The return of the 2027 Ram 1500 SRT TRX is about far more than raw horsepower and aggressive styling. While the TRX continues to dominate headlines with its desert racing attitude, one of the most impressive pieces of engineering sits quietly underneath the truck at all four corners.
That innovation is the Bilstein® BlackHawk® e2 adaptive performance shock system, a suspension breakthrough that combines advanced software intelligence with hardcore off road hardware. This is not a simple upgrade or a marketing add on. It is a ground up adaptive damping system built specifically for the extreme performance demands of the TRX and RHO platforms.
For drivers who expect comfort on pavement and confidence in the dirt, the BlackHawk e2 represents the future of high performance truck suspension.
High speed off road trucks have always forced a compromise. Softer suspension setups provide excellent impact absorption over rough terrain, but they often feel loose and unstable on pavement. Firmer setups improve handling on the road, but they can punish the driver when conditions get harsh. Bilstein developed the BlackHawk e2 system to eliminate that compromise entirely.
The Bilstein BlackHawk e2 system works seamlessly with the TRX selectable drive modes, allowing the truck to transform its personality depending on the situation.
Street Mode focuses on everyday comfort and stability, controlling body movement without making the ride feel harsh.
Sport Mode sharpens handling response and reduces body roll, giving the TRX more confidence during aggressive on road driving.
Baja Mode unlocks the full off road capability, maximizing suspension travel, absorbing impacts aggressively, and preparing the truck for hard landings at speed.
Once a mode is selected, the system takes over instantly, adjusting each shock absorber in microseconds to match the surface and driving style.
One of the defining features of the BlackHawk e2 shocks is the Dual Electronic Proportional Valve design. Each shock contains two independently controlled electronic valves, one dedicated to compression and one dedicated to rebound. This gives the suspension precise control over how it absorbs impacts and how it returns to position afterward. Compression damping manages how the truck handles bumps, jumps, and terrain hits. Rebound damping controls how the suspension stabilizes the body after movement. Because the valves are infinitely adjustable, the transition between soft comfort and firm control is smooth, immediate, and natural.
The BlackHawk e2 shocks feature nitrogen charged remote reservoirs, a proven hallmark of serious off road racing suspension. These reservoirs prevent oil foaming and cavitation, ensuring consistent damping even under extreme heat and repeated abuse. Bilstein takes this further by integrating the reservoir into both compression and rebound chambers through internal check valves, delivering stability and performance no matter how hard the suspension is working. This design also allows longer piston travel, improving articulation and control when blasting through uneven terrain.
The TRX is built to be driven hard, and the BlackHawk e2 system is designed to survive exactly that. Bilstein equips these shocks with case hardened steel piston rods, thick chrome plating, and a superfinished surface that reduces wear while maintaining lubrication. A triple rod seal system activates under pressure, tightening protection when conditions become extreme while keeping friction low during daily driving. Additional layers of sealing protection help keep dirt, debris, and contaminants out, even in harsh off road environments.
On the front shocks, Bilstein includes ZoneControl® Jounce Cut Off technology. This system acts as a progressive hydraulic cushion when suspension travel approaches full compression. Instead of harsh bottoming out, the TRX experiences a controlled landing that feels composed and stable. Whether dropping off dunes or absorbing sudden impacts at speed, this technology adds an extra layer of confidence that most trucks simply cannot match.
What truly separates the BlackHawk e2 system from traditional suspension setups is the way it integrates with Ram Active Terrain Dynamics. Traction control, stability management, and shock damping all work together as one unified system. In some situations, the suspension can even anticipate mid air conditions and adjust damping before the wheels touch down, helping the TRX land flat and controlled instead of crashing back to earth. This is adaptive suspension taken to a level never before seen in a production Ram truck.
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