No matter where I am in the world, I can always tell that it’s time for the State Fair of Texas when automakers begin rolling out their shiny new heavy-duty trucks. Earlier this week, it was the new Chevy Silverado HD. Joining the barnyard blitz today is the new 2023 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Rebel, slotting into the Ram’s HD lineup just below the Power Wagon grade with a selection factory installed off-road performance upgrades.
The 2500 Rebel will be offered in a crew cab configuration with the 6-foot, 4-inch box. The pickup features similar styling to the 2500 Power Wagon, but with Rebel-specific black badges, a unique Mopar sport performance hood and equipment similar to the light-duty 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 crawl-friendly rolling stock will find optional 18s joining the order sheet post-launch. The suspension department is manned by Ram’s five-link coil spring setup, but an optional rear air suspension is available, claiming ride and handling improvements. Traction is augmented with a standard electronic rear locker and a rear limited-slip differential. Meanwhile, the 2500 Rebel’s skid plate protects the transfer case from rocks and other obstructions on the trail.
Heavy Duty Rebels come standard with Ram’s 6.4-liter Hemi V8 paired with an 8-speed 8HP75 automatic transmission. This gasoline engine features cylinder deactivation tech to help boost highway economy and makes 410 horsepower and 429 pound feet of torque. Equipping the Hemi V8 also unlocks the Rebel’s optional 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 bit more grunt should look to the optional 6.7-liter Cummins Standard-Output Turbo Diesel. This large-displacement inline six-cylinder outputs 370 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque via a six-speed 68FRE automatic transmission. Whichever engine you choose, the Heavy Duty 2500 Rebel is rated for 16,870 pounds of towing capacity or a 3,140-pound payload.
Standard equipment includes 20-inch wheels, with 33-inch off-road tires.
Ram
Inside, drivers will find three different upholstery options — cloth, Bristol leather and full Natura Plus leather — with bench and bucket seat configurations. Rebel’s dashboard can be outfitted with an available 12-inch frameless digital gauge cluster and Ram’s 12-inch Uconnect touchscreen infotainment. The standard 360-degree surround camera system features a forward view that aids in off-road obstacle avoidance and a trailer view that displays both sides of a trailer when towing.
The optional digital rear view mirror also features a towing mode of its own. The rest of the available suite of driver aid options is rounded out by adaptive cruise, full-speed forward collision warning, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross path alert and automatic headlamps.
After debuting to Texans this week, the 2023 Ram Heavy Duty 2500 Rebel goes on sale nationwide later this year (fourth quarter of 2022) at a suggested starting price of $68,940 including the $1,895 destination charge.
