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The Dodge Ram truck is no more: Dodge and Ram have split apart and are now parallel brands both owned by Stellantis. You can still order a Ram 3500 with the HEMI V8 that’s synonymous with Dodge muscle cars. But many heavy-duty Ram buyers opt for the Cummins diesel that’s not available in any Dodge.

Can you get the Ram 3500 with a Dodge HEMI?

The first generation of HEMI engine dates to 1951 and was named after its hemispherical combustion chambers. The base engine of the 2022 Ram 3500 is the 6.4-liter HEMI V8. It belongs to the engine family’s third generation.

Promo shot of a Dodge V8 HEMI engine against a white background.
6.4 HEMI V8 | Stellantis

The 392 cubic inch (6.4-liter) HEMI is the largest V8 engine Stellantis builds. Every Dodge Challenger and Charger powered by this HEMI also boast a “Scat Pack” badge. You can find this V8 in the Dodge Durango SRT, the Jeep Wrangler 392, and the Grand Wagoneer.

In the 2022 Ram 3500, this HEMI V8 makes 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. Ram pairs the V8 with an eight-speed automatic transmission. When equipped with a max towing package, the HEMI Ram 3500 can tow up to 18,210 pounds.

Can you still get a Cummins in a Ram 3500?

Since 1989, heavy-duty Ram trucks have offered a Cummins turbo diesel engine upgrade. The 2022 Ram 3500 high-output Cummins makes over 1,000 lb-ft of torque.

A Ram truck's Cummins I6 turbo diesel engine against a white background.
6.7-liter Cummins I6 | Stellantis

Dodge Ram trucks were a little late to the diesel party. By the mid-1980s, General Motors and Ford offered pickup trucks with powerful and fuel-efficient diesel engines. Dodge approached Cummins. The company had just engineered a cutting-edge 5.9-liter straight-six turbo diesel. Cummins originally intended the 6BT for use in heavy equipment, but Dodge engineered a Ram truck that could handle the powerplant.

The Cummins-powered Dodge Ram trounced the competitors in both torque and dependability. A legend was born and Cummins engines are a popular option for Ram truck buyers to this day.

Thge 2022 Ram 3500 offers two separate tunes of the latest Cummins I6. The standard 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel makes 370 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque. This engine endows the Ram 3500 with a max tow payload capacity of 6,840 lbs and a max tow rating of 22,670 lbs.

The top engine option in the 2022 Ram 3500 is the high-output version of the 6.7-liter Cummins. This tuned turbo diesel makes 420 horsepower and 1,075 lb-ft of torque. It bumps the heavy-duty truck’s tow rating to an incredible 37,100 pounds.

Can you get Dodge engines in Ram trucks?

You can get every engine Dodge offers in some Ram truck. These engines include a 3.6-liter V6, the 5.7-liter HEMI V8, the 6.4-liter V8, and the supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V8.

Render of a 2022 Ram 3500 truck with its Dodge powertrain visible.
Ram Heavy Duty 3500 | Stellantis

You cannot order every Dodge engine in a Ram 3500. For example, Ram only installs the 3.6-liter V6 and 5.7-liter HEMI V8 in the light-duty Ram 1500. Ram only puts the supercharged Hellcat V8 in its Ram 1500 TRX supertruck.

In addition to the Cummins I6, you can get several engines in Ram trucks that are not available in any Dodge. One of these is the Ram 1500’s 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6. Another is the 5.7-liter V8 with the eTorque mild-hybrid system. But with Dodge looking to increase its muscle cars’ fuel efficiency, it may soon be borrowing technology from Ram.

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.