Apex Chassis KIT380-STL ProLock Complete Steering Kit — 1.75" Heavy-Wall DOM SAE 1020 Steel | Matte Black Powdercoat | 2003–2013 Dodge Ram / Ram 2500 / Ram 3500 4WD | DH/DJ Platform | Y-to-T Conversion | 2–6" Lift | Gas, 5.9L & 6.7L Cummins

One kit. One session. The comprehensive mechanical correction your 3rd-gen Ram deserves.

For 2003–2008 Ram HD trucks, the weak factory Y-style layout connected the drag link directly to the tie rod bar — causing tie-rod roll, uneven tire scrub, and the front-end slop behind the Dodge death wobble feedback loop. For 2009–2013 trucks already running T-style geometry, the factory sleeves still flex under the immense weight of a 5.9L or 6.7L Cummins and wide aftermarket wheel offsets.

The Apex Chassis KIT380-STL is the comprehensive correction. A matched pair of 1.75" heavy-wall DOM SAE 1020 steel bars — tie rod and drag link — installed in one session with matched geometry and one alignment fee. Maximum-duty construction for the owner who works their 3rd-gen hard. Matte black powdercoat. Set it and forget it.

⚠️ Critical SKU split — read before ordering: 2003–2008 trucks require KIT380P-STL (includes pitman arm for Y-to-T conversion). 2009–2013 trucks use KIT380-STL (direct bolt-on, factory pitman arm retained). Ordering the wrong SKU for your year results in an incomplete installation.

Why DOM steel on the 3rd-gen Ram: The legacy trailing-arm and front-axle geometry on the 2003–2013 DH/DJ frame provides a wider clearance envelope than the tighter 2014+ radius-arm architecture — allowing Apex to run the full 1.75" cross-section on both bars for matching yield resistance across the complete steering track. The DOM process eliminates the internal weld seam of standard ERW tubing and produces uniform wall thickness that handles direct trail impacts without crimping or denting. For rock crawling, heavy trail use, and work trucks where the linkage will take direct impact — solid DOM steel is the correct material.

The reversible taper sleeve: On lifted trucks where the drag link angle changes, mounting a steering stabilizer into a standard tapered hole causes clearance problems. Apex drills the mounting hole straight through and includes a reversible stainless steel taper sleeve — allowing stabilizer mounting from either the top or bottom face depending on your lift height and clearance needs. No fabrication required.

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

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

Branding note: In 2010 Dodge Ram rebranded as Ram. The DH/DJ platform did not change mechanically. 2003–2009 Dodge Ram and 2010–2013 Ram are the same generation — both fit.

❌ 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. Converting to T-style crossover geometry requires a pitman arm with the correct sector shaft indexing and taper depth to match the new drag link plane without binding. Order KIT380P-STL — which bundles that matched pitman arm. Ordering the standard KIT380-STL for a Y-style truck will result in an incomplete installation.

⚠️ Stabilizer clamp — required additional hardware: Your factory thin steel stabilizer clamp is sized for the OEM tie rod diameter and will NOT seat correctly on the 1.75" DOM steel tube. Order a 1.75" ID aftermarket stabilizer bracket concurrently. Text (469) 407-7538 with your stabilizer brand and model and we'll confirm the correct bracket before we ship.

⚠️ 2014+ critical warning: Installing on a 2014+ Ram HD will result in geometry incompatibility. The 2014+ platform requires the KIT385 series. Confirm your Ram is a 2003–2013 DH/DJ platform before ordering.

Supporting mod requirements:

• Lifts 2–4": Direct bolt-on beyond the required stabilizer bracket. No additional hardware.
• Lifts exceeding 4": Track bar relocation bracket recommended to maintain proper front axle centering.

Before You Buy — Questions We Get Asked

Q: Why do 2003–2008 trucks require KIT380P-STL instead of KIT380-STL?

Factory 2003–2008 Ram HD trucks used the Y-style steering layout — the drag link connected directly to the tie rod bar rather than the steering knuckle. Converting to T-style crossover geometry requires not just new linkage but a pitman arm with the correct sector shaft indexing and taper depth to match the new drag link plane without binding. The KIT380P-STL bundles that matched pitman arm. The standard KIT380-STL does not include it and cannot complete the Y-to-T conversion on a 2003–2008 truck.

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

The factory thin steel stabilizer clamp is sized for the OEM tie rod diameter. The Apex 1.75" DOM steel tube is significantly larger in outer diameter — the factory clamp cannot seat correctly. You need a 1.75" 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: Why buy complete DOM steel instead of the aluminum kit?

Three complete master kits exist for the 2003–2013 Ram HD — this DOM steel version, KIT380-BLK in black anodized aluminum, and KIT380-POL in polished aluminum. The DOM steel is the maximum-duty choice for rock crawling, heavy trail use, and work trucks where the linkage will take direct impact against rocks and stumps. The aluminum kits deliver the same geometry correction at significantly less unsprung weight — the right call for street-biased daily drivers and highway towing builds. Text us your intended use and we'll confirm the right kit.

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. 2003–2008 trucks must install the pitman arm included in KIT380P-STL as part of the conversion. Budget one garage session for the swap and one same-day alignment appointment — and order the 1.75" ID stabilizer bracket before installation day.

The Obsidian Take

The KIT380-STL is the right kit for the 3rd-gen Ram HD owner who uses their truck hard — rock crawling, heavy trail contact, commercial towing, or any application where the steering linkage is going to take direct hits from rocks and stumps. The 1.75" heavy-wall DOM SAE 1020 steel construction with hot-forged SAE 1045 housings and induction-hardened SAE 4140 ball studs delivers the localized impact resistance that aluminum cannot match. The ProLock system physically locks alignment under maximum towing load and rough highway expansion joints. The reversible taper sleeve solves the drag link flip stabilizer mounting problem before you encounter it. The matte black powdercoat handles road salt, brine, and trail abuse year-round with zero maintenance. For 2009–2013 trucks it's a direct bolt-on upgrade. For 2003–2008 Y-style trucks, KIT380P-STL bundles the matched pitman arm required to complete the conversion in the same session.

This kit is not for 2014 or newer Ram HD owners — the radius-arm platform uses completely different geometry, see KIT385-STL. It is not for 2WD Ram HD owners. If unsprung weight reduction matters more than maximum impact resistance — the KIT380-BLK in black anodized aluminum or the KIT380-POL in polished aluminum deliver the same geometry correction at significantly less weight. If you're a 2003–2008 owner, do not order KIT380-STL — order KIT380P-STL. And you need a 1.75" ID stabilizer bracket before installation day — text us your stabilizer brand and we'll confirm the right one 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-STL. 2014+ does NOT fit — see KIT385-STL.