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No matter where I am in the world, I can always say it’s time for the State Fair of Texas when the automakers start rolling out their shiny new heavy-duty trucks. At the beginning of the week, it was the new Chevrolet Silverado HD. The new 2023 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Rebel, which fits into the Ram’s HD line just below the Category Power Wagon with a selection of factory-installed off-road performance upgrades.
The 2500 Rebel will be offered in a crew cab configuration with the 6-foot-4 box. The pickup features styling similar to the 2500 Power Wagon, but with Rebel-specific black badging, a unique Mopar sport performance hood, and equipment similar to the Lightweight Ram 1500 Rebel.
Its 20-inch wheels are standard equipment, as are the Rebel’s aggressive 33-inch off-road tires. Buyers looking for more user-friendly rolling stock will find optional 18s on the order sheet after launch. Suspension service is handled by Ram’s five-link coil spring setup, but an optional rear air suspension is available, claiming ride and handling upgrades. Traction is increased with a standard electronic rear locker and limited-slip rear differential. Meanwhile, the 2500 Rebel’s skid plate protects the transfer case from rocks and other obstacles on the trail.
Heavy Duty Rebels come standard with Ram’s 6.4-liter Hemi V8 mated to an 8HP75 8-speed automatic transmission. This gasoline engine features cylinder deactivation technology to help boost economy on the highway and produces 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. Equipping the Hemi V8 also unlocks the Rebel’s factory-installed 12,000-pound Warn winch, which features a unique fairlead and synthetic line that resists kinking and fraying.
Rebellious types looking for a little more grunt should look to the optional Cummins 6.7-liter standard-output turbo diesel. This big-displacement straight-six produces 370 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque through a 68FRE six-speed automatic transmission. Whichever engine you choose, the Heavy Duty 2500 Rebel is rated for a towing capacity of 16,870 pounds or a payload of 3,140 pounds.
Standard equipment includes 20-inch wheels, with 33-inch all-terrain tires.
RAM
Inside, drivers will find three different upholstery options – cloth, Bristol leather and full Natura Plus leather – along with bench and bucket seat configurations. Rebel’s dash can be outfitted with a 12-inch frameless digital gauge cluster and Ram’s 12-inch Uconnect touchscreen infotainment. The standard 360-degree surround camera system includes a forward view that helps avoid off-road obstacles and a trailer view that displays both sides of a trailer while towing.
The optional digital rear view mirror also has a tow mode of its own. Rounding out the rest of the suite of driver assistance options are adaptive cruise, full-speed forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear-crossing alert and automatic headlights.
After making its debut in Texans this week, the 2023 Ram Heavy Duty 2500 Rebel will go on sale nationwide later this year (Q4 2022) at a suggested starting price of $68,940 including shipping. destination of $1,895.
