We test the Ram Runner

[TreeTopFlyer]

That bolt head is what worries me. But hey the straps at least look cool.

 

[RU55ELL]

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/0...rerunner-we-drive-the-ram-runner-in-moab.html

 

[RR1]

To each his own as far as a diesel. To me, and where I live, it's a no-brainer. Gas stations are few and far between - exactly a week ago I took a photo of my rig beneath a sign warning the next fuel was 111 miles. In every rig I own I keep a log book in which everything is written down, oil changes, wiper blade changes, fuel fillups, etc. So the following mileage figures are averages calculated over 5,000 miles. Up until two years ago I had a Ford with the 460/5 speed manual. It got 12 mpg. I now have a 2007 E-350 with the V-10 and 5 speed automatic. It averages 12.1 mpg. My pickup (Cummins/Ram) averages 18.8 mpg. So, considering I will use 30 gallons before needing to fill up:

12.1 mpg X 30 gallons = 363 miles
18.8 mpg X 30 gallons = 564 miles

That to me, my friend, is a significant figure. Two hundred miles further on a tank of fuel means I plan trips differently depending on whether I'm in the diesel or the gas rig. Out here, any remote ranch will have diesel if you get in a bind. None will carry gasoline.

To carry that further, let's look at the price difference to drive 1,000 miles at current prices in my area:

@ 12.1 mpg = 82.6 gallons @ $3.08/gallon = $255
@ 18.8 mpg = 53.2 gallons @ $3.18/gallon = $169

So I'm saving nearly a hundred dollars in fuel costs every time I put on 1000 miles. And that's at today's prices. Until recently, and for the last 5 months, diesel was running up to 20 cents a gallon cheaper than gas here.

But I don't want to hijack this thread. If something like the above pickup is your thing, go for it! It's just not practical for me. All I was trying to say was that if Chrysler was looking to increase sales (and they'd better be, looking at the latest financial figures compared to the other auto makers), they need to offer more of what people are asking for. And more engine choices is one of those things.

It is the other way around where I go, diesel is hard to find in Baja most everyone will have gas, I have the capability of nearly a 900 +/- mile range in my Ford, two 19 gallon tanks and one 38 gallon, it averages 12 miles to the gallon.

I think you are forgetting to include the $6-7000 up-charge for the diesel engine in the first place. There really isn't any cost savings at all. Maybe after 20 years of vehicle ownership...

Meh, I can do without diesel...they're more expensive from the get go, more expensive maintenance, noisy, smelly, blah, blah, blah....plus reminds me of my heavy equipment operator days. I'll stick to petrol engines, nothing like the sound of a throaty V-8.:ylsmoke:

To each their own.


Now back to our regular schedule program.:elkgrin:


Not much of a Dodge fan, I am diggin' the Ram Runner, just needs that 6.1 motor thrown in there.:smiley_drive:

 

[RR1]

Even a slightly more aggressive/larger front bar would have helped balance the gnarly hood and wide fenders.

Thoughts?

Most, if not all Prerunners run a small diameter tube bumpers. You are too used to those bulbous ARB's.:snorkel:

I do like how SDHQ builds theirs, with an ample full width skidplate.

 

[RR1]

The big limitation of the Raptor and the Ram Runner for ExPo use is the cargo capacity, which is around 1000 lbs. Could work for a crew of marathon runners who pack Powerbars for meals. It's too little for XL-size adventurers who want to take recovery gear and spare tires as well as camping equipment.

But like Scott says, who cares? It's a cool truck. I hope Dodge decides to sell the Ram Runner.

That can easily fixed with a pair of 9-10 leaf Deavers in the Ford and a heavier rate coil for the Dodge. Just figure out what your final loaded weight is and have springs made. My truck is "lighty sprung". I carry two full size spares, a receiver winch, recovering gear, tools, a couple coolers, an aluminum floor jack, extra rear driveshaft, up to 76 gallons of fuel, and what not & so forth...it does fine.

 

[olympiccop2002]

Wonder how a Flippac/FWC/ATC would hold up over the jumps? :sombrero:

 

[haven]

At SEMA 2010, Chrysler announced that the parts to build a Ram Runner would be available through the Mopar Performance catalog. The parts should be available in the early months of 2011.

Prices aren't set, but the front and rear fender kit should cost about $4000, and the suspension kit $10-12,000. That doesn't include wheels and tires, roll cage, racing seats, and lots more stuff you'd need to construct your own Ram Runner.

Chrysler says the parts will not be street legal. So the target for the Ram Runner is not the Ford Raptor, but instead Ford's racing version of the Raptor, called the SVT Raptor XT. The Raptor XT costs about $100K.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/1...ailability-for-ram-runner-off-road-kit-1.html

 

[angusdevil]

They originally announced that they were supposed to be available in November. Pricing seems a bit outragous if you ask me. Glass should be more in the 1000-1200 range unpainted and to get all that painted would only be another 500-1000. I know dealership mark up is always high but DAMN. Anyone who knows anything about offroading isn't going to pay those prices unless they are lazy or are looking to get a warranty but that still leaves me to wonder how well they are going to warranty the stuff as it's going to be meant to be beat off road hard (especially with the shock valving cause that just needs to be dumped and ramped up).

 

[thebrassnuckles]

wonder how a flippac/fwc/atc would hold up over the jumps? :sombrero:

+1

 

[haven]

At the Chicago Auto Show, the president of Mopar said that the Ram Runner kit will be street legal after all. The kit goes into production in March.

Dodge will consider building the Ram Runner as a complete package if demand for the kit is strong enough.

 

[haven]

PickupTrucks.com has a post that lists the Ram Runner parts and their prices.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2011/05/mopar-ram-runner-kit-visual-guide.html

Looks like $20K for all the parts, not including the 4x4 pickup...plus installation.
That will end up costing considerably more than the Raptor, whose MSRP is $42K.

 

[Frankspinz]

I like it and I like the Raptor... I think they are a viable option for traveling. They are sturdy rides with lots of power. Add a comfortable interior and traveling 800kms of gravel/sand washboard road would be tolerable ... maybe even fun !

 

[roostercruiser]

Pretty kewl. The pic look like it has a cage inside it.

 

[Greggk]

LOVE IT!!!! I will take one in Midnight Blue Pearl with a CTD lol

 

[my1stcummins]

When I first laid eyes on this, I started test driving 1500's with a baja build in mind. I was actually thinking of trading in my cummins. Still tempting, but the mileage would drive me crazy.:Wow1: