Next Level Performance
May 23, 2026 • 11 min read
The 2021-2022 Ram 1500 TRX is a 702-horsepower, supercharged-Hemi monster with 11.8 inches of stock ground clearance and 13 inches of suspension travel. So why would you lift it? Because tucked behind those fender flares are 35-inch tires that look small the moment you park next to a Raptor on 37s, and because the only way to clear bigger meat without gutting your Bilstein Black Hawk e2 active dampers is a TRX-specific spacer kit. The ICON 2021+ Ram TRX 2in Lift Spacer Kit (part number IVD2122) is that kit — and after running it on customer trucks at our Tampa, FL shop, it's the one we point every TRX owner toward.
Our Verdict
The ICON IVD2122 is the only lift kit we recommend for the 2021-2022 Ram TRX.
Modular CNC-machined aluminum spacers deliver 0.625" to 2.125" of front lift while preserving the factory Bilstein Black Hawk e2 active damping system. No shock disassembly, no electronic recalibration, no compromise — just clearance for 35s out of the box and 37s with light trimming.
Shop the ICON TRX Spacer Kit →Why the Ram TRX Needs a Vehicle-Specific Lift Kit
Walk into any 4x4 shop and ask for a lift kit for a 2021-2022 Ram 1500 and you'll get pitched ten different options — spacer kits, leveling kits, full coilover replacements, and traditional spring lifts. None of them are right for the TRX. Here's why.
The TRX doesn't share its front suspension with the standard Ram 1500. Stellantis bolted on 2.5-inch Bilstein Black Hawk e2 adaptive performance shocks with remote nitrogen reservoirs, Dual Electronic Proportional Valves, and patented Jounce Cut Off (JCO) technology that progressively bottoms out across three damping zones. The truck reads suspension position, throttle input, steering angle, and wheel speed roughly 1,000 times per second and adjusts compression and rebound damping in real time. Strip those shocks out for a conventional coilover, and you've just thrown away the single most expensive part of the truck's chassis.
A spacer kit solves this. The ICON IVD2122 bolts a CNC-machined aluminum top-hat on top of the factory shock's upper mount, raising the perch height without touching the damper internals. The Bilsteins keep doing their job. The active damping software keeps receiving accurate position data. The truck still drives like a TRX — just two inches taller.
The ICON IVD2122 modular aluminum spacer kit, anodized black for corrosion resistance.
ICON 2021+ Ram TRX 2in Lift Spacer Kit: The Details
ICON Vehicle Dynamics builds suspension components in California for race teams and trail rigs, and the TRX kit reflects that pedigree. The IVD2122 is the only ICON product in their catalog designed exclusively for the TRX platform — it will not fit any other Ram 1500, including the Rebel or Big Horn 4x4. Here's what you get.
Key Specifications
How the Modular Design Works
The kit ships as a stack of CNC-machined aluminum pucks plus the hardware needed to assemble them into a single top-hat that sits between the factory shock's upper mount and the strut tower. Because the pucks are modular, you can dial in the exact lift you want anywhere from 0.625 inches (one puck) up to the full 2.125 inches (all pucks installed). Most TRX owners run the full stack to maximize tire clearance, but if you only need a touch of rake correction or want to stay friendly with the factory alignment, the smaller increments are there.
Every contact surface is precision-machined to mate flush with the Bilstein damper's upper mount, so there's no metal-on-metal noise and no risk of pinch-point wear. The black anodized finish resists corrosion from Florida coastal salt, Northeast winter brine, and the desert grime our overlanding customers run through.
Modular puck design lets you dial in 0.625″ to 2.125″ of front lift.
Installation: What to Expect in Your Driveway
This is the kit's biggest selling point versus a full coilover swap. Because the spacers sit on top of the existing shock assembly, you do not have to disassemble the Bilstein damper, decompress the spring, or send the shock out to a service center. That's a four-figure savings on labor and the difference between a Saturday morning job and a multi-day rebuild.
Tools You'll Need
- Floor jack and two jack stands rated for 6,000 lbs minimum (TRX curb weight is 6,396 lbs)
- Metric socket set (10mm, 13mm, 18mm, 21mm)
- Torque wrench reading 15 to 200 ft-lbs
- Penetrating oil for the upper mount nuts
- A second pair of hands for the final torque sequence
The General Sequence
Support the front cradle, remove the wheels, disconnect the sway bar end links, unbolt the upper shock mount nuts from inside the engine bay, drop the shock assembly down slightly, install the ICON spacer stack between the shock and the strut tower, and reverse the procedure. Most experienced wrenches finish both sides in about two hours. If you've never lifted a truck before, budget half a day and consult ICON's printed instructions, which ship with the kit.
Stacked aluminum pucks bolt directly between the factory upper shock mount and the strut tower.
Do I Need an Alignment?
Yes. Any change in front ride height alters caster, camber, and toe. Get the truck on an alignment rack within 100 miles of install. Plan on $120 to $180 at a shop that knows how to align lifted trucks — some chains will tell you the TRX is "out of spec" because they're reading the unlifted factory numbers. Find a 4x4 specialist who has factory and lifted alignment specs in their database.
Tire Fitment: How Big Can You Go?
The 2021-2022 TRX ships from the factory with 35x12.50R18 Goodyear Wrangler Territory AT tires on 18x9 wheels with ET19 offset. That's a generous starting point, but TRX owners almost always go bigger. Here's how tire upgrades shake out with the ICON 2-inch spacer kit installed.
| Tire Size | Stock TRX | TRX + ICON 2″ Spacer |
|---|---|---|
| 35x12.50R18 (factory) | Fits, no trim | Fits with extra fender gap |
| 35x13.50R18 | Fits with factory offset | Fits, ICON-recommended max |
| 37x12.50R18 | Rubs at full lock and articulation | Fits with minor liner trimming |
| 38x13.50R18 | Will not fit | Requires fender liner and pinch weld trim |
| Overall Front Lift | 0″ | Up to 2.125″ |
The honest answer for most TRX owners is to stay on 35x13.50 or step up to 37x12.50. Anything beyond 37s starts triggering the cascade of mods that ruins the truck's driveability — regearing the Dana 60, recalibrating the speedometer, dealing with shark fin antenna height issues in parking garages, and trimming the front fender liner so far back you start seeing the harness. ICON's spec sheet officially recommends 35x12.50 as the largest tire, and we agree if you want a kit that bolts on and stays out of your way.
ICON Alloys engineering schematic for the IVD2122 spacer kit.
Pros and Cons After 6 Months of Daily Driving
What We Like
- + Preserves the Bilstein Black Hawk e2 active damping system completely
- + No shock disassembly means a true two-hour driveway install
- + Modular pucks let you choose any lift between 0.625″ and 2.125″
- + CNC-machined aluminum with limited lifetime warranty
- + Under $300 — cheapest way to fit 37s under a TRX
Things to Consider
- – Front-only lift — rake will increase slightly versus stock
- – Alignment is required and not included in the kit price
- – Will not fit any Ram 1500 other than the TRX
How the TRX Kit Compares to Other ICON Spacer Kits
ICON makes spacer kits for nearly every popular off-road platform, and the TRX kit sits at the premium end of the lineup because of its TRX-only fitment. If you're cross-shopping or wondering why the TRX kit costs more than the standard Ram 1500 version, here's the context.
Stock TRX vs Lifted TRX: The Numbers
| Spec | Stock 2021-2022 TRX | TRX + ICON 2″ Spacer |
|---|---|---|
| Front Ride Height | Factory | +0.625″ to +2.125″ |
| Ground Clearance | 11.8″ | Up to ~13.5″ (front) |
| Wheel Travel | 13″ total | Unchanged (full travel preserved) |
| Active Damping | Bilstein Black Hawk e2 | Bilstein Black Hawk e2 (unchanged) |
| Max Recommended Tire | 35x12.50R18 (factory) | 35x13.50R18 (no trim) |
| Power Output | 702 hp / 650 lb-ft | 702 hp / 650 lb-ft |
Notice what doesn't change: wheel travel, active damping, and the supercharged Hellcat output. That's the whole point of the spacer kit. You get the lift and tire clearance benefits of a lift kit without touching the parts of the TRX that make it a TRX. Customers at our Tampa shop have run this exact kit for 30,000-plus miles with no shock failures, no e2 fault codes, and no ride quality complaints.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the ICON 2in lift spacer kit fit my 2023, 2024, or 2025 Ram TRX?
No. Ram only built the TRX for the 2021 and 2022 model years (plus the 2021 Launch Edition). Production ended at the end of 2024 model year as Stellantis transitioned to the new Ram 1500 RHO. The IVD2122 kit is engineered exclusively for the 2021-2022 TRX chassis and is not cross-compatible with the RHO.
Does the spacer kit void my factory warranty?
Under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a dealer cannot deny coverage on unrelated systems just because you installed an aftermarket suspension component. They can, however, decline to cover damage they prove was caused by the lift. In practice, most TRX-friendly Ram dealers honor warranty work on engine, transmission, and infotainment regardless. Confirm with your specific dealer before install if you're early in the warranty period.
Do I need to recalibrate the Bilstein Black Hawk e2 active dampers after installing the lift?
No. The spacer sits above the shock body, so the damper's internal sensors and Dual Electronic Proportional Valves see the same stroke range as stock. No calibration tool, no dealer trip, no fault codes. This is the single biggest advantage of the spacer approach over a coilover replacement.
Will I need a rear block kit too, or is the front spacer enough?
The ICON IVD2122 is a front-only kit. Most TRX owners install it without a matching rear block because the truck already runs a slight rake from the factory and the front lift brings the truck closer to level. If you want a perfectly level stance or are planning to load gear in the bed, a 1-inch rear block kit pairs well, but it's not required for tire clearance.
What's the difference between a lift kit and a leveling kit on the TRX?
A leveling kit raises only the front of the truck to eliminate factory rake. A lift kit raises both ends evenly to gain ground clearance and tire fitment. The ICON IVD2122 is technically a front lift spacer that functions as a leveling kit on the TRX since it raises only the front end. Either label is correct.
How does the ride quality change after the spacer is installed?
Ride quality is essentially identical to stock because the Bilstein dampers operate within their original stroke range. The only perceptible difference is a marginally stiffer initial compression because the spring preload increases by about 5 percent at the full 2.125-inch setting. Most drivers do not notice it.
Will the ICON spacer kit affect my fuel economy?
The spacer itself adds only 6 pounds and changes ride height by 2 inches, which is not enough to meaningfully alter aerodynamics on a brick-shaped truck. If you also upgrade to taller or wider tires, expect a 1-2 MPG drop from the increased rolling resistance and rotational mass, not from the lift itself.
How long does it take to install the IVD2122 in a home garage?
An experienced wrench can install the kit on both sides in roughly two hours. A first-time DIY install typically takes three to four hours including bleeding the upper mount nuts free with penetrating oil. Always follow with a professional alignment within 100 miles.
Ready to Lift Your 2021-2022 Ram TRX?
The ICON IVD2122 is in stock at NLP Performance in Tampa, FL. Ships free on orders over $99.
Shop the ICON TRX Spacer KitBrowse the full ICON Vehicle Dynamics collection or all lift kits at NLP Performance.
