Ram 1500 and 2500 Generations by Model Year (DS, DT and HD)
The fourth-generation Ram 1500 (DS) arrived for the 2009 model year and stayed on sale as the Ram Classic after the fifth generation (DT) launched for 2019. The Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty trucks had their own fourth generation from 2010 and a fifth from 2019, so a 2015 Ram 2500 is a fourth-generation HD. The 1500 and HD fronts differ.
Which model years belong to which generation?
Dates are the reveal or first sale in the linked source; model years are US model years. “Not verified” means we could not confirm it from a reliable source.
| Truck | Model years | Reveal or sale | Front end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 1500, 4th gen (DS) | 2009 to 2018 | Unveiled Jan 2008, on sale fall 2008 (Jalopnik) | Forward-canted grille, wraparound bumpers |
| Ram 1500 DS update | 2013 on | Shown Apr 2012 (Autoweb) | A mild exterior refresh; details not verified |
| Ram 1500 Classic (DS) | From 2019, alongside the DT | Announced Jun 2018 (AutoGuide) | DS front; end date not verified |
| Ram 1500, 5th gen (DT) | 2019 on | Unveiled Jan 2018 (Fortune) | New body |
| Ram 1500 DT update | 2025 on | Revealed Nov 2023 (AutoGuide) | LED headlamps that meet the grille, eight grille designs, new tail lights (Mopar Insiders) |
| Ram 2500 and 3500 HD, 4th gen | 2010 to 2018 | Shown Feb 2009 (The Auto Channel) | Larger grille than the 1500, taller louvred hood, own bumper; headlamps and front fenders shared with the 1500 |
| Ram 2500 and 3500 HD, 5th gen | 2019 on | Orders Jan 2019, dealers Mar 2019 (Mopar Insiders) | Crosshair grille dropped, six grilles, headlamps by grade |
Is the Ram sold outside the US?
In Australia, Ram trucks are converted to right-hand drive locally. The 2500 and 3500 Laramie arrived in November 2015 (GoAuto), the DS 1500 in July 2018 (GoAuto) and the DT 1500 in May 2021, with the DS kept below it (CarExpert).
What does it mean for a bumper or bar?
The HD trucks have their own grille, hood and bumper (The Auto Channel), so a 1500 bumper is not an HD bumper even within one generation. A DS Classic built in 2019 or later is still a DS front, not a DT. A 2025-on DT has new headlamps and grilles, so check the lamp corners and grille openings before using a 2019 to 2024 front.
Which Ram do I have?
- Read the model year on the label or registration.
- 1500 or HD? The badge on the door or tailgate says 1500, 2500 or 3500.
- DS or DT? A 2019-on “Classic” is a DS; check the window sticker or registration for the model name.
Which CadGaragePro files fit?
| File | Truck | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Ram 1500 DT complete vehicle | 2019 Ram 1500 Limited Crew Cab 4x4 | Coming soon: STL, 25,322,390 triangles, extent 5,911 × 2,607 × 2,032 mm (232.7 × 102.6 × 80.0 in) with mirrors; full cabin interior |
| Ram 1500 DS and Ram 2500 HD pack | 2013 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab and 2016 Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins Laramie Crew | Coming soon |
How to pick:
- 2019 to 2024 Ram 1500 (DT): the DT scan is this truck, a Limited; other grades have their own grilles and bumpers, so compare the front.
- 2009 to 2018 Ram 1500 and the DS Classic: the 2013 Ram 1500 in the pack.
- 2010 to 2018 Ram 2500 or 3500: the 2016 Ram 2500 in the pack, with the HD front.
- 2019-on HD or 2025-on 1500: the fronts differ; use our files only for parts you can check on your truck.
If you are unsure which truck a file fits, message the shop on Etsy.
Sources
- 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 revealed, Jalopnik, 2008
- 2013 Ram 1500, Autoweb, 2012
- Old Ram 1500 will be sold alongside the new truck as the 2019 Ram Classic, AutoGuide, 2018
- FCA’s new Ram 1500, Fortune, 2018
- 2025 Ram 1500, AutoGuide, 2023
- First look: the updated 2025 Ram 1500 lineup, Mopar Insiders, 2024
- 2010 Ram Heavy Duty, The Auto Channel, 2009
- Introducing the new 2019 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty, Mopar Insiders, 2019
- Right-hook Ram set to crash into Australia, GoAuto, 2015
- Ram charges ahead with 1500, GoAuto, 2018
- 2021 Ram 1500 DT price and specs, CarExpert, 2021