Body-On-Frame or Bust: Ram’s New Truck Goes Old School, the Right Way

After years of buzz and speculation, Ram is officially reentering the midsize pickup segment—and they’re doing it the right way. Rather than opting for a unibody platform like some expected, Ram is going with a true body-on-frame design, giving truck buyers the rugged capability they’ve been asking for here at Landmark Dodge of Morrow.

From Drawing Lines to Tough Towing Time

Originally, there were hints that Ram’s new midsize pickup might ride on Stellantis’ STLA Large platform, which is better suited for unibody vehicles. But recent insider reports confirm that the new Ram will share a body-on-frame setup similar to the Jeep Gladiator. That puts it squarely in competition with serious contenders like the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, and Nissan Frontier.

We know our Georgia customers want more than just a pretty face—they want strength, utility, and real-deal truck performance. A unibody might work for light-duty pickups like the Honda Ridgeline, but Ram’s aiming for drivers who need something tougher. This new model is shaping up to deliver exactly that.

Meet the Future Ram That Recalls a Legend

Sources also say the truck will come exclusively in a four-door crew cab configuration—just like its key competitors—and production will kick off at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois, with a planned launch in 2027. Even better? Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis recently confirmed that this new pickup is designed to fill the space once held by the beloved Ram 1500 Classic. 

It’ll serve as a more accessible entry point into the Ram family, especially at a time when full-size trucks continue to climb in cost. If you’ve got fond memories of the Dodge Dakota, this upcoming Ram is poised to bring back that same level of excitement, now backed by modern engineering and updated capability. The Dakota may have bowed out in 2011, but today’s market is more than ready—and Ram is gearing up to deliver.

Excellence Isn’t Optional—It’s Standard

And let’s not forget—Ram isn’t new to building award-winning trucks. The Ram 1500 has consistently been ranked among the top pickups in the industry, earning MotorTrend’s Truck of the Year multiple times, and receiving praise for its class-leading ride quality, luxurious interiors, and impressive towing capability. 

Most recently, Ram was named the #1 Overall Brand in the J.D. Power 2024 Initial Quality StudySM, outperforming every other automaker in the industry, truck or otherwise. That same study placed the Ram 1500 at the top of the full-size light-duty pickup category for the second consecutive year.

The Next Chapter in Truck Toughness Starts Now

Ram trucks are built to go the distance, and it’s clear the brand takes durability and driver satisfaction seriously. Whether it’s the heavy-duty Ram 2500 and 3500 models or the ever-popular Ram 1500, there’s a long-standing reputation for getting the job done without sacrificing comfort or innovation.

We expect to see camouflaged prototypes out testing before the year is up—and we’ll be watching closely. Stay tuned here at Landmark Dodge of Morrow, where we’ll keep you in the loop on everything Ram. The next big chapter in the midsize pickup segment is just around the corner, and if Ram’s history is any indication, it’s going to be worth the wait.