(May 27, 2011) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Ram truck owners may now transform their truck into a Mopar-powered desert racer. Be be prepared to fork over $13,270 for the complete kit.

Just a little more than one year after Mopar, Chrysler's aftermarket parts arm, debuted its Ram Runner image vehicle to much acclaim at the 2010 Moab Jeep Safari, the brand on Thursday announced details of its new Ram Runner kit for off-road enthusiasts.

“At Mopar, our image vehicles showcase potential directions that we may take and the new Ram Runner kit is a good example,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO, Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “We saw the reception that Ram Runner received last year and quickly moved to offer kits that will allow off-road enthusiasts to transform their stock Ram 1500 into a desert racer.”

The Mopar Ram Runner Kit, developed with successful Baja off-road racer Kent Kroeker, includes the following: Pre-Runner Stage II Lift Kit, off-road front bumper, off-road front and rear fenders, off-road rear-tire carrier, sport performance hood and cat-back exhaust. Each element of the kit may also be purchased separately. The street-legal kit may be installed by do-it-yourselfers or in a Ram dealership.

Ram Truck and Mopar are joint sponsors of The Off-Road Championship (TORC) Series in 2011. Both brands will share sponsorship of the Traxxas Racing team fielded by Mike and Mark Jenkins along with the Menzies Motorsports team owned by Steve Menzies.

Ram will be the official vehicle of the TORC Series and the Mopar Ram Runner will serve as the official pace truck. The Mopar graphic that appears on the Mopar Ram Runner pace truck will also be made available to consumers.