Ram Concept for Rock Racing

When you’re designing a vehicle for serious off-roading, you take into account the likelihood of the tires getting thoroughly chewed by rocks, so the Rebel TRX concept is designed to carry two spare tire and wheel packages, including the tools in a lockable box in the back.

The Rebel TRX concept is based on a Ram 1500 with some serious modifications both outside, inside and under the hood. This off-road racer features a 575-hp HEMI V8, a TorqueFlite 8HP70 eight-speed automatic and a 4 x 4 control system with a BorgWarner 44-45 transfer case.

Clearly, rock rails are essential. Note how they’ve designed exhaust ports into the rail.

Suede with mesh cloth inserts are used for the seats—to help people stay in position. Of course, the use of six-point harnesses help, as well.

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“The Rebel TRX concept gave us the opportunity to examine what a Ram 1500 would look like in the high-speed, off-road world. The tolerances are extreme and features are far different from what most customers expect from their pickup, but that’s what makes it rousing and fun.” That’s Joe Dehner, Head of Ram Exterior Design—FCA North America, talking about a concept truck that Ram Truck revealed (no surprise) at the State Fair of Texas in late September.

The tolerances aren’t the only things that are extreme. For example, the engine. It’s a 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 that produces 575 hp. As the roots-style blower sits on top of the intake manifold, they use a hood based on the Ram Heavy Duty, which is taller than that used for a Ram 1500, and have put in two exhaust vents to remove the heat. There are also five-inch, side-exit exhaust ports that are integrated into the full-length rock rail. While on the subject of air, note the scooped grille, which is designed to help bring air into the engine compartment.

The engine is mated to a TorqueFlite 8HP70 eight-speed transmission.

Compared to a conventional Ram 1500 there is 40 percent more suspension travel—13 inches vs. 9 in the front and 13 inches in the back compared to 9.25 inches.

The 37-inch tires are on custom Mopar 18-inch bead lock wheels. Given the size of the tires (they are 13.5 inches wide) as well as a six-inch overall increase in track width, there are seriously flared composite fenders. The lower brush guard is steel.

Speaking of steel, the frame of the Ram Rebel TRX is essentially a stock Ram 1500 frame.

Inside there are four seating positions, with buckets in the front and a bench in the back. All positions have six-point harnesses. The seating material combines suede and cloth mesh to help keep the driver and passengers where they belong.

Says Mike Manley, Head of Ram Brand, FCA – Global: “With 575 supercharged horsepower and a suspension system built to withstand an all-day hammering, the Rebel TRX concept can devour the roughest terrain at more than 100 miles per hour and never look back.”