Ram News: Rumorpile: Toledo Plant To Be Home To New Ram Midsize Truck

[William Maley]

In the most recent five-year plan for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ram Trucks revealed that it planned to have a new midsize truck by 2022. Thanks to a new report from Automotive News, we have some tantalizing details.

According to supplier sources, the new Ram truck will be built at FCA's Toledo, Ohio plant - home to the Wrangler and upcoming Wrangler pickup. Half of the plant has been shutdown since April for retooling to make way for the Wrangler pickup. The line regularly built more than 230,000 JK Wranglers per year before undergoing the retooling process. FCA is not expecting the Wrangler truck to sell in high numbers, leaving a fair amount of capacity ready for another vehicle. Hence where the Ram midsize comes in.

This also reveals that the midsize truck will be body-on frame. We've heard previously that Ram was considering unibody construction.

The truck is expected to debut in 2020 as a 2021 model.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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[G. David Felt]

Should be exciting since it will be built side by side with the Jeep pickup truck. That should mean we get some serious off road capabilities hopefully without the current side airbag problems the ZR2 is having.

[Robert Hall]

Wonder what they will call it...wonder what the platform is...the Wrangler pickup chassis with a Ram body and interior, or something else...

[ccap41]

I don't understand why the Jeep truck and this are taking so long. I'd think they should have been out when the Ranger comes out. 2022? That just feels like an absurd amount of time. 

Edited September 17, 2018 by ccap41

[Robert Hall]

I think FCA is just undercapitalized and understaffed so everything takes forever to get going...the Ranger was easy, since it was an existing product that they brought in to NA. 

[ccap41]

  On 9/17/2018 at 4:40 PM, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

I think FCA is just undercapitalized and understaffed so everything takes forever to get going...the Ranger was easy, since it was an existing product that they brought in to NA. 

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Isn't there a small Ram/Dodge/Fiat outside of the US also though? 

[Robert Hall]

  On 9/17/2018 at 4:54 PM, ccap41 said:

Isn't there a small Ram/Dodge/Fiat outside of the US also though? 

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Yes, in Mexico, but IIRC it's based on old FWD Fiat car platform...doubt if it could be federalized or if it would sell well enough here...I saw a few of them in AZ and So Cal. 

Ram 700

https://jalopnik.com/the-tiny-ram-700-pickup-truck-can-carry-more-than-half-1652291667

Edited September 17, 2018 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[balthazar]

^ With all that cladding- would make a fitting subaru truck.

[ccap41]

  On 9/17/2018 at 4:56 PM, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

Yes, in Mexico, but IIRC it's based on old FWD Fiat car platform...doubt if it could be federalized or if it would sell well enough here...I saw a few of them in AZ and So Cal. 

Ram 700

https://jalopnik.com/the-tiny-ram-700-pickup-truck-can-carry-more-than-half-1652291667

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Fiat also has a truck. Fiat Fullback.

 

[William Maley]

  On 9/17/2018 at 5:19 PM, ccap41 said:

Fiat also has a truck. Fiat Fullback.

 

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Yes, a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi Triton/L200. I believe this new Ram truck will replace the Fullback.

[Robert Hall]

Ah yeah, the Fullback...I remember reading about that..it and the Mitsu compete w/ the Ranger, Hilux, Navara, Anorak, etc in Europe and Asia.... could give it a squared off Ram nose and badge it as the Ram 50.. ala 1980.

Edited September 17, 2018 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[ccap41]

  On 9/17/2018 at 5:39 PM, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

Ah yeah, the Fullback...I remember reading about that..it and the Mitsu compete w/ the Ranger, Hilux, Navara, Anorak, etc in Europe and Asia.... could give it a squared off Ram nose and badge it as the Ram 50.. ala 1980.

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If Wikipedia is accurate it is only sold in the middle east. ?‍♂️

[Robert Hall]

  On 9/17/2018 at 5:49 PM, ccap41 said:

If Wikipedia is accurate it is only sold in the middle east. ?‍♂️

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The Mitsu version is sold all over, though..

[ccap41]

  On 9/17/2018 at 6:23 PM, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

The Mitsu version is sold all over, though..

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Ahhh that makes sense. Thanks! 

[ocnblu]

  On 9/17/2018 at 5:07 PM, balthazar said:

^ With all that cladding- would make a fitting subaru truck.

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You are such a BRAT

Wow, I agree with ccap... WAY too long to wait!  I would take one RIGHT NOW with the 3.6 Pentastar or a diesel!

[riviera74]

Too bad FCA did not bother putting a midsize pickup truck a few years earlier.  Not sure it will succeed given how well the Colorado/Canyon are selling these days. . . . and the new Ranger.

[ccap41]

Don't forget about the Taco, the sales leader. 

[Drew Dowdell]

Ram Dakota for the name obviously 

[Robert Hall]

Yes, and do a Ram Dakota Rebel trimmed like the Ram Rebel.  And maybe for a top version something exotic sounding like the Dakota Minot.

[Drew Dowdell]

and for the sports model... Ram Dakota Rushmore.  Not quite an SRT or hellcat but still speedy. 

[G. David Felt]

How about a Ram Dakota Powerwagon version. Call it the WhiteHorse edition.

[Robert Hall]

  On 9/18/2018 at 6:40 PM, Drew Dowdell said:

and for the sports model... Ram Dakota Rushmore.  Not quite an SRT or hellcat but still speedy. 

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and then on top of that, a Hellcat version....Ram Dakota Defecateur (French spelling would be badass).   (J/K, having a really shitty work day...production support hell). 

Edited September 18, 2018 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[ccap41]

What engines would they be using in a mid-size truck? Obviously the 3.6 Pentastar if it ws produced today but do you think it would base with the 2.0T that's in the Wrangler? 

[Robert Hall]

I would think a 4cyl and the 3.6.  Or 4 only like Ford is doing. 

[ccap41]

Would the 3.6 be due to be replaced by 2022? What was its last major update? 

[Robert Hall]

  On 9/18/2018 at 7:49 PM, ccap41 said:

Would the 3.6 be due to be replaced by 2022? What was its last major update? 

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Who knows?  I think it got the auto stop/start around 15-16. 

[smk4565]

I bet $100 to a donut there is a Hellcat version.  

[Robert Hall]

I wonder if they will do a Hellcat version of the new Ram. 

[G. David Felt]

Come on as long as they can sell it, cheap R&D to put the Hellcat package in everything. I honestly am surprised they have not done a hellcat Pacifica.  

[ocnblu]

Right.  Makes so much sense.  The Hellcat engine would fit SO WELL... sideways... under a van hood...

[Robert Hall]

  On 9/19/2018 at 10:38 AM, ocnblu said:

Right.  Makes so much sense.  The Hellcat engine would fit SO WELL... sideways... under a van hood... 

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Yes, FWD minivan w/ Hellcat..great idea.  Not. ...though a mild performance trim wouldn't be too crazy, remember the turbo Caravans in the 80s..

[Drew Dowdell]

  On 9/18/2018 at 7:49 PM, ccap41 said:

Would the 3.6 be due to be replaced by 2022? What was its last major update? 

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Just a few years ago. It has some life left in it yet. 

[ccap41]

  On 9/19/2018 at 12:26 PM, Drew Dowdell said:

Just a few years ago. It has some life left in it yet. 

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Four plus the life of a brand new vehicle or do you think it would get something else/new? 

  On 9/19/2018 at 11:04 AM, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

Yes, FWD minivan w/ Hellcat..great idea.  Not. ...though a mild performance trim wouldn't be too crazy, remember the turbo Caravans in the 80s..

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Do they already have an engine for that though? 

[Robert Hall]

  On 9/19/2018 at 1:23 PM, ccap41 said:

 

Do they already have an engine for that though? 

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Not sure..I'm not up on the Pacifica powertrains...3.6 Pentastar regular and hybrid version? 

[G. David Felt]

  On 9/19/2018 at 1:29 PM, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

Not sure..I'm not up on the Pacifica powertrains...3.6 Pentastar regular and hybrid version? 

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I would think using the Turbo 4 banger from say the Wrangler so 300HP with Electric assist hybrid powertrain would give it a nice Pacifica RT package.

[G. David Felt]

@ocnblu @ccap41 @Cubical-aka-Moltar

Seems it was a real concept project to build a Hellcat Pacifica.

https://www.topspeed.com/cars/chrysler/2017-chrysler-pacifica-hellcat-ar172693.html 

 

 

[ccap41]

That was in 2016 supposedly for a 2017 Hellcat Pacifica and that didn't happen.. 

[Drew Dowdell]

  On 9/19/2018 at 1:23 PM, ccap41 said:

Four plus the life of a brand new vehicle or do you think it would get something else/new? 

Do they already have an engine for that though? 

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Do you think the Grand Cherokee or Durango or Wrangler have a risk of going out of production in that amount of time?  I could see a Turbo-4 being added to the first two, but not a removal of the V6 in the next three model years.  Hell, they're still running the Hemi V8 there. 

Also remember the Pentastar is available in a 3.2 version in the Cherokee. This I could see dying and going to 2.0T only... or just getting upgraded to the 3.6 the Pacifica has.

Ram still uses the Pentastar as a base engine.

Also... will the Journey ever die?  It's another one with the 3.6. 

The long and short of it is that the Pentastar is still a pretty efficient V6 today.  I also think Wrangler buyers and Dakota buyers will be particularly resistant to a Turbo-4 as the only option. 

 

  On 9/19/2018 at 1:45 PM, dfelt said:

@ocnblu @ccap41 @Cubical-aka-Moltar

Seems it was a real concept project to build a Hellcat Pacifica.

https://www.topspeed.com/cars/chrysler/2017-chrysler-pacifica-hellcat-ar172693.html

 

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Keep in mind there is talk of the Pentastar getting a twin-turbo version to replace the Hemi in some applications.  

[Drew Dowdell]

Whoops!  @ccap41 This might be your answer.

 

 

 

[ccap41]

  On 9/19/2018 at 4:04 PM, Drew Dowdell said:

Whoops!  @ccap41 This might be your answer.

 

 

 

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Hahaha I was just reading that too!