The Ram Rebel TRX still hasn’t shown itself, but this Hellcat-powered Ram 1500 is probably the next closest thing.
Introducing the RebHell, as 5thGenRams likes to call it. It’s a 2019 Ram 1500 Rebel Crew Cab that has replaced the 5.7-L HEMI V8 with the 6.2-L supercharged HEMI V8 from the Dodge Hellcat. This is the exact same formula that will power the Rebel TRX when it eventually arrives, but we don’t know how long that’ll take because Fiat Chrysler hasn’t said a word about it after announcing it’s in development.
The idea behind this custom pickup is to try and make it as close to what the TRX will be. This means besides the Hellcat engine, the Ram 1500 also received tech from other FCA vehicles to make that Hellcat engine purr.
The air intake is from a Dodge Demon and is fed from a hood vent and a vent on the front grille that's taken from a Charger Hellcat Widebody. The radiator and oil cooler are both upgraded from a Jeep Trackhawk, while the body has been widened thanks to a custom bodykit that tries to retain the look of the original Rebel as much as possible. That front bumper, for example, is the same as the stock version but widened by 4 inches.
New Method NB-305 wheels are wrapped in 37-inch off-road tires, and the owner optioned the air suspension for a smooth ride on or off-road.
All of this is great, but how does it drive? To find out, they took it to a private drag event in Michigan and pitted it against a Hellcat and a Jeep Trackhawk. The Hellcat naturally destroyed the RebHell as it’s over 1,000 lbs lighter and was riding on drag radials instead of off-road rubbers. But still, the pickup posted a best time of 13.24 seconds at 104 mph.
Up until it went against the Trackhawk. Although this matchup is far fairer, the Rebel snapped both axles before the race could be completed. It’ll be back though, with a pair of brand new Dana axles and some new differentials too.
(via Motor1)