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Ram issues recall on heavy-duty pickup transfer cases

UPDATE: A previous version of this story said the issue only occurred in four-wheel drive. This is incorrect – issues are only exhibited in two-wheel drive. The Basics: Ram is recalling 930 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy-duty pickups from model year 2016. The affected 3500s were built between July 24, 2015 and January 7, 2016, while the larger 4500/5500 trucks were screwed together between July 24, 2015 and October 8, 2015. The Problem: According to the official NHTSA bulletin, the "transfer case may have been manufactured with a misshapen main output shaft, creating voids that may cause a shaft fracture." If this happens, the vehicle could lose power. The driver might not be able to select park, either. Injuries/Deaths: FCA isn't aware of any injuries or deaths related to the issue. The Fix: Dealerships will replace the transfer case on affected trucks. If you own one: You probably don't. According to FCA spokesman Eric Mayne, dealers haven't delivered the majority of the affected trucks to customers. But if you really do own one, Mayne added that the issue only occurs in two-wheel drive. We'd advise keeping it in four-wheel drive until you can report to your local dealer. FCA kicked the recall off on August 10, so expect a mailed notification soon. Related Video:

Ram readying radical two-way split tailgate?

Ram may be preparing a new sort of tailgate that could rethink the way we access the bed of the company's pickup trucks. Rather than the typical fold-down tailgate that we know so well, patent drawings show a tailgate that combines the functionality of a traditional fold-down design with a 50/50 split that can, individually, be opened like a barn-door design or dropped flat like a standard tailgate.
Now, Ram is far from the first to toy around with something like this. The most obvious example is the Honda Ridgeline, which features a single-piece tailgate that is double-hinged so that it can open traditionally or be swung out to the side. The big news here is the split and the fact that each half can be used independently of the other. Unlike the Honda, the individual halves would be operated via touchpads.
The implications of this new design aren't entirely clear right now. It seems possible that the rendering could just be for a concept vehicle, but production is certainly possible as well - Ram has shown a real willingness to innovate in the pickup segment as of late, with features like coil-spring rear suspensions, light-duty diesels and the Ram Box bedside storage system.

Ram 1500 Lone Star revealed: It's what they call 'Big Horn' in Texas

How important is Texas to the full-size truck market? Well, it gets its very own trim level. The 2019 Ram 1500 Lone Star was announced today at the Dallas Auto Show, making official what had always been assumed: that the Texas-only trim level would make its return on the latest Ram truck. If you should live in one of the other 49 states or Canada, don't feel too left out. The Lone Star is effectively just the Big Horn trim level with a different name and unique "Lone Star" badge. Officially, the feature list has it as a package exclusively available on the Big Horn. Be it Lone Star or Big Horn, the trim level exists above the Tradesman and fuel economy-focused HFE. The Ram SLT is no longer available. As the first trim level not strictly intended as a work truck, these more "civilian" oriented trims have chromed exterior trim (versus black plastic), nicer interior finishings (including a leather-wrapped wheel and cloth upholstery replacing vinyl) and a vast increase in available options. Realistically, most Ram buyers start their shopping trip at the Lone Star/Big Horn aisle. Like every 2019 Ram, the Lone Star will hit dealerships from El Paso to Beaumont in the first quarter of 2018, or within the coming months. It'll be built in Sterling Heights, Mich. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2019 Ram 1500 Lone Star News Source: Ram RAM Truck