The 2004-2006 Dodge Ram SRT-10 was, and still is, one of the fastest pickup trucks built by a major automaker. The Dodge Ram SRT-10 was introduced at the January 2002 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) and went in to production in 2004. Based on the Dodge Ram VTS concept, which debuted at the 1996 Chicago Auto Show, the Dodge Ram SRT-10 was a limited production vehicle designed by DaimlerChrysler’s PVO (Performance Vehicle Operations).
The SRT-10 featured a 500 horsepower (at 5,600 rpm) 8.3-liter Viper V10 that made 525 lbs-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm. The regular cab featured a Tremec T-56 six-speed manual transmission and the Quad Cab used a modified versions of the Ram Heavy Duty’s 48RE four-speed automatic transmission. The regular cab and Quad Cab Dodge Ram SRT-10 used a Dana 60 rear axle.
Weighing in at 5,130-lbs, the top speed for the regular cab was listed at 154 mph with a 0 to 60-mph time of 4.9-seconds. The heavier Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab (5,618-lbs) said to be capable of a 5.3-second 0 to 60 mph run with a 147 mph top speed. Bilstein shock absorbers and performance-tuned springs along with fifth shock (to prevent rear wheel hop) was added. The front ride height was lowered one inch while the rear was lowered by 2.5-inches.
A Ram Heavy Duty’s rack and pinion steering and independent front suspension were modified by PVO engineers for use in the Ram SRT-10. While not exactly a limited run – 9,527 Dodge Ram SRT-10s were manufactured in total. Several special editions were built and many consider the Dodge Ram SRT-10 as a soon-to-be collectable vehicle.
Where is the next Dodge Ram SRT-10? Considering the ridiculous Hellcat/Redeye/Demon V8s in the Dodge/FCA lineup – is now the right time for a new king-of-the-street truck? It would a truly unique truck with no competition.
In some ways, FCA is addressing this question with the upcoming Ram Rebel TRX, a true challenger to the Ford F-150 Raptor. The TRX is supposed to be an off-road truck that produces well over 600 hp (perhaps 707 hp). Still, that’s an off-road vehicle. It’s not the same thing as an on-road/asphalt burning truck.
While nothing official has come from FCA regarding a street-performance truck, FCA engineers have developed a well-deserved reputation for finding every way possible to extend a vehicle’s production life. Why not make a street-biased truck using the TRX’s powertrain? How would the other automakers answer? The prospects for a new street war (remember the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Chevrolet Silverado SS?) could be awesome!
What do you think?
Here is a modified 2006 Dodge Ram SRT10 on the dyno putting down over 520 horsepower to the ground.
