Ram Truck Insiders Talk Their Favorite Tech, First 4x4s, and More

Jobs involving cars. Is there anything better? We certainly never forget how lucky we are to get paid to write about and breathe automotive—24/7, 365. But imagine being someone whose job it is to build vehicles from the ground up, using the most futuristic automotive technology ever? Well, we had a chance to play Five Questions with a few such people working on the Ram Truck engineering, design, and advanced tech teams, who gave us the scoop on what innovations they like in vehicles, their first 4x4s, and what exactly they do for a living (attention: STEM fans!).

Job duties: Development and validation of future Ram products.

Coolest equipment/technology for getting things done: The assembly of the first development trucks of any all-new model as a combined unit, then confirming our calculations in real-world use for the first time.

First 4×4 (or car or truck): 1965 Case 1200 Traction King 4WD tractor.

Neat tech—yours or theirs: As much as I have enjoyed the implementation of different technology over the years, automated systems and future technology related to it are really impressive.

Currently watching, reading, or tackling as a project: There’s a 1971 Plymouth Road Runner in the barn that my family and I have been restoring, and it has received a bit more love as of late.

Job duties: I am responsible for the integration and product interface management of propulsion engineering hardware, software, and calibration into the vehicle.

Coolest equipment/technology for getting things done: Not sure if my brain qualifies as equipment, but I really like solving complex challenges and my position provides plenty of them. To squeeze the most out of any design, most solutions require a lot of creativity rather than just applying a previous lesson learned.

First 4×4 (or car or truck): My first car was a 1967 Ford Mustang, and I still own it as a continuously improving restomod.

Neat tech—yours or theirs: So many! I enjoy going to very old car events (pre-1932) and seeing early technology elements that the industry thinks as newer, 60-plus years later. Four-valve cylinders and overhead camshafts were available back in the day but came back as new because of material science, electronic controls, and feedback sensors. The recent improvements in batteries, microprocessors, and power electronics enable old ideas to offer performance and efficiency that only 10 years ago seemed impossible. Most people take what engineers do for granted, but in all honesty, I strive for that—a seamless solution.

Currently watching, reading, or tackling as a project: I watch the season shift outside while I work at my kitchen table. My entire day consists of engineers in reality TV from my computer screen using video conferencing to solve problems and front-load projects remotely. It is nice to have more moments with my family while staying connected.

Job duties: For the last 7 years I’ve helped lead the exterior designs on Ram trucks. My job currently entails leading a team of elite designers and sculptors (both clay and digital) in a quest to create a truck that will “break the internet,” as we like to say. Working closely with a small group of equally talented engineers, we get closer and closer to meeting that goal with each passing day. During these truck programs, from initial theme sketching to surface development to detail refinement and all the way to production, I’m constantly in awe of the talent that surrounds me here in the Ram Truck studio (even if it is only virtually right now!). So cool.

Coolest equipment/technology for getting things done: Coolest piece of technology that I interact with would probably be our VR cave, where we can virtually “walk around” and “through” our designs. It lets us nitpick every millimeter of the truck in full scale before a single real part has been produced.

First 4×4 (or car or truck): A 1997 Jeep XJ 4.0L Sport with the Up Country package and a manual transmission—and roll-up windows! Hard combo to find these days!

Neat tech—yours or theirs: Biggest technical impact on the auto industry besides the assembly line might have to be the development of the interstate highway system under Eisenhower.

Currently watching, reading, or tackling as a project: Not watching the news. Watching a lot of YouTube truck and Jeep channels. Also reading books about how to quarantine with a 2-year-old.

Job duties: Find all the cool technology FCA is developing and figure out a way to explain how it works at the most basic level.

Coolest equipment/technology for getting things done: There are a number of ways to put electrified powertrains into a vehicle. The challenge is matching the correct application to any one vehicle and making sure it still nails the owner’s expectations. I enjoy writing about electrified powertrain operation and seeing it hit all the marks as it rolls out into the market.

First 4×4 (or car or truck): Stomper 4×4 by Schaper Toys.

Neat tech—yours or theirs: I had the opportunity to spend a weekend with a fuel cell car. Running down the freeway at 70 mph with nothing coming out the tailpipe but water vapor.

Currently watching, reading, or tackling as a project: Not doing much with TV, but I did tear down a deck, and if I can still get lumber delivered, I’ll rebuild it.