2020 Ram 1500: JUST BUILD IT!

2020 Ram 1500: 

JUST BUILD IT!

Ram is the fastest-growing truck brand in the US, and for any number of good reasons. The pickup trucks they are selling look great, both inside and out. And Ram is offering some of the most innovative features for pickup buyers, from their very practical Ram Box storage to the large Tesla-like infotainment screens. The Ram 1500 is the current holder of the Truck of Texas trophy, awarded by members of the Texas Auto Writers Association. This truck – I promise you – is worthy of the award.

Last week I drove a Flame Red 2020 Ram 1500 Lone Star Crew Cab 4×4 – it showed up with a $62,575 price tag.  That’s almost double the base MSRP of $32,145 for a crew cab 1500.  It was powered by the big 395 hp, 5.7-liter V8 HEMI eTorque engine, which sounds so sweet when you fire it up.  That big HEMI was mated to an eight-speed transmission, giving the Ram 1500 EPA fuel economy numbers of 17 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.  This powertrain is smooth as silk and it feels great to drive.

The truck also came with the RamBox option, which I find more impressive every time I see it.  It really gives the truck owner storage options that the interior cab can’t provide.  It does steal capacity from the bed but I find it a worthy trade-off.  With a $62k price tag, you’d think the Ram would come with leather seats, but this one came with cloth.  They were really nice cloth seats, though.

Now, I’m going to build my own 2020 Ram 1500. I loved the truck I drove, but let’s see if I can shave off a few dollars from that $62k sticker price.  Even though I gravitate toward the supercab configurations (which Ram calls a Quad Cab), I prefer the 2020 Ram in a crew cab configuration.  That extra interior room is always welcome and it looks really nice, which is always a plus.  

The Lone Star package that Ram offers exclusively to Texas buyers is hard to resist.  It’s the best-selling trim for Ram in Texas and it starts at $39,490 for a Crew Cab with a 5’7” box.  Buyers can always add options to customize the truck to your liking.  

The engine I’m choosing is the 3.0 liter V6 TurboDiesel.  It’s a hefty $4,995 up-charge over the base gasoline V6, but I’m a sucker for diesel due to its low-end torque, durability and the engine sound.  By contrast, the 5.7 liter VB HEMI is only an extra $1,695 over the base, which does make it an attractive option. I’m sticking with a 4×2 configuration since I see no need for the extra cost, weight and complications. 

The RamBox Cargo Management System at $995 is a must.  I’m passing on the Ram’s innovative Multi-Function Tailgate for $995; even though it is cool, I can’t see the need.  Add the Big Horn Level 2 Equipment Group, which includes a list of options that add to the value of the truck, which puts another $2,500 on the price tag.  The U-Connect 12.0 inch with Navigation option for $2,095 is Ram’s version of the Tesla-like tablet-sized infotainment screen that seriously upgrades the feel of the interior.  Besides, it also happens to be fantastic.

All this adds up to a 2020 Ram 1500 with a $47,670 window sticker, and that’s before any incentives.  Point your laptop to the RamTrucks.com website and you can build your own.