Andre jumps behind the wheel of two very different trucks to show what you get for an extra $40,000.
It’s amazing how one automaker can make two pickup trucks so different, despite both being full-size, and sharing some components. What we have is a $38,000 Ram 1500 Classic 4×4, which is almost bare-bones. This is our studio work truck we call “Stubby,” and it is one of the least expensive full-size 4×4 pickup trucks you can buy. It comes with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that makes 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque, bolted to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The interior is a bit sparse, with a bench seat good for three-ish adults, there are no frills here. It has an itty-bitty 5-inch infotainment screen, AC, power windows, and cruise control. That’s about it. Still, with its standard coil spring suspension and easygoing manner, it’s quite popular among the team for drives.
The 2023 Ram 1500 4×4 Limited is in a completely different league from the base (Classic) Tradesman
Based on the new Ram configuration, the $78,000+ crew-cab pickup is absolutely covered in plush leather. Ram shows off beautiful contrasting stitching, high-tech goodies, and a magic carpet ride. It’s hard to believe that the two trucks are even related.
Ironically, there are more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engines on competing half-ton trucks. Still, we like the swagger of the 395 horsepower, 5.7-liter Hemi V8. It makes 410 lb-ft of torque, and (like the wheezy V6) it’s hooked up to an eight-speed automatic transmission. As equipped, it is rated to tow up to 12,750 lbs, which is impressive.
In this video, Andre goes through the pros and cons of both pickup trucks. Look people, he even went so far as to wear a sports jacket and trimmed the nose hair. Actually, he did that to illustrate the differences between a working and a luxurious pickup.
You get the point, but you can see all the details below:
