112 / 116
1 1 2
ACROSS THE TRADES Summer 2017
T
he factory-supported
Australian vehicle conversion
outfit behind the right-hand-
drive Ram pick-up truck – American
Special Vehicles (ASV) – is working
overtime to pump up the presence
of Fiat Chrysler Automobile’s big ute
on our roads, introducing a model
year update and its first-ever limited
edition in the form of a menacing
2500 ‘Code Black’.
As the name suggests, the Code
Black edition adds a variety of dark-
themed styling changes that provide
an even more aggressive look to the
hulking Ram 2500.
The broader model year update
includes a variety of minor tweaks,
among them a new tyre spec for
improved refinement (Nexan Roadian
AT Pro RA8 LT275/70 R18) and a
second microphone that sharpens
up the voice clarity for the Bluetooth
hands-free system.
However, the headline feature is
the new option of a fully integrated
‘RamBox’ storage system on the
2500 model that turns the often-
wasted space along the side of a
boxed tub into a useful storage area
and/or toolbox.
Running the length of the load area,
the boxes are easily accessible no
matter what load is being carried in
the main tray, they’re weatherproof,
come with their own lighting, have
drain holes, lids that open to 90º, and
locks that are linked to the vehicle’s
remote central locking. They can also
be locked separately.
The boxes create a space that is
152cm long and offers 243L of storage
space on either side of the vehicle.
The system includes an adjustable
and lockable bed divider which
creates individual compartments
in the pick-up bed to separate
payload equipment such as tools or
equipment, while a cargo rail system
with sliding cleats brings extra
versatility when tying down.
ASV says the tray will still take
a standard pallet with the RamBox
system in place.
The other main model change is the
re-rating of the Ram 3500 that sends
its GVM down below 4.5t (to 4,490kg)
and therefore allows it to be driven
on a regular passenger car licence.
The regular 3500 has a 5,309kg GVM,
which requires the driver to have a
light rigid truck licence.
Payload in the tray drops from
1,713kg to 894kg with the re-rating
but, importantly, the maximum brake
towing capacity of 6,171kg remains.
The 2500 continues to offer a 913kg
payload and 6,942kg load-hauling limit.
All Rams use a Cummins-sourced
6.7L six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine
that churns out 276kW of power at
2,800rpm and a phenomenal 1,084Nm
of torque at just 1,600rpm. The
big oil-burner is paired with a six-
speed automatic transmission and
BorgWarner part-time 4x4 driveline,
with high and low range.
RAM CODE BLACK, 2017
MODEL YEAR UPDATE
TRANSPORT