Apex Chassis KIT380-BLK ProLock Complete Steering Kit — 2" Hard Black Anodized 7075-T6 Aluminum | 2003–2013 Dodge Ram / Ram 2500 / Ram 3500 4WD | DH/DJ Platform | 2–6" Lift | Gas, 5.9L & 6.7L Cummins

One kit. One session. One alignment fee. Zero maintenance.

The factory steering on the 2003–2013 Ram HD never kept pace with the platform. On 2003–2008 trucks the Y-style layout connected the drag link directly to the tie rod bar — causing tie-rod roll, tire scrub, and the mechanical slop behind the Dodge death wobble. Even the 2009–2013 T-style trucks flex under heavy load in ways the ProLock aluminum construction eliminates.

The Apex Chassis KIT380-BLK is the complete black anodized aluminum correction for the DH/DJ platform. A matched pair of 2" solid 7075-T6 aluminum bars — tie rod and drag link — installed in one session with one alignment fee. Hard black anodized finish. Zero maintenance. Built for the Ram HD that earns its miles in real conditions.

Why both bars are 2": The 3rd-gen Ram DH/DJ platform's legacy trailing-arm and front-axle geometry provides a wider clearance envelope than the tighter 2014+ radius-arm architecture. This allows Apex to run the full 2" cross-section on both the tie rod and drag link — matching structural yield strength across the complete steering track instead of stepping down to a smaller drag link diameter as required on tighter platforms.

✅ This kit fits — select the correct SKU for your year

Engine compatibility confirmed: Gas · 5.9L Cummins · 6.7L Cummins diesel

❌ This kit does NOT fit — read before ordering

⚠️ 2003–2008 owners — critical SKU split: Factory 2003–2008 Ram HD trucks use the Y-style steering layout. This kit installs as T-style crossover geometry. Converting from Y-style to T-style requires a pitman arm with the specific sector shaft indexing to match the new drag link geometry. Order KIT380P-BLK — which bundles the matched black anodized pitman arm. Ordering the standard KIT380-BLK for a Y-style truck will result in an incomplete installation.

⚠️ 2013 Ram 3500 — verify before ordering: The 2013 Ram 3500 was produced in both T-style and crossover steering configurations. Look under the truck — if the drag link runs from the steering box to the tie rod, it's T-style and this kit fits. If the drag link runs from the steering box directly to the knuckle, it's crossover and this kit does not fit.

⚠️ Stabilizer clamp — required additional hardware: Your factory thin steel stabilizer clamp will NOT fit the 2" tie rod. You must order a 2" ID aftermarket stabilizer bracket. Text (469) 407-7538 with your stabilizer brand and model and we'll confirm the correct bracket before we ship.

Supporting mod requirements:

• Lifts 2–4": Direct bolt-on beyond the required stabilizer bracket. No additional hardware.
• Lifts exceeding 4": Track bar relocation bracket strongly recommended. Verify pitman arm drop compatibility before ordering.

Before You Buy — Questions We Get Asked

Q: Why do 2003–2008 trucks require KIT380P-BLK instead of this kit?

Factory 2003–2008 Ram HD trucks used the Y-style steering layout — the drag link connected directly to the tie rod bar, causing tie-rod roll and death wobble susceptibility. Converting to T-style crossover geometry requires a pitman arm with the specific sector shaft indexing to match the new drag link without binding. KIT380P-BLK bundles that matched black anodized pitman arm. The standard KIT380-BLK does not include it and will leave a 2003–2008 Y-style truck with an incomplete installation.

Q: What's the difference between KIT380-BLK, KIT380-POL, and KIT380-STL?

All three cover the same 2003–2013 Ram HD platform with identical T-style crossover geometry. The KIT380-BLK is 2" solid 7075-T6 black anodized aluminum — zero-maintenance finish, full corrosion protection for working trucks. The KIT380-POL is the identical aluminum in polished mirror finish — occasional polish required to maintain the shine. The KIT380-STL is heavy-wall DOM steel — maximum direct impact resistance for rock crawling where the linkage takes hits against hard surfaces. Same platform, same geometry, different surface and material for different use cases.

Q: Why won't my factory stabilizer clamp work?

The factory clamp is sized for the narrow OEM tie rod. The Apex 2" aluminum tube is significantly larger — the factory clamp cannot seat properly. You need a 2" ID aftermarket steering stabilizer bracket. Text (469) 407-7538 with your stabilizer brand and model and we'll confirm the correct bracket before we ship.

Q: How hard is this install and what will I need?

Intermediate difficulty. Standard hand tools, a torque wrench, and a floor jack are required. A full front-end alignment — caster, camber, and toe — immediately after installation is mandatory. Do not drive at highway speeds until alignment is complete. The Apex installation sheet with full torque specs and cotter pin sequence ships with the kit. Budget one garage session for the swap, one same-day alignment appointment, and a 2" ID stabilizer bracket ordered in advance.

The Obsidian Take

The KIT380-BLK is built for the 3rd-gen Ram HD owner who lifted their truck, put real tires under it, and wants the steering to finally match the rest of the build — without a maintenance schedule. The 2" solid 7075-T6 construction runs the full cross-section on both bars because the DH/DJ clearance envelope allows it, delivering matched structural yield strength across the complete steering track. The ProLock system physically locks alignment under maximum towing load and highway washboards. The hard black anodized finish seals the aluminum against road salt, brine, and mud year-round with zero upkeep required. For 2009–2013 trucks it's a direct bolt-on upgrade. For 2003–2008 Y-style trucks, KIT380P-BLK bundles the matched pitman arm required to complete the Y-to-T conversion in the same session.

This kit is not for 2014–2026 Ram HD owners — the radius-arm platform uses different geometry entirely, see the KIT385 series. It is not for 2013 Ram 3500 trucks with crossover steering — look under the truck and verify T-style before ordering. It is not for rock crawlers who will take direct boulder impacts against the linkage — the KIT380-STL in heavy-wall DOM steel is the correct tool for that. If the mirror finish matters more than zero maintenance, the mechanically identical KIT380-POL in polished aluminum is the right call. And if you're unsure whether you need the standard kit or the pitman arm bundle, text (469) 407-7538 with your year and we'll confirm before we ship.

Product information is compiled from manufacturer-provided data. Obsidian Forged Auto Supply is not responsible for manufacturer-driven specification updates, metadata changes, or accuracy discrepancies in the foundational data sheets.

2003–2013 Dodge Ram / Ram 2500 / Ram 3500 4WD. DH/DJ platform. Gas or Cummins. 2–6" lift. 2003–2008 requires KIT380P-BLK. 2013 Ram 3500 — T-style only.