Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE 
"I had car troubles on the grapevine and they took me in ASAP. Got my jeep back on the same day!" -- Jason
Click HERE to read more customer reviews on Cars.com!
"We had a great experience purchasing our first brand new car." -- Hendrix
Click HERE to read the rest of the review as well as more customer reviews on Cars.com!
The Chrysler Group and their Mopar aftermarket performance division teamed up a couple years ago to produce the Ram Runner Concept – a super modified version of the Ram 1500 that would compete in the high performance offroading segment with the popular Ford SVT Raptor F150. The problem with the Ram Runner package is that it is only available as a kit that the buyer then has to have installed whereas a Raptor buyer can walk into almost any Ford dealership in the country and drive out with a high performance pickup designed to face the toughest terrain at high speeds. Once completed, the Mopar Ram Runner package has all of the benefits of the Raptor but the owner has to either pay a shop to perform the lengthy list of modifications or do them at home themselves after they purchase the package from Mopar. While this is ideal for someone who has the capacity to cut apart their brand new Ram 1500 to build a Ram Runner or for someone who wants to pay a shop to do the work but in the long run, acquiring a Ram Runner is a great deal more expensive and time consuming than acquiring a Raptor.
Luckily, according to Wards Autos, the Chrysler Group is considering a production version of the Ram Runner that would be available in dealerships – just like the Raptor F150. Chrysler is reportedly looking at the possible sales volume of a production version of the Ram Runner and if they think that there will be enough interest in this high performance offroad package for the Ram 1500 – we could see a Raptor fighter in Chrysler Group dealerships in the near future.
I have had multiple opportunities to speak with folks from the Mopar division who explained that the Ram Runner really isn’t all that labor intensive of a package so someone with a fair amount of mechanical capacity can literally buy the parts from Mopar and install them in their garage. The majority of the parts are simple bolt-on items and when completed, the Ram Runner is actually better prepared for the worst offroading conditions than is the Raptor thanks to the addition of the tubular front bumper and the rear tire carrier – features which are not available on the Raptor. Joining those items to create the Ram Runner exterior are front and rear offroad fenders that allow for vastly more tire travel and a sport performance hood with the only item that doesn’t simply bolt up being the rear fenders that require some body shop expertise. A Mopar cold air intake and a dual exhaust package for the 5.7L Hemi help the Ram Runner breath a little better on both ends with a Pre Runner Stage II lift kit adds a variety of high end, high performance suspension components that allow the Ram Runner to vastly exceed the capabilities of the Raptor. The only part of the Ram Runner Concept that was not carried through to the Mopar Ram Runner upgrade package was the wheel and tire combo – which Mopar states is left to the preference of the truck owner.
One of the biggest obstacles facing the production version of the Ram Runner is likely the cost. When you put together the list of features in the Mopar Ram Runner package, the tubular front bumper ($1,250), the tire carrier ($1,010), the wide front fenders ($1,020), the flared rear fenders ($1,350), the sport performance hood ($978), the cold air intake ($466), the catback exhaust system ($1,135) and the Pre Runner Stage II suspension setup ($13,270) carry a rough MSRP of $20,470. However, when we look at the fact that the removal of the tailgate for the tire carrier likely won’t float in production form and the offroading front bumper might be a little questionable, that price for the exterior upgrades drop by $2,260. The cold air intake and catback exhaust features really aren’t needed to turn the Ram 1500 into a Raptor killer so you can also remove that $1,601 from the final production price. Also, while the sport performance hood looks great…it doesn’t make the Ram Runner any more capable on road or off so that is another $978 that you can remove from the price. The image above on the right shows a standard production Ram 1500 with the fenders, hood, front bumper and suspension setup of the Ram Runner package along with a set of offroad friendly rims and tires – showing how well this package will mate up to a normal production pickup. Also, our gallery (click any thumbnail to view larger images) shows the Ram Runner in full concept form from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.
In the long run, the only features that the Ram Runner production version really NEEDS to be the Raptor-fighting beast are the front and rear fenders, the front bumper (or some variation of it that allows lots of approach clearance) and the substantial suspension package. Just those features have a retail price of $17,320 and the Ram Runner package is only available for Ram 1500 Quad Cab pickups with a 6’4” bed – a truck which carries a current base price (Tradesman, 4x4, Hemi) of $31,675 with destination. When you add the essential Ram Runner components to the least expensive four wheel drive, Hemi powered Ram 1500 Quad Cab you get a rice (again, using retail figures for everything) of $48,995. Compared to the $47,525 base price of a Raptor SuperCrew (using a comparable cab size), the Ram Runner would only be a touch more expensive while offering a much higher performance suspension package. At the same time, Mopar could offer a suspension setup that is a little closer to what is found in the Raptor (rather than relying on the $13,000 Pre Runner Stage II kit) and bring the price down even further. The Ram Runner production model would also offer more cargo space with the 6’4” bed since the Raptor is only available with Ford’s 5’6” box.
Unfortunately, the fate of the production variant of the Ram Runner may be left in the hands of the bean counters with the talk via Wards of proper sales figures. When we break down the package into components and remove those which are not essential to the goal of beating the Raptor – adding them to the least expensive Ram 1500 variant on the market – it certainly seems like the Ram Brand could put together a factory production pickup that would beat the SVT Raptor F150 with a smaller price tag…and that is something that bean counters love. Here’s hoping!
Courtesy of Torque News
Hey fans, are you thinking about purchasing a used vehicle? Get a head start and check out our Pre-Owned Inventory HERE and see if we have what you’re looking for!
This is an ideal time of year to make sure your battery’s posts and connections are corrosion-free and that your battery has all the water it needs. If your battery is more than three years old, have a certified repair shop test its ability to hold a charge. Granted, you might be able to find a Good Samaritan to help you jump-start your vehicle in the middle of a blizzard — but wouldn’t you rather avoid such a scenario altogether?
Courtesy of today.com
We are happy to announce that the 300C John Varvatos Limited Edition is now open for stock orders! If you're interested, please give our dealership a call at 661-832-3000. Take a look at the video and you'll find a preview of what this amazing car looks like!
It’s Wallpaper Wednesday friends and we thought we would share this Chrysler Turbine 1500 with you. Enjoy!
"We recommend this dealship to anyone who wants freindly salesmen, good service, and a dealership who is really looking to put you in a car, any car, as long as you are happy." -- David S.
Click HERE to read the rest of the review and more!
Changing your spark plugs can take anywhere from 20-30 minutes depending on how many plugs you have. It costs around $15 to do this yourself (the price of new spark plugs). Here is how to do it:
1. Locate the spark plugs by following the thick, rubbery wires under the hood of your car. Depending on the number of cylinders in your engine, you will find four, six, or eight spark plugs.
2. Start at the end of the row of spark plugs, pull the wires off the plugs by grasping the wire as close to the engine as you can then pulling or wiggling it a bit. Only pull off one wire at a time.
3. After you get the first wire off, attach a spark plug socket and extension to a ratchet. Set your ratchet to loosen, slide it over the plug as far as it will go, then remove the old plug.
4. Install the new plug by screwing it in by hand then tightening with a wrench.
5. Reattach the spark wire plug. Then repeat with each spark plug, one at a time.
Courtesy of usnews.com
People who love Jeeps love tough vehicles and in terms of engines, it doesn’t get much tougher than a turbo diesel so for many years, diehard Jeep fans have been clamoring for a Jeep Wrangler with a diesel engine option. As the American auto industry has slowly become more willing to accept diesel powered passenger vehicles, the Chrysler Group used the debut of the sexy new 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee to introduce the company’s new EcoDiesel. According to Jeep President Mike Manley, the Jeep Wrangler could be the next brand vehicle to feature this powerful, efficient oil burning technology.
While speaking with Ward’s Auto, Manley stated that the Wrangler is “on the radar” to receive a diesel engine option. He went on to explain that he expects the new EcoDiesel Grand Cherokee to show that there is a growing interest in clean diesel technology for passenger vehicles and - provided that the level of interest is high enough – the Wrangler could be the next Trail Rated vehicle to receive a similar engine option. The EcoDiesel Grand Cherokee is due out later this year so it leaves us wondering just how long the Chrysler Group will wait before introducing a Wrangler diesel package.
Courtesy of Torque News
"We had such a great time buying a Jeep Wrangler for myself, we went back the following week and bought my wife a Chrysler Sebring." -- Customer
Click HERE to read the rest of the review!
Need to bring your vehicle in for a service appointment? No problem, but first check out our service specials HERE and see if they apply to you!
