Off-Road Rebellion

Ram’s Rebel TRX Concept.

- Brett T. Evans

Keen on establishing itself as the off-road leader for full size trucks, Ram unleashed the Rebel TRX concept on the unsuspecting folks at the 2016 State Fair of Texas. The wide body pickup, based loosely on the Ram 1500 Rebel, adds a stupendous amount of power and off-road capability to what is already a very competent truck.

Off-Road Prowess

The most obvious changes made to the pickup are the massive, blistered fender flares that hide a 6-inch–wider track than the standard Ram 1500. Sitting under those flares are aggressive 37-inch tires stretched over 18-inch wheels with red anodized Mopar beadlocks. The tires, Toyo Open Country M/Ts, are some of the most capable meats in the off-road world, and it signifies the second such partnership between the tire company and Ram’s Rebel lineup.

Sitting between the front tires is a standard Ram 1500 front axle with an open differential, while custom CV halfshafts provide added width. Out back, a Dynatrac Pro 60 axle and electric locking differential put power to the ground, with the locker providing equal traction to both wheels at any speed. Traction is further enhanced with the Ram 4x4 Performance Control system, a terrain-management setup with Normal, Wet/Snow, Offroad, and Baja operating modes. That locker works in each setting, by the way, so two-wheel-drive drifting on dry pavement is a distinct possibility.