planning on keeping her until death do us part… amazing rig!!

[donhathaway]

I’ve been a loyal Dodge truck owner since 1972. My first one had the slant 6. I bought my last one in very early 2010. In 2003 I bought a 2500 with the 345 hemi. Timberline green with the lower part silver. The most beautiful truck I’d ever seen. 7 years later after developing hip trouble from getting in and out of it, I traded it in for my 1500 also with the 345. I hope to still have it when I die. Never given me one bit of trouble. 14 years in the salt laden roads of New Hampshire and I still get comments on what a beautiful truck it is. Mopar forever. Never even had to replace a light bulb in it! The only minus I have is the headlights suck.

[platinumuschannel]

I'm seeing many more of the OLDER Dodge pickups around my area. Back in the day you couldn't hardly give them away...

But I think the reason that everyone is seeing the older pre-1994 Dodges is because those people want an older pickup, but don't want to pay the exorbitant prices of the Fords, Jeeps, and Chevys.

[frequentlycynical]

I had a 1958 Power Wagon in the mid 1970's for my landscaping business. As this video reminds me, it was a W100. On the firewall was a little plate riveted to the firewall saying that it was made by The Dodge Brothers with serial number. No VN's back then. Weirdly, although a half ton, it had dual rear wheel capability and ran large 17.5" tubeless tires. The rear springs were minimal, so I added major helper springs. Every spring I sold a shit load....joke, you will see....of cow manure. I bought it for $2 a load, loaded, then sold it for, I don't recall, $15-$20?

It was incredibly hard work to unload, and during the summer we had plenty of dirt, more manure, and gravel to shovel out. Oh, for a lift bed! Well, a friend spotted one for me and I installed it by cutting frame sections and welding in the hydraulic lift. Also, the PTO off of the transmission and drive shaft to the pump in the lift. Looking back now, I'm amazed at the "engineering" and untested skills I had to do this.

The engine was the standard two barrel V8 and getting pretty worn out by then. I found a 1955 Chrysler 354 Hemi V8 in a junk yard. Good god, the torque! The ex and I got a cab over camper. With three small kids, a visiting teen relative, and all that load, I could climb the 7% Eisenhower Tunnel approaches and 10, 000 high gear! Even at 45mph, I passed plenty of vehicles of all types. Also from that Chrysler, I took the two electric trumpet horns that sounded just like a truck or locomotive. We would pass slower vehicles and blast the "air" horns if there were kids in the car; they would do the pull the hand down signaling to do it again. I always obliged, of course.

During the tumultuous times of our divorce and the ending of the landscaping business, I abandoned the truck in a friend's nursery field. Once in a rare while I have a dream where I have it again. I hope someone got it that could appreciate it and keep it going.

[tj]

I've got a restored 1953 b4c pilot house dodge truck in my garage. I'd have to say after driving the 53, then hop in my 2017 ram. We have come a long way. Thanks for the video!

[mongoosemotive]

You should’ve mention how RAM offered a manual in the full size trucks up until 2018, which was longer than the other brands

[rogergarner]

Enjoyed this video. My dad worked for Dodge Truck from 1965 to 1980 as support to engineering staff. He had a 1973 Adventurer with a 318 V8 and 4-speed manual transmission and later a 1993 D250 with the Cummins Diesel. I've owned a 1990 Dakota and 1990 D150. I currently own a 2014 RAM 1500 Crew Cab that I've owned since new. I love these trucks.

[Jahland]

About 8 months ago, I came across Dodge history documentary. My dad's middle name is Frederick last name Haynes. Was a funny coincidence. Love the history of Dodge and the brothers. A true American dream tale from my perspective. All started with building bicycles.

[Trapper]

Again, short, sweet, and incredibly informative. Jon, you did it again, kudos!

[rhigh]

I had a 1st gen Dakota Sport. Good little truck. 4 cyl was ok if you didn't use the AC.

[santafetrucker]

I sure wish they would bring back the Dakota....miss mine...owned 2 of them.

[randywatkins]

My favorite era is 1972-1979. Last of the available big block motors and IMO best styling, especially the “Adult Toys” variants.These were also the last to have grilles made of metal.

[jasoncarpp]

Another awesome history video. I remember the Dodge Truck of the 1980s and early 90s. My favourite was the 1990-95 Ram with the Cummins Turbo Diesel.

[lhaley]

I knew a GM truck assembly worker, he said the Dodge truck was the best kept secret. Most of the workers would have driven one if they could.