Daniel Gaston Lakeview, Arkansas best Dodge Ram off-road vehicles modifications guides: When you’re in the driver’s seat, perspective is everything. You can only react to what you see through your windshield and mirrors, and in a regular truck, that amounts to the cars directly in front of and behind you. The view isn’t great! A truck on a lift kit, though, affords a panoramic view of your environment. Instead of looking at someone else’s rear windshield, you see the road far ahead, giving you an advantage over other motorists. With this birds’ eye view, you can identify traffic snarls and road safety hazards from a distance and make informed driving decisions based on what you see. And for what it’s worth, a lifted truck or Jeep is more visible than a standard one, so you’re more likely to be seen, even during dust storms and other times of lowered visibility. Find extra information at http://www.djgaston.com/.
The Ram 1500 offers V-6 and V-8 gasoline powertrains that pair with a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. Both engines are assisted by a 48-volt hybrid system, though the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 is also available without the electric support. A diesel is also available for 2023, though Ram intends to stop production of this engine in January 2023. Until then, the 260-hp diesel V-6 is available under the hoods of 1500 Tradesman, Big Horn, Lone Star, Laramie, Limited Longhorn, and Limited trims. For adventurous folk, the rugged Rebel model provides beefier looks and legitimate off-road capability. Every Ram 1500 has an impressive ride thanks to a rear suspension that uses standard coil springs or optional air springs, unlike the traditional leaf-spring setup found on domestic rivals. Models equipped with air suspension even have an adjustable ride height, which aids fuel efficiency and off-road performance.
The very first DOR-manufactured product was our 2nd gen non-adjustable long arm kit, which started when the company that made Dick Cepek long arms went out of business and we purchased the remaining inventory to sell off. Then we started coming up with other products for Ram trucks that fit a niche market, where we could focus on quality and price but not have a lot of competition. Everything we do at DOR is based on our own experiences building trucks, Jeeps, and buggies since the late 90’s – this is truly a company built by Ram enthusiasts, for Ram enthusiasts. What started out as a garage-based business with just a few basic tools and a strong forum presence, now we have a fully functioning facility with CNC equipment and in-house powdercoating, all done at our location in Lakeview, Arkansas on Bull Shoals Lake.
Danny Gaston Lakeview, Arkansas excellent Dodge Ram off-road trucks modifications guides: The Ram 1500 can tow up to 12,750 pounds and carry a payload of up to 2320 pounds. Its maximum towing capacity exceeds all but the Ford F-150, which currently tops 13,000 pounds. Rams with the crew cab body style—including the Rebel model—can’t tow as much as those with the extended cab. Nonetheless, the more passenger-friendly 1500 crew cab can still tow north of 11,500 pounds. With hybridized V-6 and V-8 engines, as well as a diesel option, the Ram 1500 lineup has varied fuel economy. The EPA estimates that the most efficient Ram, the rear-drive diesel, nabs a combined fuel economy rating of 26 mpg. The gas V-6 and V-8, meanwhile, top out at 23 and 20 mpg combined, respectively. A 1500 Rebel with the gas V-6 we tested returned 24 mpg on our 75-mph real-world fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen. That’s 6 and 4 mpg better than a V-8 Rebel and a V-8 Laramie, which lacked electric-assist, we tested. For more information about the Ram 1500’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
How does the 1500 drive? Our test truck had the V8 engine and the eight-speed transmission. They work so well together that we could recommend this truck on that basis alone. It’s strong and it’s easy to drive in just about every situation. The same can largely be said for the EcoDiesel powertrain — especially if you appreciate the pulling power of diesel torque. But there’s much more to the Ram than solid powertrain choices. We’ve tested many Ram configurations, and they all impress us with their steady steering, confident braking and secure handling. Ram’s decade-old decision to walk away from leaf springs and switch to a coil-spring rear suspension continues to pay dividends.
How’s the tech? The optional 12-inch touchscreen is a dazzling addition to any vehicle, let alone a pickup truck. It offers a huge map and sharp graphics. The 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system is also impressive and offers navigation. Both get multiple USB and USB-C ports, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility. Meanwhile, the 5-inch screen in the Tradesman has the basics down pat. Ram unfortunately does not include any driver assist features as standard equipment. Only the Laramie model and above offer parking sensors, forward collision mitigation and lane departure mitigation. When it’s equipped, adaptive cruise control does a good job of bringing the truck down to a complete stop. Automated parking assistance is available, and it works admirably.
Another unique thing about DOR is that we only sell Dodge Ram parts. We are one of the only companies in the world that strictly specializes in Ram trucks, which is a testament to our loyalty and dedication the brand. The company was not started just to make money off Ram owners – it was started because we love building our trucks. Dodge Off Road continues to grow and be successful because our customers love their DOR-equipped trucks, and we love getting to help build them. Is the 1500 a good value? The Ram 1500’s build quality, at first, feels and looks great, especially in the more upscale trim levels such as Big Horn, Laramie and beyond. However, after spending some extended time in a long-term test truck, we experienced a few part failures, revealing lesser quality than we originally perceived. Ram pricing remains pretty competitive, though.
About Danny Gaston : He is the founder of Arkansas Young Tourism Professionals group, part of the Arkansas Hospitality Association. Nominated for Arkansas Business 30 under 30 in 2005, 2006, 2007. Danny Gaston is the oldest grandson and protégé of Jim Gaston, legendary Arkansas business man and philanthropist. Selected by Senator Blanche Lincoln for Sony internship in Tokyo, Japan in 1998 at age 16. Featured in Crawl Magazine issues 2 and 4 and current owner of Gaston Manufacturing.