If you wanted a truck built for high-speed off-road adventure, your list of available trucks was the Raptor and the Raptor. That may change in the near future, as it seems Ram is preparing to bring a high-performance race truck to market. While Ram hasn’t confirmed the new Rebel TRX concept is entering production, this is an "engineering, design and consumer-interest study for an extreme performance half-ton pickup," which means if you like it, Ram may just build it
Based on the Ram 1500, the Rebel TRX concept is powered by a supercharged 575-horsepower 6.2-liter V8, similar to the engine that powers the Challenger SRT Hellcat. While the 6.2-liter in the concept truck doesn’t put out the 707 horsepower it does in the Hellcat, this concept is the most powerful factory-built 1/2-ton Ram ever. Backing the V8 power is a TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters. The previous most powerful Ram was the Viper V10-powered SRT version that made 500 horses.
Extreme off-road capability
The Rebel TRX uses Ram’s 4×4 Performance Control System, which offers four driving modes: Normal, Wet/Snow, Off-Road and Baja. The front axle is a standard Ram unit with an open differential and custom CV half-shafts, and the rear end is a Dynatrac Pro 60 axle with an electric locker. Not only is there more than 13 inches of front and rear travel, but the Rebel TRX uses bypass performance shocks at all four corners. This truck is built to withstand the demands of off-road performance driving, and the components are designed for severe duty use. It is set up to run all day at triple-digit speeds.
A truck like this has to be ready for extreme heat and off-road abuse, yet its suspension also needs to offer stability and precision. The Rebel’s front suspension uses custom upper and lower A-arms and adjustable performance coil-over internal-bypass shocks. This setup smooths the ride over small obstacles and bumps, and also provides a softer landing after any sort of enthusiastic off-road maneuver. The rear suspension is similar to those used in desert racing, namely a five-link coil system. Braking employs Baer 6-piston calipers front and rear, 15-inch discs in front and 14-inch in back.
Unique styling
It would be nearly impossible to build a truck for off-road racing without it looking cool, and while some elements of the Rebel TRX may not make it past the concept phase, there is no shortage of cool details here. "RAM" is prominently displayed in capital letters on the grille and tailgate. The grille is scooped to increase airflow to the supercharged engine, and the Rebel TRX uses a taller Ram Heavy Duty hood to clear the roots-style blower. Fender flares allow for a 6-inch-wider track, and there’s a forged steel lower brush guard. The truck sports 37-inch tires on Mopar beadlocked wheels. There is also a custom setup in the bed that carries two mounted spares, and tools and a jack are secured in a lockable storage area. There’s also a custom rear steel bumper that has an integrated skid plate, as well as tow hooks. Inside, all four suede/mesh bucket seats use 6-point harnesses, and the black and red cabin has off-road-friendly features like a glove box with elastic straps, a custom camera mount near the rear-view mirror, nylon strap door pulls, and a black anodized sport bar with lights.
The Rebel TRX looks like it could have the chops to take on the Ford Raptor. The biggest unknowns here are whether the truck will go into production, and if it does, how close it will stay to the concept that Ram revealed at the State Fair of Texas.
