The Ram TRX Has Returned! But Have They Changed Enough? | Ep. 338
About this episode
Ram is shaking up the off-road truck market with the return of the TRX, boasting a massive 775 horsepower to outclass the Ford Raptor R. Hosts Kase and Andre dive into the mechanical upgrades of the supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V8, including increased fuel pressure and a redesigned air intake. They also compare Ram's aggressive pricing strategy against Ford's lineup, debate the styling differences between the TRX and the RHO, and share a sneak peek at the upcoming Cummins Power Wagon.
( https://www.alltfl.com/ ) Check out our new spot to find ALL our content, from news to videos and our podcasts! The high-performance truck wars have officially hit a boiling point as the guys welcome back an absolute monster to the off-road scene. Fresh off an exclusive first-look event in South Bend, Indiana, Andre and Kase break down the triumphant return of the heavily updated Ram TRX. The engineers at SRT thoroughly reworked the legendary supercharged V8 engine, boosting it to a staggering 777 horsepower to comfortably leapfrog its main competitor. The duo debates the truck's mind-boggling new performance stats, its premium leather-wrapped interior upgrades, and the soaring sticker price compared to the heavily optioned base models they used to own.
Beyond the dirt-shredding TRX, the team dives into Ram's increasingly aggressive strategy to dominate both the off-road and street-performance truck markets. Andre shares a few secret, unofficial details about a highly anticipated heavy-duty diesel model that was sneaking around the event, while the guys also look at the street-focused Rumble Bee edition, which utilizes that same supercharged powertrain to achieve an eye-watering top speed of 170 mph. Wrapping things up with a live Patreon Q&A, they clash over whether fancy interior trim materials belong in a heavy utility vehicle, discuss the real-world utility of a panoramic sunroof out on the trail, and analyze how the brand's bold strategy is putting serious pressure on the competition.
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Ford Model T
"...r trucks, plenty of which don't have AC, like the Model T pickup, for example. Well, it has fresh air."
The Ford Model T is one of the oldest and most famous cars in history, first built over 100 years ago. It was the first car that regular working-class people could afford to buy, and it did not have modern features like air conditioning or heaters.
The Ford Model T, introduced in 1908, is widely regarded as the vehicle that popularized the mass-market automobile. It was offered in various body styles, including a basic pickup truck version, and relied on simple, rugged mechanicals. The podcast jokingly references its lack of modern amenities like air conditioning, which was replaced by a simple tilt-out windshield.
Dodge Ram
"...peaking a lot about, because the TRX is back, the Ram TRX. And the excitement is that you got to drive ..."
This is a large, powerful pickup truck made for heavy-duty work, towing, and comfortable highway driving. Some special versions, like the TRX, are built with massive engines and special suspension to jump over sand dunes.
While 'Ram' is now its own standalone brand, many enthusiasts still refer to these trucks as 'Dodge Rams.' The brand is highly regarded for its luxurious truck interiors, coil-spring rear suspension for a smooth ride, and high-performance models like the TRX, which features a supercharged V8 engine designed to tackle high-speed desert terrain.
Ram TRX
"because the TRX is back, the Ram TRX. And the excitement is that you got to drive it, it's just that we can't yet talk about how it drives."
The Ram TRX is an incredibly fast, giant pickup truck designed to drive over rough desert sand dunes and jump through the air. It has a massive supercharged engine that makes it accelerate like a race car despite weighing as much as an elephant.
The Ram TRX is a high-performance, widebody off-road pickup truck originally powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V8. It features long-travel Bilstein Black Hawk e2 adaptive dampers and a reinforced frame designed to handle high-speed desert running and jumping. For the 2027 model year, it returns to the lineup with upgraded supercharged V8 power to reclaim its spot at the top of the performance truck market.
Ram Cummins Power Wagon
"The Cummins Power Wagon, except, yeah, there wasn't a Cummins Power Wagon available to drive yet. So the drive program for that is going to be... It's still coming up."
This is a heavy-duty heavy-lifting truck designed for extreme off-roading. It features a powerful diesel engine that can pull heavy trailers, combined with special suspension parts that help it climb over giant rocks.
The Ram Power Wagon is a heavy-duty off-road focused version of the Ram 2500, historically powered by a gasoline V8 to accommodate its front-mounted winch. The upcoming model introduces a Cummins turbodiesel engine option while retaining its signature off-road hardware like locking differentials and a disconnecting sway bar. This combination offers immense towing torque alongside extreme trail capability.
Dodge Power Wagon
"Yes. The Cummins Power Wagon, except, yeah, there wasn't a Cummins Power Wagon..."
The Power Wagon is an extra-large, heavy-duty pickup truck built specifically to go over extreme off-road obstacles. It comes from the factory with special tools, like a built-in pulling cable (winch) on the front bumper, to help it get out of deep mud.
The Dodge Power Wagon (now sold under the Ram brand) is a heavy-duty, factory-built off-road truck based on the Ram 2500. It features unique off-road equipment like disconnecting sway bars, locking front and rear differentials, and a factory winch. The podcast notes that modern Power Wagons are exclusively gasoline-powered, despite historical associations with diesel engines.
sway bar disconnect
"Because you've got the new Cummins Power Wagon, which is the only diesel heavy-duty truck on the market with a front locker and a rear sway bar disconnect."
A sway bar is a metal bar that keeps a car from leaning too much in corners. Off-road, you actually want the wheels to move up and down as much as possible to climb over rocks; this feature lets you push a button to temporarily disconnect that bar so the wheels can stretch further down to touch the ground.
An electronic sway bar disconnect allows the driver to uncouple the anti-roll bar from the cabin, dramatically increasing front wheel articulation. This allows the suspension to flex further over uneven terrain, keeping the tires in contact with the ground for maximum traction. Once back on the road, the sway bar is re-engaged to reduce body roll during cornering.
front locker
"Because you've got the new Cummins Power Wagon, which is the only diesel heavy-duty truck on the market with a front locker and a rear sway bar disconnect."
Normally, if one wheel of a car is stuck on ice or in the air, it will spin while the other wheel does nothing. A front locker forces both front wheels to spin together at the exact same time, helping the truck claw its way out of slippery mud or over steep rocks.
A front locking differential (front locker) mechanically locks both front wheels together so they turn at the exact same speed, regardless of traction. This is a critical off-road feature that prevents a wheel with no grip from spinning uselessly while the other sits idle. It is rarely found on heavy-duty diesel trucks due to the extreme torque and weight acting on the front axle.
Ford F-150 Raptor R
"And then you look at the TRX, more powerful now than the Raptor R, which is also pretty good. Big margin, actually."
This is Ford's ultimate off-road truck. It has a supercharged V8 engine from a high-end sports car, giant tires, and a racing suspension that lets it drive over rough terrain at highway speeds.
The Ford F-150 Raptor R is a high-performance desert-running pickup truck powered by a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine derived from the Mustang Shelby GT500. It features 37-inch all-terrain tires, long-travel Fox Live Valve bypass shocks, and aggressive widebody styling. It serves as Ford's direct factory competitor to the Ram TRX.
Dodge Dakota
"Big margin, actually. And of course, the Dakota is going to be coming out. We don't know much abo..."
The Dodge Dakota was a medium-sized pickup truck that was popular in the 1990s and 2000s. It was loved because it was smaller than a giant work truck but could still be ordered with a powerful V8 engine.
The Dodge Dakota was a midsize pickup truck produced across three generations before being discontinued in 2011. It was unique for offering a V8 engine option in a midsize frame, filling the gap between compact and full-size trucks. Rumors of its return have circulated for years as parent company Stellantis looks to expand its midsize truck offerings.
Jeep Gladiator
"...they confirmed whether they're doing a 392 in the Gladiator upcoming? Nothing in those words."
The Jeep Gladiator is a four-door pickup truck that looks exactly like a Jeep Wrangler but has a truck bed attached to the back. It is made for driving on rough dirt trails and allows you to take the roof and doors off for open-air driving.
The Jeep Gladiator is a midsize pickup truck that combines the off-road capability and styling of the Wrangler with a highly functional five-foot cargo bed. It is unique in its class for offering a removable roof and doors, making it a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts. The podcast discusses whether Jeep will ever equip this truck with their high-performance 392 cubic-inch V8 engine.
Ram RHO
"First of all, it does start basically the same size, and the style of the truck is not that much different from an RHO, right? So if you saw a way on the street, you know, a few blocks away, an RHO driving up to you or a TRX driving up to you, you may not actually notice a lot of difference"
The Ram RHO looks almost exactly like the wild TRX truck, but instead of a loud, gas-guzzling V8 engine, it uses a high-tech twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine that still makes plenty of power but is lighter and slightly more efficient.
The Ram 1500 RHO is a high-performance off-road truck that shares its widebody styling and long-travel suspension with the TRX, but swaps the supercharged V8 for a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged 'Hurricane' inline-six engine. Making 540 horsepower, it is positioned as a more affordable, lighter-weight alternative to the V8-powered TRX.
Dodge Challenger
"...to look at what happened with the old charger and challenger, and then the new charger as it came out, people ..."
The Dodge Challenger is a large, classic-looking two-door sports car known as a 'muscle car.' It is famous for having very powerful engines, making loud exhaust noises, and being designed to go very fast in a straight line.
The Dodge Challenger was a retro-styled two-door muscle car that paid direct homage to its 1970s ancestor before ending production recently. It was famous for its spacious cabin, comfortable highway ride, and tire-shredding supercharged V8 Hellcat engines. It is discussed in contrast to the newer, modernized Dodge performance lineup.
Ford F150
"I was trying to, you know, kind of e-cout why not 37, right? Because the Raptor R, the main competitor, the F-150 Raptor R is rolling on 37s. So there's different, of course, answers this way or another way."
The Ford F-150 is a very popular, large pickup truck used for towing trailers, carrying heavy cargo, or everyday driving. It comes in many different versions, from simple work trucks to expensive luxury models and fast off-road versions.
The Ford F-150 is a light-duty full-size pickup truck that has been America's best-selling vehicle for decades. It is offered in numerous configurations ranging from basic work trucks to the high-performance Raptor R, which features a supercharged V8 and massive 37-inch off-road tires. It serves as the benchmark for capability, technology, and towing in the half-ton truck segment.
Challenger Hellcat
"Yeah, exactly. So a fairly familiar Hellcat engine, essentially, 6.2 liter supercharged. But ..."
The Challenger is a large, retro-styled two-door sports car. It is famous for its loud, incredibly powerful V8 engines that are designed for fast acceleration.
The Dodge Challenger is a classic American muscle car celebrated for its retro styling and powerful engine options, most notably the supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V8. It offered a larger, more comfortable cabin than its direct pony car rivals, making it an excellent grand tourer. The podcast references its familiar supercharged powertrain in the context of high-performance vehicles.
Bmw I8
"Yeah. Carbon fiber monocoque chassis like BMW i8 that's up at the ranch. Yes."
The BMW i8 is a futuristic-looking sports car with doors that swing upward like wings. It uses a combination of an electric motor and a small gas engine to go fast while using less fuel.
The BMW i8 is a futuristic plug-in hybrid sports car produced from 2014 to 2020, featuring butterfly doors and a lightweight carbon-fiber reinforced plastic passenger cell (monocoque). It combined a turbocharged three-cylinder engine with an electric motor to deliver sports car performance with high efficiency. It is mentioned in the podcast as an example of advanced carbon-fiber chassis construction.
Jeep Wrangler
"Great color. Or the purple that's on that Wrangler Moab that I like. Yes."
The Jeep Wrangler is a rugged, boxy SUV designed specifically for driving over rocks, mud, and rough trails. You can take its doors and roof completely off to enjoy the outdoors while driving.
The Jeep Wrangler is an iconic, highly capable off-road SUV featuring a body-on-frame design, solid front and rear axles, and a removable top and doors. It is highly customizable and has a massive enthusiast following that values its ability to traverse extreme terrain. The podcast highlights its unique factory paint color options, which are a signature part of Wrangler culture.
beadlock capable wheels
"then you could get beadlock capable wheels, which is actually a pretty hefty price. I believe it's about $2,700 to swap the standard wheels for the, um, yeah, right there, same price as an RHO."
These are special wheels that allow you to clamp the tire directly to the metal rim. This is useful when off-roading because it lets you let most of the air out of your tires to get better grip on rocks without the tire popping off the wheel.
Beadlock capable wheels feature a dual-option rim design that can be used with a standard tire bead mounting for street use, or converted with an aftermarket ring to physically clamp the tire bead to the wheel. Clamping the bead prevents the tire from slipping off the wheel when running extremely low tire pressures for off-road traction.
Ford F-150 Lightning
"...with the light. Did let the, you know, cancel the lightning, at least for now. Toyota has a hybrid, but their..."
The F-150 Lightning is a fully electric version of the famous Ford pickup truck. Instead of running on gas, it runs on batteries, has a giant storage space under the hood where the engine used to be, and can plug in to power household appliances.
The Ford F-150 Lightning is an all-electric version of Ford's incredibly popular full-size pickup truck. It retains the familiar styling and utility of the standard F-150 while adding unique features like a massive front trunk ('frunk') and the ability to export power to run tools or even power a home during an outage. The podcast discusses market adjustments and production changes surrounding this electric truck.
Ford Maverick
"And it told me that this truck could be 181 inches long, which is 18 inches shorter than the Maverick. Wow. Foot and a half shorter. A foot and a half shorter than the Maverick."
The Ford Maverick is a small, budget-friendly pickup truck. Unlike traditional heavy trucks, it is built like a normal crossover car, making it easy to park, comfortable to drive, and very fuel-efficient.
The Ford Maverick is a compact, unibody pickup truck built on a passenger-car platform shared with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport. It popularized the modern compact truck segment by offering an affordable starting price, a standard hybrid powertrain option, and highly practical daily-driving dimensions.
Ford Ranger
"...expected it to be almost identical in size to the Ranger, but that's not the case. But it kind of makes se..."
The Ford Ranger is a medium-sized pickup truck. It is larger than the small Maverick but smaller than the giant F-150, making it a good middle-ground option for people who need to tow things but want a truck that fits in a standard garage.
The Ford Ranger is a midsize body-on-frame pickup truck positioned between the compact Maverick and the full-size F-150. Redesigned recently to feature bolder styling, upgraded technology, and a high-performance Raptor variant, it is engineered for both daily utility and serious off-road capability. It is often compared to other global midsize trucks in terms of dimensions and payload.
Hyundai Santa Cruz
"...I don't know if it'll go quite as curvy as like a Santa Cruz, for example. Santa Cruz is being discontinued ou..."
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a small vehicle that looks like a comfortable SUV in the front but has a small open truck bed in the back. It is designed for city drivers who want to carry dirty outdoor gear like bicycles or camping equipment without owning a giant truck.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a compact Sport Adventure Vehicle that blends the comfort and driving dynamics of a crossover SUV with the utility of an open cargo bed. It features a distinctive, curvy design and a highly versatile bed with under-floor storage. The podcast addresses rumors and market speculation regarding the future of this unique unibody vehicle.
Ford Ranchero
"trucklet. Yeah, some some people are theorizing Ranchero. Yes."
The Ford Ranchero is a vintage vehicle from the 1950s through the 1970s that was half-car and half-truck. It had the comfortable front end of a normal car but a useful open truck bed in the back.
The Ford Ranchero is a classic coupe utility vehicle produced from 1957 to 1979 that adapted a two-door station wagon platform with an integrated cab and cargo bed. It predated the modern unibody truck trend and remains a cult favorite among classic car enthusiasts. The name is often brought up in rumors regarding potential future compact trucks from Ford.
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