Ram's body-on-frame Tango

We've been hearing about a new midsize Ram pickup for years--as far back as 2018, when then-FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne "confirmed" it. It was going to be built in Mexico. Or Toledo. And it would launch in 2021. Or, maybe later.

At Stellantis' EV Day four years ago, the company showed what looked like a crewcab pickup on STLA Large, the multi-energy midsize/large platform that underpins the new Dodge Charger, Jeep Wagoneer S, and upcoming Jeep Recon (among others).

Then, almost two years ago, the UAW contract confirmed a new midsize Ram truck would go into the recently-closed Belvidere plant (home of the previous-generation Jeep Cherokee). Plenty of sources were assuming this was a STLA Large-based model that would offer both conventional ICE and some sort of electrified power.

Now, however, comes this report from Mopar Insiders: "According to sources close to MoparInsiders.com, we can confirm that Ram’s upcoming midsize truck will instead ride on a body-on-frame setup."

Is this true? If so, it presents several challenges. Right now, the only BOF architecture inside Stellantis is the Jeep Gladiator, a vehicle that has received constant criticism in recent years in the wake of steadily declining sales. Peugeot and Fiat actually had to go to China's Changan to get (and rebadge) a competitive midsize body-on-frame truck to sell outside North America.

As a result, with a non-independent front suspension, a Ram truck off this architecture would be rather crude compared to what Ford, GM, and Toyota offer unless Stellantis makes significant investments to improve the refinement. It's either that, or start with a clean sheet--and that would put Stellantis in the same unfortunate boat as VW, who created a clean-sheet architecture for their Amarok pickup--and with annual sales less than 100,000 units in a relative low-margin segment, that's a tough business case.

That being said, might Ram be considering an SUV off this new pickup? That would help spread out the investment and make better use of Belvidere--and could provide Ram with something that's offroad capable like a Wrangler but relatively civilized like a Durango.

With production slated for 2027, Ram, has nothing to lose by showing a concept next year to whet the public's appetite. Let's see what happens...