Way back in 2013 and 2014, the first-generation Ford F-150 Raptor was offered in a very desert-appropriate sandy tan color called Terrain. The 2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 can be draped in Sand Dune Metallic, and its cousin, the 2022 GMC Sierra AT4X, comes in Desert Sand Metallic. Sensing a theme amongst these off-road pickups? For those wondering where Ram has been amidst all this sandiness, fret no longer: The 2022 Ram 1500 TRX has expanded its exterior color palette (which includes Granite Crystal, Billet Silver, Hydro Blue, Flame Red, Ignition Orange, Diamond Black Crystal, and Bright White) to include a rad Mojave Sand color. Just as the as the TRX Ignition Edition is highlighted by its Ignition Orange two-tone paint job, the monotone Mojave Sand hue is model-exclusive, a signifier that any Ram so sprayed is a new 1500 TRX Sandblast Edition.
While the TRX Ignition Edition’s Ignition Orange color came combined with a Diamond Black contrasting-color lower bodywork, the TRX Mojave Sand is all sand, everywhere. The whole dang exterior gets the sandy treatment, making it the only color option without that two-tone lower black strip along the rocker panels—outside of the fully black Diamond Black exterior option, which could be seen as a Diamond Black upper section paired with the Diamond Black lower section, making it all black. The point is, there’s a whole lotta Mojave Sand to the Sandblast Edition, and we’re not sure why Ram chose to nix the black rocker panels in this particular case, though visually, the move effectively makes the black fender flares stand out more.
The 2022 Ram 1500 TRX Sandblast Edition comes powered by the same 702-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 other TRXs use, and beyond its special paint, the model pairs a special package (perhaps named the TRX Sandblast Edition package, similar to the TRX Ignition Edition package) with the TRX Level 2 Equipment Group, resulting in one heck of a badass factory off-roader.
The TRX Sandblast Edition package unsurprisingly includes features similar to the Ignition Edition, such as adaptive cruise control and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, lane keep assist, leather and carbon fiber flat-bottom steering wheel, cargo tie-downs, deployable bed step, spray-in bedliner, unique carbon fiber interior accents, and pedestrian emergency braking. The Mojave Sand exterior color, a unique special edition center console badge, Light Frost cabin accent stitching, and a driver’s display screen in Mojave Sand further delineate the distinct Sandblast Edition. The bedside graphics resemble the available optional $495 “TRX” decal and the hood graphic resembles the available $895 add-on, resulting in an apparent lack of any truly unique Sandblast graphics.
The TRX Level 2 Equipment Group includes a ton of upgrades and features, including: a 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, digital rearview mirror, head-up display, heated second-row seats, heated steering wheel, an LED cab-mounted brake light, ParkSense front and rear park-assist, power tailgate-release, surround-view camera system, ventilated front and rear seats, a wireless charging pad, and so on. The Level 2 Equipment Group is a mile long.
The 18-inch aluminum beadlock-capable wheels are blacked-out versions of wheels that are already included as a $1,895 set for the TRX. It’s a different wheel than what’s on the Ignition Edition, and also different than the standard TRX wheel.
Got that sand-in-your-shorts itch over the Sandblast Edition, which goes on sale this summer? Its price cracks six digits at $100,080, which shouldn’t create sticker shock assuming you’ve glanced the MSRP of a similarly equipped Ignition Edition. So far, there’s no word if Ram will limit production of the Sandblast Edition like it did for the Ignition Edition, in which only 875 were made.
Keyword: The 2022 Ram 1500 TRX Sandblast Edition Wears Proper Desert Camouflage