2020 Ram Chassis Cab Brings a New Generation of Work Trucks to Chicago

Ram's latest generation of Heavy Duty truck is already a familiar site and needless to say, it has what it takes to compete with the newer Ford F-Series Super Duty and Chevrolet Silverado HD. At the Chicago Auto Show, the lineup grew bigger with the addition of the Chassis Cab model, which enables you to rebody the truck for many purposes.

Familiar Design

It retains the massive grille, the big horizontal headlamps, and the powerful hood, but it's also rather boring onto the sides. Of course, the Chassis Cab configuration eliminates the bed, leaving the rear chassis and wheels exposed.

Ram offers four trim levels, starting with the base Tradesman model and its black-painted front bumper and grille. Next up is the SLT, while Laramie and the new Limited trim add extra features on the outside. Each have their own front grilles in a notable departure from the historic crosshair design.

High-Quality Interior

While work truck interiors are usually associated with rugged and durable designs, the Chassis Cab shares design elements and features with the bed-fitted Ram Heavy Duty models. As a result, it can be just as comfortable and even provide premium-like features in the more expensive trims.

The wide center stack consists mostly of a big infotainment display, an additional screen at the bottom, and loads of controls on both sides. The upper section of the main display is flanked by vertical A/C vents. The instrument cluster looks modern in the more expensive models thanks to the digital display between the speedometer and rev counter gauges.

It also includes SiriusXM with 360L and Travel Link for real-time local weather forecasts, fuel prices, and live weather maps. If you're a fan of high-quality music while driving, Ram offers a 750-watt Harman Kardon audio system with 17 speakers and eight-inch subwoofer. Nothing like blasting your favorite tunes while hauling a trailer or driving a mobile workshop, right?

More storage room in the Center Console

The center console is now a full-fledged work space thanks to its 12 different storage combinations. Now capable of storing 39 liters (up from only 23), the center console also includes a wider docking area for wireless charging, five USB ports, and two 115-volt three-prong plugs. Fold the rear bench seat and you'll get access to additional storage room with under-seat compartments.

Massive Power and Capability

All configurations of the Chassis Cab come standard with the proven 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 engine rated at 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque. Paired to an eight-speed gearbox as standard and a six-speed Aisin automatic optionally, it features cylinder deactivation and Power Take-Off, which further reduces fuel consumption. You can also opt for a less powerful version of this engine, rated at 370 horsepower and 429 pound-feet, in the 4500 and 5500 versions. All models include Deceleration Fuel Shut-Off, which stops fuel flow to the cylinder when decelerating.

Oil burners fans can opt for a revised version of the already legendary 6.7-liter inline-six diesel from Cummins. The turbocharged mill cranks out 360 horsepower and 800 pound-feet of torque, the highest available torque in classes Four and Five. Changes to this engine include a cylinder block made from compacted graphite iron, new cast-iron cylinder heads, new exhaust valves, and new rocker arms. This engine also mates to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Ram Chassis Cab is the most capable truck in this niche, being able to two up to 35,220 pounds in certain configurations. It also has the highest GCWR rating at 43,000 pounds and a payload of up to 12,510 pounds. Of course, the competition comes pretty close, with both chassis cab vehicles from Ford and Chevrolet being able to tow more than 34,000 pounds each.

2020 Ram Chassis Cab drivetrain specifications

ENGINE:	6.4-LITER HEMI® V-8	6.4-LITER HEMI® V-8	6.7-LITER CUMMINS TURBO DIESEL I-6
Type And Description	90-Degree V-Type, Liquid-Cooled, with Valve Timing (VVT)	90-Degree V-Type, Liquid-Cooled, with Valve Timing (VVT)	Inline, Liquid-Cooled, Turbocharged, Intercooled
Displacement	392 cu. in. (6,417 cu. cm)	392 cu. in. (6,417 cu. cm)	408 cu. in. (6,690 cu. cm)
Bore X Stroke	4.09 X 3.72 (103.9 X 94.6)	4.09 X 3.72 (103.9 X 94.6)	4.21 X 4.88 (107 X 124)
Valve System	Pushrod-Operated Overhead Valves, 16 Valves, 8 De-Activating and 8 Hydraulic Lifters, all with Roller Followers	Pushrod-Operated Overhead Valves, 16 Valves, 8 De-Activating and 8 Hydraulic Lifters, all with Roller Followers	Pushrod-Operated Overhead Valves, 24 Valves, Hydraulic Lifters
Fuel Injection	Sequential, Multiport, Electronic, Returnless	Sequential, Multiport, Electronic, Returnless	Electronic High-Pressure Common Rail
Construction	Deep-Skirt Cast-Iron Block with Cross-Bolted Main Bearing Caps, 356 Aluminum Cylinder Heads with Hemispherical Combustion Chambers	Deep-Skirt Cast-Iron Block with Cross-Bolted Main Bearing Caps,
356 Aluminum Cylinder Heads with Hemispherical Combustion Chambers	Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) Block Cast-Iron Head
Compression Ratio	10.0:1	10.0:1	16.2:1
Power	370 HP (306 Kw) @ 5,600 RPM	410 HP (306 Kw) @ 5,600 RPM	360 HP (268 Kw) @ 2,800 RPM (68RFE Automatic Transmission)
Torque	429 lb.-ft. (582 N•M) at 4,000 RPM	429 lb.-ft. (582 N•M) at 4,000 RPM	800 Lb.-Ft. (1,084 N•M) @ 1,800 RPM
Maximum	Engine Speed 5,800 RPM Limited	5,800 RPM Limited	3,200 RPM

State-of-the-art safety

The Ram Chassis Cab is no stranger to active safety features and it even comes with system that you can get from the competition. The ParkSense Park Assist feature, for instance, is exclusive to this truck in the chassis cab niche. The system, provides visual and audible indications and includes a 270-degree camera with trailer reverse guidance views. It also has a unique cargo-view camera allowing you to monitor the payload and helps hook up with fifth-wheel and gooseneck hitches. Finally, the tire pressure monitoring system can watch up to six tires on the truck plus up to 12 tires on the trailer.