So I've been through quite a few vehicles over the past few years. A 2011 Tacoma, A 2011 Ram 1500 single cab work truck, 2 Hummer H3 alphas. Now after a long hiatus of no off road vehicles ( got out of the army didn't make the best life decisions) I'm back with a 2016 Ram Rebel. I purchased it in Wisconsin, due to the fact the truck and suv market here in Colorado is insane. Found the same in grey here with 3 thousand more miles for almost 10k more. Thank you autotrader, and that amazing 15 hour drive home. I was initially looking for a midsize truck or suv, but they all were out of my price range.
So the good
Better gas mileage, and power than most of my previous vehicles, was surprised especially with the Hemi, and it coming with 285 70R17s in E load Toyo AT2's.
More interior space compartments everywhere, and that fold-out deck thing when the seats go up is super nice
Also the crawl ratio, and center diff split is supposed to be better then normal rams but due to this is doesn't have 4wd auto (if that matters)
The bad
For an offroad oriented vehicle minus the other Ram I owned the first gen rebels do not come with a rear or front locker.
The rear exit dual exhaust looks beautiful, but totally kills a bit of the departure angle, lets just say scrapped those up a bit.
I might have to get the drivers seat re upholstered I think someone rather large sat on the edge constantly I feel like I slide left.
The ugly
The F*#$ing air ride. At first I loved it impress the girls with entry/exit mode as i lower the truck for them before I get the door, ride was pretty nice, and offroad mode gives you that extra inch or two of clearance. Well I've had it for about 8 months, we finally got our first super cold snow in Colorado Springs, as I'm driving 45 minutes to work. Service Air Ride, Service Trailer brake, Service ABS/ESC. Needless to say for the past week I've been riding on bump stops, with compressed air shocks. Being this is my only vehicle. If you have one make sure you get the extended warranty which I didn't, or delete that crap asap. I'm waiting for my monroe air ride delete. It's basically factory springs, and shocks, but that will have to do for the time being. After christmas funds are low.
Update1/4/23
After being torn on suspension ideas I ended up going with the Bilstien 6112's in the front, and 5100's in the rear with an Icon 1.5 spring in the rear. The ride is way better I went with the Monroe air ride kick(pretty much factory ram suspension) first. Once my funds got better I looked into lifts, and different level kits. I wanted ICON everything but after reading about the not-so-good customer service, and issues leaking right away I steered clear of their shocks. Then I read about the Bilstien 6112's a 2.5 inch shock, and if you get the full setup comes with the springs. I had 4wp put it at the highest setting I could get to make it roughly level with the 1.5 Icon rear spring. Honestly it rides better and smoother than the Monroes, or even the factory air ride. I read if you buy the 6112 with the spring (not reusing your own) that it was set up for the weight of your vehicle. No complaints highly recommend it. The rear 1.5 Icon lift spring is also smoother than my rear bag ever was. The downside I will probably have to change that if I ever start adding significant weight. the 5100's handle the ride without a problem. I wanted the 5160's but they were back ordered it took me 4 months to get my 6112's. I also went with go rhino side steps they aren't sliders, but they sit high to the body are pretty strong, and save me from door dings and random rocks messing up my paint anymore than before.
So current mods
285/75R17 Nitto Terragrappler g2's ( I heard you can put 315's on but I'm glad I didn't the 285s barely tuck with my air ride being blown 315 I would be sitting on the tire.)
Update as of 1/4/23 https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/2016-ram-rebel-slow-build.230025/post-3076099
Bilstien 6112s max setting fronts
Bilstien 5100s in the rear
Icon Rear 1.5 lift coil spring
Go Rhino RB20 Raptor style side steps
Future mods
I love the approach angle on the factory bumper so I would most likely do the vice designs hidden winch.
Possibly the decked truck storage system
Lighting as the factory lighting on the 1st gen rebels is abysmal.
Potentially see if there is a rear locker option.
Still on the fence of a rack or topper, and a rtt down the road. I use my truck as my daily and use the bed pretty frequently.
Some Variation of on board air
So the good
Better gas mileage, and power than most of my previous vehicles, was surprised especially with the Hemi, and it coming with 285 70R17s in E load Toyo AT2's.
More interior space compartments everywhere, and that fold-out deck thing when the seats go up is super nice
Also the crawl ratio, and center diff split is supposed to be better then normal rams but due to this is doesn't have 4wd auto (if that matters)
The bad
For an offroad oriented vehicle minus the other Ram I owned the first gen rebels do not come with a rear or front locker.
The rear exit dual exhaust looks beautiful, but totally kills a bit of the departure angle, lets just say scrapped those up a bit.
I might have to get the drivers seat re upholstered I think someone rather large sat on the edge constantly I feel like I slide left.
The ugly
The F*#$ing air ride. At first I loved it impress the girls with entry/exit mode as i lower the truck for them before I get the door, ride was pretty nice, and offroad mode gives you that extra inch or two of clearance. Well I've had it for about 8 months, we finally got our first super cold snow in Colorado Springs, as I'm driving 45 minutes to work. Service Air Ride, Service Trailer brake, Service ABS/ESC. Needless to say for the past week I've been riding on bump stops, with compressed air shocks. Being this is my only vehicle. If you have one make sure you get the extended warranty which I didn't, or delete that crap asap. I'm waiting for my monroe air ride delete. It's basically factory springs, and shocks, but that will have to do for the time being. After christmas funds are low.
Update1/4/23
After being torn on suspension ideas I ended up going with the Bilstien 6112's in the front, and 5100's in the rear with an Icon 1.5 spring in the rear. The ride is way better I went with the Monroe air ride kick(pretty much factory ram suspension) first. Once my funds got better I looked into lifts, and different level kits. I wanted ICON everything but after reading about the not-so-good customer service, and issues leaking right away I steered clear of their shocks. Then I read about the Bilstien 6112's a 2.5 inch shock, and if you get the full setup comes with the springs. I had 4wp put it at the highest setting I could get to make it roughly level with the 1.5 Icon rear spring. Honestly it rides better and smoother than the Monroes, or even the factory air ride. I read if you buy the 6112 with the spring (not reusing your own) that it was set up for the weight of your vehicle. No complaints highly recommend it. The rear 1.5 Icon lift spring is also smoother than my rear bag ever was. The downside I will probably have to change that if I ever start adding significant weight. the 5100's handle the ride without a problem. I wanted the 5160's but they were back ordered it took me 4 months to get my 6112's. I also went with go rhino side steps they aren't sliders, but they sit high to the body are pretty strong, and save me from door dings and random rocks messing up my paint anymore than before.
So current mods
285/75R17 Nitto Terragrappler g2's ( I heard you can put 315's on but I'm glad I didn't the 285s barely tuck with my air ride being blown 315 I would be sitting on the tire.)
Update as of 1/4/23 https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/2016-ram-rebel-slow-build.230025/post-3076099
Bilstien 6112s max setting fronts
Bilstien 5100s in the rear
Icon Rear 1.5 lift coil spring
Go Rhino RB20 Raptor style side steps
Future mods
I love the approach angle on the factory bumper so I would most likely do the vice designs hidden winch.
Possibly the decked truck storage system
Lighting as the factory lighting on the 1st gen rebels is abysmal.
Potentially see if there is a rear locker option.
Still on the fence of a rack or topper, and a rtt down the road. I use my truck as my daily and use the bed pretty frequently.
Some Variation of on board air
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