Anyone Driven A Dodge Ram Off Road?
Discussion
mikeh501 said:
they look great off road lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHCgFTmuQbE
What did that guy really think was going to happen?!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHCgFTmuQbE
plasticpig said:
Came across this in the classifieds:
£3K for an 8 litre V10 sounds like good fun. Apart from the fact it probably wouldn't fit down a green lane are they actually any good off road?
Wow 265,000 miles on a V10. I love these trucks but even I have to admit they have dreadful mpg. When I looked about it seems the guys in the US are talking 9-12mpg. Even allowing for imperial conversion that's still way worse than a classic RR V8. Even on LPG I'd be amazed if it worked out to 18-20mpg pence per mile costs.£3K for an 8 litre V10 sounds like good fun. Apart from the fact it probably wouldn't fit down a green lane are they actually any good off road?
Re: off road. This is difficult question to answer.
You could buy a Ram in either 4x2 or 4x4 guises. I don't think the add says. Evidently a 4x2 isn't an off roader at all.
Other downers are it's a twin cab and looks like a long bed model. This means it's the longest Ram you could get. A short bed single cab will have much improved approach, departure and ramp over angles vs this truck. Which can be important off road.
Also when new you could spec an off road kit for the Ram, this came with under body guards and I think different gearing. It's not essential, but all adds to it's ability.
In terms of flex and articulation. Well they shouldn't be too bad, no Land Rover Defender in stock guise, but no worse than a Jap pick up truck. Leaf springs on the back aren't really a major issue, although they might be a bit too heavy duty if it's specced for towing and hauling.
But as with all American vehicles, they are designed to be modded. The Ram is easy to lift and easy to fit bigger tyres too. Do this and increase the flex and they can be capable off road for their size class.
The other thing to consider is where you want to off road the type of terrain. In larger areas, such as a quarry and in deep mud a "big" truck on big wheels can perform very well. The longer wheelbase can make them more stable and again the longer wheelbase means they may be more suited at certain off road obstacles. The downside is they are far less nimble in small places. Just in the same way a Defender 90 is more nimble than a Defender 130 is.
If you are laning in the UK, then some lanes will be perfectly fine with a Ram. Although you'll need to watch for any with narrow gates. The extra girth of the Ram might pose a problem in some locations.
That said, pics like this prove the platform can be capable:
300bhp/ton said:
Wow 265,000 miles on a V10. I love these trucks but even I have to admit they have dreadful mpg. When I looked about it seems the guys in the US are talking 9-12mpg. Even allowing for imperial conversion that's still way worse than a classic RR V8. Even on LPG I'd be amazed if it worked out to 18-20mpg pence per mile costs.
Re: off road. This is difficult question to answer.
You could buy a Ram in either 4x2 or 4x4 guises. I don't think the add says. Evidently a 4x2 isn't an off roader at all.
Other downers are it's a twin cab and looks like a long bed model. This means it's the longest Ram you could get. A short bed single cab will have much improved approach, departure and ramp over angles vs this truck. Which can be important off road.
Also when new you could spec an off road kit for the Ram, this came with under body guards and I think different gearing. It's not essential, but all adds to it's ability.
In terms of flex and articulation. Well they shouldn't be too bad, no Land Rover Defender in stock guise, but no worse than a Jap pick up truck. Leaf springs on the back aren't really a major issue, although they might be a bit too heavy duty if it's specced for towing and hauling.
But as with all American vehicles, they are designed to be modded. The Ram is easy to lift and easy to fit bigger tyres too. Do this and increase the flex and they can be capable off road for their size class.
The other thing to consider is where you want to off road the type of terrain. In larger areas, such as a quarry and in deep mud a "big" truck on big wheels can perform very well. The longer wheelbase can make them more stable and again the longer wheelbase means they may be more suited at certain off road obstacles. The downside is they are far less nimble in small places. Just in the same way a Defender 90 is more nimble than a Defender 130 is.
If you are laning in the UK, then some lanes will be perfectly fine with a Ram. Although you'll need to watch for any with narrow gates. The extra girth of the Ram might pose a problem in some locations.
That said, pics like this prove the platform can be capable:
Some nice axle articulation in those pics. Will stick to looking for a Classic RR I think. Although there are few nice V8 Grand Cherokee's about for decent money. I had real problems getting parts for my previous Jeep though which puts me off. Classic RR bits are plentiful and relatively cheap.Re: off road. This is difficult question to answer.
You could buy a Ram in either 4x2 or 4x4 guises. I don't think the add says. Evidently a 4x2 isn't an off roader at all.
Other downers are it's a twin cab and looks like a long bed model. This means it's the longest Ram you could get. A short bed single cab will have much improved approach, departure and ramp over angles vs this truck. Which can be important off road.
Also when new you could spec an off road kit for the Ram, this came with under body guards and I think different gearing. It's not essential, but all adds to it's ability.
In terms of flex and articulation. Well they shouldn't be too bad, no Land Rover Defender in stock guise, but no worse than a Jap pick up truck. Leaf springs on the back aren't really a major issue, although they might be a bit too heavy duty if it's specced for towing and hauling.
But as with all American vehicles, they are designed to be modded. The Ram is easy to lift and easy to fit bigger tyres too. Do this and increase the flex and they can be capable off road for their size class.
The other thing to consider is where you want to off road the type of terrain. In larger areas, such as a quarry and in deep mud a "big" truck on big wheels can perform very well. The longer wheelbase can make them more stable and again the longer wheelbase means they may be more suited at certain off road obstacles. The downside is they are far less nimble in small places. Just in the same way a Defender 90 is more nimble than a Defender 130 is.
If you are laning in the UK, then some lanes will be perfectly fine with a Ram. Although you'll need to watch for any with narrow gates. The extra girth of the Ram might pose a problem in some locations.
That said, pics like this prove the platform can be capable:
plasticpig said:
Some nice axle articulation in those pics. Will stick to looking for a Classic RR I think. Although there are few nice V8 Grand Cherokee's about for decent money. I had real problems getting parts for my previous Jeep though which puts me off. Classic RR bits are plentiful and relatively cheap.
Don't get me wrong, a Ram would be cool 
just make sure you know what you are going to use it for, and accept that you'd probably need to spend on a lift kit and bigger tyres to make it worth the hassle off road.Also if you plan to off road in confined tree laden areas, I'd say even a Range Rover is far too big and look at a Jimny instead.
If Yank still appeals keep an eye out for a Ford Bronco (not a Bronco II though). The Bronco comes in two main flavours, "early" Bronco's with leaf suspension. These are about the same size as a LR90. Very capable, although like all American trucks will need a lift to fit proper tyres on.
The latter (1978-96) "full size" Bronco. These are nice pickup trucks and are slightly shorter than an F150 or a Ram. In fact they are about Disco 1 sized although an inch or so wider. These are quite capable off road in stock trim and there are loads of mods to make them even better. Coil sprung too. The 5.0 and 5.8 V8's also offer more HP and performance over a Rover V8 and are generally more frugal too, despite being in a bigger vehicle.
The K5 Chevy Blazer is also another vehicle to look out for. It's Chevy's alternative to the Bronco. Only difference is the Blazer is slightly wider and is lead sprung all round. Quite a good truck and again sort of "Disco" class size.
And don't under estimate Jeeps. The XJ Cherokee is fab and the ZJ Grand Cherokee is worth checking out too.
Shoshi said:
They do make a factory super off-roader. The Power Wagon. With locking front and rear diffs and an electronically disengageable swaybar setup (like some Wranglers have). These very large trucks can off road very very well... Plus it can tow 10,000 lbs and carry 2,000 lbs in the bed.
This photo was posted earlier. It is not modded, that is stock.
Edited by Shoshi on Friday 7th June 12:34
mikeh501 said:
they look great off road lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHCgFTmuQbE
Because Land Rovers never fail... http://youtu.be/Jtrt6YLZcGkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHCgFTmuQbE
Shoshi said:
Because Land Rovers never fail... http://youtu.be/Jtrt6YLZcGk
he still got himself out lol. no difflock in by the looks of it.how about this guy?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&...
stupid with toddler in tow, but hey.
GravelBen said:
I remember a mechanic telling me something along the lines of "the only reliable thing about a grand cherokee is the fuel bill"
They both were better on fuel than a V8 Range Rover/Disco too despite more HP and better performance.
not sure it answers any questions, but
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHmF0NtDXBM
is vaguely relevant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHmF0NtDXBM
is vaguely relevant.
300bhp/ton said:
Duuno, we've had two and no issues with either. Ok I melted the headlight switch in my one, but that was my fault not the Jeeps.
They both were better on fuel than a V8 Range Rover/Disco too despite more HP and better performance.
Yeah I'm sure there are good ones as well as bad ones, but he's a very experienced mechanic and reckoned they're bargepole territory. I expect he would have said the same about Rangies too if I asked, they don't exactly have a good reputation either!They both were better on fuel than a V8 Range Rover/Disco too despite more HP and better performance.
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