SURVEYOR 1:
THE GOAL
Surveyor 1 is a 2013 Ram 2500
SLT Crew Cab 4x4 diesel.
This Ram's fuel economy,
load-carrying capacity, towing
ability, crew comfort, versatility
and dependability makes for a
great combination when it comes
to a pickup tasked for work in the
construction, aggregates, landscaping and contracting trades.
Our build goal is to go a few
steps further and accessorize it to
be the dream package for commercial surveyors — or anyone
who ventures into the woods and
needs to be self-sufficient in the
field.
If we do it right this superbly
designed workhorse 2013 Ram
2500HD diesel will be an even
more refined, versatile, efficient,
powerful tool on and off the
jobsite.
Surveyor 1 will then be given
away next April in a sweepstakes
open to those who work in
construction and related trades.
(To register for the sweepstakes,
go to: www.propickupmag.com/
project-trucks/surveyor-1/sweepstakes-registration.
We are proud to have Mobil Delvac as and Ram Commercial Truck
onboard as the title sponsors.
Surveyor 1's cloth interior with the 40-20-40 bench is both comfortable and practical. New dash layout is very user friendly.
The big Ram Crew Cab will
be ensured a long, healthy life
running Mobil Delvac (http://
www.mobil.us/USA-English-LCW/
heavydutyengineoils_products.
aspx) premium fluids and lubricants protecting the vitals.
Of course, we couldn't build a
great sweepstakes truck like Surveyor 1 without the help from the
automotive aftermarket. Those
supporters are listed at the end of
the article. Check out their sites
and premium products designed
to last in the real working world.
2013 RAM 2500HD
ROAD TEST
But before we dive into upfitting Surveyor 1 with lift kits,
heavy-duty bumpers, emergency
lighting, bed cap and slide-out
storage system, engine tuner and
other upgrades, lets take a closer
look at the stock truck.
Our Crew Cab SLT is typical
of what most work truck buyers
would choose: It has the 6.7L
Cummins and 6-speed automatic
with 3.42 gears.
The interior is cloth with
Cummins high-output 6.7L delivers 800 lb.-ft. of torque through a six-speed automatic. Engine is a real stump puller.
40-20-40 bench front seats and
one-piece folding bench in the
rear. It's also sporting skid plates
($50 option) and powered/heated tow mirrors.
We knew there would be
plenty of upgrades, from tires
and wheels to suspension lift and
bumpers, so no need in getting
factory options that would be
pulled off down the road.
Although we didn't go for the
loaded version, the MSRP still
came to $50,010.
Ram has made a number of
nice refinements to the HDs in
the last couple years that really
improve ride, handling, performance, fuel economy and cost of
2013 Ram HDs have a very robust cooling
system with twin radiators and trans
coolers. The charge-air-cooler is now
located low on the cooling array.
18 PROPICKUP August 2013
PP0813_Surveyor 1 Intro Road Test.indd 18
7/11/13 11:15 AM
