2023 Ram 2500 Rebel Trades One Kind of Capability for Another

For over a decade, Ram’s Energy Wagon has served because the model’s burly off-road king. Boasting 26 inches of entrance wheel articulation, an electronically disconnecting entrance sway bar, and locking differentials at every axle, this three-quarter-ton bruiser is able to traversing some severely gnarly terrain. However in line with Ram, potential clients wished much more from a heavy-duty off-road pickup. Particularly, patrons clamored for a diesel choice and a towing capability larger than the Energy Wagon’s 10,520-pound restrict. However as a substitute of simply shoving the diesel into the present Energy Wagon and calling it a day, Ram as a substitute carved out an extra off-road area of interest. Enter the 2023 Ram 2500 Heavy Obligation Insurgent.

Ram used the Energy Wagon’s template as a place to begin in creating the Insurgent. Skid plates are readily available to guard the gasoline tank and switch case. The 33-inch Goodyear tires wrap eight-lug 20-inch wheels. However key variations between the 2 will decide which line you will take off-road. The Insurgent makes do with out the Energy Wagon’s disconnecting sway bar, sacrificing a measure of entrance wheel journey in trade for a extra inflexible setup. And whereas the Energy Wagon has locking differentials at every finish, solely the rear axle is lockable on the Insurgent.

That tradeoff sees an enormous achieve in what the Insurgent can transport. The Hemi-equipped Insurgent has a payload ranking of 3140 kilos and is able to towing a granite-crushing 16,870 kilos—giving it almost double the payload of the softer-sprung Energy Wagon and over three tons of further tow capability. The Insurgent additionally could be geared up with rear air springs to maintain these excessive masses on the extent. That is stout sufficient to carry alongside eight Polaris RZRs—seven driving on a trailer, and one other stuffed into the mattress. Or throw a RZR into the again of a toy hauler trailer and have all of the conveniences of dwelling. Admittedly, the camper won’t fare effectively on the paths—we would advise leaving the nice china at dwelling.

Brute power is barely a part of the equation, nonetheless. The Tow Tech Group ($1995) provides trailer reverse steerage, a cargo-view digicam, and a surround-view digicam setup. Telescoping facet mirrors electrically prolong out a number of inches for a greater view of what is behind you. One of many extra attention-grabbing choices is an auxiliary digicam that plugs right into a port on the rear bumper. The digicam is hooked up to a 55-foot-long wire, so you possibly can lastly clear up the thriller of what your horses are as much as through the journey. All the digicam feeds could be considered on the digital rearview mirror, the place as much as three photographs could be displayed concurrently. An optionally available 12-inch digital instrument cluster offers a tile view that may show 5 key stats at a look. Tile layouts could be saved to driver profiles, making it simple to change between issues like towing, off-road particulars, and powertrain temps. Ram claims that over 200 tile configurations are doable.

Beneath the hood, the acquainted 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 is commonplace, producing 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque. It is related to an eight-speed transmission that transfers energy to both the rear or all 4 wheels by a two-speed switch case. The Insurgent can be Ram’s first heavy-duty off-road truck to characteristic an optionally available diesel engine. Prodigious torque is to be anticipated, and the 370-hp 6.7-liter turbodiesel inline-six would not disappoint, twisting out 850 pound-feet at solely 1700 rpm, routed by a six-speed computerized.

We spent nearly all of our time within the diesel, which is a welcome if considerably contradictory choice. For the reason that engine is heavier than the Hemi V-8, the diesel-powered Insurgent cannot tow as a lot as its gas-powered sibling. Moreover, the Insurgent’s optionally available 12,000-pound Warn winch ($2500) is not out there on diesel fashions, as it could forestall air from flowing to the engine’s auxiliary cooling tools. Our recommendation: Do not get caught.

However until you are intent on loading your Insurgent to the hilt, the diesel is effectively matched to the Insurgent’s character throughout each terrain. Nail the throttle on the freeway, and it ambles to its 3200-rpm redline with all of the urgency of an early-morning mall walker. Noise-canceling software program retains clatter within the cabin to a minimal, though at a gentle 70 mph there’s nonetheless the outstanding hum of the chunky Goodyears singing alongside the tarmac. It is apparent the tires can be quite a bit happier off-road.

Our vacation spot is simply outdoors the city of Huge Bear Lake, situated two hours east of Los Angeles within the San Bernardino Nationwide Forest. Quite a few off-road trails spiderweb out in all instructions, that includes quite a lot of terrains and excessive elevation adjustments. As we crest 8000 ft, we peel off the freeway and into the forest.

With regards to tackling the powerful stuff, the Insurgent adopts a refreshingly old-school strategy. There isn’t any bewildering array of drive modes, only a alternative of high- or low-range four-wheel drive and locking the rear differential. Even so, activating the differential was a hit-or-miss affair, typically requiring as much as 30 seconds of endurance earlier than it could interact, different occasions merely refusing to grant our request.

As soon as all methods had been lastly on-line, the Insurgent was virtually unstoppable. We additionally observed a definite behavioral distinction between the 2 powertrains when utilizing the two.64:1 low vary. The diesel’s ample low-end torque and comparatively tall 3.23 first gear supplied a extra elastic and constant ascent, whereas the Hemi’s shorter 4.71 gearing required rather more throttle finesse. Guide shifting would have helped right here, however it’s not supplied on the Insurgent.

Gearshift placement can be particular to every engine. The diesel encompasses a conventional column shifter, whereas the Hemi sports activities the PRNDL dial discovered elsewhere within the Ram lineup. Past that, the interiors are equivalent. Bench seating offers room for six and is obtainable in fabric or leather-based, with a higher-grade leather-based reserved for entrance buckets. Tender-touch supplies abound all through the cabin and pair properly with the textured black accents on the sprint and doorways.

When it arrives at sellers in December, the 2023 Ram 2500 Heavy Obligation Insurgent will begin at $68,940 with the Hemi engine, with the diesel fetching a $9595 premium. Traditionally, the Energy Wagon has accounted for roughly 3 to five p.c of Ram 2500 gross sales, so it is going to be attention-grabbing to see if the Insurgent will add to or cannibalize these numbers. On condition that the Insurgent presents almost as a lot off-road functionality, together with compelling efficiency upgrades, we would say all of it comes right down to how a lot stuff you wish to take with you off-road—and the way far you wish to go.