Dodge Ram 1500 Parts & Accessories

I just purchased a new Dodge Ram 1500, and I'm excited to go offroading with my buddies. What accessories can I get to add some protection to my rig?

There are various accessories available for offroad vehicles, and many of them you can install on your own. A grille guard will keep your front end protected from damage that may be caused by rocks, tree branches, and other elements. Other grille guards also offer protection to the headlights. Meanwhile, you can give your tail lights protection through a tail light cover set. The covers will shield your lights from huge stones that might break the lenses. If you are planning to go somewhere muddy, then a set of mud flaps will be helpful to redirect mud and water away from your truck's body.

I'm shopping for new offroad lights for my truck, and there are so many choices. How do I find the right ones?

If you're buying online, be sure that you narrow down your search so that you'll get lights specifically designed for your make, model, and year. You will find individual offroad lights that you can install at strategic points in your vehicle, and you will also find light bars designed for installation across the roof of your Dodge Ram 1500. Choose according to your need. Look for a light made from materials that can withstand damaging elements and extreme temperatures. If you're installing the light yourself, find one that already comes with mounting hardware. And for better lighting output, choose an LED light—it's brighter and has a longer lifespan.

I've been thinking about giving my Ram 1500 a few inches of lift, but some of my friends are advising against it. Any thoughts?

There are two types of lift that you can choose from—a body lift and a suspension lift. The former is usually done by enthusiasts who want increased tire size, primarily for looks. Meanwhile, the latter is done by offroaders who want to alter their truck's performance to suit offroad conditions. Which is it for you? A body lift is cheaper, but you can't really go offroading with it. A suspension lift will be a better option if you're going offroads, but it's not only more expensive—it requires experience to handle. It will alter the way your Ram 1500 runs, so this is for offroaders with more experience. Extreme caution is advised.

I typically carry heavy load in my truck, and I feel like my suspension system is taking the brunt. In general, how often should I replace my truck's suspension parts?

The straightforward answer to that question would be (1) in accordance with the replacement interval indicated in your truck's manual and (2) when you notice any symptom of damage in your Ram 1500. This would all depend on how you use your truck. If you use it offroads or if you often carry heavy load, expect the suspension parts to wear out faster than usual. Otherwise, you can expect the truck to reach as much as 100,000 miles without experiencing any suspension problem. In such a case, check your owner's manual to determine if it's time to replace some of your suspension components.

Dodge has been around producing trucks since 1917 but it was only in 1981 when the pickups were named Ram. Three decades and four generations later, the Dodge Ram 1500 has become one of the most successful full-size pickup trucks in the class. With its best-in-class ride, convenient storage options, and well-made interior, it is no surprise that truck enthusiasts are still enamored by the Dodge Ram 1500 until today.

The truck’s name was inspired by the Ram hood ornament that first appeared on Dodge vehicles in 1933. The first-generation Ram that came out in 1981 weighed less and was more resistant to rust. It has also followed the previous year’s model designations wherein "D" stood for two-wheel-drive while "W" stood for four-wheel-drive. Unlike any other pickup, the new truck was more aerodynamic outside, had a clean look and better-looking interiors, a full range of gas and diesel engines, and the highest chassis load and tow ratings. In the course of a few years, this truck was able to triple Dodge’s full-size-pickup market share.

The combination of a powerful engine lineup, car-like interiors, and rugged looks made the second-generation Dodge Ram an instant hit in 1994. It was designed by Phillip E. Payne after extensive research revealed that buyers like the "look of a big rig truck". Although it was only available in a standard cab, it was large enough to provide more room for passengers and in-cab cargo. The new Ram’s model designations were also changed to the 1500 half-ton, 2500 three-quarter-ton, and 3500 dual-rear-wheel one-ton in both two-wheel and four-wheel drive.

Because truck enthusiasts loved the previous generation’s look, the newly revamped Ram 1500 which was launched in 2002, kept the “big rig” styling for the model’s third generation. It came in two cab styles, two-bed lengths, and three trim levels, giving the buyers a lot of choices. The new Ram also had new motors as well as two new engine units and an old standby.

In 2003, the Dodge Ram went through another series of improvements which was followed by the introduction of Bluetooth connectivity and navigation system in 2004. In 2005, a six-speed manual gearbox became standard on the V6 and V8 engines. The Ram once again had a number of hardware updates in 2006. In 2007, stability control became available and a powerful new 4.7-liter V8 engine was added.

Style, luxury, and performance – the all-new Dodge Ram offered more of these in 2009 for its fourth generation. The fully-redesigned Ram was introduced at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit featuring a new four-door cab style, new-rear suspension design, new Hemi engine option, new storage system called the Rambox, added power, and up-to-date technology.

I just purchased a new Dodge Ram 1500, and I'm excited to go offroading with my buddies. What accessories can I get to add some protection to my rig?

There are various accessories available for offroad vehicles, and many of them you can install on your own. A grille guard will keep your front end protected from damage that may be caused by rocks, tree branches, and other elements. Other grille guards also offer protection to the headlights. Meanwhile, you can give your tail lights protection through a tail light cover set. The covers will shield your lights from huge stones that might break the lenses. If you are planning to go somewhere muddy, then a set of mud flaps will be helpful to redirect mud and water away from your truck's body.

I'm shopping for new offroad lights for my truck, and there are so many choices. How do I find the right ones?

If you're buying online, be sure that you narrow down your search so that you'll get lights specifically designed for your make, model, and year. You will find individual offroad lights that you can install at strategic points in your vehicle, and you will also find light bars designed for installation across the roof of your Dodge Ram 1500. Look for a light made from materials that can withstand damaging elements and extreme temperatures. If you're installing the light yourself, find one that already comes with mounting hardware. And for better lighting output, choose an LED light—it's brighter and has a longer lifespan.

I've been thinking about giving my Ram 1500 a few inches of lift, but some of my friends are advising against it. Any thoughts?

There are two types of lift that you can choose from—a body lift and a suspension lift. The former is usually done by enthusiasts who want increased tire size, primarily for looks. Meanwhile, the latter is done by offroaders who want to alter their truck's performance to suit offroad conditions. Which is it for you? A body lift is cheaper, but you can't really go offroading with it. A suspension lift will be a better option if you're going off-road, but it's not only more expensive—it requires experience to handle. It will alter the way your Ram 1500 runs, so this is for offroaders with more experience.

I typically carry a heavy load in my truck, and I feel like my suspension system is taking the brunt. In general, how often should I replace my truck's suspension parts?

The straightforward answer to that question would be (1) in accordance with the replacement interval indicated in your truck's manual and (2) when you notice any symptom of damage in your Ram 1500. This would all depend on how you use your truck. If you use it off-road or if you often carry a heavy load, expect the suspension parts to wear out faster than usual. Otherwise, you can expect the truck to reach as much as 100,000 miles without experiencing any suspension problem. In such a case, check your owner's manual to determine if it's time to replace some of your suspension components.