Ram Trucks Australia has launched its most capable load-carrier in the form of the new 3500.
The heaviest-duty Ram pickup is a workhorse version of the just-released 2500, swapping the latter’s comfier rear coil suspension for leaf springs.
As a result it can safely handle an additional 850kg of payload and GVM.
MORE: 2022 Ram 2500 price and specs
Ram Trucks Australia – the business name of distributor Ateco’s American Special Vehicles (ASV) – claims to be the world’s only authorised re-manufacturer of right-hand drive Rams.
That means it has agreements with Ram’s US headquarters. It partners with re-manufacturer Walkinshaw, a former partner in ASV that re-engineers Chevrolet Silverados as well.
Ram Trucks Australia says the 3500 underwent the same design, homologation, and manufacture processes as the 2500 and the smaller ‘DT’ 1500 – which we reviewed here.
That means 50,000 pre-build development hours, 80,000kms of rolling road testing, 50,000km of real-world road driving, and a 20,000km full vehicle durability test.
The re-engineered final products use a claimed 400-plus new parts.
“The all-new 3500 completes the task we set ourselves at the start of 2021: to deliver a full range of fit-for-purpose vehicles for the Australian consumer,” said RAM Trucks Australia National Manager Jeff Barber.
The company now sells the new and old-generation Ram 1500s, plus the 2500 and 3500 heavy duty twins.
Pricing
It’s $5000 more than the Ram 2500, and more or less the same as a 2500 with RamBoxes (closing tubs in each side of the load bed). You can’t option these on the 3500.
- 2022 Ram 2500 Laramie Crew Cab: $157,950
- 2022 Ram 2500 Laramie Crew Cab RamBox: $162,900
- 2022 Ram 3500 Laramie Crew Cab: $162,950
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Engine
The Ram 3500 uses the same compacted graphite-iron block engine as the 2500.
That means a Cummins 6.7-litre turbo-diesel inline-six making 276kW of power at 2800rpm and an enormous 1152Nm of torque as low as 1700rpm.
The engine’s maximum rev speed is 3200rpm.
It’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission (code 68RFE) and a 4×4 system with shift-on-the fly 4WD High, as well as low-range via transfer case.
Ram rates both the 2500 and 3500 to tow (braked) 3500kg with a 50mm ball, 4500kg with a 70mm ball, and a whopping 8000kg with auxiliary gooseneck hitch and air brakes.
Fuel Economy
There’s currently no fuel economy rating for the Ram 2500.
It has a 117L fuel tank.
Dimensions
The same as the Ram 2500: 6066mm long, 2630mm wide including mirrors, 2037mm tall, on a 3785mm wheelbase.
The steering is hydraulically assisted, 3.2 turns lock-to-lock, and allows a 14.6m turning circle.
The tub is listed as an old-school 6 feet 4 inches, or 1940mm. The tub is 1295mm wide between the arches and 511mm deep. Minimum clearance under the rear axle is 222mm.
The 3500’s ladder frame with double-wall steel box, and the three-link coil-sprung solid front axle setup, are the same as the 2500. As mentioned the 2500’s coils are switched for two-stage leaf springs supporting the solid rear axle.
Payload grows subsequently from 835kg (sans RamBoxes) to 1692kg. GVM (kerb weight plus payload) expands to 5352kg (category code NB2). The rear axle load is 3175kg.
The gross combination mass is 12,837kg, up from 12,695kg in the Ram 2500.
Ram 3500 (Ram 2500 in brackets)
- Payload: 1693kg (835kg)
- Kerb weight: 3660kg (3660kg)
- GVM: 5352kg (4495kg)
- GCM: 12,837kg (12,695kg)
Servicing and Warranty
The 2022 Ram 3500 is covered by a three-year, 100,000km warranty.
It requires servicing every six months or 12,000km, whichever comes first.
Safety
The Ram hasn’t been tested by ANCAP.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors
- Surround-view camera with trailer reverse guidance
- Cargo-view camera
- Front, front-side and curtain airbags
- Adaptive cruise control
An optional driver-assist package adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic assist.
Standard Equipment
Same as the Ram 2500, largely. The Laramie spec grade is a luxurious one in the States, reflected here.
Exterior
- Acoustic privacy glass
- Sliding back window
- Bedliner
- LED tub lighting
- LED headlights and tail lights
- Side steps
- Damped, power-release tailgate
- 18-inch polished wheels
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Heavy duty tow bar
- 12-pin wiring harness and brake controller
Interior
- Keyless entry and start
- Dual-zone climate control
- Tear air vents and split-fold bench
- Partial leather seat trim
- Heated/ventilated/powered seats
- 12-inch centre touchscreen
- Surround-view camera
- Digital rear mirror
- Sat-nav
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Alpine 10-speaker audio
- Four USB and 4 USB-C ports
- Bluetooth phone and streaming
- Carpet floors with mats
