Have you ever heard an engine roar so loud it sounded like a T-Rex waking up from a nap? That’s the Ram 1500 TRX for you!
I’ll never forget the first time I saw one at an off-road meetup last summer—it was a beast in beige, with a grille that screamed “TRX” in red letters, a hood scoop big enough to double as a mailbox, and tires that looked ready to crush anything in their path. I stood there, jaw dropped, thinking, “This truck doesn’t mess around!”
The TRX is already a legend for its off-road prowess, but what makes it a true powerhouse are some sneaky performance upgrades that don’t always get the spotlight.
So, let’s rev up and dive into three little-known mods that turned the Ram 1500 TRX into a fire-breathing monster, with some techy details, a few laughs, and a story or two from my own adventures. It’s 02:48 PM +07 on Monday, May 19, 2025, and I’m ready to roll!
Supercharged V8 Tuned to 702 Horsepower in 2020—Unleashing the Beast Within
First up, let’s talk about the heart of the TRX—a supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 engine that got tuned to a jaw-dropping 702 horsepower when the truck launched in 2020. That’s not a typo—702 horses!
Ram didn’t just throw in a big engine and call it a day; they borrowed this beast from the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and then tweaked it to handle the rough-and-tumble life of a pickup.
The supercharger—a giant air pump bolted to the engine—forces more air into the cylinders, which means more fuel, more combustion, and boom, more power. It’s like giving the TRX a set of lungs the size of a hot air balloon!
This V8 churns out 650 lb-ft of torque, too, so you’re not just fast—you’re pulling-a-house-off-its-foundation strong. The 2020 TRX could go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, which is bonkers for a truck that weighs over 6,300 pounds.
Ram also added a high-flow air intake and a beefy cooling system to keep the engine from overheating when you’re tearing through the desert at full throttle. It’s the kind of power that makes you feel like you’re piloting a rocket ship—except this rocket ship has a bed for hauling your camping gear.
That tuned V8 set the TRX apart as a powerhouse right out of the gate, ready to dominate anything from sand dunes to drag strips.
I got a taste of this power at that off-road meetup I mentioned earlier, and I’m still grinning about it. My buddy Jake had just bought a 2020 TRX, and he offered me a ride. We found an open stretch of dirt, and when he floored it, I swear I felt my stomach hit the back seat!
I yelled over the roar, “Jake, this thing’s a monster!” He laughed, “Yeah, I think I just scared a cactus!” The acceleration was unreal, like being shot out of a cannon, but with better suspension.
I did wonder, though—does it ever overheat? Jake shrugged, “Not yet, but I’m not pushing my luck!” That supercharged V8 turned the TRX into a powerhouse, and I’ve been dreaming of one ever since—maybe in black, just to look extra intimidating.
Launch Control System in 2021—Blasting Off Like a Pro
Next, let’s talk about a feature that made the TRX feel like a race car: the launch control system added in 2021. If you’ve ever watched a drag race and seen cars leap off the line like they’ve been stung by a bee, that’s what launch control does—it optimizes the TRX’s takeoff for maximum speed and traction.
Ram introduced this system to help drivers harness all 702 horsepower without spinning the tires into a smoky mess, especially on loose surfaces like gravel or sand. It’s like having a pro racer in the passenger seat, telling the truck exactly how to launch.
Here’s how it works: you activate launch control through the TRX’s touchscreen, hold the brake, rev the engine, and then release the brake—bam, the truck takes off like a cheetah chasing dinner.
The system manages the engine’s power, adjusts the 8-speed automatic transmission, and tweaks the all-wheel-drive setup to keep the tires gripping. For the 2021 TRX, this meant you could hit 0 to 60 mph even faster—some tests clocked it at 4.4 seconds—while keeping the truck stable on uneven terrain.
It’s perfect for off-road starts, too, where you need a quick burst to clear a dune or a muddy patch without getting stuck. Launch control turned the TRX into a powerhouse that could blast off like a pro, whether you’re at a racetrack or in the middle of nowhere.
I got to try this out at a friend’s off-road event last fall, and I’m still laughing about it. My cousin Tara had a 2021 TRX, and she dared me to test the launch control on a flat stretch of dirt. I was nervous—I’m more of a “don’t-break-anything” guy—but I figured, why not?
I followed her instructions, hit the gas, and whoosh—we took off so fast I thought we’d time travel! I shouted, “Tara, I think I left my soul back there!” She cracked up, “Told ya it’s a beast!” It was smooth, though, no wheel spin, just pure power.
I did wonder—does it wear out the tires faster? Tara shrugged, “Probably, but it’s too fun to care.” I get it. That launch control made the TRX a powerhouse with a party trick, and I’m tempted to try it again—maybe with a helmet next time.
Bilstein Shocks Upgrade in 2023—Soaking Up Bumps Like a Champ
Finally, let’s talk about a mod that made the TRX handle rough terrain like a dream: the upgraded Bilstein shocks introduced in 2023. Bilstein is a big name in suspension, and Ram teamed up with them to give the TRX some serious off-road chops.
The 2023 models got Bilstein Black Hawk e2 shocks—fancy dampers that adjust in real-time to the terrain.
These shocks use remote reservoirs to keep the fluid cool under heavy use, which means you can bash through rocks or fly over jumps without the suspension fading or bottoming out. It’s like giving the TRX a pair of knees that can take a beating and keep on running.
The shocks offer 13 inches of front suspension travel and 14 inches in the rear, which is massive—enough to soak up huge bumps without rattling your teeth.
They’re tuned for the TRX’s 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler tires, ensuring the truck stays planted even when you’re airborne (yes, the TRX can jump—Ram says it can handle 100-foot leaps!).
The 2023 upgrade also improved the damping for better control at high speeds, so you can hit 50 mph on a washboard trail and still feel like you’re cruising on pavement.
It’s the kind of upgrade that makes the TRX a powerhouse not just in speed, but in handling the toughest off-road challenges with ease.
I saw this in action at a desert run earlier this year, and I was blown away. My friend Carlos had a 2023 TRX, and we hit a trail with ruts and rocks that looked like a monster truck course. I braced myself for a bumpy ride, but Carlos just laughed, “Watch this!” We flew over the terrain, and I swear, it felt smoother than my commute on the highway. I turned to him, “Carlos, this thing’s a magic carpet!” He grinned, “Bilstein magic, baby!” It was incredible, though I did wonder—do the shocks need a lot of maintenance? Carlos shrugged, “Maybe, but I’m too busy having fun to check.” Fair enough. Those Bilstein shocks turned the TRX into a powerhouse that could tackle anything, and I’m already planning my next off-road adventure—maybe with a few more jumps this time.
Wrapping Up—Your TRX Is Ready to Dominate!
So, there you have it—three performance upgrades that turned the Ram 1500 TRX into a fire-breathing powerhouse. The supercharged V8 gave it 702 horsepower of pure muscle, the launch control system let it blast off like a pro, and the Bilstein shocks made it handle rough terrain like a champ. These mods show how Ram took a pickup truck and turned it into an off-road beast that can do it all, from tearing up dunes to turning heads at the car wash.
If you’re itching to get behind the wheel of a TRX, I’d say go for a test drive—or better yet, hit an off-road trail to feel the power for yourself. Check out some TRX builds online for inspiration; I know I’ll be scrolling later today. For me, I’m still buzzing from that desert run with Carlos, and I think I’d go for a TRX in that same beige color if I ever get one—gotta stand out, right? I’ll leave you with a quote from off-road racer Bryce Menzies: “Power is nothing without control.” So go on, take control of a TRX, and let it dominate the trails!