Rams (the animal, not the truck) are famous for their huge curly horns, which often weigh more than all the bones in their body combined. The horns are a status symbol and are used as weapons when fighting for dominance and mating rights. With plenty of fish in the sea, modern man doesn’t have to work as hard to get the attention of the opposite sex…but he still has a job to do. So when Dodge named his truck after this virtually unstoppable animal, it was clear this was a serious truck.

Rams (the truck, not the animal) first appeared on the market in 1981, and were named after the Ram hood ornament that had been on Dodge cars since the 1930s. Dodge used “150” to denote a pickup truck. half ton, “250” for three-quarters of a ton, and “350” for one ton, similar to the number system used by Ford F-Series trucks. Standard Cab, Extended “Club” Cab, and Crew Cab versions were offered in 6′ 6″ or 8′ bed lengths. First-generation Rams were based on earlier Dodge D-Series trucks, but added wraparound taillights larger, single rectangular headlights, and boxy body lines. The interior was refreshed with a more modern dash and instrument panel, and even used an updated bench seat.

Despite the name, the Ram really didn’t live up to its name in the marketplace. Although popular with fleets, they sold poorly compared to Ford’s F-series and General Motors’ C/K trucks, selling just under 100,000 units per year throughout their production run, something many attribute to the truck’s outdated design. Fading cab and chassis and interior. .

But like everything, the Ram has its fans. And many of them found Ram replacement parts to be the ideal solution for upgrading components that are often missing from the manufacturer’s design.

Of the many Ram parts available, one of the easiest and most affordable is the addition of a Ram Performance Air Filter. Air filters allow air to pass through the engine more efficiently and are also reusable, saving maintenance costs and providing an increase in fuel efficiency of 1 to 3 mpg on average. Many Ram air filters also come in a cold air variety, further increasing power by feeding air from behind an air dam. And, to give your intake even more boost, try a Ram throttle body spacer, which adds performance through high-speed spin imposed on incoming air.

For those who have toughened up the exterior, a Ram lift kit offers up to 3″ of additional height for increased ground clearance and more clearance for larger tires. Custom configured for each make, model and year, a Ram lift kit It’s designed to bolt directly to your stock suspension with no welding, cutting or fabrication required – just mount the torque wrenches, spacers, caps or blocks and you’re on top.

Finally, for those who have invested time or money in preserving their body line, a Dodge Ram cover can protect your resale value by keeping rain and other harsh elements from destroying your finish. Made from durable, water-repellent fabrics, Dodge Ram covers are custom tailored to your truck for a perfect fit and come in varying levels of thickness to prevent scratches and dents.