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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

FCA recalling 425,000 Ram 1500, Jeep Compass to fix windshield wipers

Fiat Chrysler is recalling an estimated 425,588 Jeep Compass SUVs and Ram 1500 pickups to fix windshield wipers that may not be adequately secured. The voluntary recall involves Jeep Compass models and Ram 1500 and Ram 1500 Classics from the 2019 and 2020 model years built before March 3 of this year. FCA says it knows of no related injuries or accidents related to the issue, which involves a fastener that is supposed to connect windshield-wiper arms not being secured sufficiently. The new wiper nut was first introduced into production at a Detroit-area plant that builds the Ram 1500 on April 28, 2019. Left unaddressed, it could affect a driver’s visibility and increase the risk of a crash. One owner of a 2019 Compass in Wichita, Kan., filed a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in June 2019 and said the windshield wiper came off during a storm the day the vehicle was purchased. FCA says it will begin contacting affected customers later this month to arrange a free repair. Customers can also contact their dealer if their wipers donÂ’t sufficiently clear their windshield, or if the wiper arms get stuck and donÂ’t return to the rest position when de-activated. Customers can also contact customer service at 1-800-853-1403. The recall also affects an estimated 76,280 vehicles in Canada and 3,280 in Mexico. Recalls Jeep RAM Truck SUV

2020 Ram 1500 and heavy-duty trucks get Night and Black Edition packages

Ram traveled to the Texas State Fair to introduce a pair of pickups you might not be able to see in the dark. The murdered-out trucks are called Black Edition and Night Edition, respectively. The Black Edition is based on the range-topping Limited variant of the 2020 Ram 1500. It receives -- you guessed it -- a wide panoply of black accents on the grille, tow hooks, bumpers, door handles, and door mirrors. Ram also added black 22-inch alloy wheels and a tonneau cover. The Limited is only offered with a 5-foot-7 cargo box and four doors, but Black Edition buyers can choose two- or four-wheel drive. Engine options include the base gasoline-burning 3.6-liter V6, 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6, and the mighty 5.7-liter Hemi V8. Rest assured if you plan to work on your own truck, none of the engines receive a coat of black paint, so you'll be able to see what you're doing.  Note that the 2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn and Laramie trim levels is already available with a Black Appearance package, which we reviewed this year. Effectively, the Black Edition extends that darkened courtesy to the range-topping Limited.  The Night Edition package is for the Heavy Duty line of trucks, but it looks a lot like the aforementioned Black Edition trim. It adds a black grille with a body-colored frame, black emblems, and black bezels around the lights, and black wheels. Single-axle trucks get 20-inch wheels, while dually models ride on 17-inch alloys with machined pockets.  The Night Edition package is available on the Big Horn and Laramie variants of the 2500 and 3500 models. Ram noted it can only be paired with a Crew Cab or a Mega Cab. Engine options include the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 and the 6.7-liter Cummins straight-six turbodiesel with 1,000 pound-feet of torque. FCA says the Ram 1500 Limited Black Edition will be reaching dealers late third quarter 2019, which would be any day now. Buyers who want the Heavy Duty-based model will need to wait until "later fourth quarter." The Black Edition starts at $55,385, including destination, a figure that represents a modest $75 premium over the more colorful model. The Night Edition model carries a base price of $39,690, including destination. Pricing for the standard 2020 Heavy Duty hasn't been announced yet, so we don't know how much the package adds to the truck's bottom line.