The year was 1989: Tiananmen Square, the Berlin Wall’s demise, “Another Day in Paradise” was #1 on the charts, and Dodge Ram and Cummins teamed up to make one of the most celebrated joint ventures in diesel truck history. Cummins gave the truck a definite leading edge over fellow domestic diesels, while the Dodge Ram provided the steel, heavy-duty vessel to pair with the legendary Cummins name.

A diagram of the original 5.9L Cummins engine. Photo: Allpar.com

At the time, the two companies were dropping a bomb on a market segment that had seen more or less the same technology–like natural aspiration and indirect injection–employed year after year. Then, all of the sudden, along came the straight-six 5.9L 6BT in the ’89 2500 and 3500 trucks, capable of producing almost twice the torque and fuel mileage found in the Ford and GM V8 alternatives, effectively turning the diesel market on its head.

Innovations came in the form of direct injection, meaning the engine did not require glow plugs for cold starting, as well as making the engine turbocharged, where competitors were still using naturally aspirated motors. All told, the 6BT was capable of making 160 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque.

The 100,000th turbo diesel Ram truck rolls off the line at the Dodge City plant in 1991. Photo: Allpar.com

Fast forward twenty-five years, and the two companies are still making and breaking standards in the diesel market. “Ram and Cummins are names synonymous with power, quality and durability. We’ve enjoyed a successful relationship and remained leaders in the diesel pickup market for 25 years,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO of Ram Truck.

Evolved and better for it, the fresh crop of Ram trucks, like this 3500, make up to 385 hp and 850 lb.-ft. of torque–more than twice that of the original 1989 models.

The sentiment was shared by Dave Crompton, Cummins Vice President and General Manager of Engine Business: “The Cummins and Ram Truck partnership has created a legendary package over the last 25 years and we appreciate their continued loyalty to Cummins. This commitment to our partnership allows us to focus on delivering best-in-class performance, reliability, and durability for the heavy-duty pickup market.”

These days, the flagship motor is the turbocharged 6.7L, first seen in the 2013 models of the 2500 and 3500. It’s more than capable as a powerplant, churning out 385hp and a monstrous 850 lb.-ft. of torque, making it the leading diesel engine in its class. We can’t wait to see what these guys have in store for us, but in the meantime, we’ll tip our hat and say congratulations, Cummins and Ram, on your 25th anniversary.