[car fanatics]

Dodge
Photo credit: Dodge
May 30, 2012
By: CF staff

Leaves Ford SVT Raptor in the Dust

• Mopar Ram Runner 33 seconds faster than Ford SVT Raptor on punishing 4.73-mile loop
  

• PickupTrucks.com declares Mopar Ram Runner the winner
  

The Mopar Ram Runner and the Ford SVT Raptor met for a shoot-out at Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA), a state park in southeast California with 85,000 acres of nothing but dirt, dust and desert. When all was said and done, the Mopar Ram Runner was declared the winner.

PickupTrucks.com (powered by Cars.com) teamed with veteran SCORE International Off-Road Racing Series Trophy Truck driver Chad Ragland to thoroughly evaluate both trucks on a challenging 4.73-mile evaluation loop.

“I was impressed with Ram Runner’s extreme off-road capability,” said Ragland. “We jumped, slammed into mounds, cut through deep sand and it came out like a pro, rarely getting into the bumpstops or touching the skid plates,” said Ragland. “Those front-end shocks are amazing. During our first set of runs, I could feel myself tighten a bit as we headed toward the big rocks and ruts, but then the front end just sucked it all up. Those big springs and shocks had no problems.”

“We like how the Ram Runner kit can be built in pieces and stages based on what the truck owner wants and needs,” said Mark Williams, Editor, PickupTrucks.com. “You can go full throttle right away, or take it slower, building your perfect desert explorer at your own pace, factoring in your own budget.”

“Our Mopar Ram Runner is the ultimate desert racer based on a production vehicle,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “Mopar Ram Runner offers superior suspension travel to handle rough terrain and greater approach and departure angles for better clearance.”

“We’re proud that – under the most punishing real-world test conditions possible – the Mopar Ram Runner takes PickupTrucks.com’s top off-road honors over the Ford Raptor,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico. “Whether you’re into desert racing, rock crawling, hunting and fishing or just need a hard-working dependable work truck, there’s truly a Ram truck for everyone.”

[DougDrivesDodge]

figures, it's a much more hardcore kit than the Raptor. what you get in capability off road you'll lose on-road, so to each his own. both trucks are beyond badass. I know a lot of people would prefer the turn-key of the Raptor, and I can assure you there will be no posers driving Ram Runners. personally, i'd rather build my own and marvel in my own magnificence

[vexner]

The SRT brand at Chrysler needs to offer this RAM Runner thru dealerships.

[McLovin]

DougDrivesDodge;208923 Wrote:figures, it's a much more hardcore kit than the Raptor. what you get in capability off road you'll lose on-road, so to each his own. both trucks are beyond badass. I know a lot of people would prefer the turn-key of the Raptor, and I can assure you there will be no posers driving Ram Runners. personally, i'd rather build my own and marvel in my own magnificence

Bingo!!

well said, I agree.

[GotMopar?]

The Ram Runner has the off-road capability that Ford people claimed about the Raptor. The Ram Runner is a hard core off-road vehicle and the Raptor is a glorified F-250 plain and simple. However, most of my driving would be on-road so the Raptor would fit my lifestyle much better.

[Scout]

They are both badass. I think I would go with the Ford only because I'm tired of things on the Chrysler's breaking and falling off.

[McLovin]

GotMopar?;208937 Wrote:The Ram Runner has the off-road capability that Ford people claimed about the Raptor. The Ram Runner is a hard core off-road vehicle and the Raptor is a glorified F-250 plain and simple. However, most of my driving would be on-road so the Raptor would fit my lifestyle much better.

Not true.

[jspookss]

As long as the frame doesn't bend like the raptor its a winner all day in my book

[McLovin]

^

One way to find out, drive 90mph cross massive dips in a desert, and see what happens.

[96s-10ss]

I hate jacked up trucks,so I don't care who won

[jspookss]

McLovin;208953 Wrote:^

One way to find out, drive 90mph cross massive dips in a desert, and see what happens.

We already know what's going to happen to the ford

[McLovin]

96s-10ss;208954 Wrote:
I hate jacked up trucks,so I don't care who won

No way.

You must like nascar trucks too.

ewwwww::

[Scout]

96s-10ss;208954 Wrote:
I hate jacked up trucks,so I don't care who won

If you can't stop, smile as you go under

Small trucks are for those who cant get up

[McLovin]

The track was broken down into 4 sections, and Raptor won 2 of them.


From the article:

SVT Raptor

"I have to say on the fast gravel roads, this truck is balanced. The traction at speed is so smooth — considering how well the engine gets power to the wheels, it's stunning the wheels don't feel like they're fighting each other. Each tire and even the front and back seem to be working like one big traction team.

"It really felt faster going into and out of the loose cornering we had to do. The front end especially felt like it was really digging/pulling the truck well. And the braking system never got in the way of the throttle. I was really impressed with how responsive the throttle was and how well the transmission knew to hold or downshift to a better gear.

"Maybe I shouldn't say this knowing that the Ram Runner had the faster time, but if I had to pick one truck, the better overall performer, for both on- and off-road, I'd have to pick the Raptor."


why then did they give it to the aftermarket special Ram?
do they not consider that most who buy these have to run dual purpose?
One can only wonder

[Scout]

jspookss;208955 Wrote:

McLovin;208953 Wrote:^

One way to find out, drive 90mph cross massive dips in a desert, and see what happens.

We already know what's going to happen to the ford

Wonder what would happen to the GM? OH yea, they don't play with the big boys.