An Orange Coast CJDR Guide for Fourth-Generation Ram 1500 Engines

If you are interested in a used Ram 1500, then the odds are you are looking at fourth-generation models. Produced from 2009 to 2018, fourth-generation trucks make up the bulk of the market and provide a wide variety of options. One of the most important of those options is the engine. Here, we will dive into the various engines Ram has made available for the entire run of fourth-generation Ram 1500 trucks. With so many choices over the last decade, this article will provide an engine guide for used truck buyers.

The Ram 1500 is the lightest truck of the lineup, but make no mistake: the Ram 1500 can handle a fair amount of weight. Regardless of what type of engine is paired with the body of the truck, Ram ensured each of their engines would be a sturdy companion with plenty of torque and horsepower to lend to a job. Each engine will have certain characteristics that may be desirable, depending on how you plan to use the truck. Below, we cover the types of engines that have been available for the last decade of Ram 1500 trucks.

Pentastar, V6, and V8 Engines

Most Ram 1500 trucks since 2013 come standard with a Pentastar V6 engine. The Pentastar is a 3.6L gas engine and replaced a 3.7-liter V6 that was standard between 2009 and 2012. A fair amount of power is made by the 3.7-liter, with 215 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque. Up until 2018, the V6 engines could have either a manual or an automatic transmission, making them a stand-out option if you want a manual truck.

The 3.6-liter Pentastar increased the power output quite a bit to make 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. Towing capacity differs by a wide margin between the two V6 engines. The older 3.7-liter was only rated to tow up to 3,800 lbs. Upping the game in 2013, the 3.6-liter nearly doubled the trucks towing capacity by double to some 7,450 lbs.

More expensive trim levels of Ram 1500s between 2009-2013 could have the more capable 4.7-liter V8 gas engine, which makes 310 hp with 330 lb-ft of torque. This engine can tow up to 7,700 pounds when properly equipped. Lots of things can affect the towing capacity of a truck, like wheel size, cab size, bed length, and whether the drivetrain is two- or four-wheel drive. When seeking a used truck, be sure to check all the specs to learn what the towing capacity is for the truck you’re planning to purchase. Each one of the factors listed can either increase or decrease the towing capacity and payload, depending on the configuration of features.

EcoDiesel Engine

Beginning in 2014, the 3.6-liter V6 EcoDiesel engine option became available, replacing the 4.7-liter gasoline V8 option. When making this engine available, Ram knew part of the allure would be the increase in power output. Making 240 horsepower with 420 lb-ft of torque, the EcoDiesel can tow up to 9,200 lbs in the 2014-2018 models. It also has an attractive fuel usage of up to 27 MPG on the highway.

Noteworthy aspects of the EcoDiesel engine are the savings at the pump and the ability to handle a heavy load for towing. Even when piling on the weight to the max capacity, the diesel engine manages the load easily and can tow capably in both the city and on the highway. For a light-duty truck, this engine offers quite a bit of power that most buyers will find is more than enough for anything they need.

HEMI Engine

Despite the power available from diesel, not everyone wants the hassle and expense of managing the upkeep required with oil changes, cold temperature starts, and extra fluids that need to be added to keep the engine running smoothly and cleanly. Fortunately, Ram has a powerful HEMI engine available as a gas option. It means paying more at the gas tank but will mean less expense in maintenance. Depending on your usage of the truck, the expense may balance out in the end.

In 2009, the 5.7-liter V8 HEMI offered up 390 hp with 407 lb-ft of torque, a sizeable amount of power for a light-duty truck. A towing capacity of up to 9,100 lbs is available with the right equipment. From 2013 to 2018, the same engine received a slight power boost to increase horsepower to 395 and produced 410 lb-ft of torque. After 2013, the HEMI could tow up to 10,450 lbs when properly equipped.

Which Engine Is Best?

To answer this question, it depends on what you plan to do with your truck. If you buy it because you want to be able to load up the bed with supplies from the hardware store, yard waste, or flea market finds, you will find the Pentastar V6 engine is plenty of power to handle the payload you will most likely add to the truck bed. Unless you plan to move heavy appliances or masonry, most people are not likely to need more than what the Pentastar V6 provides, even if you plan to tow a small trailer.

If you plan to tow an occasional small RV, equipment trailer, or load heavy parcels into the truck bed, the EcoDiesel is probably your best bet. Better gas mileage and torque from the diesel engine will handle heavy loads more readily than a gas engine, especially at lower speeds. On the other hand, the gas engine will not need special handling when the weather drops below freezing, nor will it need the same expense for maintenance. However, if you want a longer-lasting engine, the diesel has the staying power for potentially hundreds of thousands of miles if it is properly maintained.

All of these factors boil down to personal preference and lifestyle. Most people who buy a light-duty truck rarely utilize it for work-related needs and instead prefer it for the appeal of owning a truck just for fun. Having it for the convenience of the bed space can be useful, but few modern lifestyles require a powerful engine for towing or payload. Adding a cap to the truck bed can make the bed space even more useful if you need to haul equipment that needs to stay dry or protected, but this is still easy to manage with the Pentastar V6 if you have no intention of towing.

Again, it all depends on your needs. Ram trucks have been a favorite on the market for many years, with a long list of best-in-class features few others can beat. The best way to decide which engine will work best is to consider what payload or towing capacity you expect to need for the heaviest loads, and then choose the engine which will provide that. If you have any questions for details on the weight capacities for payload or towing on a specific truck, then feel free to ask the experts here at Orange Coast. The doors of our Costa Mesa area dealership are always open for anyone who needs help finding the right used truck.