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Ram's 4x4 pickups fall into two families: the half-ton Ram 1500 and the heavy-duty Ram 2500 and 3500. They differ in front suspension, rear springs, transfer cases and ratings, so the right guide, part and 4WD procedure depend on which family a truck belongs to. The Power Wagon is covered on the 2500/3500 owner hub, because Ram offers it only as a package on the 2500 4x4.
At a Glance
| Spec (2026) | Ram 1500 | Ram 2500 | Ram 3500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front suspension | Independent upper and lower A-arms | Solid axle, three-link, coil springs | Solid axle, three-link, coil springs |
| Rear springs | Five-link coil (four-corner air optional) | Five-link coil (air bags optional) | Two-stage leaf (air bags optional) |
| Transfer cases | Part-time, on-demand with 4WD Auto, or full-time (RHO) | Part-time only | Part-time only |
| Max towing | 11,610 lb | 20,000 lb | 36,610 lb |
| Max payload | 2,360 lb | 3,930 lb | 7,590 lb |
Models Covered
Ram 1500: the half-ton, current since the 2019 model year (Ram's "DT"), sold alongside the older "DS" truck, badged Ram 1500 Classic, until Classic production ended in 2024. The hub covers the 2021–2024 TRX and the 2026 RHO. Ram 2500 and 3500: the heavy-duty pickups with 6.4L HEMI or 6.7L Cummins engines, including the Power Wagon, Rebel and Warlock off-road versions.
1500 vs 2500/3500: The Hardware Difference
The 1500 has independent front suspension; every 2500 and 3500 4x4 uses a solid AAM 9.25-inch front axle. At the rear, both the 1500 and the 2500 use five-link coil springs; Ram introduced its multi-link coil rear on the half-ton in 2009. The 3500 is the leaf-spring truck. That split matters for parts: a leveling kit or rear spring for a 2500 is not the same part as one for a 3500, and neither fits a 1500.
The transfer cases differ too. Ram's 2026 specifications list three BorgWarner cases for the 1500, including the 48-11 on-demand unit that adds a 4WD Auto mode, while every 2500 and 3500 4x4 gets a part-time case (44-46/44-47 with the HEMI, 44-48 with the Cummins). All of them have a 2.64:1 low range. Owners moving from a 1500 with 4WD Auto to a heavy-duty truck will find no Auto position; the 1500 4WD Auto page explains how that mode works.
Power Wagon and Other Factory Off-Road Trucks
Ram's 2026 feature list gives the Power Wagon Tru-Lok locking differentials front and rear, a disconnecting front stabilizer bar, a 12,000-lb Warn winch, Bilstein shocks and 33-inch LT285/70R17 tires, with 14.2 in of ground clearance. The 2500 Rebel gets an electronic rear locker only, and the 2026 2500 Warlock gets an anti-spin rear, Bilstein shocks, skid plates and 34-inch tires. On the 1500, the Warlock, Rebel and RHO have a standard electronic rear locker.
Common Ram Ownership Questions
What should I check first on a used Ram? Its open recalls, matched to the exact configuration. Several large campaigns depend on equipment, not just model year: the EcoDiesel EGR-cooler recall (19V757) covers only 2014–2019 Ram 1500s with the 3.0L diesel, the power-tailgate recalls (18V486 and 19V347) depend on bed length and build date, and the grid-heater relay fire recalls (21V798 and 23V060) apply to 2021–2023 Cummins heavy-duty trucks. See the 1500 and 2500/3500 problems pages.
Were the old heavy-duty steering recalls one campaign? No. NHTSA lists three: 11V350 and 13V529 for left tie-rod failures on 2008–2011 and 2008–2012 trucks, and 19V021 for a loosening drag-link jam nut on 2013–2018 trucks.
Looking for Accessories Instead?
Category-level Ram accessory buying across the lineup lives at the Ram accessory fitment hub; the owner hubs cover 4WD operation, known problems and mod priorities for each model.
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Sources
- Stellantis — 2026 Ram 1500 Specifications — 1500 front and rear suspension, transfer cases and low range.
- Stellantis — 2026 Ram 1500 Feature Availability — Standard rear locker on Warlock, Rebel and RHO.
- Stellantis — What's New for 2026: Ram 1500 — 1500 maximum towing and payload.
- Stellantis — 2019 Ram 1500 engineering — Multi-link coil rear introduced in 2009.
- Stellantis — Ram 1500 Classic badge for 2019 — DT and DS (Classic) naming.
- Stellantis — End of Ram 1500 Classic production at Warren Truck — Classic production ended in 2024.
- Stellantis — 2026 Ram 2500 & 3500 Heavy Duty Specifications — Heavy-duty solid front axle, 2500 coil and 3500 leaf rear, part-time transfer cases.
- Stellantis — 2026 Ram 2500 & 3500 Heavy Duty Feature Availability — Power Wagon equipment and 2500 Rebel rear locker.
- Stellantis — What's New for 2026: Ram Heavy Duty — 2500 and 3500 maximum towing and payload; 2500 Warlock equipment.
- NHTSA — Recall 19V757 — EcoDiesel EGR cooler recall scope.
- NHTSA — Recall 18V486 — Power-tailgate recall by bed length.
- NHTSA — Recall 19V347 — Power-tailgate recall by bed length and build date.
- NHTSA — Recall 21V798 — Cummins relay fire recall.
- NHTSA — Recall 23V060 — Cummins grid-heater relay fire recall.
- NHTSA — Recall 11V350 — Heavy-duty left tie-rod ball stud recall.
- NHTSA — Recall 13V529 — Heavy-duty left tie-rod assembly recall.
- NHTSA — Recall 19V021 — Heavy-duty drag-link jam nut recall.