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Updated Ram Heavy Duty Coming Later This Year

HEMI® Power Will Stay, New 8-Speed Powerline Automatic Coming...

Although Ram is just gearing up to launch its updated 2025 Ram 1500 (DT) pickups, the focus will now move to the brand’s Heavy Duty offerings. Ram has struggled to sell its 2500/3500 Heavy Duty pickups, with the two trucks making the top-10 worst-selling vehicles last month. Several reasons are playing a factor in the lack of sales in the Heavy Duty segment. While high interest rates might be one of them, the Ram Heavy Duty lineup is now the oldest offering on the market; however, that is about to change.

Ram 2500 Rebel Level 2 Crew Cab 4×4. (Ram).

Ram will introduce an updated version of its Ram 2500 (DJ) and Ram 3500 (D2) pickups later this year. While the 2025 Heavy Duty pickups won’t be completely new from the ground up, it is expected that Ram will give the trucks an update not just in the looks department but also in what’s under the hood.

The 2025 Heavy Duty models should get new front styling, including a new grille, headlamp, and front bumper designs. We expect everything from the A-pillar back to be a carryover. A new taillight design should mimic the updated design of the 2025 Ram 1500. We would be surprised if Ram adds a full power raise and lower tailgate to its Heavy Duty pickups, a feature currently available on both Ford Super Duty and the GM HD pickups. Ram will also more than likely add onboard power to its Heavy Duty lineup as well, a feature that Ford Super Duty has, but also the updated 2025 Ram 1500.

Ram 2500 Rebel Level 2 Crew Cab 4×4. (Ram).

Inside, we expect much of the interior design to stay the same. We still believe that the truck will not have a panoramic sunroof, due to it still using the aging fourth-generation Ram cab design. We can expect that the new 14.5-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen will also join the upper-scale models, as well as the same material changes seen on the Ram 1500 for the various trims, and a new Tungsten model with ultra-premium creature comforts like heated and ventilated premium quilted Natura Plus leather driver and front passenger seats with 24-way power, including memory settings and a massage function, power lumbar support, and four-way powered headrests. Also, don’t forget that the 10.25-inch passenger screen should be available on the higher models.

Under the hood, we expect much of the same. The 6.4-liter HEMI® V8 BGE or “Big Gas Engine” should return with some updates to keep the HEMI aligned with stricter emissions regulations. Power should be the same, but the Ram Heavy Duty pickups will ensure that the HEMI legacy does continue. The 6.7-liter CUMMINS I6 turbodiesel should return as well.

Ram 2500 Rebel Level 2 Crew Cab 4×4. (Ram).

The best news according to our sources is that Ram will end production of the questionable 68RFE automatic transmission. Instead, ZF will be supplying its PowerLine transmission as a replacement. We discussed this back in 2020, and since the 8-speed PowerLine automatic has become a staple in some medium-duty trucks, it should be a welcomed addition to the Ram Heavy Duty lineup.

Expect the entire lineup to return, including the popular Rebel model. We also mentioned the Tungsten, so that should be a welcome addition to the lineup to take on the luxurious GMC Sierra HD Denali models.

Ram should introduce these new models later this year, with production kicking off sometime late in the fourth quarter of 2024 at the Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant in Mexico.

Robert S. Miller

Robert S. Miller is a diehard Mopar enthusiast who lives and breathes all that is Mopar. The Michigander is not only the Editor for MoparInsiders.com, 5thGenRams.com, and HDRams.com but an automotive photographer. He is an avid fan of offshore powerboat racing, which he travels the country to take part in.

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I am a long time ram truck owner, just picked up a left over 1500 longhorn, had to have one more Hemi and no incentives on the 24s. The 25s were not much different in my opinion. Ram seems to struggle with innovation lately Dodge Ram was a lot more on the ball with lots of cool offerings.

So the updated 25 heavy duties will still have a 16 year old cab and basically the same drivetrains other than the 8 speed and they wonder why they are lagging in sales, whoever cancelled the 7.0 litre hemi should of been fired if they don’t at least match Fords 500/1200 ratings whats the point.

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I hope they update heavy duties with 1500 Ramcharger drive gear. Hp and torque is currently sufficient, or they can boost EV drives if needed.

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Are they using the zf transmission only with the standard output Cummins or has zf bumped up the torque rating enough for the high output engine also.

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This is to little to late. Ram is running the oldest chassis, cab, engines and transmissions on the market for HD trucks so as someone who have a lot of friends that actually use these kinds of trucks for towing
many of which USED to buy Ram trucks but won't touch them because of how old and outdated they are. It's sad really. Even I must say having driven a friends 2023 Ford I was impressed.

In order for them to compete Ram needs for the HD trucks a 5th gen chassis, the new bigger cab design (like the 1500 has had since 2019 for crying out loud) update the Cummins to 475HP and 1200ft-lb, a new 9-12 speed HD transmission (Allison or Eaton)
anything less than this and they are going to keep losing sales. It really doesn't take a genius to figure this out.

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I am a long time ram truck owner, just picked up a left over 1500 longhorn, had to have one more Hemi and no incentives on the 24s. The 25s were not much different in my opinion. Ram seems to struggle with innovation lately Dodge Ram was a lot more on the ball with lots of cool offerings.

So the updated 25 heavy duties will still have a 16 year old cab and basically the same drivetrains other than the 8 speed and they wonder why they are lagging in sales, whoever cancelled the 7.0 litre hemi should of been fired if they don’t at least match Fords 500/1200 ratings whats the point.

Fried ? Tarred and feathered !

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