Aftermarket companies love SEMA. It is the one hot spot that garners attention from all over the world and allows aftermarket companies to highlight their creations without worrying about automakers stealing the limelight. Mopar, one of the biggest aftermarket parts suppliers (and one that is backed by Dodge,) is gracing the show with its presence. The company has worked on two trucks, one being the Dodge Lowliner Concept, and the other one, the Ram Rebel 1500 OTG. OTG, by the way, stands for Off The Grid. Unlike the Lowliner, the Rebel 1500 OTG is a practical concept and could very well make its way into production. Will Ram consider making it a mainstream model?

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2019 RAM 1500 Rebel Off the Grid Concept by Mopar Exterior

Unlike the Dodge D200 ‘Lowliner’ Concept, Mopar has just added accessories instead of making changes to the structure of the truck. Up front, the truck looks wicked! There are a lot of accessories that kind of hide the face to a large extent. We have seen the Mojave Sand package previously, and the best part about it is that it is devoid of chrome anywhere on the body. The honeycomb grille is slightly larger than the standard model and is slapped with the ‘RAM’ logo in the center. The grille’s monstrosity is actually hidden by the bullbar mounted on the front bumper. The bumper features two tow hooks painted in red, along with a 10,000-pound Warn winch that’s been lifted from the 2500 Power Wagon. Underneath the bumper is a big skid plate to protect it from underbody hits.

As for the lighting, it can be said that the Ram Rebel 1500 OTG is one bright truck. Mopar has also equipped the Rebel OTG with extra LED back-up lamps that are integrated into the rear bumper. Apart from this, the truck comes with task lighting on the rear rack system for further illumination. To make the OTG all the more off-road friendly, Mopar has installed a snorkel to keep the engine safe during water fording.

Moving to the side profile, there’s nothing out-of-the-box here. The truck bed features a nice Rebel decal. This was done to increase the ground clearance and accommodate the Beadlock wheels wrapped in 35-inch Goodyear tires. With these add-ons and the Rebel’s natural rugged capabilities, the concept pushes the truck’s off-roading abilities to the next level. Other than this, Mopar has also installed step assist rock rails. For vehicle recovery and extraction, Mopar has equipped the OTG with traction mats attached to the rack system and a high-lift jack that’s helpful when maneuvering over uneven ground. When it's not needed, the jack is nicely stored on the roof rack.

The rear end is a busy place on the Rebel 1500 OTG. Firstly, Mopar has adapted the bumper from the Ram 1500 Tradesman that helps improve the departure angle of the truck by relocating the exhaust. The gates allowed a lot of versatility not just during installation, but also while making use of it after. See, Ford? You’re missing out on creating all these things just because you offer a simple tailgate.

Speaking of the bed rack system, Mopar has fixed it atop the truck bed. The system carries a collapsible rooftop tent that can be accessed via a stowable ladder. To make sure you can take this truck anywhere without having to worry about your food and stuff, Mopar has installed a retractable battery-powered cooler and kitchen unit with a gas-powered stove. There’s also a sink with an on-board water system. Getting a lot of Rivian vibes here.

A solar panel set is also placed here that can be deployed at any moment to generate electricity. A backup power supply is offered that eliminates the need for a gas-powered generator. This also ends up freeing space in the cargo that you can use to haul stuff. There is a hide-away bed step in the rear that makes loading and unloading easier. To top it all off, the Rebel OTG is also equipped with an on-board air compressor in the truck bed. Is there anything else needed here to make it a perfect overlanding vehicle? Probably not.

2019 RAM 1500 Rebel Off the Grid Concept by Mopar Interior

There is absolutely no data on the interior of the truck. It looks like the cabin is left untouched. In general, the Ram 1500 does not feel very plush, but the quality of the materials used will last a lifetime. The truck does not scream 'budget' from any angle. You can hold bigger items like tablets in it now. I’m speculating that Ram will offer the 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system in here. It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it runs on the company’s UConnect system. The cabin could also feature stuff like five USB ports, three 115-volt plugs, and wireless charging docks, as seen on the higher 1500 trims.

2019 RAM 1500 Rebel Off the Grid Concept by Mopar Drivetrain

This is a noticeable increase over the second-gen EcoDiesel engine that produced 240 ponies and 420 pound-feet of torque. It will be mated to the existing eight-speed TorqueFlite transmission. This new engine comes with a water-cooled turbocharger with variable geometry that helps it respond better to your throttle inputs. Ram has also introduced a dual, high-pressure and low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation system, redesigned the pistons, optimized the combustion chamber geometry, and added a brake system vacuum pump with low friction blades to make the engine cleaner, greener, and more fuel-efficient. It can now tow up to 12,560 pounds.

The current Ram 1500 Rebel, on the other hand, is available with two engine options – a 3.6-liter, V-6 Pentastar mill that produces 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque or a 5.7-liter, V-8 Hemi engine that makes 395 horses and 410 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are mated to an eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The truck also features a stability control system that comprises of a softer rear stabilizer bar and an off-road mode that raises the Rebel’s approach and departure angle by one inch at the press of a button.

Final Thoughts

We have seen plenty of Overlanding trucks lately, and this one by Mopar seems to be one of the most well-rounded vehicles. The company has taken care of almost all the things in here; the bed rack system, the solar panels on the roof, the lighting equipment, a stonker of an engine, and the overall tough, adventurous nature that makes this a go-anywhere vehicle. As I mentioned earlier, this product has the potential of being offered as a standalone trim in the Rebel lineup. If not priced exorbitantly, the OTG could find a lot of buyers. Other than this, the brand will bring along 13 more customized vehicles and hundreds of Mopar products in its 15,000-square-foot exhibit in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The products will on display starting from the 5th to the 8th of November 2019.