The current fifth-generation Ram debuted at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, in January of that year.

Among the options offered on the Ram were front bumper guards, a sliding rear cab window, air-conditioning, cruise control, tilt steering column, power door locks and windows, AM/FM stereo with a cassette tape player, styled road wheels, aluminum turbine-style mag wheels, special paint and stripe packages, two-tone paint, and a plow package for four-wheel-drive models (referred to as the "Sno Commander").

The four-door crew cab and Utiline beds were dropped after the 1985 model year, to make room on the assembly line for the then-upcoming 1987 Dodge Dakota, and were never reintroduced in this generation.

A "Ram-Trac" shift-on-the-fly transfer case was added for the 1985 Power Rams, and both the crew cab and Utiline flared bed versions were discontinued for 1986, the latter not to return on any Chrysler-built pickup.

The engines were substantially upgraded for 1992 (3.9 L and 5.2 L) and 1993 (5.9 L) with multi-port fuel injection, new manifolds, and higher-compression cylinder heads for noticeably higher output.

Without a "big-block" gasoline engine or diesel, Dodge's heavier-duty models had a severe power disadvantage over the competition, and thus began losing potential customers in the commercial market.

This proved to be a mutually beneficial deal, allowing Cummins to expand its product output and Dodge to have a competitive engine for its heavy-duty models.

[5] The introduction of the Cummins Turbo Diesel model in 1989 coincided with the first sales increase for Ram trucks in several years.

The Cummins was coupled with a heavier-duty version of the A727 automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission and was available on 250 and 350 pickups and pickup-based chassis-cab trucks above 8,500 pounds GVWR.

[11] The design included a big-rig-style front end and a large grille that was deemed risky at its introduction, but ultimately proved popular with consumers.

The latter third year, it was prominently shown as the hero vehicle in the film Twister, as well as the CBS television series Walker, Texas Ranger.

Unencumbered by CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) restrictions, DaimlerChrysler's Mexican subsidiary developed a three-door SUV version of the Ram, called the Ramcharger as was its predecessor.

The Cummins B Series engine was switched from the 12-valve to the 24-valve (ISB) version in the middle of the 1998 model-year Dodge Rams to comply with emissions regulations.

In development from 1996 (styling by Cliff Wilkins finalized in 1998), the third-generation Dodge Ram debuted on February 7, 2001, at the 2001 Chicago Auto Show.

The four-wheel-drive light trucks (1500 series) remove their beam axles in favor of an independent front suspension, but the 2500 and 3500 series retained the live axles for maximum longevity and durability; rear-wheel-drive 2500 and 3500 trucks had class-exclusive rack-and-pinion steering for their independent front suspension (the 1500 also received rack-and-pinion steering for the first time).

It features a new front fascia, optional projector-beam halogen headlamps with LED turn signals/parking lamps, wheels, and interior, where the "DODGE" name was removed from the dashboard and replaced with "RAM".

It features a unique blacked-out grille with powder coated front bumper and exclusive aluminum hood, skid plates, and tow hooks.

However, retail customers wanting SLT features such as chrome front and rear bumpers and front grille, seventeen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, power windows and door locks with keyless entry, the Uconnect 5.0BT (RA2) touch-screen radio, cloth seating surfaces, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, a rear-view backup camera system, and floor carpeting, can still opt for the Chrome Appearance and Popular Equipment Packages on the Tradesman model.

For 2021, the Ram 1500 Classic Warlock trim receives an Off-Road Package, which includes all-terrain tires, as well as unique aluminum-alloy wheels.

Newly optional on both models (Tradesman and Warlock) is the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, featuring wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration as part of the Electronics Group.

In addition, all versions come standard with a tailgate ajar warning; the Warlock package returned for the Tradesman trim which comes with black exterior trim, rear-locking differential, 1-inch raised suspension, performance-tuned shocks, and off-road gear, such as 33-inch tires, skid plates, and Bilstein front and rear performance-tuned shock absorbers.

[61] The Ram 1500 PHEV demonstrator has a 345 hp 5.7 L (350 cu in) Hemi V8 gasoline engine mated to a two-mode hybrid transmission and a 12.9 kWh 355V lithium-ion battery from Electrovaya.

[57] Other cities that received the demonstration PHEVs are San Francisco and Sacramento, California, Albany, New York, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

The demonstration is a program jointly funded by Chrysler and the U.S. Department of Energy that includes the first-ever factory-produced vehicles capable of reverse power flow.

[68] The Ram comes standard with four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, side curtain airbags, and an electronic stability program or ESP.

As of January 2023, Ram has not provided any motor specifications other than stating that 100 miles of charge can be achieved within 10 minutes at a Level 3 DC fast-charging station.

[85] In 2022, Ram trucks were available in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Europe, the Philippines, and the Middle East.

[86] The Ram trucks officially sold in many Latin American countries are outfitted with UNECE WP.29 lighting equipment, including the taillights with separate amber turn signal indicators.

[87] No right-hand-drive version has been built for the Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, and other countries where the rule of the road is on the left.

[88] Ram trucks are provided for the European market in cooperation with FCA by AEC Europe in Germany and the Swiss company AutoGlobal Trade.