Steve Hemmes Test Drives The 2016 Ram 1500 Rebel (Video)

The truck market is booming again and manufacturers are feeding the big rig frenzy with an ever growing number of models catering to tastes ranging from tradesman to Taj Mahal. And here, Ram is fueling the off-road truck segment with a model that’s a little bit Laramie and a little bit Power Wagon. This is the Rebel.

There’s no better choice than a pickup if you’re into customizing your ride. Take the Ram 1500 for example – offered in 11 trims and 1 special edition, there’s a truck matches your needs and personality right out of the box. And here we are with the Rebel.

Introduced midway through 2015, it offers an off-road-style package backed by both unique design and mechanical elements. Smacking you right in the face is the all-new grille with prominent badging, a sport hood, a black, powder coated, off-road front bumper design, Power Wagon-inspired black wheel-arch moldings, optional skid plate underbody protection, front tow hooks, LED fog lamps and an all-new 17” wheel design wrapped in 33” Toyo all-terrain tires, engineered for excellent dirt, mud and snow performance while maintaining a quiet ride. Available exclusively as a crew cab with enormous rear seat room and a 5’7” box, the Rebel offers the choice of V6 or V8 power when equipped with 4-wheel drive and exclusively with the HEMI for those who decide 2-wheel drive is sufficient. Performance upgrades center on the adjustable air suspension with a standard 1” raised ride height, capable of clearing an impressive 10.3” in off-road mode. Other modes include entry-exit, particularly helpful without the optional running boards, aerodynamic, fitting for most driving and normal. Bilstein supplies their legendary shocks, there’s a revised steering calibration to match the increased ride height and a new stability program that takes into account the Rebel’s various modifications. And this Rebel is powered by the 5.7-liter V8, tuned for 395-horses and 410 pound-feet of torque. It’s matched to the rotary dial TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic and a part-time 4-wheel drive system with 2-wheel, 4-high and 4-low settings. Additionally, this truck has the optional anti-spin rear differential which automatically engages when increased torque is applied, helpful in off-road driving by turning both wheels in tandem. And finally, the Rebel treatment carries over inside to include these great looking, high-durability vinyl seats finished in red and black with fabric inserts. Look closely and you’ll see they’re embossed with the Toyo tire tread pattern…a theme you’ll also see on the big Uconnect screen. All-weather rubber floor mats, a new console bin with molded inserts for various electronic devices, and unique trim for added color detail summarize the Rebel look.