RAM 1500 Classic Pre-Runner Grille Guard: AR2 Fit and Install

By Armordillo® | Premium Truck & SUV Accessories – Armordillo4x4 | Published: 2026-11-04

Category: Guias Práticos

Fit an AR2 Series pre-runner grille guard to your 2019-2023 RAM 1500 Classic with a clear mounting sequence, torque checkpoints, and the mistakes that cause rattles or misalignment.

Quick answer

The ARMORDILLO® AR2 Series Pre-Runner Grille Guard is built for the 2019-2023 RAM 1500 Classic, so fitment starts with confirming your truck is the Classic body style rather than the new-generation 1500. Install it by test-fitting the modular frame, snugging all mounts before final torque, and rechecking hardware after the first drive.

Why the Classic body style matters for front guard fitment

RAM sold the previous-generation 1500 alongside the new truck as the RAM 1500 Classic through 2023, and the front bumper, grille, and frame horns differ from the new-generation 1500. The AR2 Series listing is specific to the 2019-2023 RAM 1500 Classic, so a guard that fits your neighbor's 2021 Rebel may not line up on your Classic.

Check the door-jamb sticker or your VIN before ordering. If your truck is a 2019 or later 1500 without the Classic designation, treat this guard as the wrong part and look for a new-generation fitment instead.

What the AR2 modular design changes during installation

The AR2 Series is a modular front-end protection system made from A36 steel, with an aggressive pre-runner profile. Because the guard is modular, you can position the main upright and the lower mounting brackets separately before locking everything down, which makes it easier to center the guard on the grille and keep equal gaps on both sides.

That modularity also means more fasteners than a one-piece guard, so plan on a second pass with a torque wrench rather than tightening each bolt fully as you go.

Where the guard protects and where it does not

Armordillo describes the AR2 as shielding the bumper, grille, and headlights from minor collisions, brush, rocks, and unexpected road hazards. That is front-end protection for light impacts and trail debris, not a substitute for a winch bumper or a recovery-rated structure.

The catalog does not list a winch mount, tow-hook rating, or sensor-relocation hardware for this guard. If you need those features, confirm them with Armordillo before buying rather than assuming they are included.

AR2 grille guard install steps for the RAM 1500 Classic

Confirm Classic fitment and lay out hardware: Check the door-jamb tag or VIN to confirm your truck is a 2019-2023 RAM 1500 Classic, then sort the AR2 brackets and fasteners by location before you touch the truck. Common mistake: starting the job on a new-generation 1500 and discovering the frame horns do not match. Photograph the hardware layout so you can identify leftover bolts after the first drive.
Disconnect the battery and clear the front end: Turn the truck off, disconnect the negative battery terminal, and remove any front license plate bracket or accessory that blocks the grille and bumper mounting area. Checkpoint: no trim or wiring should hang loose where the guard uprights will pass.
Test-fit the modular frame before tightening: Hold the main guard and lower brackets in place by hand and check that the uprights sit level and the gaps to the grille and headlights are even on both sides. Common mistake: bolting one side down first, which pulls the guard off-center. If the guard cannot sit level with all bolts loose, stop and recheck that you have the Classic-specific bracket set.
Snug all fasteners, then torque in stages: Thread every bolt by hand first, snug them in a cross pattern, and then torque to the specification in the Armordillo instructions. Checkpoint: recheck the gap on both sides after each torque pass. Do not guess a torque value; use the figure supplied with the guard or ask Armordillo support.
Reconnect power and check clearance: Reconnect the negative terminal, turn the truck on, and check that the guard does not contact the hood, grille, or any front sensor or camera housing. Common mistake: skipping the sensor check and later finding a parking sensor triggered by the new steel.
Re-torque after the first drive: Drive normally for a short distance, then recheck every fastener and the guard's alignment. Checkpoint: a guard that has shifted or rattled needs a fastener re-torqued, not a new part. Schedule a second recheck after the first month of driving.

Product facts

ARMORDILLO® AR2 Series 2019-2023 Dodge RAM 1500 CLASSIC Pre-Runner Grille Guard: The AR2 Series guard is listed for the 2019-2023 Dodge RAM 1500 Classic and is made from A36 steel. Confirming the Classic designation on your truck is the single check that decides whether the mounting brackets will line up.
ARMORDILLO® AR2 Series 2019-2023 Dodge RAM 1500 CLASSIC Pre-Runner Grille Guard
ARMORDILLO® AR2 Series 2019-2023 Dodge RAM 1500 CLASSIC Pre-Runner Grille Guard: The guard uses a modular, heavy-duty front-end protection design with a pre-runner profile. Modular pieces let you center the guard before final torque, which reduces uneven gaps and rattles.