The 2015 Ram Rebel came as a bit of a surprise to a few journalists at the 2015 NAIAS, more surprising was the kneejerk reaction it received for the way it looked and for what it is (perceived) to fight – the current Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. Ram reps are quick to point out that this is not as purpose-built as the Raptor. In fact, unlike Ford, who spent serious time and money on making the Raptor sensational, the 2015 Ram Rebel is more of a new trim edition of the Ram 1500.
That’s not to say it’s not built for off-road capability, it’s just not built for a full-on battle with the Raptor. Ah, but the Ford F-150 FX4, Toyota Tundra TRD Pro and, to a lesser extent, the Chevrolet Silverado Z71, are set dead in the sites of the 2015 Ram Rebel.
The list of features for the 2015 Ram Rebel is impressive, as is the attempt by Ram to build something that a huge majority of truck owners will dig – looks with (some of) the might to back it up.
Here are some of the big numbers for the 2015 Ram Rebel:
Engines are unchanged with the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 with 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. With the V8, you can opt for four-wheel drive (4WD) or, oddly, rear-wheel drive. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine has 305 hp and makes 269 lb-ft of torque. Once again, the V6 only comes in 4WD.
Tires: 33-inch (LT285/70R17E) Toyo Open Country A/T all-terrain tires – hell yes. Toyo has built some brilliant tires and more than one automaker has taken notice of their off-road prowess. They surround, all-new, mucho-macho, 17-inch one-piece aluminum wheels.
The front suspension has upper and lower A-arms and a stabilizer bar along with a new geometry to house the beefed-up air-suspended front end. The front axle (on the 2016 Ram Rebel 4WD) is the ZF 215mm. The rear suspension consists of five-links with a track bar and stabilizer bar. The rear axle is a Chrysler 235mm on all models.
Axle, 3.92 or 3.21 which is optional with the V8 – Low range, 2.64:1
Measurements (with optional skid-plates*)
Ground clearance, front axle: 9.3 -0 inches
Ground clearance, rear axle: 8.8 – inches
Approach angle: 18.7°
Departure angle: 18.9°
Break-over angle with skid plates: 13.0°
Lift-in: 32.9 – inches
* According to FCA, the measurements are different without the skid-plates.
V8 Rebel pickup trucks are available with 3.92 or 3.21 gear ratios.
The Pentastar V6 is only available as a 4×4, with the 3.92 gear ratio.
The 4WD 2015 Ram Rebel has the Ram 1500 Borg-Warner electric transfer cases with locking 2.64:1 low gears and neutral positions. The Pentastar V6 (which ONLY comes with 4WD) has a 44/45 part-time setup and the V8 has a 44/44 “on-demand” setup.
There is only one bed available and it’s five-feet, seven-inces.
Electrical: 180 amp alternator
Front brakes: 13.2 x 1.1 vented discs, two-piston pin-slider caliper
Rear brakes: 13.8 x 0.87 disk with single-piston pin-slider caliper
We have no idea what to expect from the most obvious question, what will it be like to tackle off road obstacles with an air-bag suspension? There are two ways to look at it: one, rebound of airbags is not as quick as metal springs. On the other hand, some hard-core rock-jockeys like fiddling around with airbags.
TFLtruck is chomping at the bit to try the 2015 Ram Rebel, and so are you.
worldwide.
