Last and Latest "Built-to-Serve" Ram 1500 pickup truck honors the Coast Guards

Pick-up trucks are very popular in the United States and the trucks from RAM have a great impact on the market. Just like most of the pickup trucks available in the US market, the Ram pickup trucks are also available in three different variants differentiated by their total hauling and towing capacities. Its history might be a little bit confusing to some. Starting out its life in October 1980 for the 1981 model year as Dodge Trucks, Ram was actually a part of Dodge’s line of light trucks. After going through several changes and evolutions over the past couple of decades, the trucks are currently in their 5th generation of production since the 2019 model year, and the 2021 Ram 1500 is also a part of it.

Starting off with 1500, it is light-duty pickup truck good for most of your regular hauling and towing. Although 1500 is well suited for most people, you have the option for an even powerful Ram 2500, and even the Ram 3500, both of which fall under the heavy-duty category for their capabilities.

Unfortunately, the “Built to Serve” editions are only available for the Ram 1500 model, and that too specifically for the Big Horn / Lone Star trim.

What is the Ram 1500 “Built to Serve” edition?

The “Built to Serve Edition” by Ram trucks are special editions of the Ram 1500 light-duty trucks that honor five United States Armed Forces service branches. Each truck in this limited quantity lineup is designed with patriotic details in homage to each branch of the American Armed Services. Each edition comes in two limited quantity exterior colors. Military-inspired interior features are the main highlights of the car, and the brand encourages owner customization as well.

One thing to be noted is that the “Built to Serve” special editions are only available for the Ram 1500 Big Horn / Lone Star model. Every truck in the Built to Serve lineup comes with American Armed Services-inspired interior and exterior details like custom contrast stitching, American flag decals, a locking center console, and more. But apart from that, it is basically a regular Ram 1500 Big Horn / Lone Star.

Recently Ram has released the fifth and final iteration of its limited-run Built to Serve trucks which honors the Coast Guard. This special edition “Built to Serve” variant is available with a choice of two paint options, Spitfire Orange, and Bright White. According to Ram themselves, “this 2021 Ram 1500 edition is inspired by those with a devotion to duty in maritime security”. The interior comes custom with contrasting orange seat fabric and orange interior stitching.

The previous editions of the “Built to Serve Edition” by Ram were made in honor of the:

• Army (offered in Gator Green and Diamond Black)

• Navy (offered in Ceramic Gray and Patriot Blue)

• Air Force (offered in Billet Silver and Anvil)

• Marine Corps (offered in Tank Green and Flame Red)

Some are bummed out by the fact that Ram hasn’t recognized their sixth military branch, the newly formed Space Force, but that is a story for another day.

More about the Coast Guard inspired Ram 1500 Built to Serve truck:

Like the other Built to Serve trucks in the lineup, the Coast Guard inspired truck gets unique badging including a United States flag and Built to Serve decal on each of the rear quarter panels, blacked-out trim, body-color fender flares, 20-inch wheels, and also includes the 1500's available 4x4 Off-Road package as standard, which is a nice addition. Inside, you get unique color-contrast stitching in each of the special edition variants. In the case of the latest Coast Guard-inspired variant, you get orange stitching and seat inserts.

They are meant to reflect the branch of the military it is designed to commemorate. On top of that, the Built to Serve badges are attached with Velcro. Ram includes additional Velcro panels for owners to display their own military patches within the truck.

The highlight features of these “Built to Serve” editions include:

• Black exterior details including black American flag decals, front and rear bumpers, and running boards to give it a distinctive and bold look.

• 20-inch technical gray painted cast-aluminum wheels and the Off-Road Group, which includes a raised ride height, heavy-duty shock absorbers, a locking rear differential, and more.

• The custom sport seats include contrast color stitching and dedicated areas on the side and front for your own VELCRO patches. The MOLLE strip panel on the seatback allows for extra functional customization.

• Premium available features like the Mopar all-weather slush mats and optional locking console safe.

The latest and the last Ram 1500 Built to Serve Edition honoring the Coast Guard will actually be one of the rarer ones in the lineup. While all the other variants will have 1000 units of each of the available color options, the Coast Guard edition on the other hand will be available in 500 units of each available color option, i.e. 500 units of Spitfire Orange, and 500 units of Bright White.

As mentioned earlier, all the Built to Serve variants of the Ram 1500, which include the Coast Guard edition comes standard with the 4x4 Off-Road Group, which makes the truck ready to have some serious action. Its highlight features include:

• All-terrain tires

• Electronic-locking rear axle

• Hill-descent control

• Front suspension skid plate

• Steering gear skid plate

• Fuel tank skid plate

• Transfer case skid plate

• Tow hooks

• Heavy-duty off-road-calibrated front and rear shock absorbers

Being available only for the Big Horn / Lone Star model, it is available on all body styles and all powertrains.

As part of the Built to Serve initiative, Ram is bringing further attention to its volunteer initiative called Ram Nation. Ram Nation has been organizing grassroots volunteer events since 2015 and, through the launch of the "Built to Serve Edition" trucks, is reinforcing its commitment to recognizing those who serve the nation and the communities. “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our armed forces and the brave men and women who serve them. These Built to Serve models are just one way we honor those who have selflessly served our country. Whether civilian or military, Ram truck owners are very familiar with this adage as it’s something we strive to build into every truck and the van we produce.” said Mike Koval Jr., Ram Brand Chief Executive Officer – Stellantis.