(May 31, 2012) This showdown was at sunrise.

The Mopar Ram Runner and the Ford SVT Raptor met for a shoot-out at Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area, a state park in southeast California with 85,000 acres of nothing but dirt, dust and desert. When all was said and done, the Mopar Ram Runner was declared the winner.

PickupTrucks.com (powered by Cars.com) teamed with veteran SCORE International Off-Road Racing Series Trophy Truck driver Chad Ragland to thoroughly evaluate both trucks on a challenging 4.73-mile evaluation loop.

“I was impressed with Ram Runner’s extreme off-road capability,” said Ragland. “We jumped, slammed into mounds, cut through deep sand and it came out like a pro, rarely getting into the bumpstops or touching the skid plates,” said Ragland. “Those front-end shocks are amazing. During our first set of runs, I could feel myself tighten a bit as we headed toward the big rocks and ruts, but then the front end just sucked it all up. Those big springs and shocks had no problems.”

“We like how the Ram Runner kit can be built in pieces and stages based on what the truck owner wants and needs,” said Mark Williams, Editor, PickupTrucks.com. “You can go full throttle right away, or take it slower, building your perfect desert explorer at your own pace, factoring in your own budget.”

“Our Mopar Ram Runner is the ultimate desert racer based on a production vehicle,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “Mopar Ram Runner offers superior suspension travel to handle rough terrain and greater approach and departure angles for better clearance.”

“We’re proud that — under the most punishing real-world test conditions possible — the Mopar Ram Runner takes PickupTrucks.com’s top off-road honors over the Ford Raptor,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand. “Whether you’re into desert racing, rock crawling, hunting and fishing or just need a hard-working dependable work truck, there’s truly a Ram truck for everyone.”