PERFORMANCE

The available 4.7-litre SOHC V8 two-valve engine offers the most powerful V8 under 5.0 litres in its class (310 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque). The single overhead camshafts (one on each cylinder bank) provide superior performance by increased intake valve lift and improved intake and exhaust port flow efficiency.
The valvetrain and combustion chamber give the engine low-speed torque while making the idle smooth and reducing engine noise. Ram's 4.7-litre SOHC V8 is designed to run on conventional unleaded gasoline or E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) or any blend of the two. This allows you to take advantage of cleaner-burning E85 alternative fuel wherever it's available.
*Based on 2009 Automotive News full-sized pickup segmentation

• The 5.7-litre HEMI^® V8 has plenty of features that push it to the front of the pack and delivers excellent freeway merging acceleration. It also sports 390 horsepower and 407 lb.-ft. of torque.The 2009 redesigned 5.7-litre HEMI^® V8 engine has more than a dozen new features that push it to the front of the pack for 2010. Variable cam timing delivers increased torque and better fuel economy. Stronger hemispherical cylinder heads produce more power, while a short runner valve active intake manifold increases fuel efficiency.
• Speaking of fuel efficiency, on select models, a fuel saver indicator in the I/P cluster tells you that you are operating the engine at its optimal efficency. The 5.7-litre HEMI V8 engine with the Multi-Displacement System (MDS) seamlessly deactivates half of the engine – under a wide range of driving conditions – transforming legendary eight-cylinder power into efficient four-cylinder economy.

There's a lot of fancy ways to say it, but this is one serious piece of metal. Ram's frame is fully-boxed and made of advanced high-strength steel for structural performance and torsional rigidity, as well as reduced Noise, Vibration and Harshness.
Also, the serviceable hydroframed front frame rail tips with patented crush initiators are designed to absorb frontal impacts. That's a lot of responsibility on one piece of steel. But it's up to the challenge in a big way.

The Ram 1500 chassis features cutting-edge technology and design. In 2009 we replaced the rear heavy, friction-prone leaf springs with a multilink coil spring rear suspension, we cut friction and weight significantly. What you get is increased comfort and better control and handling on any road surface. What you don't get is that annoying truck rear axle “hop” when making a tight turn.
Balanced front and rear spring rates maintain a level ride when fully loaded, and a “normal” attitude when unloaded. Shock absorbers provide more resistance during jounce (upward wheel motion) than rebound (downward wheel motion). This is truck-speak for delivering an absorbent feel that's not jarring as the wheels and tires encounter road imperfections.
Along with the rear suspension design, the frame is fully-boxed and made of advanced high-strength steel for structural performance and torsional rigidity, as well as reduced Noise, Vibration and Harshness. Up front, suspension improvements in 2009 include lighter weight, lower ride height, new front springs and a new tubular stabilizer bar.

Trailer Sway Control (TSC) recognizes a swaying trailer and automatically applies individual wheel brakes and/or reduces engine power to attempt to eliminate the trailer sway.

Life isn't always a smooth paved road. But Ram's legendary off-road capabilities make it a non-issue. Selecting 4x4 is as easy as pushing a button.
The 4-HI setting locks both drive shafts for extra grip and pulling power to give you confident handling on slippery, wet and gravel terrain. For the meanest grounds out there, the 4-LO position delivers a 2.72:1 gear reduction ratio for stump ripping, mountain climbing grip and power.
The multilink coil rear spring suspension provides outstanding rear suspension articulation, and excellent ground clearance.