I'm happy to see you're still updating this build, Desert Dawg. You're the reason I got this '23 Rebel. I remember when you said that you thought you were done with the Rebel after it left you stranded.
Wanted your take on something, though. I know you mentioned your Rebel is rated at 1,930. Mine, with the panoramic sunroof, MFT, 33 gallon fuel tank, and Ram Boxes is rated at a measly 1,075. I wanted to build an overland rig similar to yours but am afraid that with just a few passengers and I'm over that payload immediately. What aspects of my truck should be considered "necessary weight?" I was in between the White Knuckle Sliders and AMP Research steps. I know you prefer the AMPs but I was leaning more towards the White Knuckle but they're twice as heavy. I also thought about the DiamondBack HD cover which I believe is close to 100 pounds. I think at this point a roof top tent is out of the question, unfortunately. Anyway, what are your thoughts on a overland rig with a payload that low?
Yeah, I really was looking hard at some options but timing is everything. Of course I was only considering top shelf options if I was going to dump the Rebel with all of mods/features I had in it with a focus on off-road capability, so my choices were the current Toyota 4Runner TRD PRO, Bronco Wildpeak or Bronco Raptor, Ford 150 Raptor, Ford F250 Tremor, or Land Rover Defender, but thanks to the Pandemic and supply chain issues, all of those were either on such long backorder wait lists and/or carried stupidly high dealer markups! For example, I found a mid-level Bronco that was available where I live but the dealer(s) had $20K+ markups which made a mid-level Bronco with a 4-banger turbo engine a $80K vehicle without all the options or capabilities that I would want...and forget about it if I was able to find a Bronco Raptor! And even at full price plus the crazy markups, you still don't get all of the features due to the chip issues. Finally, I would still have to spend money again on mods to enhance some factory capabilities and/or personalize to my taste. While I guess I could just shell out another $100K plus for a new vehicle and mods (not accounting for selling the Rebel), paying all that money to just line the dealer pockets just didn't sit right by me and I don't have the time to chase deals around the country (or spend the time to prep and sell my Rebel).
Finally, the TackLife battery jumper that I keep in my Rebel works like a charm, so started thinking that if the worse thing I deal with is maybe an occasional dead battery due to some internal factory drain, I am good as long as I have the lithium battery pack that really does pack a punch. So, I decided to double down on the Rebel especially if I could change out the suspension for a high quality off-road setup that still gives me the lift/stance I wanted. Again, timing is everything as BDS literally, within a few weeks of my decision to keep the Rebel, came out with a Rebel-specific 3-inch lift with the Fox Performance Elite suspension that met all of needs such as keeping the center of gravity lower (relative to a 6-inch BDS-Fox setup), providing enhanced off-road capabilities, and maintaining the stance I wanted. So once that was done, I started thinking about "what's next" for more mods...lol.
Regarding your weight to mod balance issue, I have a fully loaded truck too but with the smaller gas tank (unfortunately). I estimate, with the topper, AMP power side steps, larger 35-inch tires with full size spare in bed, extra gas can, offf-road/recovery gear including air compressor, traction boards, winch and gear, etc. that I carrying about another 500 lbs. before myself and others or any extra gear for road trips. So I am definitely biting into my load carrying capacity but still have room to spare as long as I am not adding any appreciable tongue weight too (loaded camper/haul trailers, etc.).
I really don't prefer the AMP side steps over true rock sliders (like the White Knuckle Sliders that I looked at too) but had to consider my passengers since I also use the truck for business and family (especially for my wife). I am pretty tall so stepping up to a slider, even when lifted, is not a problem for me, but would be very challenging for others that ride in my truck so I had to forgo that option, unfortunately. In any case, getting the Diamond Back HD cover married to a roof top tent is a sweet setup; assuming 100 lbs for the sliders and ~200 lbs for the tent, you have about 700 lbs remaining. Add in another 100 lbs for loaded coolers and other camping gear, 70-100 lbs for a full sized spare, 100 lbs for a jack and recovery gear. and average weight of 160 lbs for (4) adult passengers, you could exceed the 700 lbs remaining capacity by another 200-300 lbs (unless your averaged person weight is higher and/or you have other gear not captured). If I come across any specific FS ratings for the Ram 1500, I will share but that will take some research.
The thing to remember is that the total gross vehicle weight also includes factor of safeties that are built into the designs as the manufactures need to ensure that their vehicles handle well at higher speeds, the vehicle provides control on vibrations and ride comfort, and meet safety crash performance criteria. If you assume a factor of safety of 1.25, your gross available weight is closer to 1300 lbs. I am not recommending that you tap that; but if you do, consider that you'll want to keep your center of gravity as low as possible (roof tent on bed instead of roof, lighter weight gear (or passengers), etc.
_7BDWkR3p9QjC5rP2hwwEZC.JPG?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
_694abxGEszwwAmYre7CeD8.JPG?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
_h6LtfgFcmFCtpjgQnUT5Jw.JPG?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
_1P3BTkE4GVMR6iC6zmffoS.JPG?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
.JPG?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
.JPG?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
.JPG?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
