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Dodge Ram SRT-10 roars off as world's swiftest sporty pickup
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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AUSTIN, Tex. -- A flat expanse of asphalt in Austin, Tex., becomes our track to propel an ultra-powered sport vehicle through a serpentine autocross circuit defined by orange plastic traffic cones.
Precisely how much power do we have to play?
Hold those horses: A monstrous ten-cylinder aluminum engine stuffed into this thing produces power numbers pitched into the stratosphere of the triple 500 Club.
The plant displaces 8.3 liters, the equivalent of 505 cubic inches, and delivers up to 500 hp at 5600 rpm plus as much as 525 lb-ft of torque at 4200 rpm.
A heavy-duty Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission equipped with customized Hurst linkage and shifter translates all of that power into torque muscle to turn two enormous rear wheels.
Those bolt-on rollers, made from forged aluminum and measuring 22 inches in diameter, carry Scorpion Zero rubber by Pirelli rated for speed to match the power potential of this thing's overwhelming powertrain.
So inch up to the starting line and wait for a timer's signal to roll, then pounce on that metal go-pedal as our rig rips off down a long straightaway.
The engine's so big and the torque so strong that the start-up thrust snaps the neck back and slams shoulders hard into molded contours of a bolstered driver's bucket.
But hang on to the shifter stick because you need to yank it down to second gear to maximize momentum on the quarter-mile chute.
And watch that first turn coming up fast, a hard kink to the left that demands action from huge saucer discs to brake the big wheels.
The rig cuts that corner with little body roll, then swings deftly through a right-hander that flows into a sweeping curlicue as Pirellis squeal through the apex.
There's another straight stretch to follow with velocity building, then a wrap-around right that sets up a right-left-right chicane, and our machine makes this wiggle without needing to pull off the gas pedal.
Now look ahead for the exit because it requires stop-on-a-dime dexterity to plant all four tires in a box at the finish line. Those immense brakes do that job and we land in the box with amazing precision.
The timer's clock registers an impressive low score, yet we're struck by the irony that for this hair-raising romp the vehicle doing so much high-powered wiggling so happens to be a sport machine conformed with the boxed back bed of a pickup truck.
Call it the Ram SRT-10 -- world's swiftest production-model sport truck.
The initials of SRT -- signifying "Street and Racing Technology" -- mark high-performance vehicles for Dodge, while the digits tacked at the tail indicate the number of cylinders in the engine.
Dodge builds it off the full-size Ram 1500 (light-duty) pickup although cast in performance mode with all torque directed to the rear drive wheels and the V10 engine borrowed from Dodge's raucous Viper roadster.
Ram SRT-10 also carries a special throttle linkage, high-flow exhaust manifolds and a radiator adapted from a heavy-duty Ram 3500 one-ton truck.
It all comes together to produce acceleration times around five seconds for the run from zero to 60 mph and a top speed of 150 mph.
What other assembly-line truck can do that?
Serious performance hardware matches the big engine.
Engineers at Chrysler Group's Performance Vehicle Operations (PVO) modified the rack and pinion steering system and the suspension of a standard Ram by dropping it down an inch in front and 2.5 inches lower in back, with ground-effect moldings applied to develop a hunkered stance.
Then they hitched up new front and rear strut assemblies and rear sway bar, a Dana 60 rear axle plus Bilstein mono-tube shocks and sport-tuned springs.
Brakes carry new 15-inch rotors up front with 14-inch rear rotors out of Ram's heavy-duty truck and bright red calipers evident in front and back.
And to keep brakes cooler during any autocross-style maneuvers, the front fascia incorporates brake cooling ducts inspired by designs on NASCAR racers.
You may recognize SRT-10 by its get-out-of-my-way face that's bigger and bolder than a conventional Ram with stepped-hood styling of a big-rig Peterbilt.
The chiseled hood contains a broad power bulge and functional air scoop on top, with billet grille in cross-hair pattern and the low fascia housing round foglamps.
Cab conformation is strictly a two-door style with body paint tinted to vivid red, solid black or shiny silver.
Side view shows the shapely ground-effect moldings, an aluminum fuel filler and rear fenders bulging to accommodate those oversized Pirelli tires.
Capping the truck box is a functional spoiler wing that not only reduces lift but also aerodynamic drag.
SRT-10's cockpit gets the sporty treatment too.
Race-style bolstered bucket seats are covered in leather with perforated suede inserts.
The customized Hurst shift lever stands in a bezel of silver metal on the floor-mounted console, and silver streaks also trim the dashboard center stack of controls while aluminum performance pedals substitute for the stock set off a Ram.
Silver-faced analog gauges in the instrument cluster feature a tachometer and recalibrated speedometer notched way up there at 160 mph, as the oil pressure gauge hangs off the windshield's left front pillar.
Try to engage the engine by turning the ignition key in the conventional key switch mounted on the right side of the steering column, but nothing happens.
To crank it up you must also depress the big red button located on the dash panel. It's an idea carried over from the Viper SRT-10 and evokes images of vintage motorsports racing with the familiar call to arms: "Gentlemen, start your engines."
Then the truck stocks a high-powered sound system to match its performance stance. The 518-watt stereo rig has eight Infinity speakers linked to an AM-FM tuner and CD deck for six discs in the dash.
Dodge fixes the MSRP of Ram SRT-10 at $45,000 flat.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2004 DODGE RAM SRT 10 Specs |
| Description: |
Sport performance truck
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| Model Options: |
Sport performance truck
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| Wheelbase: |
120.5 inches
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| Overall Length: |
203.1 inches
Box length 075.0 inches
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| Engine Size: |
OHV 8.3-L V10
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| Transmission: |
Manual/6 T56 with Hurst linkage
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| Drive: |
Rear
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS
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| Airbags: |
2 (front)
+ opt. 2 (side curtain) |
| Price: |
$ 45,000 |
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