What is it?
The Ram 2500 is the heavy-duty tier above the 1500. MY26 brings a heavily revised 6.7-litre Cummins inline-six (313 kW / 1,458 Nm), a new ZF 8HP75 8-speed automatic replacing the old Aisin six-speed, and bigger HD architecture underneath including a leaf-sprung rear, AAM 11.8-inch rear diff, and a maximum gooseneck tow rating of 8 tonnes. Walkinshaw RHD conversion in Melbourne is the OEM-backed pathway.
The lineup runs from Laramie Crew Cab Cummins at $175,950 plus on-roads, through to Laramie Cummins High Output at $185,950 plus on-roads. Warranty cover sits at 3 years, 100,000 km.
Interior and Technology
1,458 Nm Cummins diesel is the highest torque figure in the segment. Up to 8 tonnes gooseneck or fifth-wheel braked tow rating, the new ZF 8-speed automatic sharpens response, and Cummins' own 5-year / 200,000 km engine warranty sits on top of the vehicle cover.
$175,950 plus on-roads positions it as a tow-spec purchase, not a daily driver. The 2,190 mm overall width complicates parking, the leaf-sprung rear is firm when unladen, and there is no ANCAP rating, occupant safety relies on FMVSS plus conversion sign-off.
Should you buy the 2500?
Reasons to buy
- 1,458 Nm Cummins diesel is the highest torque figure in the segment. Up to 8 tonnes gooseneck or fifth-wheel braked tow rating, the new ZF 8-speed automatic sharpens response, and Cummins' own 5-year / 200,000 km engine warranty sits on top of the vehicle cover.
- Warranty: 3 years, 100,000 km. Cummins engine: 5 years, 200,000 km.
- Braked towing rated at 4,500 kg (8,000 kg gooseneck).
Reasons to wait
- $175,950 plus on-roads positions it as a tow-spec purchase, not a daily driver. The 2,190 mm overall width complicates parking, the leaf-sprung rear is firm when unladen, and there is no ANCAP rating, occupant safety relies on FMVSS plus conversion sign-off.
- You want to use the truck as an unladen daily commuter, your garage is under 2.2 m wide, or you need a 5-year warranty on the vehicle itself rather than just the Cummins engine.
- Confirm GCM headroom against your actual towed combination, GCM is 12,500 kg on the Cummins HO. Walkinshaw conversion lead times can be long, lock in delivery in writing before deposit.
- Top trim climbs to $185,950 plus on-roads.
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