Ram TRX Comes for the Off-Road Crown

It used to be tricky to get face-to-face with a real monster truck. First, you had to keep an eye out for those local TV ads beckoning you to come down to the local civic center on “Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY!” as a dinosaur-shaped behemoth crushes a sedan between its chromed-out jaws. Once you secure the tickets, there’s still the matter of parking, refreshments, and bathroom breaks for the kids. Not a bad way to spend a weekend afternoon, but sometimes even the craziest feats of fabrication aren’t worth the hassle. Luckily that’s all a thing of the past, as today, seeing a monstrous pickup in person involves little more than a trip to your local Ram dealership. You’ll see exactly why Cincinnati Ram TRX sales have been increasing steadily. “What’s the TRX?” you ask? Allow us to introduce you to this monster of a pickup.

The 2022 Ram TRX is part of a new breed of off-road-ready super trucks and could even give the likes of Bigfoot or Grave Digger a run for their money thanks to its supercharged Hellcat V8 that can churn out over 700 horsepower. It sure looks the part, with almost 12 inches of ground clearance, 35-inch tires, and a name that wouldn’t look out of place on a monster truck rally billboard, but how does it hold up in the field? We’ll explore some of the best off-roading and performance features of the 2022 model and see how this year’s TRX is setting a new bar for what a super truck can be.

A New Breed of Super Truck

The TRX isn’t Ram’s first foray into the world of souped-up super trucks. The brand first explored the concept back in 2004 with the introduction of the Dodge Ram SRT-10, tapping the company’s DaimlerChrysler’s Performance Vehicle Operations (PVO) division to produce an entirely new breed of pickup. With a background that included work on the Dodge Viper and Plymouth Prowler, PVO engineers were able to inject the high-octane excitement of a sports car into the familiar 4×4. In the end it wasn’t a very tricky formula to master: borrow the Viper’s 8.3-liter V10, throw on some massive tires, upgrade the shocks and watch the rubber burn. The result was a first-of-its-kind race-ready super truck with 500 horsepower and 525 lb-ft of torque that captivated drivers right from the start and virtually launched an entirely new class in the process.

There’s one major difference between the SRT-10 and today’s TRX, and that comes down to how it’s designed to be used. The SRT represented the first wave of super trucks, which, owing to the street racing-obsessed era in which they were built, were designed with paved surfaces in mind. That’s not to say the SRT-10 couldn’t hold its own when venturing off-road, but with a lowered suspension, six-speed manual gearbox, and a zero-to-60 time of less than 5 seconds, this was a pickup designed to sit in pole position.

The TRX, in contrast, loves the slop. Its father was a mudder, its mother was a mudder, and it’s designed to get that paint job muddied up at the slightest provocation. For the TRX, Ram took the three-time Truck of the Year in the Ram 1500 and threw the kitchen sink at it, including every performance upgrade in the catalog, to produce one of the most capable off-roading pickups on the market.

The 2022 TRX is loaded with all the heavy-duty components to ensure your off-road adventure doesn’t end in a call to AAA because roadside service can be tricky when the road is nowhere in sight. These range from an electronic locking rear differential, which will come in handy when scaling steep surfaces, to 35-inch Goodyear tires on 18-inch beadlock-capable aluminum wheels. The TRX also features Bilstein Black Hawk e2 shocks, which deserve a closer look.

Ready to Rumble

As any seasoned off-roader knows, it’s all about having a good set of shocks. Not only do they help to prevent body roll during cornering, front end lift when accelerating, and stop you from taking a nose dive when you hit the brakes, but they also provide the sort of ride comfort that’ll keep you out on the trail longer. The TRX’s Bilstein Black Hawk e2 shocks are among the industry’s best, with top-of-the-line features that put the pickup in a class of its own.

It all starts with the Bilstein Dual Electronic Proportional Valve technology, allowing the system to control compression and rebound forces. The company’s proprietary algorithm constantly tracks wheel position, body orientation, throttle pedal changes, and a host of other metrics and adjusts each of the eight valves accordingly. This system allows far more precise control than typical setups, maximizing body control and terrain isolation.

The Bilstein shocks are built on triple-sealed, high-strength steel rods that are case hardened for ultimate durability and include shock absorbers with a nitrogen-charged remote reservoir. Based on a design first developed by Bilstein in the 1950s, these shock absorbers include a pressurized nitrogen gas charge located within a remote reservoir. This leaves more room for the piston to travel within the shock absorber itself, improving articulation and making those bumps in the road a little less bumpy.

For drivers prone to testing their vehicle’s limits, the TRX has you covered. The front shocks include Bilstein’s ZoneControl Jounce Cut Off, which reduces the truck’s propensity to bottom out. When the shock absorbers approach full compression, a secondary piston springs into action, activating the compression stop and softening the blow. It’s a nice safety net for drivers who haven’t quite figured out the pickup’s limits, giving you the opportunity to get it right the next time around. Similarly, the system’s rear shocks include a high-strength rock shield that protects its piston rods from the dirt, rocks, and who-knows-what-else that you might kick up in your off-road antics.

Bilstein brings a number of innovative features to the Black Hawk e2s, including a new type of directionally-machined cooling fins. Shock absorbers work by converting the kinetic energy of a compressed shock into thermal energy by forcing oil through hydraulics restrictions, which is then dissipated in the air. While most brands place cooling fins top-to-bottom to dissipate this heat, Bilstein has taken a more logical approach, machining fins around the tube’s circumference to leverage how air naturally flows around the shock absorbers.

Seven Trucks in One

Any discussion of the TRX’s off-road bona fides has to include the pickup’s massive 6.2-liter Hemi V8. Off-roading doesn’t necessarily require the 702 horses the TRX can produce; it’s often more about how the vehicle can stand up to the rigors of the off-road lifestyle, but it certainly helps. Ram went back to the recipe that worked so well in the SRT-10, lifting the engine from one of the brand’s marquee sports cars, a Dodge Charger/Challenger, and slotting it into the pickup. The Hellcat engine produces a mind-numbing 650 lb-ft of torque, allowing the TRX to absolutely scorch a quarter-mile in just 12.3 seconds while reaching speeds up to 110 mph; all the more impressive given the TRX’s 6,400-pound curb weight. This type of speed, along with the vicious roar that goes a long way in explaining the dino-inspired name, put the TRX head-and-shoulders above the competition. It’s often been cited as the quickest pickup ever produced, and with no real competitors in sight, it’s easily the apex predator of the super truck category.

Naturally, the TRX comes with a 4×4 drivetrain, but Ram has significantly increased the pickup’s functionality by including eight distinct driving modes and an electronic full-time transfer case. These driving mode features have been popping up on a variety of higher-end performance and off-road vehicles and are an especially clutch feature on this off-road behemoth. Drivers can seamlessly switch between a number of driving modes to transform the TRX into anything from an off-road mudslinger to a heavy-duty towing rig or street racing legend. Accessed through the pickup’s dashboard infotainment system, these driving modes can be selected using the touchscreen, offering nearly unlimited potential for customization. These seven modes include:

Sport Mode – Sport mode sees the introduction of quicker shifting times, a tighter suspension, and stability control calibrated to impart a sportier feel. Ideal for high-speed fun on paved surfaces, Sport Mode is the go-to option when you really want to feel the responsive power of the Hemi under your foot. Sport Mode also features a 30/70 torque split between the front and rear wheels.

Tow Mode – The TRX wasn’t designed with an eye for towing, but with 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, it’s got it well covered. When Tow Mode is activated, the system alters how torque is distributed, using a 45/55 split to ensure a smoother start. Trailer sway control is activated, and the suspension also gets an adjustment, reducing the pitch and yaw that can come with hauling heavier loads.

Custom Mode – Sometimes, you know exactly what you’re looking for in a ride, and that’s where Custom Mode comes in. This feature allows you to take advantage of all the features offered by the system, customized to fit your own unique needs or driving style. In Custom Mode, drivers can adjust the transmission, paddles, steering stability, and suspension to create the ideal driving experience.

Snow Mode – When the white stuff starts flying, Snow Mode is here to help. When activated, Snow Mode adjusts the engine’s horsepower to ensure a better launch and drops first gear in favor of second. This not only makes for a smoother start, but allows for better acceleration on slippery, icy roads. Snow Mode also uses a 45/55 torque split.

Mud/Sand Mode – While the TRX’s powerful engine and beefy suspension are more than adequate for normal off-roading, some conditions require certain adjustments. In Mud/Sand mode, the TRX adjusts its throttle management response to offer improved traction and limit wheel slip. In Mud/Sand Mode the pickup sets its stability to Sport Mode, steering to Rock Mode, and allows the use of paddle shifters.

Rock Mode – While only accessible when the vehicle is in 4WD Low, you’ll be very thankful for Rock Mode when the time comes. By changing the torque split to 50/50 and enabling an extra-low gear ratio, the TRX can navigate even the steepest, slipperiest terrain. Velocity is set by the system’s Selec-Speed Control for a controlled ascent and descent, while the suspension is set to Baja Mode when Rock Mode is enabled.

Baja Mode – This Mode references the spiritual home of all off-road racing, the Baja Desert. A nod to the peninsula’s sandy, rocky terrain, Baja Mode allows drivers to put the pedal to the metal in conditions that would even scare off most of the 4WD competition. Baja Mode sees the suspension set on full dampening and cuts shifting times by as much as 68 percent. This mode can’t be used while in 4WD Low Mode but does allow the use of paddle shifters. Baja Mode also includes a 25/75 torque split: the most drastic split on any of the eight modes.

The 2022 Ram TRX is a pickup that needs to be seen to be believed. Stop by Zimmer Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram today and experience the TRX yourself. This game-changing truck packs a raft of cutting-edge off-road tech into its imposing frame with a host of features that’ll have you itching to leave paved roads in the rearview mirror. Even if you’re not in the market for a TRX, we’ve got a generous selection of new vehicles from Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram here at the dealership, just waiting for you to take a test drive. Drivers looking to experience the TRX’s unbridled power in a smaller package should check out the Dodge Challenger and Charger, which feature the same V8 Hellcat engine found under the hood of the super truck. From Jeep’s sporty SUVs and Ram’s full lineup of work-ready trucks to large family vehicles like the Chrysler Pacifica or Grand Wagoneer, there’s something for everyone at Zimmer.