According to one of our inside sources, the upcoming 2019 Ram Heavy Duty Cummins engine will remain at 6.7-liters of displacement. This is likely to be an all-new engine which according to our source will feature a Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) engine block. 

Current 6.7-liter Cummins-powered Rams use a standard cast iron block which has been known to hold up well, but there are many benefits to moving to a CGI block. First of all CGI is roughly 75% stronger than traditional iron, as well as 45% stiffer and has double the fatigue strength. These are fantastic characteristics for engines that see high boost pressures and extreme heat as a diesel would, when being worked hard. Compacted graphite iron blocks also see much better wear characteristics over time than either a traditional iron block or aluminum block engines. Other benefits are the ability to cast a lighter block with similar strength characteristics as a traditional iron block engine. 

CGI also has noise vibration and harshness benefits compared to an iron block engine, generally running quieter. Forum member iChime had previously posted some information about the upcoming Heavy Dutys which we were able to confirm with our sources. What we weren’t able to confirm but do expect are power numbers of 400 horsepower and 930 lb-ft. of torque for the 2500 models and 430 horsepower and 980 lb-ft. of torque for the 3500 models.

UPDATED Nov 20th: Thanks to a tip from one of our 5thGenRams forum members we have this news from Sintercast who we believe will be casting the upcoming Cummins engine block. This all seems to fit into what we have been hearing about them switching to a CGI block for the 2019 Ram Cummins turbo diesels. 

News from Sintercasts Q3 report

SinterCast is the world’s leading supplier of process control technology for the reliable high volume production of Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI). Series production of the previously announced high volume in-line diesel engine cylinder block for passenger vehicles commenced at the Tupy foundry in Saltillo, Mexico during the third quarter. However, shipment from the foundry has been deferred until the fourth quarter to coincide with the engine production planning of the OEM. The contribution from this new programme has therefore not been included in the third quarter results. Shipment of full volumes, potentially corresponding to approximately 300,000 Engine equivalents per year, is expected to begin before year-end.

2019 Ram Heavy Duty Gas Options:

We are hearing rumors that the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 will no longer be available in the Heavy Duty trucks making the 6.4-liter HEMI (BGE) V8 the base and possibly only gas engine. While we broke the news about the upcoming 7.0-liter 426CI Banshee HEMI V8 coming for the upcoming Ram 1500 Rebel TR, it is unlikely to show up in the Heavy Duty lineup as it is a performance engine. Don’t expect a 6.2-liter Supercharged HEMI HELLCAT V8 either. Believe it or not, we get a lot of request about it. That engine has been confirmed for only one Ram pickup currently, the upcoming 2021 Ram 1500 Rebel TRX.

Transmissions:

According sources close to 5thGenRams the upcoming 2019 Ram Heavy Duty will feature a new range of TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmissions. We also believe we will see the 66RFE and 68RFE dropped for the upcoming Heavy Duty. We have been getting many questions about if the 6-speed manual transmission will return for the 2019 model year. Right now we can’t say for sure, but we wouldn’t put it past Ram to bring it back for the upcoming trucks.

Suspension:

While we have seen in spy photos that the 2500 will continue to use the coil link rear suspension design, we expect the 3500 and above to retain the traditional leaf spring setup. As for the front suspension we don’t know for sure but are expecting the solid front axle to stay based on spy shots that we have seen.  We do know that the upcoming 2019 Ram Heavy Duty models are reverse engineered 4th generation Ram trucks, that will benefit from a lot of the technology from the 5th generation Ram 1500.

Body and Interior:

Like we have said before the upcoming 2019 Ram Heavy Duty models will be massively updated versions of the current Ram Heavy Duty models. From the latest batch of minimal camouflaged pictures, we know that the exterior bodies of the trucks will not change that much from the A-pillar back. From the A-pillar forward, the 2019 Ram Heavy Duty models will get all-new unique sheet metal. Headlamps will be larger and will flank inward toward the grille. Heavy Duty models will retain their “big-rig” looks, with getting styling treatments that blend the 2018 model with the all-new 2019 Ram 1500.

The pickup box will be the same, while the tail lamps we reflect those that are on the 2019 Ram 1500. Rear bumper design also reflects the new Ram 1500, with a lower pad for easier ability to climb up over the tailgate.

Inside the upcoming Ram Heavy Duty models, are all-new for the 2019 model year. The updated truck will share the all-new Ram 1500’s dash design. However instead of having a rotary knob gear shifter, it will retain the column shifter as we showed you in recent spy photos. Also the popular toggle switches from the Ram 1500 will be replaced with AUX buttons that will be available to be customized per the owners choice for accessories.

Expect the same creature comforts as the 2019 Ram 1500, for the most most part. Unlike the all-new Ram 1500, the updated Heavy Duty models will retain the 4th generation Ram cabs. That means the new Ram Heavy Duty models are unlikely to have certain features like the reclining seats found on the 2019 Ram 1500 Crew Cab (although 2019 Ram Mega Cab models will). It also means more than likely that the popular panoramic sunroof will be not be available, however a standard size sunroof will still be an option.

Technology:

We have already told you how the upcoming Heavy Duty trucks will feature the same dash design as the all-new Ram 1500 models. That means that the upcoming trucks will feature all three Uconnect infotainment systems. 5-inch, 8.4-inch and 12.1-inch systems will be available. Ram Heavy Duty models will also receive several new features that have not been available on the Heavy Duty models before. Ram Heavy Duty models with out the towing mirrors will be available to be equipped with a 360-degree camera system. This will help vehicles like the mighty Ram 2500 Power Wagon to be see more of it’s surrounding on the trail. Also the addition of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) will be available for the first time.

Ram Heavy Duty trucks equipped with the 12.1-inch Uconnect system will be available to have SiriusXM 360L. SiriusXM is transforming the next generation of in-car audio entertainment with the debut of the all-new SiriusXM with 360L, delivering a personalized listening experience with more variety, smart content recommendations and thousands of hours of on-demand streaming audio.
 
The 2019 Ram Heavy Duty will be the second vehicle to have access to the new SiriusXM listening experience, which showcases the features and functionality of SiriusXM’s next-generation platform.  SiriusXM’s new and enhanced experience for drivers and their passengers delivers SiriusXM content via both satellite and on-demand streaming to Ram truck models equipped the new fully configurable 12.1-inch touchscreen.  
 
SiriusXM with 360L enables Ram truck drivers and passengers to discover more of what SiriusXM offers based on their listening preferences, including exclusive SiriusXM on-demand programming not previously available in the vehicle.

When Will You Be Able To See The Truck:

The upcoming Ram Heavy Duty will be shown to the public for the first time at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan this coming January. The truck will actually start production just before the launch of the auto show in Saltillo, Mexico at the Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant. This updated Ram will continue to manufactured there, until the all-new 5th generation Ram Heavy Duty makes it’s debut in the 2022 model year.

The first deliveries of the updated 2019 Ram Heavy Duty are scheduled for March of 2019. The 2019 Ram Heavy Duty should reach production of all trim levels and body styles by early-June, according to dealer documents HDRams.com have be able to obtain.