Mechanics will love the 2013 Ram 1500, newly blessed with Chrysler's corporate 3.6-liter V-6. Not because of any inherent reliability issue, but because it has more room under the hood than any vehicle I've ever seen. The V-6 Ram has so much spare real estate that I was able to climb into the motor bay and stand on the ground, my feet ahead of the front axles.
Designed to handle Chrysler's 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, the new 3.6 V-6 was designed to power many of Chrysler's cars and SUVs -- making it a smaller package than the old 3.7-liter V-6 that was once the Ram's cheapest option.
Which brings me to another interesting observation: with the front of the V-6 tucked behind the centerline of the front driveshafts (this particular truck is a 4x4), it would seem that the Ram might be our first mid-engined pickup truck. Discuss.
