The 2009–2018 Ram 1500 has a special place in prerunner history. Dirt King says its Ram long travel kit was first developed for Ram's Rebel TRX concept truck, and the kit's performance is what led them to make it available to the public. If you want a TRX-style truck without TRX money, this generation is a great place to start.
Here's how a Ram 1500 prerunner comes together, front to back.
Step 1: Pick your front suspension
You have three main choices, from mild to wild:
| Option | Travel | Max tire | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4130 Upper Control Arms | About 1" more down travel than stock | Stock-size setups | Lifted trucks (0–3") that need better geometry |
| Long Travel Kit | 13.5" | 37" | Street-friendly prerunners, 2WD or 4WD |
| Long Travel Race Kit | 17.5" | 37" | All-out 2WD desert trucks |
Upper control arms are the simplest upgrade. They correct geometry with up to 3" of lift and use maintenance-free SilentSpin bushings. Note that they don't fit TRX or RHO models.
The long travel kit is the most popular choice. It's a complete bolt-on with no frame cutting or welding on 4WD trucks, widens the track 3" per side, and gives 0–4" of lift.
The race kit is built with trophy-truck-style parts, including 1.5" uniballs, and runs 2.5 x 10" coilovers with 3.0 x 10" bypasses. It roughly doubles stock travel and is for 2WD trucks only.
Step 2: Add what long travel needs
The long travel kit needs a few supporting parts:
- Shocks: King long travel spec coilovers, built for this kit.
- 4WD trucks: long travel axle shafts or complete axle assemblies for 2013–2018.
- 2WD trucks: shock towers, since the 2WD coil buckets sit in a different spot.
- Sway bar: the kit doesn't work with the factory sway bar. Use the Dirt King sway bar kit to keep one.
- Fiberglass: front fiberglass is required (see Step 4).
Step 3: Match the rear suspension
The 2009–2018 Ram uses rear coil springs, which makes the rear upgrade simpler than on leaf-spring trucks. The Dirt King Rear Long Travel Kit gives 12.5" of rear travel with Dirt King spec shocks. It includes adjustable upper and lower links, an adjustable track bar and multi-rate springs.
Also worth adding: bed supports with whip mounts, which keep the bed from splitting its seams off-road.
Step 4: Fiberglass, bumpers and lighting
This is where the truck gets its look:
- Fiberglass: the ADV Fiberglass TRX Style Body Kit adds a hood, fenders and bedsides with a 4" flare.
- Front bumper: the Dirt King Prerunner Front Bumper, with room for up to 8 lights.
- Rear bumper: the Dirt King Plate Rear Bumper, plus an optional hitch receiver.
- Lighting: Morimoto XB LED headlights and tail lights, which also fit the 2019–2024 Ram 1500 Classic.
Build it in stages or all at once
Most owners build in this order: front suspension and its supporting parts, then the rear, then fiberglass and bumpers. Just plan the fiberglass early: the long travel kit requires it up front, so budget for both together.
Shop all Ram 1500 parts, or email sales@bajaracingparts.com with your year and drivetrain and we'll help you build the parts list.