The Mopar brand will take the stand at the biggest of all aftermarket parts shows to reveal two new pickup truck concepts customized with a unique combination of Mopar production and prototype parts and accessories.
The Ram 1500 Rebel OTG (Off The Grid), an overlanding-themed vehicle concept, and the Mopar Lowliner Concept, a reimagined 1968 Dodge D200-series pickup, will be shown for the first time at the 2019 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show – the premier automotive specialty products trade exhibition in the world.
'“These vehicles showcase how Mopar is constantly expanding and exploring new ideas to meet the needs and fuel the imagination of our passionate fans,” said Mark Bosanac, Head of Mopar Service, Parts and Customer Care, FCA – North America. “Whether it’s overlanding in remote locations or reimagining an alternative classic design history, Mopar has its customers covered.”
Ram 1500 Rebel OTG (Off The Grid) Concept
As the overlanding movement continues to grow across the globe, the Mopar team, in conjunction with leading outdoor equipment suppliers, created a unique reality-based concept for the ultimate travel adventure: the Ram 1500 Rebel OTG concept.
“Unlike traditional ‘four-wheeling,’ in overlanding the journey is the final objective. The goal is to explore rather than conquer obstacles,” said Joe Dehner, Head of Ram Truck and Mopar Design. “This is why we developed this concept, to allow vehicle-supported, self-reliant adventure travel, typically exploring remote locations and interacting with other cultures. This is the vehicle that I’d like to have whenever I choose to go ‘off the grid.’”
The OTG concept uses as a canvas the new 2020 Ram 1500 equipped with the new 3.0L V-6 EcoDiesel engine, which offers enhanced low-end torque and extended driving range, coupled with a 33-gallon tank that makes it the ideal truck for long-distance travel. The vehicle draws upon the rugged capabilities of the production Ram 1500 Rebel, improving all-terrain capability via Mopar’s concept two-inch lift kit, beadlock wheels, and 35-inch Goodyear tires.
The OTG concept also includes Mopar concept accessories, such as a front bumper with integrated winch, a larger grille with flow-through R-A-M badging, and a functional snorkel air intake to improve off-road capability and performance. Front- and rear-wheel flares and step assist rock rails have been installed to protect the vehicle while traversing rough terrain.
A concept rear bumper, adapted from the Ram 1500 Tradesman, improves the departure angle of the truck by relocating the exhaust, according to the truck maker. Helped by Ram’s unique multifunction tailgate with 60/40 split swing-away doors, the bed of the truck has been accessorized to offer versatile utility for extended adventures.
A bed rack system fits atop the truck bed, carrying a collapsible rooftop tent, which can be accessed via a stowable ladder. Enhancing the overlanding experience, inside the truck bed there is a retractable battery-powered cooler and kitchen unit with a gas-powered stove and sink with an on-board water system. An added rack structure is mounted above the cab to provide additional storage space for tools and equipment. A solar panel set, which can be deployed at any moment to generate electricity, and a backup power supply eliminates the need for a gas-powered generator, freeing cargo capacity.
A concept hide-away bed step in the rear makes loading and unloading easier. The concept truck is also equipped with an on-board air compressor in the bed cargo area. For vehicle recovery and extraction, the OTG is equipped with an integrated front-bumper winch, traction mats attached to the rack system and a high-lift jack for uneven ground mounted on the top of the cab. To make the dark campsite brighter while night camping, LED off-road driving lamps are mounted on the front bumper.
Also, supplemental LED backup lamps have been incorporated into the rear bumper and task lighting has been attached to the rear rack system for nighttime campsite illumination. The overlanding purpose of the Ram 1500 Rebel OTG concept is reinforced by an outdoors theme that includes Mojave Sand exterior finish color, unique interior accents, and showcases its roots with a Mopar Rebel hood graphic.
Mopar Lowliner Concept
Customization of classic trucks continues to be a hot trend in the aftermarket world, so Mopar designers rescued a 1968 Dodge D200-series heavy-duty pickup truck to transform it into the Candied Delmonico Red and Dairy Cream Mopar Lowliner Concept for this year’s SEMA Show. Designers fully boxed the original C-channel frame of the rear-wheel-drive truck, substantially lowered the ride height and lengthened the wheelbase for a more dramatic stance.
They also made a custom, power-tilt front end to showcase the legendary 5.9L Cummins diesel engine, which is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission with a floor-mounted shifter. The front axle of the Lowliner is moved three inches forward on the frame, pushing the front wheels closer to the front corners of the truck to achieve better proportions. A custom air suspension is added to the front and rear axle with three modes: low, driving height, and driving height plus.
Custom designed wheels with a “smoothie” look mimic stamped steel wheels of the late ‘60s. In the front, the Lowliner wheels are 22 inches by 9.5 inches and ride on 285/35-22 tires. The rear wheels measure 22 inches by 11 inches with 325/35-22 tires for a more muscular appearance.
The brand also will display a total of 14 customized vehicles and hundreds of Mopar products in its 15,345-square-foot exhibit in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center at the SEMA Show, which runs Nov. 5-8 in Las Vegas.
