Ram 1500 Classic: A Used Buyer's Guide for Eastern Ontario

Kerry Irven

Oct 17

12 min read

A black four-door Ram 1500 Classic pickup parked on a gravel lane beside a stone canal lock with timber gates, a steel truss bridge and autumn maples behind, under a white headline with a blue rule and the line An Eastern Ontario Buyer's Guide.

A used Ram 1500 Classic can be a smart buy once you know the truck on the listing is a Classic. FCA called the Classic the previous generation of the Ram 1500 and sold it beside the all-new Ram 1500 from the 2019 model year.

Around Carleton Place, the deciding questions are underneath and on paper: what salted roads, gravel and work did to the frame, and which recalls apply to that VIN.

Carleton Place Ford is a Ford store with an all-makes used lot, not a Ram dealer.

Key Takeaways

The Ram 1500 Classic name starts with the 2019 model year. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) lists the Classic for 2019 through 2024.
FCA put the Classic badging on the front fenders, and NRCan rates eTorque engines only for the newer Ram 1500.
For 2019, FCA listed the 3.6-litre Pentastar V-6, the 5.7-litre HEMI V-8 and the 3.0-litre EcoDiesel V-6 for the Classic. From the 2020 model year, every Classic NRCan rates is gas.
A Classic's towing rating depends on how that truck is built, and its labels and hitch stamp carry the load and tongue-weight ratings.
Transport Canada names the Classic in a brake-pedal recall for certain 2021 and 2022 trucks with non-adjustable pedals, and separate recalls cover certain 2019 Classics with the 3.0-litre EcoDiesel. The VIN check tells you which apply.
FCA's 2021 Ram 1500 Classic owner's manual says not to use the truck for snowplowing.

Browse used Ram 1500 Classic trucks at Carleton Place Ford, then confirm the model year and VIN on the one you like.

Is a Used Ram 1500 Classic a Smart Buy?

A used Ram 1500 Classic can be, one truck at a time. The appeal is choice: a Pentastar V-6 or a HEMI V-8 in every Classic year NRCan rates, and for 2019 the Warlock and a Canada-only Sub Zero winter package on some ST, Tradesman and Express 4x4 trucks.

The right one is a truck you have confirmed is a Classic, with a VIN check and underbody that hold up.

The Classic question looks like this near Almonte: you need a pickup for a utility trailer, a woodlot and winter roads, and the listings put a Classic beside a newer Ram 1500. Which truck is each, what has it towed or plowed, and what is underneath?

The Classic's drawbacks start with age: it is the previous generation of the Ram 1500, and any one you look at may have spent years on salted roads. If you plan to mount a plow, note that FCA's 2021 Ram 1500 Classic owner's manual says not to use the truck for snowplowing.

A man holding a phone and a young woman in a blue jacket walk across the gravel toward the viewer, talking, beside a parked black Ram pickup in front of a weathered board drive shed with a green steel roof, autumn trees behind.

Which Model Years Does the Ram 1500 Classic Cover?

The Ram 1500 Classic name starts with the 2019 model year. NRCan lists the Classic for 2019 through 2024.

From 2019, the all-new Ram 1500 was sold beside it, so a Ram 1500 listing from any of those years can be either truck.

Whether a listing says Dodge Ram or Ram, NRCan and Transport Canada list the Classic under the make Ram.

If a 2018 is on your list, our earlier guide explains how the Classic relates to the truck sold before it and lists that year's recalls.

How Can You Tell a Ram 1500 Classic from the Newer Ram 1500?

You tell a Ram 1500 Classic from the newer Ram 1500 by its badging and its engine. FCA put the Classic badging on the front fenders, and NRCan lists the truck as the Ram 1500 Classic, separately from the newer Ram 1500.

Under the hood, NRCan rates eTorque engines only for the newer Ram 1500, never for the Classic.

From the 2020 model year, NRCan rates no Classic with a diesel, so a 2020-or-later Ram 1500 with the 3.0-litre EcoDiesel is the newer truck.

When a listing says only Ram 1500, check the fenders and the engine.

The same trap turns up with other makes, and our guide to two vehicles behind one listing name walks through another example.

If the truck turns out to be the newer generation, browse used Ram 1500 trucks instead.

A young woman in a blue jacket crouches on the gravel and points at the front fender of a black pickup while a man stands beside her watching, on a roadside shoulder near a white clapboard hall with a small belfry.

Which Engines Does a Ram 1500 Classic Have?

NRCan rates the Ram 1500 Classic with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V-6 or a 5.7-litre HEMI V-8 in every Classic year, and with a 3.0-litre EcoDiesel V-6 for 2019 only. From the 2020 model year, every Classic NRCan rates is gas, with an eight-speed automatic.

For 2019, NRCan rates the HEMI with a six-speed or an eight-speed automatic, depending on the truck, and the V-6 and EcoDiesel with the eight-speed. Confirm the engine, transmission and drivetrain on the individual truck and its VIN.

Here is each Ram 1500 Classic engine by model year, as NRCan rates it.

Engine	2019	2020 to 2024
Gas: 3.6-litre Pentastar V-6	Rated, eight-speed automatic	Rated, eight-speed automatic
Gas: 5.7-litre HEMI V-8	Rated, six-speed or eight-speed automatic, by truck	Rated, eight-speed automatic
Diesel: 3.0-litre EcoDiesel V-6	Rated, eight-speed automatic	Not rated

Which Models and Cabs Did the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic Come In?

For 2019, FCA listed the Ram 1500 Classic in ST, Tradesman, Express, SLT and SSV (fleet only) models, plus the Warlock, built off the SLT. It listed Regular Cab, Quad Cab and Crew Cab configurations, each in two- or four-wheel drive.

Here are the 2019 models and what to confirm on each.

2019 model	Engine	Drivetrain	Cab
ST, Tradesman, Express, SLT, SSV (fleet only)	Check on the truck and its VIN	Check on the truck	Check on the truck
Warlock	3.6-litre Pentastar V-6 or 5.7-litre HEMI V-8, with an eight-speed automatic	Four-wheel drive (4x4)	Quad Cab or Crew Cab

A Canada-only 2019 Sub Zero Package added winter features such as heated front seats and remote start on some ST, Tradesman and Express 4x4 trucks.

Look through used Ram 1500 Classic listings with this table beside you, then confirm the model, cab, box and engine of a later Classic on the truck and its VIN.

What Can a Ram 1500 Classic Tow?

For a Ram 1500 Classic, the towing rating that applies depends on how the individual truck is built, not on one figure for the model. FCA published the Classic's towing as an "up to" figure tied to the HEMI V-8, and each truck's own labels and hitch stamp carry the load and tongue-weight ratings it must stay within.

FCA's 2021 Ram 1500 Classic owner's manual puts the truck's weight ratings on the Vehicle Certification Label on the driver's side B-pillar. It sends owners to the Tire and Loading Information placard for the maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo.

It says never to exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on the bumper or trailer hitch, and recommends a weight-distributing hitch if the gross trailer weight is 5,000 lbs (2,267 kg) or more.

Before you count on a Classic for your trailer, read those labels on that truck. The ratings belong to the truck in front of you, not to the model.

The same manual warns that a plow or other equipment added to the front end can affect how the airbags work, and says not to use the truck for snowplowing.

So ask whether a Classic you are looking at has pushed a plow, and look at the front end for added mounting hardware or wiring.

A man crouches at the tongue of an empty boat trailer resting on its jack beside a black pickup while a young woman stands by the driver's door, at a gravel boat launch on a lake with autumn hills behind.

What Recalls Should You Check on a Used Ram 1500 Classic?

Transport Canada names the Ram 1500 Classic in a brake-pedal recall for certain 2021 and 2022 trucks with non-adjustable pedals, and separate recalls cover certain 2019 Classics with the 3.0-litre EcoDiesel. Other recalls listed under the Ram 1500 name for these model years may apply to either truck.

Transport Canada lists recalls for the Classic and the newer truck under the same model name, Ram 1500, so the model year on a recall does not tell you which of the two it covers. The VIN does.

Brake pedal, recall 2021156. On certain 2021 and 2022 trucks, the brake pedal may be missing a clip that secures it to the master cylinder push rod, so the pedal could separate and cause a loss of brakes, which can create the risk of a crash.

This recall only affects Ram 1500 Classic trucks equipped with non-adjustable pedals. The remedy is an inspection of the retaining clip, with a new clip installed if required, and FCA recommends not driving the truck until the owner receives instructions on how to have it inspected.

3.0-litre EcoDiesel, 2019. For 2019, NRCan rates the 3.0-litre EcoDiesel only in the Ram 1500 Classic, and these recalls cover certain 2019 trucks with that engine:

2019535: On certain 2019 trucks with the 3.0-litre EcoDiesel, the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler could crack internally and leak, which a driver may notice as a low coolant level or a heater that does not work properly, and could create the risk of an engine fire. The remedy replaces the EGR cooler, and the intake manifold is inspected and replaced as necessary.
2022303: On certain 2019 vehicles with a 3.0 L diesel engine, the high-pressure fuel pump could fail, which may show as a change in engine performance, a fuel leak or warning lights, and could cause a sudden loss of engine power. The remedy replaces the high-pressure fuel pump, and other fuel system parts if necessary.
2023338: On certain 2019 vehicles with a 3.0 L diesel engine, an engine tone wheel problem could cut the signal to the crankshaft position sensor, so the engine could stall and may not restart. Vehicles included in recall 2020371 are not part of this recall, and the remedy updates the powertrain control module to help maintain engine power if that signal is lost.

This list is verified, not exhaustive, and new recalls can be added at any time.

Recall repairs are completed through an authorized Ram retailer.

FCA Canada and Transport Canada are the sources we use to verify recall information. Before you buy, ask our team to confirm the VIN and any open campaigns for the Ram 1500 Classic in front of you.

A service advisor at a podium shows a tablet to a man and a young woman in a bright indoor service drive, with a black pickup parked on the floor beside them.

What to Check Under a Ram 1500 Classic After Eastern Ontario Winters

Under a Ram 1500 Classic, start with the rockers and door bottoms: FCA's 2021 Ram 1500 Classic owner's manual says to keep the drain holes in the lower edges of the doors and rocker panels clear. It lists stone and gravel impact, and road salt, dirt and moisture, among the causes of corrosion, and tells owners on salted or dusty roads to hose off the undercarriage at least once a month.

For trucks driven a lot on gravel, such as the concession roads around Lanark County, the same manual suggests mud or stone shields behind each wheel.

Ontario's safety-inspection standard draws the line a buyer should: surface rust on the frame, brake lines, box and hitch is treated as normal. Rust that thins the metal or weakens the frame, heavy scaling on a brake line, or a hitch perforated by corrosion is not.

Have your own mechanic look at the frame rails, rocker panels, box, brake lines and hitch before you buy.

A mechanic in navy coveralls bends to point at the bottom edge of the front door of a black pickup as a man looks on, on a damp concrete pad beside a steel shed with a garden hose coiled on the wall.

How to Check the Ram 1500 Classic in Front of You

Checking a used Ram 1500 Classic starts at the front fenders, where the Classic badging is the first tell, then moves through the engine, four-wheel drive, tires, labels, underbody, past use, VIN and paperwork, in that order, on the truck itself.

1. Which truck: Look for the Classic badging on the front fenders.

2. Engine and transmission: Look under the hood and confirm both on the truck and its VIN. On a Classic with the eight-speed automatic, FCA's 2021 Ram 1500 Classic owner's manual describes a rotary gear selector on the instrument panel.

3. Four-wheel drive: Try two-wheel drive and each four-wheel-drive position on a loose surface, not dry pavement. The same manual says the 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions are designed for loose, slippery road surfaces only.

4. Tires: Check that all four match. The manual says four-wheel drive depends on tires of equal size, type and circumference, and that any difference in tire size can damage the drivetrain.

5. Labels: Compare your load, people included, and your trailer's tongue weight against the certification label, the tire and loading placard and the tongue-weight stamp.

6. Underneath: Have your own mechanic check the frame, brake lines, rocker panels, box and hitch.

7. Past use: Ask whether the truck has pushed a plow, pulled a trailer or done farm work, and ask for the service records.

8. Recalls: Ask our team to check the VIN and confirm any open campaigns before you buy.

9. Ontario paperwork: For a vehicle sold with a safety standards certificate, it confirms only that the vehicle met the minimum standard on the date the certificate was issued, and it is not a warranty.

Then compare it with other used Ram 1500 Classic trucks at Carleton Place Ford before you decide.

What Is Your Current Vehicle Worth as a Trade?

Find out before you shop, because your trade's value shapes which Ram 1500 Classic listings fit your plan. At Carleton Place Ford, we take trades of any make, whether it is paid off or not, and we put our appraisal of your trade in writing.

Value your trade online first, then let us appraise it in person. We buy vehicles outright, so an appraisal does not commit you to buying from us.

With your permission, we get the payout from your lender and show it beside our appraisal.

If you owe more than the vehicle is worth, the shortfall may be added to the amount financed, increasing the amount borrowed and potentially the total cost of borrowing. Financing is subject to lender approval (O.A.C.).

You may also cover the difference with money down. Bring the ownership, every key and fob, and any service records.

A salesperson writes on a clipboard as a man gestures toward it and a young woman looks on, beside a grey minivan on a dealership lot, with a black Ram pickup parked by a brick building and rows of vehicles behind.

How Does Financing a Used Ram 1500 Classic Work at Carleton Place Ford?

Financing a used Ram 1500 Classic at Carleton Place Ford starts with an application, on approved credit (O.A.C.). Apply for financing before you come in if you wish.

With your consent, we can review options with participating lenders. Approval, rate, term and payment depend on the applicant, lender and vehicle, and a credit-bureau inquiry may be required.

Bring a driver's licence and proof of income if requested; lender requirements vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Model Years Carry the Ram 1500 Classic Name?

The Ram 1500 Classic name starts with the 2019 model year. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) lists the Classic for 2019 through 2024.

From 2019, the all-new Ram 1500 was sold beside it, so confirm which truck you are looking at by its badging and VIN.

Is It a Ram 1500 Classic or the Newer Ram 1500?

FCA put the Classic badging on the front fenders, and Natural Resources Canada rates eTorque engines only for the newer Ram 1500.

From the 2020 model year, it rates no Classic with a diesel, so a 2020-or-later Ram 1500 with the 3.0-litre EcoDiesel is the newer truck.

How Much Can a Ram 1500 Classic Tow?

FCA published the Classic's towing as an up-to figure tied to the HEMI V-8, so a Ram 1500 Classic's rating depends on its build, and its labels and hitch stamp carry the load and tongue-weight ratings.

FCA's 2021 Ram 1500 Classic owner's manual recommends a weight-distributing hitch if the gross trailer weight is 5,000 lbs (2,267 kg) or more.

Are There Recalls on the Ram 1500 Classic?

Yes. Transport Canada names the Ram 1500 Classic in a brake-pedal recall for certain 2021 and 2022 trucks with non-adjustable pedals, and separate recalls cover certain 2019 Classics with the 3.0-litre EcoDiesel.

Ask our team to check the VIN and confirm any open campaigns before you buy.

Can You Plow Snow with a Ram 1500 Classic?

FCA's 2021 Ram 1500 Classic owner's manual says not to use the truck for snowplowing, and warns that a plow or other equipment added to the front end can affect how the airbags work.

Ask whether a Classic you are looking at has pushed a plow.

What Should You Check Under a Used Ram 1500 Classic?

On a used Ram 1500 Classic, start at the rockers and door bottoms: FCA's 2021 Ram 1500 Classic owner's manual says to keep their drain holes clear.

Then check the frame, brake lines, box and hitch, where Ontario's safety-inspection standard treats surface rust as normal but not rust that weakens the frame.

So Should You Buy a Used Ram 1500 Classic?

A used Ram 1500 Classic is worth pursuing when you know it is a Classic and which engine and drivetrain it has, its ratings suit your trailer and load, the underbody passes your mechanic's look, the open campaigns are confirmed and the paperwork checks out.

If any one of those is missing, keep looking.

Browse used Ram 1500 Classic trucks and tell Carleton Place Ford how you plan to use yours.

Visit us at 10441 Hwy 7, Carleton Place, ON K7C 0T6

Browse inventory, value your trade, apply for financing (on approved credit), book service, or contact the team.

Sales: (888)-910-3538 Parts: (888)-876-1102 Service: (877)-866-8810 Local: 613-257-3988

About the Author:

Kerry Irven is the Vice President of New and Used Automotive Operations for Heighton Automotive Group, a family-owned and operated automotive group serving communities across Eastern Ontario. Kerry began his automotive career in new-car sales, building his experience on the showroom floor and working his way through multi-store dealership operations.

With over 25 years in the automotive industry, Kerry has helped grow automotive businesses from one location with 40 to 50 vehicles in stock to more than 500 vehicles across 10 rooftops. His hands-on background in both new and used-vehicle operations gives him a practical understanding of what customers look for when shopping for their next vehicle.

Throughout his career, Kerry has always been actively involved in staff coaching and in understanding customer wants and needs, helping ensure the businesses he works with continue to adapt to what customers are truly looking for.

One of the most exciting chapters of his career has been the shift into modern automotive marketing, embracing new technology, transparent pricing, customer-first inventory strategies, and new ways to create a better vehicle-shopping experience.

Kerry has completed extensive automotive training, including certification through the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council, involvement with the Used Car Dealers Association of Ontario, Canadian automotive dealer training, and multiple customer service courses.

Born and raised on a farm, Kerry has always valued family, hard work, and a practical, down-to-earth approach. Joining Heighton Automotive Group and working alongside Thomas Heighton and family, along with managing partners Kyle Lothian and Martin Gougeon, has allowed him to bring those same values into the car business. It has also allowed Kerry to continue following a simple philosophy: treat every customer exactly the way he would want to be treated.

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