1:18 GT Spirit Dodge RAM 2500 Power Wagon Review
Categories Scale Model and Accessory Reviews, 1:18, Models
Welcome to my review of the 1:18 GT Spirit Dodge RAM 2500 Power Wagon in Bright White! This is part of the “review in a few” series where I show off all the main features of a model, rather than going into the history and background of the real car and posting a limited number of pictures for you to drool over.
Alongside the Ford F-150, the Dodge RAM is probably one of the most iconic American pickup trucks. Originally unveiled at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show, the 2017 model year Dodge RAM 2500 Power Wagon came into view as the screens slid away and proceeded to show off the incredible axle articulation on offer – 14.3 inches of ground clearance and 26.3 inches of articulation aided by an electronically disconnecting front sway bar. The RAM 2500 Power Wagon features a 6.4-litre HEMI V8 as standard, pushing out 410bhp and 429 lb-ft of torque and putting all that power down through some beefy 33 inch Goodyear DuraTrac tyres.
GT Spirit was very kind in sending this 1:18 scale resin model of the 2017 Dodge RAM 2500 Power Wagon for me to review. This particular model is finished in Bright White (product code: GT790) and was available from October 2019. The team have also produced this model in the Flame Red launch colour (product code: GT224) back in November 2018, so at least collectors have a couple of options for this model.
The first thing you notice when you unbox the model is just how hefty this beast is! According to the specs on GT Spirit’s website, the RAM 2500 Power Wagon weighs an incredible 2.68kg and it definitely feels like it. It is also 43cm long so some of you may have difficulty fitting this behemoth inside your display cabinets.
Taking a look at the front of this manly pickup truck, eagle eyed readers may recognise the front end as being very similar to that of the smaller RAM 1500 Rebel, with the black grille and Billet Silver RAM badge. I think it gives the 2500 Power Wagon a really brash and imposing face, which is exactly what you want on a vehicle of this type – people will definitely notice you in their rear-view mirror, that’s for sure! The most impressive part of the front view is GT Spirit’s attention to detail. They have accurately replicated the intricate design of the mesh grille and even the bumper has the same black powder coated effect as the real machine.
Zooming into the headlight cluster and I’m quite happy with GT Spirit’s job here. The main halogen beam and horseshoe-shaped section are finished in chrome along with the textured running lights below. We also have the fog lights set into the front bumper, which have a great look with the crosshatched lens cover. I think that cover should be a tad more transparent, but in no way does it detract from the overall look of the front end.
The RAM 2500 Power Wagon has a really unique feature – a WARN winch integrated into the front bumper that can pull 5,443kg and has 85 feet of usable galvanised aircraft wire cable to get you or your friends out of any trouble – you could probably even pull a tree down with this thing! Remember, this is a static resin model, so no part of the winch operates in any way. However, the photoetched loop does an excellent job of mimicking that galvanised wire cable and is attached to the silver hook that is clipped onto the towing eye in a suitably convincing manner. That bright red WARN tag is a perfect addition that tops off an overall fine looking front end. Hats off to GT Spirit for their efforts here!
Flipping this hefty model round 180 degrees, we are now looking at the rear of the model. Aside from the obvious Power Wagon branding on the tailgate, this version of the 2500 has the RAM lettering sitting loud and proud instead of the usual ram with horns graphic. And it does quite literally sit proud, as the lettering is actually 3D! You’ll also notice the single side exit exhaust and tow hitch slot, which would make a perfect setup to add something like a 1:18 scale trailer of some sort for some cool diorama scene pictures.
The all-LED tail light cluster has some great definition of the individual elements, so no complaints here! You can also just about see the 3D effect of the aforementioned RAM lettering.
The Power Wagon branding continues around the front with the central black section on the bonnet/hood. There’s no way the average person is tall enough to peer over the bonnet and see the branding, but at least the driver will know what they’re driving!
The Power Wagon branding is most visible running up the side of the bed, perfectly integrating with this model’s exclusive lower black section running along the sides.
GT Spirit have fitted the optional RamBox Cargo Management System to this 2500 Power Wagon scale replica. RamBox includes two large, drainable, illuminated and lockable bed-side compartments, as well as a cargo bed extender/divider that lets you separate cargo or extend usable bed space to the edge of the tailgate. If only this wasn’t a sealed model and we could actually play with all these features.
The five roof mounted clearance lamps and aerial on the roof are well replicated, with the crosshatched effect really adding to the realism when viewed up close.
The 33 inch Goodyear DuraTrac Wrangler tyres wrapped around the Power Wagon-exclusive 17 inch aluminium wheels with matte black sections (Dodge actually calls these “pockets” – who comes up with these weird branding decision??) are absolutely the dog’s wotsits. I so often cry out for genuine tyre branding from all manufacturers who decline to include it and GT Spirit is usually a culprit. They have thankfully included the Goodyear Wrangler branding on these massive tyres and frankly, had they not, I think this model would have been a commercial flop – it just wouldn’t look the same without the white lettering sitting starkly atop the black rubber. The beefy tyre tread is a welcome touch too. Elsewhere, we have the HEMI and RAM 2500 designations applied via decals. Technically these should be 3D affairs much like that massive RAM badge on the tailgate, but they look very accurate in terms of the font and colours regardless. Even though this model is a sealed resin brick, GT Spirit have included just a flash of blue paint to somewhat replicate the Bilstein front and rear shock absorbers hiding in those massive arches. Don’t expect any sort of detail when you look up close, but from this view and indeed from the view on the shelf, that hint of blue in the sea of black looks spot on.
Looking at the rear tonneau cover from above now and you can see that GT Spirit have expertly crafted the appropriate panel lines for the RamBox system and rear tailgate. The only thing that truly annoys me about this model is the fact that they’ve decided to leave the cover over the rear bed and not left it uncovered so people can actually use the model as a pickup truck! This is a massive oversight in my opinion and could very well put people off buying this model?
Being a sealed model, we can only view the interior through the usual super reflective plastic windows. The rear windows feature a very dark tint, so there is no chance of seeing what is in the back part of this Crew Cab truck. What we can see through the front windows is pretty good – the thick-rimmed steering wheel featuring the horned ram badge and even the instrument binnacle with the exclusive Power Wagon text in the centre is nicely done. The centre console is not too shabby either! There are no raised buttons in sight, but the print of the various graphics is replicated well and is fairly legible as shown on the pictures below. Elsewhere in the interior you’ll find plenty of cupholders and the Power Wagon branding on the seat bolsters. Overall a decent effort from GT Spirit.
I have to say this 2017 Dodge Ram 2017 Power Wagon by GT Spirit is an excellent model. The only real negative point is the fixed tonneau cover over the flat bed, which kind of negates buying a pickup in the first place. Nevertheless, for fans of American pickup trucks I can highly recommend buying this model assuming you’re not put off by the above annoyance.
Thanks for reading this detailed review of the 1:18 GT Spirit Dodge RAM 2500 Power Wagon in Bright White. Please feel free to give your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
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