In 2020 and 2021, Ram designed a limited run of Ram 1500 special editions dedicated to armed forces personnel, called the Built to Serve line. For 2022, the Ram 1500 now features an all-new Built to Serve edition based on the Big Horn trim level, paying tribute to those who have courageously fought wildfires, saved homes, and protected both people and animals in our communities every day. Special badging and features designed to honour firefighters are visible inside and out, and more editions to honour emergency medical personnel and police officers are planned to be released in the future. Canadians will also have access to a limited number of Built to Serve special editions for 2022 models. Anyone interested in purchasing a 2022 Ram 1500 Firefighter Edition can contact their local CDJR dealer for more information.
Based on a Popular Trim
The Big Horn may only be one step up from entry-level, but a lot of value is added to the features list for the second-tier trim that can make the Ram 1500 incredibly comfortable and capable. Options for the Big Horn allow for customizing virtually every aspect of the truck, which gives buyers a lot of flexibility in a lower price range. Useful features like fog lamps, a trailer hitch light, and in-floor storage bins are some of the standard features, and additions like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and premium interior materials for soft touchpoints are part of the visual and tactile appeal Ram has mastered in the last decade.
While all these included amenities are welcome, one of the more important upgrades for the Big Horn is the connectivity. In the case of first responders like firefighters, it’s necessary to be connected in order to respond when they’re on call. It is no different when you are driving your truck, and tech features for the 2022 Big Horn include a 21.3 cm touchscreen in the center stack, which has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity for mirroring smartphone apps on the touchscreen. When a notification comes in on your phone, the screen can display the image of the app in order for you to see the message, and then voice activation allows interaction with the phone hands-free so further information can be accessed without having to stop and pull over.
Upgrading the Uconnect 5 system to include navigation will make it easier to locate an address, even if you don’t have your smartphone connected. The central screen can be supplemented with an optional 17.8 cm driver display and a 9-speaker Alpine sound system for truly immersive entertainment. Outside of technology, Ram has some of the best storage options for the bed, allowing for the quickest and easiest access of any other manufacturer. Firefighters often need their gear on hand, and the available RamBox Cargo Management System provides integrated storage bins on both bedsides. These bins open from the exterior of the bed for quick access to whatever items you need to grab on the go.
RamBox storage is lockable, weatherproof, and lit, so anything stored inside will be dry, safe, and easy to find even in the dark. If you have to toss wet gear into the bins, you have a drain in the bottom. Moving to the bed itself, a handy bed extender can lengthen the bed an extra 38 cm by folding down the tailgate and locking the device in place. The same device can be placed inside the bed to hold smaller loads in place or divide the bed to keep loads separated. Cleats and tie-downs make it easy to secure any load for hauling, and bedliners and tonneau covers are also available to make the box protected and weatherproofed.
Firefighter Edition Exterior Features
For the Canadian market, Big Horn models equipped with the Firefighter Edition package are only available as a Crew Cab with a 1.7-meter bed. It does come as a 4×4 and is fitted with the powerful 5.7-litre HEMI V8 engine. Like all the Built to Serve editions, a specific colour scheme delineates each group, such as the Coast Guard edition in orange and white or the Army edition in green and black. For firefighters, Redline and Diamond Black are the colours for the exterior, with black Ram badging that extends to black running boards, wheel flares, bumpers, and exhaust tips. Though American models come with an American flag as part of the badging on the rear quarter panels, Canadian models will have this feature deleted from the design but will still feature the “Built to Serve” decal.
In line with the rest of the Built to Serve models, the 4×4 Off-Road Group Package is included. This package includes an electronic-locking rear differential, skid plates to protect the underbody, and tow hooks for extraction if needed. Larger 50.8 cm wheels are fitted with all-terrain tires, plus hill-descent control and off-road-tuned shocks for travelling in the backcountry or rough terrain. Along with all the included equipment, Ram also raised the ground clearance with this package to lift the underbody higher above brush or obstacles in the truck’s path.
Inside the Firefighter Edition
Opening the door on the glossy red pickup reveals a black interior trimmed with orange accent stitching and loaded with unique features. Premium cloth and vinyl sport seats have extra bolstering to keep you in place on uneven terrain, and all-weather rubber slush mats cover the floors for easy clean-up after venturing out to a scene. Badging identifies the Built to Serve edition on the glove compartment, and seats will come with a Velcro badge that allows for patches to be attached if desired. Velcro panels around the seat shoulder allow for extra space to attach more personalized items, particularly name tags or other badges.
Like the armed forces editions, the Firefighter Edition comes with the handy MOLLE strip panel attached to the seatbacks. Anyone familiar with MOLLE panels knows how readily clips, carabiners, and pouches of any shape or size can be attached to the cross-hatched strips. This storage system makes it easy to find and quickly grab small items that often get lost in large storage boxes, like penlights, knives, or door chocks. For securing small valuables like IDs, wallets, or phones, a lockable safe is available for the center console, perfect for keeping personal items safely out of sight.
Pricing, Warranty, and Availability
Ram announced that the Canadian Built to Serve Firefighter Edition will start at an MSRP of $66,870 CAD, and that the limited run of the Firefighter Edition will be available at dealerships starting in the spring of 2022. Like the rest of the 2022 Ram 1500 lineup, the limited warranty covers the powertrain for up to 100,000 kilometers and provides rust-through protection up to 160,000 kilometers. The Firefighter Edition is part of Ram’s way of saying thank you to all those who selflessly serve our communities. Mike Koval, Jr, the Ram Brand Chief Executive Officer of Stellantis, was quoted as saying, “After our initial ‘Built to Serve’ models, we felt it would be equally important to also extend our gratitude to all first responders who serve or have served our communities.”
