Much has been written about the new RAM 1500, hell I’ve done my fair share. With its new and advanced tech, huge towing capabilities, pop out side steps, its ability to lord over most other NZ traffic and ‘eat other utes for breakfast’, but what happens when you decide to personalise it? Well, RAM trucks NZ opened up their accessories cabinet and gave us a taste.
The model they opted to option up was the DT RAM 1500 Laramie Crew Cab with a chrome-surround grille to which its 5.7L V8 HEMI eTorque Mild-hybrid engine ((291 kW/556 Nm) nestled snugly behind.
My review RAM came in ‘bright white’ clothing with soul inspecting black decals on the powerdome that somehow emphasised this giant truck’s mightiness (or is that almightyness?), either way, they really broke up the landscape when viewed through the windscreen when driving.
Aside from the decals, visually, much of the exterior remained the same, however, the 5 feet 7-inch tub had been given some upgrades too, with a full 1,687mm width sports bar, a rack kit for the RAM tray and LED lights on the top of the bar, that were bright enough to expose all manner of unknowns or miscreants that may have previously lurked in the dark abyss ahead.
Aesthetically pleasing as the exterior modifications may very well have been, my RAM truck had one more trick up its sleeve, and that was to create thunder the moment I pushed the start button.
For underneath it all, and affixed to its mighty HEMI V8 was a Mopar Cat-Back exhaust, that not only does it have the potential to increase torque, horsepower, and fuel mileage by 2-5% (depending on how restrictive the stock exhaust was) but on a cold start-up, was loud enough to wake the dead – especially should you decide to tap the accelerator too, as if (he laughs maniacally).
Having already reviewed the new RAM 1500, I won’t go into nitty-gritty details of dimensions and technical updates, but suffice to say that with the Mopar exhaust added, this potentially oppressive beast of a truck is made even moreso (and then some), and it’s great.
What’s more, this symphony of audible delight can be created when standing outside or away from the RAM with a simple double tap on a button on the keyfob, a mystical trick that never became tiresome by my son or his fourteen other football teammates.
As outlined before, on the move the black decals on the bonnet give a great perspective of the way ahead, while the ultra bright sportsbar LEDs help turn night into day. The rack kit gives you the ability to segregate items that would otherwise be lost or blended into one in the vast chasm that is the RAM’s tub but the big winner for me was that exhaust system that helped amplify the RAM’s already impressive soundtrack.
Make no mistake, the RAM 1500 is big, but it’s made even bigger and better when you choose to accessoRISE.
