SPOT.
Photo of a Dodge Ram 1500

Dodge Ram 1500

1994's big-rig gamble: Ram sales jumped from 95,542 to 232,092.1

Researched November 2, 2026 from 42 sources

Also called

  • Big RigA description of the 1994 Ram's semi-truck-inspired nose and huge grille.12

At a glance

0250500
175–500 hpPower
0510
4.9–8.8 s0–60 mph
0400800
312–712 N·mTorque
01,5003,000
2,002–2,649 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.36711141516

Engine
3.7/3.9 L V6; 4.7/5.2/5.7/5.9 L V8; SRT-10: 8.3 L V101347
Layout
Front-engine; rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive13
Gearbox
5-speed manual; 4/5-speed auto; SRT-10: 6-speed manual or 4-speed auto4714
Built at
1994 generation: Warren/Saint Louis, USA; Lago Alberto/Saltillo, Mexico1
Units built
SRT-10: over 10,000 built in 2004–200667

The story

1994: Big-rig styling revives Ram sales19941998: Quad Cab adds rear clamshell doors19982002: More cab, hydroformed chassis rails20022003: 5.7 L Hemi brings 345 hp20032004: 248.784 km/h production-pickup record20042005: SRT-10 gains a Quad Cab automatic20052006: 1500 Mega Cab, Heavy Duty chassis20062009: Rear coils, RamBox and a 390-hp Hemi20092010: Ram becomes its own brand2010 Dodge B-series half-ton: 1948–1953Dodge C series: 1954–1960Dodge D/W series (D/W): 1961–1993D/WDodge Ram (first generation) (D/W): 1981–1993D/WDodge Ram 1500 (second generation) (BR/BE): 1994–2001BR/BEDodge Ram 1500 (third generation): 2002–2008Ram 1500: 2010–presentRam 1500 19501960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones132425262728
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1948–1953Dodge B-series half-ton
1954–1960Dodge C series
1961–1993Dodge D/W series (D/W)
1981–1993Dodge Ram (first generation) (D/W)
1994–2001Dodge Ram 1500 (second generation) (BR/BE)
2002–2008Dodge Ram 1500 (third generation)
2010–presentRam 1500
1994Big-rig styling revives Ram sales
1998Quad Cab adds rear clamshell doors
2002More cab, hydroformed chassis rails
20035.7 L Hemi brings 345 hp
2004248.784 km/h production-pickup record
2005SRT-10 gains a Quad Cab automatic
20061500 Mega Cab, Heavy Duty chassis
2009Rear coils, RamBox and a 390-hp Hemi
2010Ram becomes its own brand
  1. 1994

    Big-rig styling revives Ram sales

    The redesigned Ram's huge grille finds an audience: sales rise from 95,542 in 1993 to 232,092 in 1994, then 410,000 in 1995.1

  2. 1998

    Quad Cab adds rear clamshell doors

    The Quad Cab becomes the first extended-cab pickup with four doors. A revised dashboard and dual airbags arrive alongside it.1

  3. 2002

    More cab, hydroformed chassis rails

    The redesign keeps the big-rig face, stretches the Quad Cab by 3 inches and puts it on a new ladder chassis with hydroformed, box-section rails.3

  4. 2003

    5.7 L Hemi brings 345 hp

    The Hemi V8 delivers 508 Nm with a mandatory five-speed automatic. A rear-drive Regular Cab tests at 6.8 seconds to 60 mph.4

  5. 2004

    248.784 km/h production-pickup record

    An unmodified SRT-10 averages 248.784 km/h over opposite-direction flying-kilometer runs; Guinness and the SCCA certify the record.5

  6. 2005

    SRT-10 gains a Quad Cab automatic

    The Viper-powered range adds a four-door Quad Cab with a four-speed automatic, alongside the original Regular Cab six-speed manual.67

  7. 2006

    1500 Mega Cab, Heavy Duty chassis

    The 1500 Mega Cab uses the Heavy Duty platform with a 345-hp Hemi and five-speed automatic. Its reclining rear seats are a pickup first.89

  8. 2009

    Rear coils, RamBox and a 390-hp Hemi

    The redesign adds rear coils, an upgraded cabin and RamBox storage. The revised 5.7 L Hemi gains variable valve timing, a two-stage intake and updated MDS.101112

  9. 2010

    Ram becomes its own brand

    Ram Trucks separates from Dodge, closing the pickup family's Dodge-branded chapter.1

Every generation

  • Dodge B-series half-ton
    Dodge B-series half-ton1948–1953
  • Dodge C series
    Dodge C series1954–1960
  • Dodge D/W series
    D/W1961–1993
  • Dodge Ram (first generation)
    D/W1981–1993
  • Dodge Ram 1500 (second generation)
    BR/BE1994–2001
  • Dodge Ram 1500 (third generation)
    Dodge Ram 1500 (third generation)2002–2008
  • Ram 1500
    Ram 15002010–present

Power over the years

From 175 hp to 500 hp in 10 years.

0200400600 199419961998200020022004200620082010 hp 1994 · 175 hp · 3.9 L Magnum V6 (312 Nm)1994 · 220 hp · 5.2 L Magnum V8 (407 Nm)1994 · 230 hp · 5.9 L Magnum V8 (447 Nm)1997 · 235 hp · 5.9 L V8 update1998 · 250 hp · SS/T 5.9 L Magnum V82002 · 215 hp · 3.7 L V6 (319 Nm)2002 · 235 hp · 4.7 L V8 (400 Nm)2002 · 245 hp · 5.9 L V8 (454 Nm)2003 · 345 hp · 5.7 L Hemi V8 (508 Nm)2004 · 500 hp · SRT-10 8.3 L V10 (712 Nm)2008 · 310 hp · 4.7 L Magnum V8 (447 Nm)2009 · 390 hp · Revised 5.7 L Hemi V8 (552 Nm) 500 hp SRT-10 8.3 L V10 (712 Nm) 175 hp 3.9 L Magnum V6 (312 Nm)
134671213141718
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
19941753.9 L Magnum V6 (312 Nm)
19942205.2 L Magnum V8 (407 Nm)
19942305.9 L Magnum V8 (447 Nm)
19972355.9 L V8 update
1998250SS/T 5.9 L Magnum V8
20022153.7 L V6 (319 Nm)
20022354.7 L V8 (400 Nm)
20022455.9 L V8 (454 Nm)
20033455.7 L Hemi V8 (508 Nm)
2004500SRT-10 8.3 L V10 (712 Nm)
20083104.7 L Magnum V8 (447 Nm)
2009390Revised 5.7 L Hemi V8 (552 Nm)

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Work Special, LT, ST, SLT and Laramie

    Standard

    Work Special, LT, ST, SLT and Laramie

  • Regular Cab, Club Cab, Quad Cab and Mega Cab

    Standard

    Regular Cab, Club Cab, Quad Cab and Mega Cab

  • Special

    Off Road Group and TRX4 Off-Road

  • Performance

    SLT Hemi with Sport appearance option

    2003

    345 hp

  • Performance

    Sport R/T

    2009

    390 hp
  • SRT-10 Regular Cab and Quad Cab

    Performance

    SRT-10 Regular Cab and Quad Cab

    2004–2006

    500 hp

    10,046 built

  • Indy 500 Special Edition and SS/T

    Special

    Indy 500 Special Edition and SS/T

  • Rumble Bee and Second Swarm

    Special

    Rumble Bee and Second Swarm

    2004–2005

    345 hp
  • Daytona

    Special

    Daytona

    2005

    345 hp
  • LA West Hemi GTX

    Special

    LA West Hemi GTX

    2004

    345 hp

    433 built

  • Limited

    SRT-10 Yellow Fever and Night Runner

    2005–2006

    500 hp

  • Limited

    SRT-10 VCA and Commemorative Edition

    2004–2005

    500 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • 1994 design: big-rig grille and boldly separate-looking front fenders.2
  • 2002 design: horse-collar grille surround, crosshair bars and clear-lens headlamps.3
  • 2009 design: hood and grille lean forward over smoother sides and wider wheel arches.12
  • 2009 RamBox option: storage lids integrated into the cargo-bed side rails.1123

Year by year

  1. 1998

    Quad Cab adds rear-hinged back doors; rounded black mirrors and a revised instrument panel identify the wider update.114

  2. 1999

    Sport appearance models gain quad headlamps plus a new front bumper, fascia and grille.13

  3. 2002

    Bigger grille and clear-lens headlamps; Quad Cab replaces rear-hinged half-doors with four front-hinged doors.3

  4. 2006 Mega Cab

    Headlamps extend into the fenders with a quad-lamp look; new console and gauges inside; Laramie adds chrome front-fascia trim.9

  5. 2006 SRT-10

    Smaller chrome-and-red SRT-10 badges replace the large chrome logos used for 2005.7

  6. 2009

    Forward-leaning hood and grille, smoother body lines and wider wheel arches mark the redesign.12

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Dodge Ram 1500
    Ram 1500
    Photo of a Ram 2500 / 3500
    Ram 2500 / 3500

    Ram 2500 / 3500

    On Rams redesigned for 1994, eight wheel lugs identify the heavier 2500/3500 models.1

  • Photo of a Dodge Ram 1500
    Ram 1500
    Photo of a Chevrolet Silverado SS
    Chevrolet Silverado SS

    Chevrolet Silverado SS

    Its square-cut nose uses an egg-crate grille and deep air dam; the 2003 Ram Hemi has small Hemi badges on the front fenders.4

Against its rivals

Prices

Value today $9.0K–$40.0K2732

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K$80K 1995200020052010201520202025 Value today: $9,000–$40,000 1994 · $14,984 · US base, V8 automatic2002 · $24,705 · US base, Quad Cab SLT2003 · $22,040 · US base, SLT regular cab2003 · $27,820 · US tested, SLT Hemi2004 · $45,795 · US base, SRT-102006 · $32,760 · US base, Mega Cab SLT 4x22006 · $41,075 · US base, Mega Cab Laramie 4x42009 · $22,420 · US base, V6 standard cab2009 · $44,935 · US base, Laramie 4x4 Crew Cab2009 · $48,285 · US tested, SLT Crew Cab 4x4 1994 · $14,984 · US V8 automatic base, 1994 model year 2021 · $23,500 · 2005 Rumble Bee, 20k miles, BaT2024 · $12,000 · 2005 SLT Daytona 4×4, 82k miles, BaT2025 · $9,000 · 1996 SLT, 62k miles, BaT2025 · $6,400 · 1998 Sport, 137k miles, BaT2025 · $16,000 · 2005 SLT Rumble Bee, 38k miles, BaT2025 · $60,020 · 2006 SRT-10 6-speed, 2,900 miles, BaT2026 · $18,000 · 2008 SLT TRX4 4x4, 56k miles, BaT2026 · $17,750 · 2003 ST regular cab, 6k miles, BaT2026 · $40,000 · 2006 SRT-10 six-speed, 18k miles, BaT2026 · $12,000 · 1995 Laramie SLT 4×4, 59k miles shown, BaT2026 · $9,100 · 2007 ST 6-speed, 105k miles, BaT2026 · $14,500 · 2010 R/T Hemi, 121k miles, BaT2026 · $12,500 · 2007 SLT Quad Cab 4×4, 40k miles, BaT $60.0K BaT, 2025
348111516181920232732343536373839404142
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1994Launch price$14,984US V8 automatic base, 1994 model year
1994Price when new$14,984US base, V8 automatic
2002Price when new$24,705US base, Quad Cab SLT
2003Price when new$22,040US base, SLT regular cab
2003Price when new$27,820US tested, SLT Hemi
2004Price when new$45,795US base, SRT-10
2006Price when new$32,760US base, Mega Cab SLT 4x2
2006Price when new$41,075US base, Mega Cab Laramie 4x4
2009Price when new$22,420US base, V6 standard cab
2009Price when new$44,935US base, Laramie 4x4 Crew Cab
2009Price when new$48,285US tested, SLT Crew Cab 4x4
2021Auction sale$23,5002005 Rumble Bee, 20k miles, BaT
2024Auction sale$12,0002005 SLT Daytona 4×4, 82k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$9,0001996 SLT, 62k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$6,4001998 Sport, 137k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$16,0002005 SLT Rumble Bee, 38k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$60,0202006 SRT-10 6-speed, 2,900 miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$18,0002008 SLT TRX4 4x4, 56k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$17,7502003 ST regular cab, 6k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$40,0002006 SRT-10 six-speed, 18k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$12,0001995 Laramie SLT 4×4, 59k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$9,1002007 ST 6-speed, 105k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$14,5002010 R/T Hemi, 121k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$12,5002007 SLT Quad Cab 4×4, 40k miles, BaT
2026Value today$9,000–$40,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 12 stories from its legend
    • “248.784 km/h under Guinness rules”
    • “Six NASCAR wins before the record run”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 7 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 42 sources
  1. Ram pickup - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. 1994: The Ram Revolution - Old Motors oldmotors.net
  3. Tested: 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab Is Ahead of Its Time caranddriver.com
  4. Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Hemi vs. Chevrolet Silverado SS - Motor Trend motortrend.com
  5. Dodge Ram SRT 10 - Guinness World Records - Sport Truck Magazine motortrend.com
  6. Special Edition Dodge and Ram Trucks: 10 Wild Mopar Pickups motortrend.com
  7. Dodge Ram SRT-10 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  8. Dodge Delivers Mega Value with All-New 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab autointell.com
  9. Dodge Introduces the Largest Pickup Cab Ever autointell.com
  10. 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 TRX4 Crew Cab Review - Long-Term Report motortrend.com
  11. Tested: 2009 Chevrolet, Ford, and Ram Half-Ton Pickup Comparison caranddriver.com
  12. First Test: 2009 Dodge Ram Sport R/T motortrend.com
  13. 1994-01 Dodge Ram Pickup | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  14. 7 Things to Know About the ’90s Dodge Truck That Changed Pickups Forever motortrend.com
  15. 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Is a Viper with a Pickup Bed caranddriver.com
  16. Tested: 1994 Dodge Ram 1500 caranddriver.com
  17. Put to Bed: These Are the Forgotten Pickup Trucks caranddriver.com
  18. 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT TRX4 4×4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $18,000 on July 14, 2026 (Lot #252,113) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  19. From the Archives: 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 First Drive Review! motortrend.com
  20. No Reserve: 20k-Mile 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Rumble Bee for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $23,500 on February 25, 2021 (Lot #43,723) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  21. 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Daytona Quad Cab 4x4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $12,666 on June 25, 2025 (Lot #197,831) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  22. 13k-Mile 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Hemi GTX Conversion for sale on BaT Auctions - closed on April 13, 2026 (Lot #237,480) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  23. 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Crew Cab 4x4 Long-Term Road Test caranddriver.com
  24. Dodge B series - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  25. Dodge C series - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  26. Dodge D series - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  27. No Reserve: 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $9,000 on April 4, 2025 (Lot #186,326) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. 5 Most Common 3rd Gen Dodge Ram Problems - 2002-2008 - 1A Auto blog.1aauto.com
  29. Famous Trucks: Walker, Texas Ranger | RealTruck realtruck.com
  30. Cool TV Cars and Trucks You Forgot About motortrend.com
  31. Drive Decades of Iconic Cars in Forza Horizon 6 forza.net
  32. Original-Owner 2006 Dodge Ram SRT-10 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $40,000 on October 13, 2026 (Lot #268,249) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. The 5 Most Common 2nd Gen Ram Problems (1994-2002) - 1A Auto blog.1aauto.com
  34. No Reserve: 6k-Mile 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 ST for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $17,750 on August 18, 2026 (Lot #258,378) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. No Reserve: 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie SLT 4×4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $12,000 on July 23, 2026 (Lot #253,885) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. No Reserve: 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 ST 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $9,100 on June 2, 2026 (Lot #245,571) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. No Reserve: 2010 Ram 1500 R/T Hemi for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $14,500 on May 4, 2026 (Lot #240,828) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  38. No Reserve: 40k-Mile 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Quad Cab 4×4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $12,500 on January 13, 2026 (Lot #226,308) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  39. No Reserve: 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,400 on December 3, 2025 (Lot #222,157) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  40. No Reserve: 38k-Mile 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Rumble Bee for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $16,000 on June 18, 2025 (Lot #196,740) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  41. 2,900-Mile 2006 Dodge Ram SRT-10 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $60,020 on February 19, 2025 (Lot #181,001) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  42. No Reserve: 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Daytona 4×4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $12,000 on August 9, 2024 (Lot #157,876) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • oldmotors.net
  • caranddriver.com
  • motortrend.com
  • autointell.com
  • consumerguide.com
  • bringatrailer.com
  • blog.1aauto.com
  • realtruck.com
  • forza.net

Photo credits

Other car files