* 5.2L (318 cubic inch) V8: This was a very popular choice.
* 5.9L (360 cubic inch) V8: A larger, more powerful option.
There wasn't a standard "1500" designation in the way we think of it today. The "1500" designation came later as a model name signifying the truck's payload capacity. In 1983, Dodge used different naming conventions. To know the exact engine size of a specific 1983 Dodge Ram, you'd need to check the vehicle's documentation (like the owner's manual or the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate).
