Ram rebels with TRX concept
BY DANIEL GARDNER | 30th Sep 2016
With a massive 430kW from its Hemi V8 petrol, the Rebel TRX concept is the most powerful factory-engineered vehicle to emerge from the Ram stable (or should we say pen?), and has been modified to allow the monstrous truck to go fast regardless of the terrain.
The Ram 3500 on which the Rebel TRX is based went on sale in Australia when the company launched locally in November last year and Ram Trucks spokesperson Edward Rowe told GoAuto the company would consider the vicious variant if it were chalked for production.
“Should a production variant appear there is no doubt that we would take a close look at it given this market’s love of high-performance utes.” he said.
Hanging off the back of the American muscle V8 is a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to all wheels via a BorgWarner transfer case and it was recalibrated to make best use of the significant power increase and potential high off-road speeds.
For more customary all-terrain driving, Ram’s Performance Control System has three settings from Normal through Wet/Snow to Off-road, plus a fourth Baja setting for making the fastest progress over challenging surfaces.
The Rebel’s front axle is a modified version of the 1500 model unit to handle a 6.0-inch wider track and accommodate massive 37-inch tyres in the wheel arches, while at the rear, a Dynatrac Pro 60 axle maximises traction under full throttle with a selectable locking differential.
At the core of the Rebel TRX, its ladder frame chassis is unmodified from the 2500 donor model but the suspension layout has been extensively upgraded to “withstand an all-day hammering”.
Its five-link suspension travel has been increased by 40 per cent to 13 inches with custom-built upper and lower arms and ‘state-of-the-art’ coil-over dampers with bypass, to dissipate more heat and maintain tyre contact as the terrain becomes more hostile.
Extra stopping power is afforded by Baer six-piston callipers grabbing 15-inch discs at the front and the same arrangement with 14-inch rotors at the back.
The huge 13.5-inch wide 10-ply tyres are held in place during aggressive acceleration, braking and cornering by Mopar beadlock wheels, but another two spares are included so owners are not left stranded in tricky terrain.
Conspicuous aesthetic upgrades accompany the mechanical enhancements with composite material flared arches to accommodate the massive wheels, a modified bonnet houses the big V8 and additional roots-type supercharger on top, while rock rails and 5.0-inch side-exit exhausts complete the look and sound.
A unique grille also adds a distinctive look while providing extra cooling and induction flow for the upgraded engine.
Custom steel bumpers with skid plate and tow hooks front and rear, and a front lower brush guard are also added for extra go-anywhere ability.
Inside, the development team gave the Rebel suede and mesh covered bucket seats up front and a bench in the back with six-point harnesses for all four spots provide maximum support during enthusiastic manoeuvres.
More TRX branding can be found on the bespoke colour-matched tool bag that is strapped into the doorless glovebox, as well as in the central cluster display and larger central 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen.
Its interior is finished with a camera mount on the rearview mirror for recording adventures, nylon door release straps in place of regular handles, a custom-designed sport bar and carpets are swapped out for easy-clean rubber matting.
