Imagine a pickup that looks like a postwar Dodge Power Wagon, but underneath its neo-retro dress hides a near-1000 hp V8 and six wheels driven. That’s exactly what Desert Power Wagons is offering with its latest project, an extreme build based on a 2021 Ram 1500 TRX, unveiled on October 27, 2026 in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Dubbed Project Colossus, this three-axle giant is the first 6×6 developed by the American specialist in Power Wagon restoration, and it was subsequently shown at the SEMA Show 2026. Priced at $599,950 (roughly €552,000) with 16,400 miles on the clock, this Ram TRX 6×6 sits at the very top of TRX-based builds, already used by projects like the Hennessey Mammoth 1000 6×6 or Apocalypse Warlord 6×6, but here with a body entirely inspired by historic Power Wagons, far more than a cosmetic kit.
Ram TRX 6×6 Project Colossus: a faux Power Wagon, a real mechanical monster
The base remains a 2021 Ram 1500 TRX, but the silhouette has little in common with the original pickup. The coachbuilder Tisdale Coachworks created an extended-double cab, with four doors and a deep bed protected by a textured coating, all in a Satin Charcoal Gray finish. The front end adopts the cues of the historic Power Wagon: vertical grille, squared-off front fenders, a long hood, straightforward, utilitarian proportions, complemented by a “Power Wagon” script on the hood. The widened black fenders, full-length running boards, the six Black Rhino BR012 Outback wheels shod with Toyo Open Country RT tires in 38×11.50R18, and a WARN VR EVO 12-S winch (capable of pulling 5.4 tons) complete Colossus’s footprint, giving it an imposing presence that instantly fills the frame.
Under this vintage guise lies the modern TRX drivetrain. The 6.2-liter HEMI SRT V8, originally rated at 702 hp and 881 Nm of torque, has received a National Speed Stage-3 kit. The build includes an NS1 camshaft by Cam Motion, valve springs and lifters from Brian Tooley Racing, a supercharger snout and thrust plate machined by Kong Performance, a 108 mm Nick Williams throttle body, Injector Dynamics ID1050x injectors, a 2.85″ ZPE GripTec supercharger pulley, a Gates HD Fleetrunner belt, a pinned crank, Stainless Works long-tube headers, GSport by GESi UHO catalysts, a J&L air/oil separator, and properly matched NGK spark plugs. The ECU has been unlocked and re-tuned via HP Tuners on a DynoJet 424xLC2 bench. The result: roughly 1,000 hp and 1,254 Nm of torque, transmitted through the eight-speed TorqueFlite 8HP95 automatic with Launch Control and eight drive modes (Auto, Sport, Snow, Custom, Mud/Sand, Rock, Baja, and Tow), plus a Valet mode. A level of performance that places Colossus above even the recent Ram 1500 TRX 2027 announced at 777 hp and the Ford F‑150 Raptor R at 720 hp on the American market.
Desert Power Wagons also fine-tunes the 6×6 chassis and outfits a TRX-level luxury cabin
The switch to a 6×6 layout is not merely cosmetic. Project Colossus receives permanent all-wheel drive via a BorgWarner transfer case offering three positions: 6WD Auto, 6WD High, and 6WD Low. All three axles are driven, with a rear Dana 60 axle featuring an electronically locking differential, while the Bilstein Black Hawk e2 adaptive dampers and high-performance brakes manage the mass and speed. The six Toyo Open Country R/T tires in 38 inches mounted on Black Rhino wheels, along with substantial ground clearance and the twin-axle setup, give this Ram TRX 6×6 a legitimate off-road stance. A WARN VR EVO 12-S winch integrated into the front bumper, AMP Research PowerStep running boards, and 100% LED exterior lighting round out the package, for a pickup that doesn’t just pose on a parking lot.
Inside, the clash between utilitarian inspiration and modern luxury is equally evident. The TRX’s interior is preserved, with a digitally calibrated instrument cluster specific to the build, drive-mode controls, and a large 12.0-inch Uconnect touchscreen with navigation, but it is fully reworked with Pinecone Distressed leather that covers the seats, door panels, center console, and dashboard inserts. The equipment list remains that of a high-end TRX, including dual-zone automatic climate control, ParkView rear camera, power-adjustable seats, and a premium JL Audio stereo. The headliner uses Vastfire Twinkle & Meteor fiber optics in a “starlight” style, paired with interior ambient lighting to deliver a dramatic effect after dark. For sale by Desert Power Wagons in Wilmington, just minutes from Wilmington International Airport (ILM), this Ram TRX 6×6 Project Colossus (VIN 1C6SRFU97MN832445, stock # 832445A) illustrates just how far a tuner can push the blend of Power Wagon character from yesteryear and modern supertruck technology.
