You want it, you got it.  Welcome to the dark side, Ram Fans.

At the 2017 North American International Auto Show, Ram Trucks will be introducing a special black-on-black edition of the popular Ram 1500 Rebel – the Rebel Black.

This blacked-out package is the first time the Ram Rebel has offered black wheels, brush guard and all-black interior. The package is offered with all available Rebel Exterior colors.

The Rebel Black interior takes boldness to a new level with all-black heated seats with black “rebel” embroidery, highlighted with Light Slate Gray accent stitching, which traces the instrument panel, center console lid, doors and seats.

The interior also features black anodized bezels on the doors, center console, instrument panel and gauge cluster trim rings. Additional luxury can be had with optional Black leather Katzkin seats.

This special-edition Rebel brings an aggressive, one-of-a-kind attitude to the off-road truck market. It is available in Crew Cab with either the legendary available 5.7-L HEMI® V-8 or standard 3.6-liter Pentastar® V-6 at a starting MSRP of $45,590 plus $1,320 destination. Rebel Black will start arriving in dealerships in March 2017.

* Disclaimer “MSRP excludes taxes, title and registration fees.  Starting at price refers to the base model, optional equipment not included.  To get full pricing details, see your dealer.

For those who live in cold-weather climates, the snow may already be flying, adding challenges to outdoor jobs and an element of excitement to outdoor recreation. Fortunately, Ram trucks are built tough-as-nails for work and designed for high performance all year round. Whether you spend your winter hauling equipment to the worksite or towing winter toys into the wilderness, preparation is key for enjoying the season safely.

With dependable, powerful engines, available four-wheel drive and a commitment to safety and security, Ram pickups are built to handle the elements. For drivers, a few easy steps will ensure there are no roadblocks to your winter travels.

Here’s a five-point checklist to get you started.

1. Keep up on your vehicle maintenance schedule

One of the most important steps you can take before extreme cold weather settles in is to make sure your Ram truck is up to date on service. Start with an oil change, and be sure the fluids are topped off and that you’ve used the proper mix of antifreeze and water for your radiator. Next, check your brakes and battery, and service as needed. By getting under the hood early in the season you can avoid doing routine maintenance when the harsh winter wind is blowing.

2. Make sure your windshield is clear of snow and ice

Snow and ice stuck to a windshield can be a real driving hazard in the winter months. To keep your load travelling safely down the road, you need a clear line of vision. Check your windshield wipers to make sure they’re in good working order, and test washer nozzles to ensure you’re getting good spray at the right angle. Before you set off on the road, fill your washer fluid reservoir with winter-grade solvent designed to deal specifically with snow, ice and salt residue.

3. Take stock of your tires

You know the saying, where the rubber meets the road? Well, in the winter months it may be more about the rubber meeting the ice, snow and slush. For winter driving, you can’t beat a good pair of tires. Before you take to the icy streets and snow-covered trails, check the tread on your tires and inflate them the recommended pressure. If necessary, install winter tires to your Ram truck, then drive on through even the harshest conditions.

4. Prepare your truck with necessary gear

The warm cab of a Ram truck is one of winter’s great pleasures. It’s sort of a home away from home, and a place to store all the necessary tools and equipment for the season. Stay prepared with essential items to make your workday as comfortable and convenient as possible. Start with a good insulated coffee mug, for one. Then double-check that you have a working phone charger in the cab of your truck, as well as a flashlight and a tire pressure gauge. An extra pair of gloves and a hat may come in handy on the roadside. You might even consider a sleeping bag, in case you end up snowed in during a storm, and a candle.

5. Be ready to help your fellow drivers

Ram trucks are built to get the job done, and sometimes that job is helping a fellow motorist. If you come upon another vehicle that’s either stuck or inoperable, it’s good to be prepared to lend a hand. Jumper cables are essential in the winter months, as is a first-aid kit and a snow shovel in case you need to help dig someone out. A tow strap can also come in handy for pulling a buried motorist out of a tough spot. In an emergency, your Ram Truck could be a welcome sight for someone in need. There’s a reason they call it the season of giving.

Are you ready for winter? Consult your owner’s manual for winter prep, and learn more about Ram trucks cold-weather options at ramtrucks.com.

Big-time jobs call for heavy-duty capability, and that’s where the 2017 Ram 2500 earns its keep. With a variety of trim levels designed for a variety of trades, America’s longest-lasting pickups¹ are engineered to deliver outstanding performance in the toughest of conditions, while providing comfort and workplace durability.

Of course, every job has its own specific needs, and every worker their own tastes and preferences. Thankfully, there’s a Ram truck tailor-made for your worksite. In this first of two installments, RamZone is taking a closer look at the 2017 Ram 2500 Limited, Laramie Longhorn and Laramie, to help give you a better sense of how Ram Trucks are built from the ground up, and designed for heavy lifting and hard work. Check back for part two of our trim-level breakdown for a closer look at the 2017 Ram 2500 Power Wagon®, Big Horn/Lone Star, SLT and Tradesman.

The 2017 Ram 2500 boasts great engine choices in either gas or diesel. The available heavy-duty 6.4L HEMI V8 engine gives Ram 2500 series pickups BIC gas towing of 16, 320 lbs, the kind of impressive power you’ve come to expect from both names.. With the legendary available 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel I-6 comes max diesel towing of 17,980 pounds. That means you’ll always have the power to pull, to build and to perform, while keeping your fill-ups to a minimum, cutting overhead.

In addition, the 2017 Ram 2500 features a class-exclusive five-link coil rear suspension² for improved ride, standard Class V hitch receiver and available Fifth-Wheel/Gooseneck Prep Package for pulling the largest loads, available Cargo View Camera to make trailer hookup easier, Tow/Haul Mode select and available class exclusive Auto Level Rear Air Suspension.

Ready for the workday to start? Let’s punch the clock and take a look at some of the standard and available features at each trim level.

2017 Ram 2500 Limited

The 2017 Ram 2500 Limited is built for the person in charge — someone who takes the bull by the horns and doesn’t mind putting in a little sweat equity. This top-of-the-line work truck features available class-exclusive rear auto-level air suspension² to keep your load balanced, class-exclusive RamBox® Cargo Management System,² premium heated and ventilated Natura Plus black leather front bucket seats for those cold mornings on the worksite, remote Keyless Enter ’n Go™ with start/stop button, double stacked center console with full leather lid, Limited badging and a wood tambour door.

2017 Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn

The 2017 Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn builds on the Laramie’s work ethic and turns it up to thoroughbred levels with premium heated and ventilated Natura Plus leather front bucket seats with laser etching, leather-wrapped steering wheel with real wood accents, double stacked center console with full-leather lid, Longhorn badging, wood tambour door and available Cargo-View Camera,³ and Uconnect® 8.4 NAV with 8.4-inch touchscreen and navigation to help you find your destination and stay connected to the rest of the work crew even when you’re on the move.

2017 Ram 2500 Laramie

The 2017 Ram 2500 Laramie combines heavy-duty capability with heavy-duty luxury, and will help you plow through the workday with available class-exclusive RamBox® Cargo Management System,² 40/20/40 heated and ventilated leather-trimmed front bench seats, available front bucket seats, seating for up to six people, ParkSense® Front and Rear Park Assist System,³ Uconnect® 8.4 with 8.4-inch touchscreen and 10-way power driver’s seat with memory and six-way power front-passenger seat with two-way power lumbar adjustment — because when the workday is difficult, your commute home should help lighten the load.

Learn more about standard and optional features at ramtrucks.com, and check out part one of our trim level series here at RamZone.

¹Based on IHS Automotive VIO registration data for all brands of GVW 1-3 pickup trucks continuously sold in the U.S. since 1988, Dodge and Ram have the highest overall percentage still on the road.

²Based on latest available competitive information. Class based on 250/2500 and 350/3500 pickups.

³Always check entire surroundings visually before proceeding.

The best keeps getting better. We already introduced you to the new 2017 Ram Power Wagon when it was revealed back in February. Here’s a closer look at the visual and feature enhancements for the 2017 model year that kick the style up a notch on the most capable off-road full-size pickup.*

Exterior Styling
The new, unmistakably aggressive matte black Power Wagon grille sets the tone with authority. The Ram centric design draws inspiration from the new Ram 1500 Rebel and clearly defines the Power Wagon’s updated character. Below that new grille and neatly packaged behind the new Black powder-coated bumper resides the 12,000-pound Warn® winch, which has adorned every Power Wagon model since 2005. Flanking the grille are blacked-out headlamps to complete the powerful aesthetic up front, while the exclusive black Power Wagon decal adorns the hood.

Around the side, the bed is emblazoned with a new vertical Power Wagon graphic. The graphic is a throwback to the ’79-’80 Power Wagon models and includes pin-stripe detailing. Massive 33-inch off-road tires, designed to maintain grip on the most treacherous terrain, are wrapped around new 17-inch aluminum wheels with eight matte black-painted pockets.

Out back, the tailgate makes a bold statement with new matte black RAM and POWER WAGON badging — removing any doubt to those trailing behind it in the backcountry as to what truck they are (or were) attempting to follow.

Interior Style and Options

The refreshed center stack and new steering wheel are the reins to this beast — allowing the driver easy and comfortable access to all controls. A new gauge cluster design includes the 7-inch LCD display with unique Power Wagon screens.

The all-black interior features new standard seating with “tire tread” embossed inserts and Power Wagon logos on the front-seat bolsters. New leather-trimmed seats, also featuring the Power Wagon bolster logos, are available in the new Luxury & Leather Group, which includes luxurious touches like a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, LED interior lighting, memory driver’s seat and exterior mirrors, a nine-speaker audio system with subwoofer, plus much more.

The 2017 Ram 2500 Power Wagon is ready to tackle the toughest terrains this fall. Stay tuned to the RamZone blog for additional updates, and learn more about the entire Ram Trucks lineup at ramtrucks.com.

*Based on latest available competitive information. Class based on all Full-Size Pickups.

When it comes to cargo space – we know how to make room for what’s important, which is why we equipped our trucks with the available class-exclusive RamBox® Cargo Management System.* They’re lockable, drainable and illuminated, giving you easy storage and access to your gear.

*Based on the Light-Duty Pickup Segment.

Learn more here.