PIONEERTOWN, Calif.– A vocal subset of Ram truck fanatics has long clamored for a certain mix: a Power Wagon with a Cummins turbodiesel. Well, they still aren’t obtaining one. But the 2023 Ram 2500 Rebel is implied to be the next-best thing, as it does indeed provide that long-coveted turbodiesel, while adding and subtracting in a few areas to create something that’s even more sturdy vehicle as well as much less rock spider.
Initially, what the Rebel shares with the Power Wagon. The only body choice is a Crew Cab and also 6-foot-4 bed, with a selection of five- and six-passenger seats. Customers can choose in between the very same BorgWarner part-time transfer situation, with an option of electronic or manual shift operation despite engine. It consists of 4Hi and also 4Lo (crawl ratio of 2.64:1), with the last needing you move right into Neutral. At the rear, the Rebel inherits the exact same electronic locker and also digital limited-slip differential. The 20-inch wheels are wrapped in 33-inch all-terrain rubber. The exact same skid plate bundle is shared, as coincides basic appearance aside from a somewhat various grille mesh as well as 20-inch wheel layout. Primarily, aside from the absence of POWER WAGON sticker label on the bed side, it would certainly be extremely difficult to inform the two apart.
Requirement on the Rebel is the Power Wagon’s only engine alternative: the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 helpful for 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque. A ZF-sourced eight-speed automated is standard.
Now, what the Rebel does not get. In advance, there’s no electronic front storage locker, neither the detaching guide bar as well as extra rear suspension joint that allows for the Power Wagon’s silly suspension expression. To that very same end, the Power Wagon has softer springs at the back than other 2500 Rams, however the tradeoff for all that rock-crawling expression is a substantially lower tow score of 10,590 extra pounds as well as haul of 1,630 extra pounds.
The Rebel gets stronger rear springtimes, which zaps expression, but permits greatly upgraded durable trucking. The tow score leaps to 16,870 extra pounds with the 6.4-liter, while the payload goes up to 3,140 extra pounds. Towing drops by regarding 2,000 extra pounds with the Cummins because the engine considers so much extra. What you gain, though, is nearly two times the torque. The 6.7-liter inline-six sends 370 hp and also 850 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed automated. Sorry, you can’t get the 1,075-lb-ft High Output version, however allowed’s not be choosers, beggars.
You likewise can’t obtain the 12,000-pound Warn Zeon-12 winch when you opt for the Cummins, because there’s primarily insufficient room up front for both winch and also diesel to exist side-by-side. That’s a big reason the Power Wagon does not offer the diesel. If you’re okay with the 6.4-liter, however, the winch can be added to the Rebel.
Out when traveling, the Rebel feels equally the durable truck with a big-honking diesel engine. Velocity can at once really feel sluggish, and afterwards full-on angry stump puller. The six-speed automatic is harmless sufficient under regular conditions, yet climbing up a number of thousand feet into the hills towards Big Bear Lake, Calif., demonstrated a reluctance to downshift. It’s worth asking yourself whether you would certainly prefer the 6.4-liter and also its extra two gears while lugging in spite of the torque deficiency.
The all-terrain tires include vagueness to the steering, but the hydraulic system fortunately still manages to offer just adequate reaction to avoid any kind of scary moments while keeping the vehicle in a straight line. The Ram HD doesn’t have a telescoping steering column, however, so for those who rest a bit rearward, finding a suitable position might be challenging. Worse, your head could bang into the B pillar while off-roading, ask me exactly how I recognize.
I really did not get a possibility to drive the Power Wagon and Rebel back-to-back, the hardware distinctions and also previous experience would certainly lead me to believe that the Rebel won’t ride as pleasantly on- or off-road. The firmer springs and absence of the disconnecting guide bar being the primary offenders. This is certainly a firm-riding vehicle, and although it will not defeat you up (OK, so if you’re driving over a rock-strewn trail, it’s going to defeat you up), there is a price to pay for selecting a heavier-duty vehicle. This certainly uses when comparing the 2500 Rebel to its 1500 Rebel sibling: You’re going to be a whole lot better driving the 1500 on a daily basis even if you can not tow a cottage.
That claimed, the 2500 Rebel still has back coil-over springs with the included alternative of air suspension versus the leaf springtimes discovered in Ford as well as GM’s durable pickups. This not only results in remarkable trip comfort, yet boosted handling and also trailer control. In theory, the Rebel might not be as livable as a Power Wagon, however must be more pleasurable than a Ford F-250 Tremor or GMC Sierra 2500 AT4. In theory at the very least.
Off-road, the Rebel might be much less capable than the Power Wagon, however that’s pretty much the highest bar you can attempt to clear in the off-roading vehicle world. A rock-strewn trail with nasty ruts was given without a second thought, certain that the truck’s ground clearance, articulation and gigantic all-terrain tires would shrug all of it off. For a much higher obstacle, numerous comically high hill climbs up with deep ruts were sent off by merely holding the accelerator consistent and permitting the 4Lo, rear locker as well as Goodyear Wranglers do their thing. Hill-descent control is consisted of, but my right leg and also the brake pedal work capably enough. If you’re seeking popular Selec-Terrain-style off-road settings, you won’t locate them here. This is antique off-roading where the equipment and the motorist take precedence over the computer systems.
Currently, it’s not such as the tracks and off-road “playground” we dealt with in the Rebel are most likely anything special. A Wrangler driver would most likely shrug as well as claim “immaterial.” It’s that they can be tackled in a durable vehicle that can tow three of those Wranglers to that trail.
Need to you attempt that, the Rebel supplies the same range of trailering help as other 2500s. Principal amongst these are numerous cams, including a new rearview camera mirror that not only displays the normal view from the tailgate, however adds the choice for a split profile (the electronic cameras are included in the otherwise typical power-extending tow mirrors) that expands your blind-spot protection. You can also connect in an accessory cam that installs to the rear of a trailer, or even inside the trailer, need to you wish to watch on steeds or alpacas or bothersome children you’ve delegated to the toy hauler (do refrain this).
There’s additionally an onward electronic camera, which might appear like a neoteric additional in this old-school off-roader, but this is additionally a substantial old-school off-roader with a hood that stands taller than many people. Seeing precisely what’s over that hill crest is tougher than the majority of, and without a spotter, best of luck. With the cam, you constantly have that spotter. The forward view will certainly stay energetic approximately 12 miles per hour and will go back to it when you dip listed below 12 miles per hour once more.
Pricing starts at $68,940, including the substantial $1,895 destination cost. That’s barely much less than the 2023 Power Wagon, which had its valued raised by $4,000 to $71,240 for ’23. It’s as a result best to think of the Rebel as a various kind of off-roading Ram 2500 as opposed to a lesser variation. Oh, and also it obtains a lot pricier. There are several choices plans that replace cloth with natural leather, empty panels with cams, and a vacant grille with a winch (among numerous deluxes). Specific alternatives pricing had not been offered at the time of composing, but the big-ticket thing, the Cummins, was a $9,595 alternative on the 2022 Ram 2500. So yeah, all that torque does not come economical: A diesel Rebel will be pushing $80,000 and also most likely will approach 90 huge when packed. That’s ultimately not that horrendous in the sturdy vehicle world especially when you consider you’re getting a pickup that can manage severe towing, transporting and also off-roading.
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