5 RAM 1500 Modifications Every Owner Needs

Date Posted: 7 May 2024

The RAM 1500 is a top-of-the-line truck in and of itself, but there’s always something that can be done just a bit better. If you want to upgrade your RAM, be it for engine performance, handling, or aesthetics, take a look at our 5 favourite RAM 1500 modifications to get some ideas. You may end up wanting to do some or all of them or even just get inspired and add some upgrades we haven’t listed. So let’s jump right in.

Aftermarket Exhaust System for Better Performance

The first RAM 1500 modification you should consider is installing an aftermarket exhaust system. Upgrading to an aftermarket system offers more than just a change in sound - it can significantly boost your truck's performance. These systems are engineered to optimise airflow, resulting in improved horsepower, torque, and fuel efficiency.

By increasing the efficiency of exhaust gas flow, good aftermarket exhaust systems reduce back pressure on the engine, allowing it to breathe more freely. This improved airflow translates directly into enhanced horsepower, giving your RAM 1500 a noticeable boost in acceleration and towing capabilities. Additionally, a well-designed exhaust system can contribute to better fuel economy.

By optimising the combustion process and reducing engine strain, aftermarket exhausts help your truck run more efficiently, potentially saving you money at the pump over time. While there are various types of exhaust systems available, the cat-back exhaust upgrade stands out as a popular choice among RAM 1500 owners. This comprehensive system replaces components from the catalytic converter to the muffler, ensuring maximum benefits in terms of performance and sound.

Air Filters and Air Intake for Optimised Airflow

An image of a parked silver Dodge RAM 1500.

Another popular RAM 1500 performance modification is upgrading to aftermarket air filters and installing a cold air intake system. Air filters play a crucial role in ensuring that only clean air enters your engine. Over time, the stock air filter can become clogged with dirt and debris, restricting airflow and diminishing performance.

Upgrading to a high-performance air filter not only improves filtration but also enhances airflow to the engine. By allowing a greater volume of clean air to reach the combustion chambers, these filters help optimise fuel combustion, resulting in improved horsepower and torque. Additionally, a clean air filter can contribute to better fuel efficiency by ensuring that the engine receives the proper air-to-fuel ratio.

In addition to upgrading the air filter, installing a cold air intake system offers further performance benefits. A cold air intake replaces the stock air intake system with a larger, more efficient one, drawing in cooler and denser air from outside the engine bay. This cooler air is more oxygen-rich, promoting more efficient combustion and leading to even more increases in horsepower and torque.

This upgrade is particularly advantageous for RAM 1500 owners who frequently tow heavy loads as it helps to maintain engine performance under demanding conditions. By combining the benefits of upgraded air filters and air intake systems with an aftermarket exhaust, you will see improved engine performance, enhanced fuel efficiency, and a more responsive driving experience.

Performance Programmers and Tuners

The third and final performance upgrade are programmers and runners. And when it comes to maximising the performance of your RAM 1500, few upgrades rival the effectiveness of programmers and tuners. These devices are incredibly popular among RAM owners for their ability to deliver impressive power gains with minimal intrusion into the vehicle's systems.

One of the key advantages of programmers and tuners is their ease of installation. In most cases, they can be installed in under thirty minutes with minimal effort. The process typically involves nothing more than plugging the device into your vehicle's OBD port and following a series of prompts. At most, you may need to tidy up cables and affix a suction-cup mount to your RAM's windshield.

Once installed, programmers work by making various adjustments to your vehicle's factory tune. These adjustments can include increasing ignition timing, altering injector pulse rates, and boosting fuel rail pressure. By optimising these parameters, programmers can significantly enhance both the efficiency and performance of your RAM.

However, the benefits of programmers extend beyond just raw performance gains. Many models also offer additional features such as diagnostic trouble code (DTC) reading, gauge monitoring, and the ability to switch between different tunes. This versatility allows you to customise your driving experience further, tailoring your RAM's performance to suit your preferences and driving conditions.

RAM 1500 Suspension System Upgrades

When it comes to improving your RAM handling, don't overlook the importance of upgrading the suspension system. Whether you're planning to lift, level, or lower your truck, investing in a set of heavy-duty shocks and struts is essential for achieving optimal performance. The suspension system of the RAM 1500 already boasts coil springs both at the front and rear, offering a solid foundation for enhancement.

By replacing the stock shocks and struts with high-performance alternatives, you can significantly enhance your truck's handling characteristics and ride quality. There are several benefits to this upgrade. First, it improves handling by reducing body roll, providing better stability when navigating corners or uneven terrain. This is especially valuable for off-road driving when you need precise control over your truck.

Additionally, upgrading the suspension system can result in a smoother ride, absorbing bumps and vibrations from the road surface more effectively. This not only enhances comfort for you and your passengers but also helps to protect your truck's components from excessive wear and tear.

Furthermore, a reinforced suspension system is particularly advantageous for RAM 1500 owners who frequently haul heavy loads, as is somewhat expected you’ll be doing. By providing better support and stability, upgraded shocks and struts help to maintain proper ride height and prevent bottoming out, ensuring a safer and more controlled driving experience.

Aesthetic Upgrades for Your RAM 1500

An image of a Dodge RAM with aesthetic RAM 1500 modifications.

Finally, we get to aesthetic RAM 1500 mods. However, enhancing the aesthetics is often not just about looks but also about improving functionality and off-road capabilities, so you get a two-in-one deal. Upgrading to larger wheels and tyres enhances your truck's appearance but also provides better handling and off-road capability.

Adding a tough-looking bumper, whether front or rear, is another great way to give your RAM 1500 a significant styling upgrade. An aftermarket off-road bumper can provide crucial clearance for larger wheels and tyres, making it essential for serious off-road driving. Additionally, upgrading your truck's stock grille and bumpers with custom options can personalise its look and enhance its protective capabilities, all while adding a touch of style.

Upgrading your RAM 1500's lighting with LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights enhances visibility and gives your truck a modern and stylish look. LED lights provide brighter, whiter light, improving visibility in challenging weather conditions and enhancing your truck's overall appearance.

Finally, fender flares are not just a cosmetic upgrade but also take on the role of protecting your RAM 1500's body and paint. This is particularly important if you're running oversized wheels and tyres or frequently off-roading. Naturally, you don’t have to do all of these aesthetic upgrades at the same time. While they harmonise perfectly, you can do it one by one and see how you like each.

+ One Small But Highly Valuable RAM 1500 Modification

In the end, let’s also mention one small but highly functional RAM 1500 modification - the tailgate damper. It doesn’t boost performance or the aesthetic, but it will save you from headaches. Plus, it’s exceedingly cheap. A tailgate damper will prevent your tailgate from slamming open. That’s it. No more ‘Oops, sorry, I forgot,’ when someone else opens your tailgate.

Order Upgrades for Your RAM 1500 Online

If you want to upgrade your RAM 1500 with one or all of these modifications, Perfrom-Ex Auto can help you out. We stock high-quality but affordable aftermarket parts - check out our collection of performance parts for the RAM 1500 and get the ones you need. You can order everything online and we’ll ship it to your address. And if you have any questions, feel free to contact us, we’ll gladly offer assistance.