Desert Dawg
Well-Known Member
Hi everyone,
New member here but not totally new to Dodge/Ram as I have built up various 1500s and 2500s.
I recently decided that I want a new truck for my business and personal use (including some moderate weekend off-roading fun). Since I am not a "fan boy" for one particular model or manufacturer, I have been lurking around the various truck forums; I have been a member on most since the Internet was born...lol. I have had many truck builds of various makes over the years so I really come to realize the pros and cons of most brands and models (and yes, they all have pros and cons). But I also decided that I wanted out of a truck and get back to another SUV. The problem is, without going back to a Land Rover, I want something with some half-decent off-road chops since I love weekend adventures in the deserts and mountains of northern NM and southern CO. But l also prefer full-sized rigs over medium sized ones (so no Grand Cherokee or Wrangler for me even though I have had a few); I really thought my answer was going to be another but brand new 2019 Chevy Tahoe Z71 and complete a mild build with it.
My old Z71;
But Chevy decided to oust the Z71 package for the Tahoe, and I am not a big fan of their new full-sized truck designs (personal preference on my part), so no new Chevy/GMC for me.
Then I thought I would go back to Ford as I have done quite a few builds with those (including some old Broncos).
One of my F250 builds;
One of my F150 builds;
But I had too many F150s and honestly not feeling the newer ones nowadays. Having said that, I would take a Raptor as I would actually take it off-road but the dealer markup is insane and I have no desire to line the dealership pockets even more than I have to.
That is one of the reasons I left Ford to try out Toyota. Great vehicles but with aging powertrains. I also need the "perception" of American-made with one of the Big 3 since I will be taking my vehicle onto military and DOE installations (even though my Tundra is more "American-made" than most).
But for fun, one of my more recent Toyota 4Runner builds;
...and my current truck (2015 Tundra 1794 Edition);
Then recently I saw a brand new Ram Rebel and thought "Eureka!"...problem solved; Ram hit a home run with the design and off-road packaging/capability! But then I checked out the interior with all of the red bling and my interest quickly faded (just not for me). At first, I wasn't sold on the new non-Rebel 1500 designs, but the more I cruised this forum and the Internet, the more I got to use to the designs and now I am really digging them. In addition, I think the exterior/interior designs can look very professional too for business use, so I am seriously focusing in on a new 2019 Laramie or Limited with the Off-Road Package with a very mild level/lift and tire upgrades for my weekend adventures. I think that would just about get me as near to the Rebel capabilities with the Off-Road Package but with more refinement inside and out! So back to Ram. I am.
One of my old Dodge Ram builds (Laramie 1500 4x4):
Sorry for long-winded intro but I am really looking forward to pulling the trigger sometime soon! Thanks to all on the forum for the contributions and ideas that got me excited about coming back!
New member here but not totally new to Dodge/Ram as I have built up various 1500s and 2500s.
I recently decided that I want a new truck for my business and personal use (including some moderate weekend off-roading fun). Since I am not a "fan boy" for one particular model or manufacturer, I have been lurking around the various truck forums; I have been a member on most since the Internet was born...lol. I have had many truck builds of various makes over the years so I really come to realize the pros and cons of most brands and models (and yes, they all have pros and cons). But I also decided that I wanted out of a truck and get back to another SUV. The problem is, without going back to a Land Rover, I want something with some half-decent off-road chops since I love weekend adventures in the deserts and mountains of northern NM and southern CO. But l also prefer full-sized rigs over medium sized ones (so no Grand Cherokee or Wrangler for me even though I have had a few); I really thought my answer was going to be another but brand new 2019 Chevy Tahoe Z71 and complete a mild build with it.
My old Z71;
But Chevy decided to oust the Z71 package for the Tahoe, and I am not a big fan of their new full-sized truck designs (personal preference on my part), so no new Chevy/GMC for me.
Then I thought I would go back to Ford as I have done quite a few builds with those (including some old Broncos).
One of my F250 builds;
One of my F150 builds;
But I had too many F150s and honestly not feeling the newer ones nowadays. Having said that, I would take a Raptor as I would actually take it off-road but the dealer markup is insane and I have no desire to line the dealership pockets even more than I have to.
That is one of the reasons I left Ford to try out Toyota. Great vehicles but with aging powertrains. I also need the "perception" of American-made with one of the Big 3 since I will be taking my vehicle onto military and DOE installations (even though my Tundra is more "American-made" than most).
But for fun, one of my more recent Toyota 4Runner builds;
...and my current truck (2015 Tundra 1794 Edition);
Then recently I saw a brand new Ram Rebel and thought "Eureka!"...problem solved; Ram hit a home run with the design and off-road packaging/capability! But then I checked out the interior with all of the red bling and my interest quickly faded (just not for me). At first, I wasn't sold on the new non-Rebel 1500 designs, but the more I cruised this forum and the Internet, the more I got to use to the designs and now I am really digging them. In addition, I think the exterior/interior designs can look very professional too for business use, so I am seriously focusing in on a new 2019 Laramie or Limited with the Off-Road Package with a very mild level/lift and tire upgrades for my weekend adventures. I think that would just about get me as near to the Rebel capabilities with the Off-Road Package but with more refinement inside and out! So back to Ram. I am.
One of my old Dodge Ram builds (Laramie 1500 4x4):
Sorry for long-winded intro but I am really looking forward to pulling the trigger sometime soon! Thanks to all on the forum for the contributions and ideas that got me excited about coming back!
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