History
Since it launched in Australia at the end of 2015, American Special Vehicles (ASV) has boldly claimed that its right-hand drive Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks were a cut above existing converted US pickups already on sale.
For one thing, ASV — a joint-venture between Ateco Automotive as distributor and Walkinshaw as converter — is unique in having direct collaboration with Fiat Chrysler in the US, and acts as a de facto RHD supplier with export potential.
The factory line is a repurposed 8000 square-metre storage shed with capacity to store and re-engineer 1000 Rams annually (though current targets are about three-quarters this, at 60-70 units a month).
To the end of September 2022 RAM sold 4153 trucks, a 45 per cent increase on last year. The majority of sales come from the light duty 1500 model, followed by 2500 and 3500.
Since the relationship began in 2013, Walkinshaw Automotive Group has converted a total of 18,019 utes for the Australian and New Zealand markets. Australia is the largest RAM market outside the US.
As some of you will be aware, in 2022 I caught the electric vehicle bug, and jumped in head first with the purchase of my first EV, a 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus...
I thoroughly enjoyed owning it, but eventually I had to admit to myself that it wasn’t the most suitable car for the roads we have around here; and definitely not a practical car for my line of work — dealing in tractors and farm machinery.
So... It is with much sadness that I sold my Tesla, and replaced it with something with a little more... grunt!
So what did I get to replace the Tesla I hear you ask? A Ford Ranger perhaps? A Toyota Landcruiser or Hilux? How about a Nissan Patrol? Nope!
I’m now the proud owner of a Limited Edition (one of only 50 in Australia) 2017 RAM 2500 Laramie “Redback”. Horsepower comes from a 6.7 litre, straight 6, Cummins turbo diesel.
The torque figure is in the neighbourhood of an astonishing 1,173Nm.
Fuel economy is around 10-18 L/100km, depending on whether it’s towing a heavy load... Yeah ok and how much of a lead foot I am!
But I will say this much... it drives like a dream!
So what’s it really like to drive a big American truck? Honestly — It’s great! Definitely very satisfying to be at eye-level with bus drivers!
Everything about the RAM 2500 is BIG. Interior space is quite a jump from any other dual cab on the market, with 6 seats (or trade the middle front seat for a convenient centre console, cup holders and armrest just by folding the seat down).
The RAM 2500 tows heavy loads up to 4.5 tonnes with effortless ease, owing to that awesome 6.7 litre Cummins, married to a fantastic 6 speed semi automatic gearbox.
I have to say I’m very impressed with the RAM 2500 and the excellent left to right hand drive conversion by American Special Vehicles (ASV).
...But like any modern diesel, there’s the inescapable modern technology to contend with...
Enter the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), of which the unit on my RAM decided it needed cleaning at the most inopportune moment.
Let me set the stage for you... On the highway, headed out west with the horse float hitched to collect an emergency supply of lucerne hay for our horses. The engine warning light illuminates and the power output from that big Cummins diesel becomes decidedly diminished.
Rolling to an embarrassing and undignified stop, the engine cuts out and I’m rather worried! Fortunately, after calling for my mechanic to bring our Hino truck on a rescue mission, the RAM is soon home again, and after plugging in my OBD scanner, it reports a number of EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) errors. Upon clearing these errors, the RAM appears to be running normally again.
Next day, we go out for a family dinner, and give the RAM a run. Cue electronic–sounding alarm chime. The engine warning light illuminates once again, but this time, a helpful message appears on the dash informing me that DPF regeneration is in progress. Sure enough, upon plugging the OBD scanner again, it reports a problem with the DPF – it’s 100% full!
Long story short, and $500 later, I’ve had the DPF professionally cleaned, and I now have all my horsepower back! I did however learn a valuable lesson, modern diesel engines need to be worked.
All things considered, the RAM is a great truck, and I love it!
