The Newest Off-Roader from Ram Is a Heavy-Duty Rebel

The 2023 Ram 2500 Rebel applies a popular all-terrain formula from the standard-duty 1500 pickup, scaled up for the dimensions of the HD pickup.

Available exclusively on the Ram 2500, the Rebel trim adds an electronically locking rear differential with limited-slip functionality, skid plates, all-terrain tires and unique exterior design elements.

Ram doesn't have enough off-road vehicles in its pickup lineup, so it has added another off-road model in the form of a heavy-duty version of the popular Rebel. Set to go on sale by the end of the year, the 2023 Ram 2500 Rebel will sit alongside the 2500 Power Wagon, with which it shares similar dimensions on the road.

But, of course, asphalt is just one place where we can expect to see the Ram 2500 Rebel. This massive piece of steel comes with plenty of off-road equipment straight from the factory, including a limited-slip rear differential with an electronic locker, 20-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch off-road tires and a set of skid plates. The latter are designed to protect the truck's fuel tank and transfer case, as well as your pride, so you don't embarrass yourself in front of the other four-wheel-drive enthusiasts on the trail. If you find yourself in a difficult spot, an available 12,000-lb (5,443 kg) winch can be mounted to the truck's front bumper.

The standard engine is a 6.4-liter V-8 producing 410 hp, but unlike the Power Wagon, the 2500 Rebel can also be ordered with a 6.7-liter inline-six turbodiesel. The diesel produces only 370 hp, but its 850 Nm of torque is significantly higher than the gasoline V-8's 429 Nm. Heavy-duty pickups are best suited for towing, and the Rebel 2500 can certainly tow plenty of weight. 

The interior can be equipped with either a front bench seat or individual front seats, but the three-seat configuration means giving up the more elegant leather upholstery, which is available only with the bench seat. An optional 12-inch digital instrument display can be reconfigured to show a dizzying number of menus, all designed to give the driver a personalized view of the information most relevant to the task at hand, whether towing, hauling logs, tackling trails or rock crawling.