Mopar goes off the grid with Ram 1500 Rebel OTG and throwback Lowliner concept vehicles.

Ram 1500 Rebel OTG (Off The Grid) Concept

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. 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.’” ~ Joe Dehner, Head of Ram Truck and Mopar Design.

The OTG concept uses the new 2020 Ram 1500 equipped with the new 3.0-liter V-6 EcoDiesel engine, which offers low-end torque and extended driving range, coupled with a 33-gallon tank that makes it the ideal truck for long-distance travel.

The concept improves the all-terrain capability of the production Ram 1500 Rebel, with 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.

The OTG Ram’s includes a 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.

Mopar Lowliner Concept

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 5.9-liter Cummins diesel engine, which is mated to a six-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.

To package the air suspension components and relocated fuel cell, the floor of the truck bed is raised six inches by welding in a replacement floor from a current Ram 1500 pickup. The wheel wells in the concept truck were widened five inches per side to house the rear tires.

Designers streamlined the exterior to reinforce a smooth body appearance, simplifying graphics and eliminating elements, such as door handles, badging, fuel-filler cap and radio antenna.

The original headlamps have been replaced by seven-inch LED headlamps. The back of the Lowliner features custom taillights with integrated backup lights, reinforcing the modern take on a classic truck. The Mopar Omega M logo has been ghosted onto the front fenders and a vintage Dodge graphic is ghosted onto the truck’s tailgate.

Inside the Lowliner, the original bench seat is covered in an orange-amber Blazing Saddle Tan leather with a distressed look. The headliner is also leather with a Mopar Omega M logo stitched into it. Custom-tailored tan carpet adorns the floor. The original 1968 steering wheel has been retained with the original Dodge fratzog emblem on the horn ring cap. Instrumentation is reworked with seven custom Mopar gauges mounted to a unique “engine turned” aluminum panel. The floor-mounted shifter is topped by translucent metal-flake shift ball with the Cummins logo, reinforcing the retro appearance of the truck.