Autoblog

Chrysler thinking of taking on Ford SVT Raptor?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Truck, Rumormill, Off-Road, Ram

An argument could be made that Chrysler already offers a competitor to the much-loved Ford Raptor in the form of the Ram Runner pickup. The difference, though, is that Ford builds the Raptor right on the production line, whereas Ram requires the buyer to have modifications made at one of its dealerships after the initial purchase is made.

That distinction may soon be a thing of the past, according to a report from Wards Auto. "If we could see that the volume was significant enough that it makes sense to do it, we'll do it," says Pat Dougherty, vice president of Mopar parts, sales and field operations. "But if we don't, then we'll continue to do it the way we do it."

Additionally, Chrysler would reportedly like to put more emphasis on the fuel efficiency of its off-road-ready lineup, which is spearheaded by the Jeep Wrangler. Says Dougherty, "For a lot of the people who go off-roading (but) actually drive their vehicle as a daily driver, they want to make sure they're getting fuel efficiency while they're driving to work."

Chrysler thinking of taking on Ford SVT Raptor? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Mar 2013 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ram Runner takes on Raptor in Duel in the Desert [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Wed, 30 May 2012 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Performance, Truck, Videos, Ford, Off-Road, Ram

Our friends at Pickuptrucks.com have pitted two serious off-road bruisers against one another in a desert throw down. The Mopar Ram Runner and Ford F-150 SVT Raptor locked horns in a battle for supremacy wherein both trucks had to tackle a five-mile desert course. The truck to set the best time over several runs came away the victor. The track snaked a loop around the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area and featured everything from washed-out river basins and rutted trails to more civilized gravel roads. Both trucks started at a stand still in 4WD high.

Not surprisingly, Pickuptrucks.com turned to a professional driver to handle the wheel work. Chad Ragland stepped up to the task. The guy's spent the last few years putting Trophy Trucks through the ringer in the SCORE racing series, and he's netted podium finishes in competitions like the San Felipe 250 and the Baja 1000.

So, did the aftermarket Mopar take the gold or the bone-stock Raptor take the edge? Each truck ran the course a total of four times, and the site broke down each section of the course based on terrain, and both trucks took home two sections, but it was the Ram Runner that came out on top with an overall time of 6 minutes 25 seconds. The F-150 SVT Raptor, meanwhile, took a full 33 seconds longer to do the deed, winding up with a final time of 6 minutes, 58 seconds.

Of course, there's the little issue of pricing differentiation between these two monsters. But we'll leave that to you to debate. Check out the full write up here, and be sure to watch the recap video below for yourself. While you're there, you can also read a self-congratulatory press release from Mopar.

Continue reading Ram Runner takes on Raptor in Duel in the Desert [w/video]

Ram Runner takes on Raptor in Duel in the Desert [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 May 2012 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PickupTrucks.com tests Ram Runner by Kore, compares with Ford SVT Raptor

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Truck, Dodge, Off-Road

Here at Autoblog, we're big fans of the Ford Raptor. So when Dodge announced that Mopar would be prepping a Ram for a head-to-head duel, we were quite excited to see the outcome of that project. Officially revealed in all its glory on March 28 of this year, the Ram Runner kit is offered in seven component sets that allow you to build your Ram up as much as you'd like.

We haven't had the chance to test out the fully equipped Ram yet, but our friend Mike Levine from PickupTrucks.com lined one up and took it out to the desert.

Levine teamed up with veteran Baja racer Kent Kroeker, whose KORE suspension company built the components for Mopar and Dodge. The KORE-assembled Ram Runner features every option available in the kit, and Levine put all of them to the test. The truck was driven hard in the desert, spent a little bit of time in the air and then shuttled through Los Angeles traffic.

How did it fare? Quite well, with the minor annoyance of an ABS system in need of recalibration. Read the write-up over at PickupTrucks.com to see why.

PickupTrucks.com tests Ram Runner by Kore, compares with Ford SVT Raptor originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mopar confirms full Ram Runner kit details

Jeff Glucker — Sat, 28 May 2011 18:36:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Truck, Chrysler, Dodge

Mopar Ram Runner Kit - Click above for high-res image gallery

Are you a Ram Truck owner? Are you tired of watching Ford SVT Raptor drivers effortlessly fly across desert sand dunes and mall parking-lot curbs? Well, it's payback time. Mopar is ready to sell you the Ram Runner Kit.

Designed for installation on 2009-2011 Ram trucks, seven component sets compose the full Mopar Ram Runner Kit (they can also be purchased separately if you want to do the build in stages). The largest and most expensive item on the list is the Pre-Runner Stage II Lift Kit. Priced at $13,270, it includes a five-link coil-spring rear suspension, 4130 chromoly lower control arms, upper control arms, rebuildable high-angle ball joints, and forged steel, high-angle tie rods. Couple that with three-inch internal bypass shocks from Fox, and you now have fourteen inches of suspension travel.

All those suspension components can be dressed up with a variety of Mopar exterior upgrades. An off-road bumper, front and rear fenders and a Mopar sport performance hood are offered as individual add-ons. Mopar also offers a rear tire carrier and a cat-back exhaust system to let your 5.7-liter HEMI breathe a little easier.

Click past the jump for full details and more pricing information.

Continue reading Mopar confirms full Ram Runner kit details

Mopar confirms full Ram Runner kit details originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 May 2011 18:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Mopar explains why Ram Runner is better than Raptor, do you agree?

Chris Shunk — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Truck, Videos, Chrysler, Dodge, Off-Road

Mopar Ram Runner Stage II Short Cuts video - Click above to watch after the jump

The Ram Runner Stage II kit makes for one very impressive Ram 1500. Performance modifications like beefed-up control arms, Fox shocks and 14 inches of wheel travel make us want to pit the modified Ram against the 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor in a high-speed dirt race to the ~~death~~ finish line.

We're not the only ones eager to compare the Ram Runner Stage II to the Raptor. Follow the jump to watch an Autoblog Short Cuts video of Jim Sassorossi, Director of Mopar Parts, as he explained to us why Chrysler believes the Ram Runner is better than the Raptor. In fact, Sassorossi brings up the Raptor no less than four times, and throws in "best in class" for the Ram Runner's specs another another four times.

This will be a thrilling battle when Ford's ready-made race truck gets pitted against Ram's D.I.Y. wonder. To see what we mean, watch the video and then answer our poll below.

View Poll

Continue reading Video: Mopar explains why Ram Runner is better than Raptor, do you agree?

Video: Mopar explains why Ram Runner is better than Raptor, do you agree? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mopar Ram Runner Stage II kit has Ford Raptor in its sights

Chris Shunk — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Truck, Chrysler

Mopar Ram Runner Stage II kit - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor has shocked and awed us with its ability to handle off-road terrain at extra-legal speeds. The folks at Ram and Mopar are looking to give the Raptor its first taste of real competition with this, the all-new Mopar Ram Runner Stage II kit.

Jim Sassorossi, Director of Mopar Parts, tells Autoblog that the Ram Runner Stage II will be available for owners of 2009 to 2011 model year Ram 1500 models as soon as the Moab Easter Jeep Safari in Utah is completed, so figure on less than a month from now. The package gives owners control arms with an extra three inches of extension, Fox racing shocks with three inches of bypass to increase cooling and a best-in-class 14 inches of wheel travel. To accommodate that prodigious wheel travel, the Ram 1500's front fenders and rear bed-sides are replaced with wider pieces made of fiberglass.

The folks at Mopar feel their truck has several advantages over the Raptor, not the least of which is the fact that Ram owners can build it piece by piece. There are five upgrades in total, with the Pre-Runner Stage II lift kit taking up the bulk of the pricing at $13,270. Truck modders can then pick up a front bumper for $1,250, a rear tire carrier for $1,010, front fenders for $1,020 and rear fenders for $1,350. That adds up to $17,905, though Sassorossi estimates the entire package will set you back $19,000 on top of the cost of a Ram 1500.

We're told that all you need is any 2009-2011 Ram 1500 to build your Ram Runner, though a six-foot, four-inch bed is required if you want the rear fenders. While $19,000 for the complete package might sound like a deal, don't forget to add the substantial cost of labor. The big wheel/tire package, racing seats and roll cage are all extra, too. And despite how high that front bumper looks, Ram claims the truck is street legal in all 50 states.

To get customers excited about the new Mopar Stage II kit, Ram and Mopar also announced today that they'll be sponsoring the 2011 TORC short-course off-road racing series. The Ram Runner will become the official vehicle of TORC and serve as pace truck for all of the series' events.

Gallery: Mopar Ram Runner Stage II kit

Photos copyright (C)2011 Chris Shunk / AOL

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Mopar Ram Runner Stage II kit has Ford Raptor in its sights

Mopar Ram Runner Stage II kit has Ford Raptor in its sights originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Dodge Ram Runner kit will be street legal

Zach Bowman — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Truck, Etc., Chrysler, Off-Road

Dodge Ram Runner Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's some big news buzzing around the Ram Runner Concept at the moment. We've known for a good while now that Chrysler is planning to offer a kit to convert any Ram 1500 pickup into the desert raiding beast seen above, but according to PickupTrucks.com, the company's engineers have managed to pull a few stunts to make the vehicle completely street legal.

The biggest hangup was that the conversion kit widens the vehicle's track from 68.2 inches up front and 67.5 inches out back to 77.5 and 74.5 inches respectively. In order to make everything right as rain with Jonny Law, Chrysler had to throw in a couple of illuminated fender markers in the name of safety.

That's great news and all, but there's more. It turns out Chrysler is mulling the notion of selling the Ram Runner as a turn-key vehicle instead of as a pile of parts available from your local dealer. If the automaker decides to go that route, you can expect the company to turn to an outside builder to convert standard Ram 1500 models into a full-blooded Ford F-150 SVT Raptor fighter.

Gallery: SEMA 2010: Ram Runner

Gallery: 2011 Ram Runner

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Jonathon Ramsey / AOL

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Report: Dodge Ram Runner kit will be street legal originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler to let you build your own Dodge Ram Runner

Zach Bowman — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Truck, Dodge, Specialty, Off-Road

2011 Ram Runner - Click above for high-res image gallery

Attention Mopar fans: If you are tired of your Blue Oval counterparts flaunting the desert-crushing ability of their new F-150 SVT Raptor, Chrysler has something to share with you. The company is now offering a Ram Runner conversion kit for the Ram Trucks 1500.

If you've got the cash lying around, you can bolt enough pieces to your pickup to embarrass the FoMoCo bird of prey over open sand. In order to go full-out, you'll need $13,270 for the Stage 2 suspension kit that includes the same three-inch diameter internal-bypass Fox Racing shocks used in the Raptor, aluminum A-arms and a mighty lift. The whole shebang is good for around 14 inches of suspension travel.

Don't put away that checkbook just yet. Chrysler is offering up everything from a slick tube bumper, fiberglass fenders front and rear, a unique hood, cold-air intake system and a special exhaust. Each of those pieces carries a price tag of around $1,000 or more with the exception of the cold-air intake. That little guy goes for a more manageable $466.

All told, if you wrap in the $29,075 it would take to bring home a Ram 1500 ST Quad Cab four-wheel drive, you're looking at a final price tag of $49,554. A figure like that might just be enough to convert a few Dodge fans to the way of the Raptor. Hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: SEMA 2010: Ram Runner

Gallery: 2011 Ram Runner

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chrysler to let you build your own Dodge Ram Runner

Chrysler to let you build your own Dodge Ram Runner originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2010: Chrysler gets down and dirty with Ram Runner and Ram Outdoorsman

Zach Bowman — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, SEMA Show, Truck, Chrysler, Dodge

SEMA 2010: Ram Runner - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ram is gunning for the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. The Chrysler pickup truck purveyor parked its Ram Runner under the spot lights at this year's SEMA show, and according to Pickuptrucks.com, the company plans to sell a kit to turn your very own Ram into the muddy beast you see above.

With suspension components from Kore and Fox Racing, wildly flared body work and a full safety cage inside, the goodies won't come cheap, but they should help the mighty Mopar keep pace with its Blue Oval competition. Look to spend around $11,000 for the suspension upgrades alone, but buyers should be able to snag some of the pieces a la carte.

If you're more interested in spending some time fishing or hunting, Ram also showed off its Outdoorsman. With a clever storage system for rifles or fishing rods, underbody protection for bumping around off road and a price tag that starts at $28,350, the truck is all you need to take home your next trophy.

Gallery: SEMA 2010: Ram Runner

Gallery: SEMA 2010: Ram Outdoorsman

Photos cpyright (C)2010 Jonathon Ramsey / AOL

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

SEMA 2010: Chrysler gets down and dirty with Ram Runner and Ram Outdoorsman originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler shows off eight Mopar concepts at Easter Jeep Safari 2010

Zach Bowman — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:22:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Performance, SUV, Truck, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Military, Design/Style, Diesel, Off-Road, Racing

2010 Easter Jeep Safari Mopar Concepts - Click any image to enlarge

Chrysler's engineers have been busy lately. Mark Allen, head of the Jeep design studio, has introduced a total of eight new concept vehicles at this year's Easter Jeep Safari. Each one has been worked up by the company's off-road engineering team, and while most are nothing more than pure fantasy, at least a few can be crafted out of parts available from the Mopar go-fast catalog. Even better, all have the off road guts to go anywhere you please.

That includes the Jeep Wrangler J7. Consider this the stripped-down beast we would build if Chrysler gave us the keys to the kingdom for a week. Fluffy stuff like carpet, the stereo and alloy wheels have been ditched in favor of more utilitarian goods. New all-steel bumpers, complete with helicopter hooks, join a sturdy rear gate and steel wheels wrapped in 35-inch rubber. A small 2-inch lift helps accommodate the larger rollers, and the eye-searing Mustard Plug paint sets the truck apart from the crowd. While we have no problem with the 3.8-liter V6, we would probably swap the four-speed automatic gear box for a row-your-own.

Speaking of rowing your own, the Jeep Patriot Extreme is more than happy to accommodate third-pedal lovers everywhere. While Wrangler guys may be quick to rag on the baby Jeep, this Patriot is more than capable of dispatching rough terrain. A two-inch suspension lift gives the trail-rated package just a little more clearance, and custom rock rails protect the bodywork from getting too close to the trail. We're also digging those 16-inch TJ Moab wheels, extra lighting on the bumper and roof rack for... snowboards?

Chrysler says it turned out the Wrangler Trail Boss (right) just to show off all of the products available from the Jeep trail catalog. The truck's specs read like a recipe for a Wrangler wish list. Outside, the most noticeable difference between the Trail Boss and a standard Wrangler is the addition of new AEV off-road bumpers, complete with a Warn 9.5ti winch, though the half-doors and sun bonnet do much to alter the truck's attitude, too. A 3-inch lift kit allows for healthy 35-inch rubber down below, wrapped around those slick Hutchinson Rock Monster beadlock wheels. Click the jump to read about the rest of the Mopar monsters.

Gallery: 2010 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chrysler shows off eight Mopar concepts at Easter Jeep Safari 2010

Chrysler shows off eight Mopar concepts at Easter Jeep Safari 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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