The New Cummins Diesel Power Wagon from Ram Came with a Price Tag

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      Next summer, the tough Ram Power Wagon will undergo a significant redesign, introducing the high-output 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engine to this rugged platform for the first time. However, if you examine the images of the new truck closely, you may realize something is absent. Need a clue? The truck is photographed with its front end in shadow for a reason.

      Ram engineers have long grappled with a dilemma: customers desire a diesel Power Wagon, but accommodating the large oil-burning inline-six engine has proven difficult. Cooling an engine that generates 1,075 pound-feet of torque is no small task, and much of the necessary plumbing must run through the front of the truck, where cool air can best access it.

      Sounds simple, right? Ram provides the 6.7-liter Cummins in all its HD trucks, so the basic installation wasn’t the challenge. The trouble arose from the Power Wagon’s distinct features, which not only need to accommodate elements like a disconnecting front sway bar but have also traditionally included a standard winch mounted on the front bumper. Among the significant components competing for the same space, the winch was considered the least essential and was ultimately sacrificed for increased torque.

      “The main obstacle was the winch,” Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis shared with media members during a background session in December.

      “Some argue that the winch obstructs airflow to the charge air cooler, while others believe it adds too much weight in conjunction with the diesel engine,” Kuniskis explained.

      According to Kuniskis, data suggested it wasn’t feasible. He recounted that the decision came down to a critical point.

      “I said, ‘Alright, fine. Let’s lose the winch. We’ll resolve that later,” Kuniskis said. “All the other capabilities are intact. We’ll see what works. I’m not sure if simulations accurately represent real-world data, but we’ll learn.”

      Kuniskis noted that given more time, “they would have figured it out.” For now, anyone who chooses the Cummins will be without a factory recovery tool. If there’s enough demand, I would bet that Ram will find a way to integrate the winch in the next Power Wagon update. If it’s important to you, let your dealers know.

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