In a high-tech world, it’s refreshing to find a vehicle void of modern-day trimmings. Power windows and power mirrors are seldom on the optional list, but the Ram 2500 ST has hand-cranked windows and manually adjusted side mirrors as standard fare. And why that may seem odd, features that are hard to do without—including air conditioning and 12-volt DC auxiliary power outlets—are on Ram 2500 ST’s standard equipment list. The ST is the base version of five trim levels. (The top-of-the-line Laramie crew cab is shown in photos.) As base models go, this is a no-frills vehicle. But full-size pickup trucks are workhorses, and the all-new Ram 2500 heavy-duty is definitely meant for hauling and towing. When you climb into this pickup, you’ve proven your muscles are up to the task as the ingress/egress is not for the weak-muscled.

The Ram 2500 is available in three body styles—regular cab, crew cab and mega cab—(crew cab is new 2010), two cargo boxes—6-foot-4 or 8-foot—and single and dual rear wheel set-ups. Ram 2500’s rugged girth comes from a hydro-formed, fully boxed frame that employs a coil-spring front suspension and a multi-leaf spring rear suspension. For the 2010 model year, driving dynamics get a boost with fluid-filled mounts for the C-pillar. Standard engine is a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with variable valve timing. The HEMI produces 383 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 400 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. Engine mates to a standard five-speed automatic transmission. (For drivers who want a bit more control, there’s a +/- toggle switch on the steering column-mounted shifter.) MSRP of 4 x 4 Ram 2500 ST regular cab is $30,190.