Ram Goes Off the Grid With SEMA Rebel 1500 OTG Concept

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By Aaron Bragman

The 2019 Specialty Equipment Market Association Show is coming up next week in Las Vegas. It's the world's biggest collection of aftermarket parts suppliers and custom vehicle tuners under one roof, and Ram is using the opportunity to showcase some of its Mopar accessories for the latest Ram 1500 Rebel EcoDiesel. On display? The 2020 Ram 1500 Rebel OTG Concept: "OTG" refers to "off the grid," or the practice of outfitting a truck or SUV for off-road overlanding duty. Instead of taking a 4x4 vehicle to a daylong off-road park or trail ride, owners outfit their overland rigs with all manner of parts to make them self-sustainable adventure trucks capable of going days or even weeks between visits to civilization.

Related: 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel First Drive: Refined, Strong ... and Efficient?

Ram started with a 1500 Rebel, its off-road-oriented half-ton truck, and added the new-for-2020 EcoDiesel V-6 engine with the idea that the diesel's low-end torque and excellent fuel economy would be great for off-road work (it is, we tried it out at the EcoDiesel's launch earlier this year). With 260 horsepower and 480 pounds-feet of torque, it's got plenty of power, but with a highway fuel economy rating of 29 mpg, it could theoretically get a maximum range of more than 950 miles (not that you'd get anywhere near that with the modifications that have been made to this truck).

The truck's capability was improved by adding a 2-inch lift kit, bead-lock wheels and 35-inch Goodyear tires. An air snorkel was added for better off-road capability, while a new front bumper with an integrated winch was added up front. Out back, a concept bumper has been adapted from the Ram 1500 Tradesman trim, which should improve the 1500 Rebel's rear departure angle by relocating the exhaust outlet. Step-assist rock rails are fitted down the sides of the truck for added body protection, while front and rear wheel flares help keep rocks from flying from those oversized wheels and tires. Helping you see better in the backcountry are LED off-road driving lamps on the front bumper with LED backup lamps on the rear bumper. And if you get stuck, that front bumper winch will help pull you out, aided by traction mats and a high-lift jack on top of the cab.

Ram has added a bunch of stuff to the bed as well, to help survive the trek off-road. A full bed rack with over-the-cab extensions has been added, supporting a collapsible rooftop tent and campsite LED task lighting over the bed, and storage for tools and equipment over the cab. A retractable kitchen unit is fitted to a sliding bed tray, housing a battery-powered cooler, a gas-powered stove and a sink with an onboard water system. There's no generator, however, with the truck relying on an onboard backup power supply and a solar panel system to generate electricity. What it does have is an onboard air compressor for inflating tires on the go. A concept bed step helps you get into and out of the bed.

The Ram Rebel OTG concept is a fun mix of Mopar accessories and some conceptual stuff that Ram is trying out on this truck. The brand will be displaying the truck at the industry-only SEMA expo Nov. 5-8.

More From PickupTrucks.com:

• 2019 Ram 1500 Rebel Quad Cab: Quick Spin
• Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Returns for 2020 More Powerful Than Before
• Zipping Through the Ford Booth at 2018 SEMA: Video
• Could the Ram 1500 Rebel Concept Become a Special Edition?
• Hennessey Does It Again: 2019 VelociRaptor V-8 Video

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in 2019 SEMA Show, Aftermarket, Concepts, Full-Size, Half-Ton Pickups, Light-Duty, New Trucks, Off Roading, Ram 1500, Ram Brand