2014 Ram 1500 Tradesman/express on 2040-cars

Auto blog

2019 Ram 1500 North Edition is bundled up for winter

The 2019 Ram 1500 North Edition combines a host of features into a special edition meant to keep the abominable winter at bay. Based on the Big Horn trim, which sits just above the base Tradesman, Ram says the North Edition is "geared toward truck owners who need more capability and warmth on their frozen drive." The means 4x4 only, with your choice of crew cab or quad cab, 5'7" bed or 6'4" bed, and either the 3.6-liter Pentastar eTorque or or the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 with or without eTorque. To that canvas, Ram adds some of the features from the Off-Road package, including heavy duty shocks with a one-inch lift, locking rear axle, and tow hooks. Weapons against the cold include an engine block heater, and Level 2 Package options like heated seats and steering wheel, heated and folding mirrors, and remote start for pre-warming the cabin. There are individual extras, like the 12-way power driver's seat with four-way lumbar support, instead of the eight-way seat normally part of the Level 2 package. Snow service-rated, three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) Falken LT tires toil outside to keep the rubber on the road; the standard Off-Road package uses Falken All-Terrains (AT3WA). Mopar floor mats toil inside to keep slush and grime from spoiling a good time. A monochromatic appearance package paints all the exterior trim pieces one hue. One splash of contrast comes with the 4x4 decal along the flanks, the other is what looks like a set of 20-inch, six-spoke wheels. The Ram press release didn't mention the special rims, but on the configurator, when we clicked the 20-Inch x 9.0 Aluminum Chrome-Clad Wheels, we were forced to add the North Edition package. As of writing, the configurator pricing appears to be at odds with the MSRP stated in the press release. Start with the $41,490 Ram 1500 Big Horn 4x4 on the build site, add the North Edition package, and the price shows as $45,285 before a $1,695 destination charge. Ram says the truck is available at dealers now, but lists an MSRP of $45,890 before destination. There's a $605 difference between the two numbers. The build site doesn't pre-select the 20-inch wheels with the North Edition package, though. Normally a $1,595 option, adding the wheels to the build raises the price by $200, to $45,285, leaving a $405 difference. Point being, assume the dealer will start the bargaining with the $45,890 price.

Chrysler recalling 67k trucks with manual transmissions

Earlier this month, Chrysler announced the recall of some 280,000 pickup trucks over concerns that their axles could seize up. Now the automaker has announced an entirely separate recall of another 66,819 trucks over the springs that could break in the clutch ignition interlock switch. The recall affects Dodge Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups, as well as the Dodge Dakota and Mitsubishi Raider. The issue is relevant only to those trucks fitted with manual transmissions, from the 2006 and 2007 model years and manufactured between July 1, 2005, and July 31, 2006. Since a broken spring could, according to statements issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and FCA US LLC (previously known as the Chrysler Group) prevent the vehicle from starting, or cause it to move unintentionally once the ignition kicks over, the automaker will begin notifying owners of the affected vehicles just before Valentine's Day to bring their trucks into their local dealers to have the clutch ignition interlock switch replaced. FCA emphasizes, however, that the unintended movement would only occur "in rare cases" and only "if recommended starting procedures are not followed." Only one such case is known to have occurred, but it did regrettably result in a fatality. Statement: Clutch Ignition Interlock Switch December 29, 2014 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is launching a voluntary global recall of an estimated 66,819 older-model pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions. The Company will replace their clutch ignition interlock switches at no charge to customers. An investigation by FCA US engineers discovered switches in certain model-year 2006 and 2007 pickups may be equipped with spring wire that differs from wire used in previous switches. The alternate wire may break and, as a result, the vehicles may not start. In rare cases, a vehicle may – if recommended starting procedures are not followed – exhibit unintended movement when its ignition key is turned. The Company is aware of one fatality related to this campaign. It stemmed from the single known accident involving this population of vehicles. The recall covers certain Dodge Dakota, Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, 3500 and Mitsubishi Raider pickups. Switches with the alternate wire were not used in any vehicles produced before July of 2005, or after June of 2006. The Dakota and Raider are no longer in production.

Welcome Audi RS6 Avant, goodbye Lincoln Continental | Autoblog Podcast #592

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder and Assistant Editor Zac Palmer. Our editors cover a lot this week, starting with the news. They geek out over the Audi RS6 Avant coming to America, and mourn the loss of the Lincoln Continental. They address rumors of the Toyota Land Cruiser's demise, and analyze spy photos of the Ford Mach E electric crossover. They also honor the memory of the godfather of spy photography, Jim Dunne. Finally, they talk about driving the BMW Z4, Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, and another diesel, the diesel-powered Mazda CX-5 Skyactiv-D. Autoblog Podcast #592 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Audi RS6 Avant headed to U.S. Lincoln Continental discontinued Rumor: Toyota Land Cruiser to be canceled Ford Mach E spied RIP spy photographer Jim Dunne Cars we're driving: 2019 BMW Z4 sDrive30i 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel 2019 Mazda CX-5 Diesel Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: