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Chrysler to replace transmissions on 159 2014 Ram 1500s

Some recalls we report on are bigger than others. This one involves a big vehicle, but only 159 of them. No, not 159,000. Just 159.
The vehicle in question is the Ram 1500 - specifically the 2014 model, and more specifically than that, those made over the course of 12 days in late January and early February of this year. According to the statement below, Chrysler was notified by one of its transmission suppliers that a small shipment of gearboxes might have difficulty shifting into Park.
Although the Auburn Hills, MI-based automaker says it is unaware of any accidents or injuries having resulted from the issue, and has not received any specific complaints, it is notifying the owners of the 159 trucks in question to bring their pickups in for service and, if necessary, to have the entire transmission replaced.

Mopar announces retractable bed step for Ram's 1500 and Heavy Duty pickups

As trucks get taller, hopping into the cargo box without performing contortionist-like moves becomes increasingly difficult. Mopar solved this problem by developing a retractable bed step that's compatible with Ram's pickups. When it's not needed, like when the truck is moving, the step is tucked under the cargo box. Where it's mounted depends on the model. It can be bolted on the left side of the hitch (if equipped) on 1500 trucks equipped with the 60/40-split MultiFunction tailgate, or directly below the driver-side corner of the bumper in Classic and Heavy Duty models. Either way, users can extend it with their foot, so they can step into the box even if their hands are full. Mopar noted it makes the step with high-strength aluminum, and it applies either a black e-coat or a powder-coated finish for better durability. There's no word on whether users can install it on their own, or if it needs to be added by a technician, but we can't imagine it requires cutting or welding. Odds are it's held by sturdy bolts. Mopar cargo box step for Ram 1500 View 4 Photos On sale now in the United States and Canada, the retractable bed step developed for trucks with a split tailgate wears part number 82216265AB, and it's priced at $395. It can hold up to 350 pounds. If your 1500 has a one-piece tailgate, the step you need also offers a 350-pound capacity but it carries part number 82215289AG and it costs $365. Heavy Duty owners need to ask for part number 82215842AE and set aside $365. Mopar didn't forget about motorists who own an older truck. Part number 82214245AD corresponds to a step that fits the last-generation 1500, which is still available new as the 1500 Classic, and it can hold 300 pounds. It was developed to fit single- or dual-exhaust models, according to Ram, and it's the cheapest of the bunch at $304. Numerous aftermarket manufacturers offer extendable bed steps, it's an accessory that has been around for years, but Mopar's stands out because it's covered by a warranty that's valid for two years regardless of mileage, or for the remainder of the truck's three-year, 36,000-mile warranty. If you're looking at the competition, the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra twins are available with steps integrated into the cargo box and the rear bumper, so they don't extend, but the latter's MultiPro tailgate can be configured as one wide step. Chevrolet might soon offer it, too. Related Video:

Ram says its customers are more excited about V8-powered trucks than EVs

As its rivals invest billions of dollars into electric pickups, Ram made headlines by dropping a supercharged, 702-horsepower V8 engine between the 1500's fenders. While critics will inevitably argue there's nothing forward-thinking about the Hellcat engine, the company explained its customers are more interested in V8s than in EVs. Speaking with Muscle Car & Trucks, 1500 brand manager Carl Lally explained the company is open to the idea of exploring electric powertrains. His comments echo the ones made recently by Mike Manley, the head of Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). Ram will begin developing a battery-powered pickup if customers demand one, but it sounds like its market research finds there's not a tremendous amount of interest in a gasoline-free model.  The market research must say otherwise over at Jeep, which is bringing the plug-in electric hybrid Wrangler 4xe to market. "It's fundamental to us that it's not about chasing the [EV] trend, but about chasing what the customer really wants and providing it to them. That changes over time, but today it's a supercharged, 6.2-liter V8 that has them most excited," said Lally, referring to the 1500 TRX introduced as an alternative to the Ford F-150 Raptor. Adding credibility to Lally's statement is the fact that the 702 available units of the TRX Launch Edition model sold out in a couple of hours in spite of a base price of approximately $90,000. Ram is not limiting production of the regular-production TRX, which starts at $71,690, so time will tell if its bet on V8s pays off in the long run. Market leader Ford wants to plant its stake in both segments. We know it's developing an electric variant of the 14th-generation F-150, and an earlier report claims the next Raptor will receive the Mustang GT500's 700-plus-horsepower V8. As for General Motors, it's planning on launching a battery-powered Chevrolet Silverado sooner or later, but it has chosen to watch the horsepower war from the sidelines — for the time being, at least. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.