The 2027 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee will not come with shipping guards for the front splitter, ending a peculiar Mopar tradition that defined Charger and Challenger culture for years.
Ram’s head of exterior design, Mark Trostle, confirmed the decision at the media unveiling.
The high-performance muscle trucks feature 8.1 inches of ground clearance and a 16.6-degree approach angle, making the guards unnecessary for daily driving.
While owners shouldn’t worry about splitter damage during transport or around town, Trostle pointed to questionable choices by Dodge Charger and Challenger buyers.
Many left the colorful plastic guards on their vehicles, ruining the aesthetic and paint.
A Strange Fad Ends
Dodge introduced shipping guards for the 2015 model year. Initially bright yellow, they were meant to be removed by dealers before delivery.
However, some dealers skipped the step, and it became common to see Chargers and Challengers driving around with the protectors still attached.
To discourage the practice, Dodge later switched to hot pink guards.
The move made some owners reconsider, but used yellow guards still sell on eBay for around $50 per set.
An aftermarket for similar components has also emerged.
By omitting the guards on the Rumble Bee, Ram closes the door on a fad that many found baffling.
