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By now, you’re likely well aware of the explosive growth in the off-roading and overlanding realms of the automotive world. Carmakers certainly are; for proof, all you need to do is take one glance at the constant stream of specialized vehicles being rolled out by manufacturers from Chevrolet to Ford. (Even Lexus is getting in on the act.)
Now it’s time for Ram to have its go in the ring. The brand’s latest concept truck, whipped up with the help of Fiat Chrysler’s Mopar aftermarket parts division, adds overlanding prowess to the most off-road-ready variant of the truckmaker’s half-ton pickup lineup.
The Ram 1500 Rebel OTG (it stands for “Off The Grid”), set to debut at the SEMA show in early November, packs the truck’s new-for-2020 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine that’ll soon also be found under the hood of the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator; it’s paired with the optional 33-gallon fuel tank that gives the Ram a bladder-busting range of more than 1,000 miles on the highway, though that figure will likely come in much lower when scrambling across rough terrain.
Aiding in that terrain conquering is a two-inch Mopar lift kit, paired with 35-inch Goodyear off-road tires on beadlock wheels. A new prototype rear bumper based on the one found on the bare-bones Ram 1500 Tradesman improves the departure angle, while fender flares and rock rails that double as steps into the cabin deliver added protection. A snorkel enables the Ram OTG to plow through deep water, while a front bumper-mounted winch means it can yank itself free of any trouble too tough for the diesel’s 480-lb-ft of torque. LED lights on the front and rear bumpers provide extra illumination.
Of course, no overlander would be complete without plenty of well-integrated camping gear. To that end, the Ram 1500 Rebel OTG comes packing a collapsible roof tent mounted atop a bed rack, with a retractable aluminum ladder providing ingress and egress. The new 60/40-opening split tailgate provides easy access to the kitchen that extends from the bed, including a gas-powered stove, sink with integrated water system and a battery-powered cooler. And since that takes up most of the space in the bed, Mopar outfitted the truck’s roof with a gear rack to handle anything else you want to bring along.
Sadly, Ram’s press release doesn’t make it sound as though this truck will be hitting showrooms in this form anytime soon. But the good thing about a Mopar-based concept is that it should be fairly easy to recreate it yourself using aftermarket parts — not just on the Rebel, but on any new Ram. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’re going to spend the next few hours daydreaming about a Hellcat-powered Ram TRX overlander.
