American Expedition Vehicles, known for wrenching on Jeeps, turned their attention to Ram pickups a couple of years ago. Now, they’re showing off a truck called the Recruit, complete with 37-inch tires and a 4-inch lift.

Underlying the dual-sport mission is an improvement in off-road prowess while retaining a modicum of factory ride and handling. This is a truck, the company says, that owner can drive to the trailhead, spend a day wheeling, then head back home with minimum fuss.

The Recruit Ram began by saying ‘yes’ to the company’s production accessory catalog. One will find AEV  bumpers and a Heat Reduction Hood, the latter of which is stamped from 23-gauge galvanized steel. A 4-inch DualSport-SC suspension system is complemented by 20-inch Mesa alloy beadlock wheels wrapped in 37-inch BFGoodrich KO2 meats. Fender flares and an AEV grille are also along for the ride.

The Recruit’s DualSport-SC suspension is the headline upgrade here.  AEV offers an existing 4-inch lift system for the base Ram 1500, so they decided to use the Recruit to prototype and validate a kit that works with Ram’s factory-option Air Ride suspension. This will surely please owners of Ram Rebels.

AEV’s kit increases off-road wheel travel by three inches upward (jounce) and half that amount downward (rebound). AEV retained the factory front Bilstein air struts and rear air bags, using raised mounts and spacer brackets. A massive AEV designed 4mm stamped-steel skidplate is said to protect vital bits without compromising ground clearance.

Extended-length Bilstein 5100 shocks were tuned by AEV specifically for the Ram’s air ride system. Carryover components from the existing Ram 1500 4-inch kit intended for coil-sprung Rams include AEV-engineered steering knuckles, said to be crafted from military-grade cast aluminum in a bid to substantially reduce unsprung weight. That’s always a good thing.

That off-the-shelf AEV Premium Front Bumper found on the Dual-Sport Ram Recruit includes standard halogen driving lights from Vision X. It also includes mounts for a winch and 30-inch LED bar. The AEV  aftermarket hood has twin vents strategically placed to alleviate engine heat while channeling water away from sensitive electronics.

The company has worked on Rams before, creating the Prospector and Prospector XL out of Ram HD pickups. Those trucks, shod with 37-inch and 40-inch tires respectively, were available through selected FCA dealerships, covered by a 36-month/36,000-mile warranty. They even qualified for financing, somehow. Keep an eye out for the same treatments with this Ram 1500-based Recruit.