By SEMA Editors
 The all-new ’21 Ram TRX features an aggressive stance and wide body that requires composite flares and fender wells that have been stretched to cover aggressive 35-in. Goodyear Wrangler Territory 325/65/R18 All-Terrain tires. |
The all-new ’21 Ram 1500 TRX, intended to cement Ram Truck as North America’s off-road truck leader, expands the Ram light-duty lineup and sets new benchmarks for power and performance among half-ton pickup trucks with the 6.2L supercharged HEMI V-8 engine. Launch of the 1500 TRX will create new opportunities for aftermarket manufacturers to design and customize a new platform. MOPAR will offer more than 100 factory-engineered, quality-tested performance parts and accessories for the all-new ’21 Ram TRX and more than 600 across the entire ’21 Ram Truck brand lineup.
Rated at 702 hp and 650 lb.-ft. of torque, the 6.2L supercharged HEMI V-8 engine powers the Ram TRX to a top speed of 118 mph. Combined with a high-torque-capacity TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, the Ram TRX delivers performance capabilities of 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds and the quarter-mile in 12.9 seconds at 108 mph. To best match gear selection and shift points to the driver’s demands, the TorqueFlite 8HP95 eight-speed automatic transmission monitors inputs, such as engine torque gradients, throttle kick-down, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, detection of friction, downshifts and road grade. This versatile, well-developed, high-torque-capacity, eight-speed transmission delivers quick acceleration and precise, crisp, quick gear changes.
The ’21 Ram TRX is designed to deliver up to 32 in. of water fording, up to 8,100 lbs. towing and a maximum payload capacity of 1,310 lbs. The all-new ’21 Ram TRX features an aggressive stance and wide body that requires composite flares and fender wells that have been stretched to cover aggressive 35-in. Goodyear Wrangler Territory 325/65/R18 All-Terrain tires. The truck is 8 in. wider compared to the rest of the Ram 1500 lineup, and the composite flares help to compensate for a 6-in. increase in track width. Normally, Ram 1500 features a wheel that is 8 in. wide, but the TRX design team had to accommodate a wheel that is 9 in. wide.
 Launch Control is standard with the ’21 Ram TRX and manages tire slip while launching the vehicle to give the driver consistent straight-line acceleration. Wheel speed sensors watch for driveline-damaging wheel hop at launch and, in milliseconds, provide inputs to the powertrain control module to modify the engine torque to regain full grip. |
The ’21 Ram TRX’s frame is composed of thicker, optimally shaped, strategically placed high-strength steel that uses low-torsion attributes to increase durability and stability. Sections of the frame are hydroformed for dimensional accuracy, reducing the need for welding, and the side rails are fully boxed. The front rails use high-strength steel and hydroformed sections to set a strong foundation to better handle the front suspension load. Galvanized frame components provide improved corrosion protection. The front axle was shifted 20 mm forward to accommodate the 35-in. Goodyear Territory All-Terrain tires that were designed exclusively for TRX. The 35-in. tires are available with 18-in. beadlock-ready wheels with accent color-matched rings.
The Ram TRX boasts a ground clearance of 11.8 in. due in part to a 2-in. ride height increase when compared with the rest of the 1500 lineup, along with 35-in. tires. This combination enables TRX to clear surface obstacles more easily and at high speeds. Favorable geometry specifications include an approach angle of 30.2 degrees, breakover angle of 21.9 degrees and departure angle of 23.5 degrees.
LED clearance marker lights flank the front bumper, and a new, aluminum hood features bright LED clearance lights integrated in the functional hood scoop. The hood scoop is responsible for 50% of air entering the 6.2L supercharged HEMI V-8 engine while the other 50% enters through the grille. There is also a functional air curtain just outboard of the headlamps that relieves high-pressure zones at the front corners, allowing air to pass through the fenders. Directing incoming air to the bottom of the air box helps dirt and water settle out before the air reaches the filter elements, and a one-way drain in the bottom of the air box evacuates water even when the vehicle is moving. Intake air is drawn upward from the box through twin, heavy-duty air filters that provide 198.4 sq. in. of filter surface area, four times the dust-trapping capacity when compared to the closest competitor, to remove any residual dust or sand before the air is ducted. Unfolded, the filter surface medium covers 13.3 sq. ft. The Ram TRX’s air box is mounted at the top of the engine, making it easy to access should the owner choose to field-clean the high-performance filter elements.
TRX buyers can choose an optional full-length rock rail for added body/sill protection or traditional off-road powder-coated aluminum running boards. Optional body-side and hood graphics are available as a pair or separately.
 The ’21 Ram TRX is designed to deliver up to 32 in. of water fording, and features an air intake system resistant to prolonged use in dusty environments. |
Ram TRX features new box outers made of steel and are wider than that of a traditional Ram 1500. A bed-mounted spare tire carrier is available in addition to the standard full-size spare tire that sits underneath the bed, between the rear axle and trailer hitch. Premium LED taillamps are standard on TRX and the bezels allow for the Blind-Spot Monitoring function to see around the extended box outers. Center identification marker lights, like what is seen on Ram Heavy Duty models, are tucked between the tailgate and rear bumper and oversized tow hooks, are located at the front and rear of the truck, along with integrated 5-in. dual-exhaust ports.
The all-new ’21 Ram TRX features three interior options, including premium cloth and vinyl, premium-wrapped leather and suede, or premium-wrapped leather and suede with available red and carbon-fiber accents.
An all-new Head-Up Display unit can show up to five different content areas at once, including Lane Departure, Lane Keep Assist, adaptive cruise control, turn-by-turn navigation, current speed, current gear and speed limit. The Head-Up Display is available on the TR2 Equipment Group and is a full-color unit accessible through the 12-in. Uconnect 4C touchscreen.
Launch Control is standard with the ’21 Ram TRX and manages tire slip while launching the vehicle to give the driver consistent straight-line acceleration. Wheel speed sensors watch for driveline-damaging wheel hop at launch and, in milliseconds, provide inputs to the powertrain control module to modify the engine torque to regain full grip.
The Ram TRX is also equipped with Jump Detection, which uses wheel-speed and ride-height sensors and accelerometers at each corner to identify when the vehicle is airborne and acts to prevent driveline-damaging power spikes. Acting in milliseconds, Jump Detection modifies engine speed and torque, gear selection, transfer case torque split, damping rates and other powertrain and suspension components through the landing to deliver optimum performance.
To protect critical components, including the front axle, transfer case, transmission pan and fuel tank, TRX employs five skid plates. A separate skid plate sits at the bottom of the front fascia, mitigating potential damage, and doubles as a belly pan. Heavy-duty gauge steel rock sliders are an available option.
The use of lightweight, high-strength aluminum closures, including the doors, hood and tailgate, help reduce weight and boost fuel economy. Ram TRX also uses aluminum engine mounts, front-axle center section, front suspension and transmission cross-members, front upper and lower control arms, front skid plate, transmission skid plate and steering system gear.
An all-new independent front suspension system with active damping uses high-strength aluminum to maintain overall strength and durability. The suspension system includes new front upper and lower control arms made of forged aluminum with special attention paid to the caster and camber angles during suspension cycling. The new, longer, substantially sized front upper and lower control arms are constructed of 80-ksi high-strength steel and designed with a focus on additional wheel travel and axle track width. This new suspension system features upgraded components to provide more performance and improved endurance. An all-new rear suspension system with active damping and an exclusive five-link coil system is used at the rear. Overall, rear-wheel travel is increased to more than 13 in. from the standard 9 in., or more than 40% when compared to the rest of the Ram 1500 lineup.
 The ’21 Ram TRX’s frame is composed of thicker, optimally shaped, strategically placed high-strength steel that uses low-torsion attributes to increase durability and stability. |
New 2.5-in. Bilstein Black Hawk e2 adaptive performance shocks use precision-machined, single-piece construction comprised of rigid aluminum to reduce and dissipate heat and continuously adjust damping forces for optimal body control and terrain isolation. The adaptive performance shocks feature robust corrosion protection with a durable finish and directional-machined cooling fins aligned with air flow for more effective cooling.
The Ram TRX is equipped with a new BorgWarner 48-13 full-time active transfer case that features upgraded internals for improved strength and durability, and a low range of 2.64:1 for rock crawling, and can be flat-towed while in neutral. Ram TRX relies on a four-wheel disc brake system and a hydraulic compensation unit to enhance brake pedal feel and performance during emergency maneuvers. Up front are two-piston monoblock calipers clamping down on 15-in. inverted hat (outboard venting) rotors for improved cooling. The rear uses single piston calipers with 15-in. rotors to provide stopping power. An electronic parking brake holds the truck steady when applied and is standard.
Safety and security were primary drivers in the development of the new ’21 Ram TRX, which offers more than 100 available active and passive safety and security features. Standard features include ParkView rear backup camera with dynamic grid lines, electronic stability control (ESC) with electronic roll mitigation and six standard air bags. Available features include Blind-Spot Monitoring, adaptive cruise control, Ready Alert Braking and Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus.
The ’21 Ram TRX is built at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) in Sterling Heights, Michigan.