There are a bunch of changes coming to the 2022 Ram Quad Cab and Crew Cab pickups. Most of it has to do with options being dropped. But why is Ram doing this? In this age of electronics most new vehicles get more options not less. 

Ram is making these changes to optimize its production line due to chip shortages

The moves are for neither cost-cutting nor other reasons according to Mopar Insiders. Ram is making the moves in an effort to avoid manufacturing delays so it can continue to feed the beast. It starts with limiting trim levels for the 1500 Quad Cab.

Both the Laramie and Rebel versions of the Quad Cab have been dropped. So now you can only get a Quad Cab with the Tradesman or Big Horn/Lone Star trim packages. But the limits go further than that.

For both the Quad Cab as well as all Ram 1500 Big Horn models, you can’t get any of the sunroof options, power running boards, air suspension, or technology groups. All of these deletions are due mainly to the microchip shortage. It affects both parent Stellantis, but also outside suppliers for some components. 

Both the Ram North Edition and Rebel have been dropped

The Multi-function Tailgate has been dropped from all Tradesman and Big Horn/Lone Star trucks. And the Tradesman EcoDiesel now only comes with HFE or High Fuel Efficiency. Also, the North Edition and Rebel models have been completely dropped across all lines.

Both the Mountain Brown and Frost Beige interiors have been eliminated across all lines. The cloth and vinyl bucket seats now only come in red or black. Two-Tone paint is no longer an option with the Laramie Level 1 Equipment Group or on Limited Longhorn trims. The one exception is on Ivory White trucks.

On Limited models, the Protection Group and Advanced Safety Group have been dropped.  But Ram isn’t taking options away from every model. The Level 2 Equipment Group option on TRX models now includes a heads-up display, a digital rear-view mirror, and the 19-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system. So in this case there are taketh and giveth. 

Parent Stellantis says the changes are more in line with what customers want

Stellantis is saying that these changes reflect more of what truck customers want. It also says that Ram sales lean heavily toward Crew Cab models. And it wants to optimize the production line to crank out more trucks. 

If you have placed an order for any of these Ram models the production orders will be changed to reflect these latest moves. So you might want to look over your order form to see how it might have changed. 

As you already must know, the microchip shortage is wreaking havoc with all automakers, not just Stellantis. As the industry sees the issue continuing into 2022, we are likely to see these types of changes from other company’s lineups for next year.