Ram’s Upcoming Midsize Pickup Will Be Body-On-Frame

After years of speculation, Ram is finally getting back into the midsize pickup game. And here’s the kicker—it’s going body-on-frame, not unibody like some expected.

Back in 2021, Stellantis made waves at their EV Day presentation by hinting that a future Ram midsize truck could ride on the STLA Large platform, which is a unibody architecture. That sent mixed signals to truck fans who were hoping for something more rugged and traditional. But now, according to sources close to MoparInsiders.com, we can confirm that Ram’s upcoming midsize truck will instead ride on a body-on-frame setup, similar to what Jeep® uses for the Gladiator (JT).

This is great news for truck buyers looking for a true midsize competitor to the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Nissan Frontier. A unibody design might work for light-duty lifestyle trucks like the Honda Ridgeline, but most people in this segment want real truck capability—and that’s exactly what Ram is planning to deliver.

Sources also confirm that Ram’s new midsize truck will only come in a four-door Crew Cab layout, following the same strategy as the rest of the American midsize segment. And we now know that it will be built at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois, starting in 2027.

Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis recently pointed out that this new truck will fill the void left by the Ram 1500 Classic (DS), offering a more affordable alternative under the $40,000 mark. That’s especially important right now as full-size pickups continue to get more expensive, pricing many buyers out of the segment.

For those who remember the Dodge Dakota, this isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a comeback. The last Dakota was discontinued in 2011 after getting too close in price and size to the full-size Ram 1500. Most people just chose the Ram, especially since it offered the 5.7-liter HEMI® V8 and more space. But the market’s changed, and there’s now a bigger demand for a well-priced midsize option.

If Ram follows Ford’s playbook with the Ranger—which starts at $33,330 and climbs to $56,070 for the Raptor—there’s a good chance this new truck will hit the sweet spot. Priced right, it won’t cannibalize Ram 1500 sales but instead give customers a new, more affordable way into the brand.

We expect to see prototypes on public roads before the end of the year, and we’re keeping a close eye out for any early sightings. Stay tuned—Ram’s next chapter in the midsize segment is about to begin.