A Brief History of Ram Trucks: The 1980s – Miami Lakes Automall Ram

November 14th, 2014 by

Ram trucks have become the fastest growing truck brand in America. However, they didn’t arrive at this point overnight. It took hard work, ingenuity and a firm commitment to build the best trucks on the road.

Here at Miami Lakes Ram, we honor Ram’s commitment to providing you with the best truck possible. When you visit us, your Dodge Ram Miami dealer, you’ll see Ram’s commitment to their unique tradition. Here is a look at some of the enhancements they made with their 1980s models, which shows their ability to improvise to give you the truck you want.

The first truck to carry the Ram name came out in 1981, bringing the Ram badge back for the first time since 1933. Dodge initially used the Ram badge to symbolize the ruggedness of their trucks, according to Edmunds.

What made the 1981 models so distinctive were its construction, as Dodge made their Ram trucks with fresh sheet metal. This made them lighter and made their bodies less susceptible to rust. It also bolster the Ram’s appearance, giving it an edgier allure that coincides well with the Ram brand.

Another excellent feature was the powertrain choices Dodge offered on this Ram model. Consumers had their choice of the durable 3.7-liter engine, the “Slant Six” engine or the 5.9-liter V8 engine, which delivered up to 170 horsepower. This gave them a wealth of choices that appealed to varying customers’ needs. Altogether, this was an excellent debut for the Ram, as consumers enjoyed the power, style and capability of these amazing trucks.

Throughout the 1980s, Dodge made minor adjustments on their Ram trucks. In 1983, Dodge introduced a four-wheel drive Miser model and then dropped the brand name a year later. In 1986, Dodge designed a bold new grille for their Ram trucks. In 1988, Dodge added electronic fuel injection to their V8 engine. It was in 1989 where Ram trucks saw their biggest enhancements of the decade.

In 1989, Dodge introduced new engines in their Ram trucks. Gone was the slant six engine replaced with the 3.9-liter V6 engine. Another new engine selection was the Cummins Turbodiesel engine. This six-cylinder engine promised to deliver large loads with its 400 foot-pounds of torque. Dodge also enhanced many of the Ram’s pivotal components such as its battery, transmission and climate control systems. The result was a truck that propelled the Ram brand strongly into the 1990s.

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