Is this 2020 Ram Power Wagon rendering previewing the new HD?

[Jared B]

A few days ago we wrote an extensive article with a lot of spy photos with our thoughts on Rams direction for the 2020 Ram HD line up. We strongly believe after studying hundreds of spy photos and talking to industry insiders that the 2020 Ram HD will be a heavily refreshed version of the current heavy duties, getting the tech and interior from the 2019 Ram 1500s, with a refreshed 4th gen cab and powertrain options.


Ram Rebel TRX Concept (FCA Photo)

What is clear from the spy shots is that the 2020 Ram HD will be getting a new front clip similar to the 2019 Ram 1500s but more muscular in staying with the current HDs look. We also wouldn’t be surprised if Ram started using the rear doors from the TRX concept with the kick up at the rear of the window line to tie in with the new 2019 1500s look. New bedsides that closer match those of the 2019 1500s are also a possibility. After all they must have changed more than just the front end to warrant entirely covering the prototypes with camo. We carefully studied many spy photos we have received and believe that all of the hard points have stayed the same between the current HD and the 2020 Ram HDs that have been spotted testing.


2020 Ram Power Wagon rendering (Darksky Design)

With all this in mind, we had our friends at Darksky Design come up with a 2020 Ram Power Wagon rendering for us. Using all the hard points of the current Ram HDs but with the styling tweaks that we believe are possibly coming. Merging a 2019 Rebel front end with some tweaks and blending it into a tweaked current body results in a truck that manages to look fresh and aggressive.

We are currently 5 months away from seeing the all new HDs debut in Detroit, until then we will continue to update you about whatever we learn regarding the new heavy duties.

 

[haywaj]

JaredB thanks so much for the info. Can't wait to learn more on the powertrain changes, especially the Cummins and it's transmission.

 

[devildodge]

Only 5 months to go. Can't wait to see the reveal of the Powerwagon and hope the gasser get some love. Wonder what records the Cummins will break this time. Man the amazing choices Ram is making me make.

 

[Chirp08]

I don't understand why you are leaning toward them using the old cab, none of the pics have been convincing of that, and it makes no logical sense. The 5th gen cab would have been designed with all the HD driveline clearance requirements in mind already. If they wanted to adapt that cab to the frame it makes far more sense to modify the mounting points on the frame vs. trying to re-use the old cab and make an entirely new set of interior components that fit and mount to a the 4th gen cab. Not to mention all of the body panels that meet up with the cab (hood, front/rear fenders) are going to be redesigned and re-tooled anyway for the new lights/look so there is no cost saved there if they were to re-use the old cab.

Also some other things stand out in the post comparing the two from the other day. The ram box lids for example are two different sizes entirely, the 3500 ones look much wider than the comparison shot to the 2019 (they have 3 horizontal bars not including the Ram Box text (which would be a 4th bar) vs. the 2 bars with Ram Box embedded within a third bar on the '19). Also the rocker panels on the spy shots match the 2019 Ram's and not the 4th gen. The only thing that is definitively 4th gen in all the pics is the c-pillar door trim. The front window shape looks to be that of the 2019 and not the old cab, the glass is the same as the 2019 as well (look at the black on the top corners).

 

[SpeedyV]

A few days ago we wrote an extensive article with a lot of spy photos with our thoughts on Rams direction for the 2020 Ram HD line up. We strongly believe after studying hundreds of spy photos and talking to industry insiders that the 2020 Ram HD will be a heavily refreshed version of the current heavy duties, getting the tech and interior from the 2019 Ram 1500s, with a refreshed 4th gen cab and powertrain options.


Ram Rebel TRX Concept (FCA Photo)

What is clear from the spy shots is that the 2020 Ram HD will be getting a new front clip similar to the 2019 Ram 1500s but more muscular in staying with the current HDs look. We also wouldn’t be surprised if Ram started using the rear doors from the TRX concept with the kick up at the rear of the window line to tie in with the new 2019 1500s look. New bedsides that closer match those of the 2019 1500s are also a possibility. After all they must have changed more than just the front end to warrant entirely covering the prototypes with camo. We carefully studied many spy photos we have received and believe that all of the hard points have stayed the same between the current HD and the 2020 Ram HDs that have been spotted testing.


2020 Ram Power Wagon rendering (Darksky Design)

With all this in mind, we had our friends at Darksky Design come up with a 2020 Ram Power Wagon rendering for us. Using all the hard points of the current Ram HDs but with the styling tweaks that we believe are possibly coming. Merging a 2019 Rebel front end with some tweaks and blending it into a tweaked current body results in a truck that manages to look fresh and aggressive.

We are currently 5 months away from seeing the all new HDs debut in Detroit, until then we will continue to update you about whatever we learn regarding the new heavy duties.

I need to go test-drive a (current-gen) Power Wagon and get it out of my system. This whole waiting-around-for-what-I-know-will-be-an-incredibly-luxurious-Longhorn thing is tough!

 

[Jared B]

I don't understand why you are leaning toward them using the old cab, none of the pics have been convincing of that, and it makes no logical sense. The 5th gen cab would have been designed with all the HD driveline clearance requirements in mind already. If they wanted to adapt that cab to the frame it makes far more sense to modify the mounting points on the frame vs. trying to re-use the old cab and make an entirely new set of interior components that fit and mount to a the 4th gen cab. Not to mention all of the body panels that meet up with the cab (hood, front/rear fenders) are going to be redesigned and re-tooled anyway for the new lights/look so there is no cost saved there if they were to re-use the old cab.

Also some other things stand out in the post comparing the two from the other day. The ram box lids for example are two different sizes entirely, the 3500 ones look much wider than the comparison shot to the 2019 (they have 3 horizontal bars not including the Ram Box text (which would be a 4th bar) vs. the 2 bars with Ram Box embedded within a third bar on the '19). Also the rocker panels on the spy shots match the 2019 Ram's and not the 4th gen. The only thing that is definitively 4th gen in all the pics is the c-pillar door trim. The front window shape looks to be that of the 2019 and not the old cab, the glass is the same as the 2019 as well (look at the black on the top corners).

There is actually a lot that points to it being the 4th Gen Cab.

Single pane sunroof as current.
Rockers are actually the same as the 4th Gen cab it just makes it harder to tell with the camo
Exterior A-pillar trim is the exact same as a 4th gen, different from a 5th gen
Interior A-pillar trims are different than both 4th and 5th gens but closer to the 4th. New pillar trims would be needed to make the newer dash work, if it was a 5th gen cab they'd just use the 5th gen trims
Angle and rake of the windshield is the same as the 4th gen and not the 5th, they have a strip of camo across the top of the roofline to make it appear different though.
2019 1500 Classics are going to be built through July next year, then Warren will undergo a $1 billion investment to overhaul and renovate the whole plant to build new HD trucks. These will be coming out before that, overhauling Saltillo to make an all new truck right before moving production doesn't make financial sense.

 

[ichime]

Now that I think about it, there could be other reasons as to why they could be sticking with the 4th gen overall frame. For one, the overall length for a 4th gen 2500 crew cab short bed is actually one inch shorter (237 inches) than Ford's Super Duty extended cab short bed (238 inches) and the Megacab is actually 2 inches shorter (248 inches) than a Super Duty crew cab/SuperCrew short bed (250 inches). Ram does not offer a quadcab/extended cab for their HD trucks, but it could be that they see their Crew Cabs competing with Ford's extended cabs and their Megas going against Ford's Supercrews.

Though if they stick with the 4th gen skeleton they might be giving up stuff such as the flat load floor at the rear of the cab like the new 1500s have.

But we'll see. The next set of prototypes should reveal more hopefully!