Jan.15, 2018—The 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 has made many improvements including a new frame makeup and a significant weight reduction, totaling nearly 225 pounds lighter.
Ninety-eight percent of the car’s frame is made up of high-strength steel to help improve weight and durability. The high-strength steel resulted in a 100 pound lighter frame overall.
The new Ram made a notable reduction in weight thanks to an aluminum focus in the following segments:
- Tailgate
- Engine mounts
- Front axle center section
- Front suspension crossmember
- Transmission crossmember
- Steering system gear
The improvements make the Ram 1500 the most aerodynamic vehicle in its segment, featuring active aerodynamic features such as grille shutters, air dam and air suspension.
The car’s improvements due to steel is a trend that’s becoming more prominent in the automotive industry. The improvements are similar of those to the 2017 Ford F-250, which was 350 pounds lighter due to a switch to aluminum.
Mixed mediums such as aluminum and steel are being utilized with more manufacturers. As of late Dec. 2017, Lamborghini’s Urus SUVs was made with a blend of aluminum and steel, while GM adopted a steel, aluminum, carbon fiber mix for its pickups. Tesla’s Model 3 also features an aluminum and steel blend.
