New ‘24 Rebel Cummins owner

[Dark Knight G45]

Greetings. This is my 3rd Ram in a row. Went from a ‘19 and ‘21 Rebel with Hemi V8 to a 2024 2500 HD Rebel with 6.7 Cummins diesel.

I’m here to learn more and to share my experiences.

The truck is excellent. It doesn’t drive as smooth or nimble as my 1500 Rebel with air suspension, but it’s a complete beast and I still find it very pleasant for long trips and around town.

First mod I’m thinking of is swapping to an aftermarket 50/52 gallon fuel tank.
I saw Titan and S&B but it seems like S&B fits a bit better and their customer service was top notch as I literally got a response from them within minutes of contacting. This would be for the once in a while very long trip or for SHTF scenarios (hurricanes/civil unrest/etc). I would have pulled the trigger but my concern is how much lower it hangs than the frame and how i have to remove the fuel tank skid plate. I bought a Rebel partially for its off road chops and don’t want to compromise that by having an Important part like the fuel tank exposed. Their rep said they run support trucks in the Baja with their tanks and they are fine. He also said there’s a slight possibility a shop can run “spacers” and still attach the factory skid plate over it. But he was just throwing it out there. Just not sure if anyone else has done this and if will cause ground clearance issues and hang down and be too exposed. i don’t really off road to be honest. Job sites and such only. But nice to know in a brutal winter or SHTF scenario I have the capability and don’t want to hurt that. The other concern with exposure is some bad actor stabbing it or drilling it. Unfortunately work brings me to some rough areas and I don’t want my tough truck to be immobilized by a lunatic (or worse) with a drill/basic tools. Just thinking out loud and would love everyone’s thoughts. Thanks.

 

[flan]

Welcome aboard, nice ride! The rebel is a good looking package. As far as sabotage on your fuel tank there is a hundred other ways they can **** with your truck, (that rhymes) I wouldn’t use that as a reason to not get the extended range you’re looking for. As far as hanging low, that’s a legit one. Maybe the spacers isn’t such a bad idea. There’s a couple aftermarket skids coming out maybe one of those will work as well. Not sure if that question had been asked in that specific thread...

 

[Dark Knight G45]

Welcome aboard, nice ride! The rebel is a good looking package. As far as sabotage on your fuel tank there is a hundred other ways they can **** with your truck, (that rhymes) I wouldn’t use that as a reason to not get the extended range you’re looking for. As far as hanging low, that’s a legit one. Maybe the spacers isn’t such a bad idea. There’s a couple aftermarket skids coming out maybe one of those will work as well. Not sure if that question had been asked in that specific thread...

Thanks.
Aftermarket skids are exactly what I would be looking for but I can’t seem to find any for this specific application.

 

[Roper46]

Welcome from south Georgia and congrats on the new Rebel. Good looking truck!

 

[jenninr]

Thanks.
Aftermarket skids are exactly what I would be looking for but I can’t seem to find any for this specific application.

Take a look at this thread in the Power Wagon section of the forum. https://hdrams.com/forum/index.php?threads/reference-2019-power-wagon-armor.5941/ A lot of the stuff talked about applies to non Power Wagon trucks too.

 

[Dark Knight G45]

Take a look at this thread in the Power Wagon section of the forum. https://hdrams.com/forum/index.php?threads/reference-2019-power-wagon-armor.5941/ A lot of the stuff talked about applies to non Power Wagon trucks too.

That’s awesome! Big help, thanks I’ll explore and update the thread once I figure everything out

 

[gimmie11s]

She's a beaut. Congrats.

 

[Dark Knight G45]

Just giving an update. Have 12,000 miles on her and love this truck more and more every day.

It’s performed exceptionally well and has been 100% reliable.

I’ve done a few mods including the S&B fuel tank install. Absolutely can recommend this. It’s incredible having 1000 miles of range on the highway. Yes I can get approximately 20mpg on highway run around 75mph. Besides the upfront cost, this is a no-brainer. I attached a pic to show how the tank sits and how smooth it looks. You have to kneel down to see it.

I also had the S&B cold air intake (dry filter) installed around 4000 miles. The sound with the side plate removed is music to my ears. I always loved the sound of turbo spool and the exhaust brake is very noticeable. It might not be for everyone as the engine itself is louder but I enjoy it. I’m not sure if it made a difference with performance since it’s hard to tell on a truck this heavy. But it certainly has not hurt and also has given zero problems. As you can see the filter is getting a bit dirty since I’ve been off road quite a bit on jobsites.

My next move is to give it a 2”-2.5” level. I been seeing a few Power Wagons and their taller stance compared to the Rebel bothers me. Plus an increase in ride quality and capability can’t hurt. I may go with different rims and tires or just replace the stock Duratracs with 35’s but I think I’ll do the level first and see how it rides with the suspension change alone. I have no complaints with the stock suspension and tires other than I like welcome a higher front and more rubber.

Any suggestions on a leveling kit? I’ve been between a Carli 2.5” and Thuren 2” with either Fox IFP 2.0’s or Bilstein 5100’s. I deal with some snow and salt so not sure if the Fox’s will hold up? Thanks.

 

[johanh13]

Personally, I would get the thuren 1" coils for the front, in my view, that is the perfect height for stock rear coils. for shocks I have the Carli tuned King 2.5 resi's, I love the firmness. If you prefer a softer shock, the fox 2.0 is awesome (have run them too, with 35x12.5r18 tires)... In the attached photo, my current Ram has 275/65r20 tires on stock wheels, with the 1" thuren front coils, Carli Kings 2.5 shocks, front and rear thuren track bars, Carli weld-in coil isolator support, Carli front lower shock mounts, and Carli front sway bar...

 

[Dark Knight G45]

Quick update:
I spoke with Carli, Thuren, and CJC reps. After much discussion…
I ordered the Thuren 2” Fox 2.0 remote reservoir leveling kit with rear Fox shocks and a Thuren sway bar from CJC. I’ll update with pics and a review once completed.

 

[Dark Knight G45]

Swapped the stock Duratracs for Toyo Open Country ATIII’s in LT295/65R20. The look is much better. I’m happy I put these on before the leveling kit so I can judge the tires themselves and check for stock rubbing.

Fits fine on the stock Rebel 20 rims, except slight rubbing at full lock. Here is a pic to show where it touches.

Too early to give feedback yet on the driving characteristics (drove a 1/4 mile only) but will put some miles on over the weekend and report back.

Thuren parts going in Monday.

 

[Dark Knight G45]

Updated pics

 

[Dark Knight G45]

Snapped some quick pics today after the shop installed the parts. Getting an alignment done tomorrow morning and then I can really review it but just driving it down the street, I could absolutely feel the difference in the ride quality. It felt more like a 1500/SUV. Very noticeable right away. Also I didn’t notice any rubbing at all. But hard to truly give feedback without really driving it.

Will update with better pics and true review once it’s 100% complete and I get time behind the wheel.

Parts:
-Thuren 2” level kit (Thuren front springs) with Fox 2.0 shocks with reservoirs front and non-reservoir Fox rears (factory rear springs)
-Thuren track bar
-Thuren sway bar
-CJC intercooler guard and factory lower valance delete

 

[Dark Knight G45]

Some new pics including a before and after.
Drove it a bit today. There is a substantial difference overall in the way it drives. Much smoother and compliant over bumps. Much more like a 1500. I’m so glad I did this.
Also there is now 0 rub. And the looks are exactly what I wanted. Not too jacked up or far from factory. Just enough. I think I accomplished the look. The ride quality is a serious bonus. I’m excited to see how it performs off road.

I can say that I highly recommend these Thuren/Fox parts.