Something has to be said about customizing a truck that has been parked in the garage for a year or two, but planning to customize a truck that hasn't even been delivered yet is a whole other ball game. Jim Lewis, owner of Pro Motorsports, in Kansas City, Kansas, encountered the latter issue, as most of the parts on his '09 Dodge Ram 1500 were prototyped for the newly revamped and restyled muscle-truck model. Why would anybody want to tear into a brand new, straight-from-the-factory vehicle? Well, the answer is rather simple really. SEMA - the only place on Earth where a huge gathering of insanely customized, brand new autos makes perfect sense. Jim's rough and rugged hauler was the main attraction at and around the Hercules Tire booth at the fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada, automotive trade show. And for a car or truck to be invited for display at the SEMA event, it has to be something special because it pretty much sets the standard for the aftermarket scene in the upcoming year.
Since the '09 Ram features a new suspension setup, which features rear coil springs in place of the age-old leaf-spring system that is standard equipment on most fullsize trucks, Superlift Suspension Systems undertook the challenge of mocking up new components for a 6-inch lift. Judging by the Ram's new ride height, we'd say they created yet another great kit to catapult the new Dodge into the sky. A set of 20-inch ProComp Extreme Alloy wheels were sunk into a brand-new foursome of Hercules mud-terrain, Trail Digger 325/60R20 tires. It's safe to say that Jim's robust Ram is fully equipped to tear over anything in its path.
And speaking of rolling things over, the Ram's 5.7L Hemi engine has been given a few necessary adjustments to ensure the already capable 390hp Dodge powerplant makes a clean getaway. A Gibson exhaust, K&N filter, and a fresh set of Doug Thorley headers have been perfectly bolted-on to fit the forerunner of Dodge's latest truck creation. Not only does Jim's truck sound amazing while idling and at WOT, but a few more welcomed ponies have been corralled into the truck's powerful stock stable.
The sentiment that first impressions are always the most important definitely hits home while giving Jim's Ram the initial once-over. All Angles Body and Paint, located in Wichita, Kansas, designed and sprayed the sharp Sunburst orange, black and gray color scheme, which demands attention from hood to tailgate. A brand-new set of Bushwacker fender flares add to the truck's ready-for-anything demeanor and Australian-made Lightforce auxiliary lighting protects the Ram's right to wreak havoc day or night. The truck's frontend looks especially menacing, mostly in part to RBP's signature grille design, which is bold, stylish, and flat-out intimidating.
 Procomp extreme alloy whe...  Procomp extreme alloy wheels... |  ...and hercules trail digger...  ...and hercules trail digger tires - a perfect off-road combo. |  The lightforce lights blaze...  The lightforce lights blaze trails and the ram follows. |