PIONEERTOWN, Calif.– A vocal part of Ram truck fanatics has long clamored for a particular mix: a Power Wagon with a Cummins turbodiesel. Well, they still aren’t getting one. The 2023 Ram 2500 Rebel is meant to be the next-best thing, as it does certainly use that long-coveted turbodiesel, while including and also subtracting in a few areas to produce something that’s more heavy-duty vehicle and also less rock crawler.
What the Rebel shares with the Power Wagon. The only body choice is a Crew Cab and 6-foot-4 bed, with a choice of 5- as well as six-passenger seating. Customers can select in between the very same BorgWarner part-time transfer case, with a selection of electronic or hand-operated shift operation no matter engine. It consists of 4Hi as well as 4Lo (crawl ratio of 2.64:1), with the last needing you shift right into Neutral. At the back, the Rebel acquires the very same digital locker as well as digital limited-slip differential. The 20-inch wheels are wrapped in 33-inch all-terrain rubber. The exact same skid plate package is shared, as is the same basic look aside from a somewhat different grille mesh as well as 20-inch wheel layout. Basically, in addition to the absence of POWER WAGON sticker on the bed side, it would certainly be very challenging to inform the two apart.
Standard on the Rebel is the Power Wagon’s only engine choice: the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 helpful for 410 horsepower and also 429 pound-feet of torque. A ZF-sourced eight-speed automated is standard.
Now, what the Rebel does not obtain. In advance, there’s no digital front storage locker, nor the disconnecting persuade bar and extra back suspension joint that enables the Power Wagon’s ridiculous suspension articulation. To that very same end, the Power Wagon has softer springs at the rear than various other 2500 Rams, however the tradeoff for all that rock-crawling articulation is a considerably lower tow rating of 10,590 pounds as well as payload of 1,630 pounds.
The Rebel gets stronger back springs, which zaps articulation, but permits greatly upgraded heavy-duty trucking. The tow rating jumps to 16,870 pounds with the 6.4-liter, while the payload rises to 3,140 extra pounds. Towing decreases by concerning 2,000 extra pounds with the Cummins since the engine weighs so much extra. What you gain, though, is almost two times the torque. The 6.7-liter inline-six sends out 370 hp as well as 850 lb-ft of torque via a six-speed automated. Sorry, you can’t obtain the 1,075-lb-ft High Output variation, but let’s not be choosers, beggars.
You additionally can not get the 12,000-pound Warn Zeon-12 winch when you opt for the Cummins, because there’s generally inadequate space up front for both winch and diesel to exist side-by-side. That’s a large factor the Power Wagon doesn’t supply the diesel. If you’re alright with the 6.4-liter, though, the winch can be included in the Rebel.
Out when driving, the Rebel feels every bit the durable associate a big-honking diesel motor. Acceleration can simultaneously feel inactive, and afterwards full-on angry stump puller. The six-speed automated is innocuous sufficient under normal conditions, but climbing up numerous thousand feet into the hills towards Big Bear Lake, Calif., demonstrated a hesitation to downshift. It’s worth asking yourself whether you ‘d prefer the 6.4-liter as well as its extra two gears while pulling despite the torque shortage.
The all-terrain tires add ambiguity to the guiding, yet the hydraulic system luckily still takes care of to provide simply enough reaction to prevent any kind of creepy moments while keeping the vehicle in a straight line. The Ram HD does not have a telescoping guiding column, though, so for those who rest a little bit rearward, locating a perfect placement might be difficult. Worse, your head may knock into the B pillar while off-roading, ask me just how I understand.
Although I really did not obtain a chance to drive the Power Wagon and also Rebel back-to-back, the hardware distinctions and also previous experience would lead me to believe that the Rebel will not ride as conveniently on- or off-road. The stronger springs as well as lack of the separating persuade bar being the main offenders. This is certainly a firm-riding truck, and also although it will not beat you up (OK, so if you’re driving over a rock-strewn route, it’s mosting likely to defeat you up), there is a price to pay for selecting a heavier-duty vehicle. This absolutely applies when contrasting the 2500 Rebel to its 1500 Rebel brother or sister: You’re going to be a great deal happier driving the 1500 daily even if you can’t tow a cottage.
That claimed, the 2500 Rebel still has back coil-over springtimes with the added alternative of air suspension versus the leaf springs discovered in Ford and also GM’s heavy-duty pick-ups. This not only leads to remarkable ride convenience, however improved handling as well as trailer control. Theoretically, the Rebel may not be as habitable as a Power Wagon, but must be much more enjoyable than a Ford F-250 Tremor or GMC Sierra 2500 AT4. Theoretically at the very least.
Off-road, the Rebel may be less capable than the Power Wagon, yet that’s practically the greatest bar you can attempt to clear in the off-roading vehicle world. A rock-strewn path with unpleasant ruts was dispensed without a doubt, confident that the truck’s ground clearance, expression and also large all-terrain tires would shrug all of it off. For a much higher difficulty, numerous comically steep hill climbs up with deep ruts were dispatched by just holding the accelerator stable as well as enabling the 4Lo, back locker and Goodyear Wranglers do their point. Hill-descent control is included, but my right leg and also the brake pedal job capably enough. If you’re seeking newfangled Selec-Terrain-style off-road modes, you won’t find them below. This is old-fashioned off-roading where the hardware and also the chauffeur take priority over the computers.
Currently, it’s not such as the tracks as well as off-road “playground” we took on in the Rebel are most likely anything unique. A Wrangler motorist would probably shrug and also say “immaterial.” It’s that they can be tackled in a heavy-duty truck that could tow three of those Wranglers to that path.
Must you attempt that, the Rebel uses the exact same array of trailering aids as other 2500s. Chief among these are various cams, consisting of a brand-new rearview camera mirror that not only presents the usual view from the tailgate, however includes the alternative for a split profile (the cams are included in the otherwise standard power-extending tow mirrors) that broadens your blind-spot protection. You can additionally connect in an accessory camera that installs to the back of a trailer, or even inside the trailer, need to you want to watch on equines or alpacas or bothersome youngsters you’ve relegated to the plaything hauler (do refrain from doing this).
There’s likewise a forward electronic camera, which may look like a gimmicky additional in this traditional off-roader, yet this is likewise a huge old-school off-roader with a hood that stands taller than lots of people. Seeing specifically what’s over that hillside crest is more challenging than most, and without a spotter, best of luck. With the cam, you constantly have that watchman. The forward view will certainly remain active approximately 12 miles per hour and will certainly return to it when you dip listed below 12 mph once again.
Rates begins at $68,940, including the hefty $1,895 location cost. That’s hardly less than the 2023 Power Wagon, which had its valued hiked up by $4,000 to $71,240 for ’23. It’s for that reason best to think of the Rebel as a different sort of off-roading Ram 2500 as opposed to a lower variation. Oh, and also it obtains a lot more expensive. There are multiple choices plans that replace towel with natural leather, empty panels with cams, and a vacant grille with a winch (amongst various luxuries). Specific options pricing wasn’t offered at the time of writing, however the expensive product, the Cummins, was a $9,595 option on the 2022 Ram 2500. So yeah, all that torque does not come cheap: A diesel Rebel will certainly be pressing $80,000 and also probably will approach 90 big when packed. That’s ultimately not that shocking in the sturdy truck world particularly when you consider you’re getting a pickup that can carry out severe towing, hauling and off-roading.
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