2004 Dodge Ram Review

Specifications

Let the Super Truck Wars Begin

What a rush! Ive been doing what I do for years now, but I still get that tingle of excitement when trying out something exotic. Thats how the anticipation felt while driving into Chrysler Groups Chelsea, Michigan Proving Grounds and eyeing a bright red Dodge Ram SRT-10 parked amid a sea of somewhat less intoxicating Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models.

I suppose a made-in-the-U.S.A. full-size pickup truck cant exactly be termed exotic, but what Dodge has stuffed under the hood puts it well into supercar territory. The truck boasts nothing less than the brands fully-tuned 8.3-liter V10, making exactly the same numbers as in North Americas most powerful sports car. That equals 500 horsepower and 525 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheels, easily enough to break traction on takeoff, despite the massive Pirelli Scorpion P305/40R22 BSW performance tires riding on equally impressive 22-inch diameter polished aluminum “Viper-style” 10-spoke rims.

I took the opportunity to test it out, of course, as would anyone with a pulse. Chryslers private proving area, which is celebrating its 50th birthday this year by the way, is an impressive complex spanning hundreds of acres. The grounds include a massive oval roadway, that purposely includes badly worn pavement with punishing ruts, potholes and ridges, uneven and mixed road surfaces, plus a glossy-smooth high-speed oval running right next to it which we unfortunately couldnt get near, and best of all, a short albeit challenging road course.

The Ram SRT-10 wasnt the most comfortable Chrysler Group product over rough pavement, which makes sense considering first of all that its a pickup truck, and secondly that it features the largest wheel and tire package available from any manufacturer as well as a tightly sprung chassis setup, but just the same I was surprised by how it soaked up the truly nasty stuff. Actually, its suspension was so compliant that I started to get worried that it wouldnt perform well enough when it came time to test it on the winding road course.

No concerns about this were necessary either, as the big truck hunkered down and took to the racing line like a sports car. It has a tendency to oversteer, but not as much as I previously had thought it would. In fact its quite controllable, with the rear wheels giving way progressively, as long as the throttle is gently feathered rather than stomped on and the clutch let out slowly between each of the 6-speed manual shifters intervals, especially those in the lower range.

I wound my way into turn one, a long right-hand sweeper which immediately opens up into a decently long straight. I gave it a full 500 horsepower shot of juice, which is a feeling every enthusiast should experience at least once in a lifetime, and while my adrenaline surged I reached the end of the straight in less than no time at all, keeping on the left side of the track to prepare for an extremely tight right, then an equally brief left and then another right again. The roadway straightens for only a moment before forcing a 90 degree left and then a long bending curve interrupted by a nasty little dogleg. I was able to get on full power at this point for a few seconds, but due to the trucks rapid acceleration it was over in less than a blur before having to get firmly back on the brakes in order to safely execute another steady right corner, which quickly reversed left before a final right onto a short straight towards turn one again. Its not a long track, but with the SRT-10s wealth of torque ready, willing and waiting to explode the truck forward as if hooked up to an F16s afterburners, its a road course that commands respect.

Come to think of it, one of the best lessons the SRT-10 teaches is respect. Respect the power, respect your speed, and most of all respect that you may suddenly have to come to a stop and despite the vehicles enormous brakes and standard ABS system the truck weighs more than a 3,380 pound Viper at 5,150 pounds.

Those brakes are really quite amazing just the same, bringing the big red truck down to a halt much quicker than should be physically possible. Not only that, they manage the feat over and over with little fade and are well modulated throughout the entire process. They consist of 15-inch ventilated rotors up front and modified Ram Heavy Duty TRW 14-inch rotors in back. As previously mentioned, a 3-channel ABS system is standard. By the way, four-pot opposed-piston calipers will be new for 2005.

While I enjoyed testing the Ram SRT-10s capabilities on the track, my personal capabilities behind the wheel were made noticeably apparent when I took to the passenger seat beside a professional driver. While humbling, I was able to experience just how agile the truck is when guided by a skilled hand. He was able to make the most of the undercarriage upgrades, which incidentally include fully-tuned front and rear strut and spring assemblies, with a modified steering rack and independent front suspension. In the rear, axle snubbers, performance-tuned springs and Bilstein monotube shocks glue the tires to the pavement.

While I wasnt able to experience its top speed, which set a new Guinness Book of World Records best for the pickup truck category of 155 mph while circling the proving grounds high-banked oval, I nonetheless can hardly doubt the claim as Ive felt the engines thrust at full throttle.

The trucks body modifications make it slipperier than an average pickups slab sided panels and wind blocking cargo box. That box is covered with a hard aluminum tonneau, capped at its end by a tasteful rear spoiler that adds downforce. The spoiler is removable, as is the tonneau, for practical purposes. Its sculpted
sides and wind splitter look racy, while sending air around the sides of the truck.

Up front Dodge gives the SRT-10 a NASCAR Craftsmen Truck Series-inspired aerodynamic package, which includes a new front bumper integrating a deep front fascia with an even deeper lip spoiler. Two large, circular fog lamps flank a bisected cooling duct, adding to its Viper-like mystique.

Atop the redesign hood, a massive functional scoop sucks air into the engine compartment. Theres no guessing as to what lay underneath, as Dodge has emblazoned “Viper Powered” on each side of the sculpted power bulge. From front to back, theres nothing mild mannered about the SRT-10, especially when brushed in red.

The trucks dash wont look unfamiliar to those that have spent time in the recently upgraded Ram, accept for the red starter button. The interior plastics quality was number one in the industry before Ford one-upped all rivals with its close-to-premium F-150, but Dodge buyers still shouldnt feel like their scraping the bottom of the barrel. SRT-10 buyers should especially feel good about their ride, which gets the addition of a black on white face instrument cluster, aluminum foot pedals and aluminum-finish interior trim. The thick and purposeful carbon fiber-patterned steering wheel is covered in leather, of course, as is the 6-speed shifter knob, but such trivialities fade to irrelevant when factoring in the Viper-inspired seats. These are by far the best in the pickup truck class, offering superb support under the legs, at the small of the back, surrounding the shoulders and kidneys, and everywhere else a seat needs to support. With that support is the ability to grip the hind-side when pushing the performance envelope, thanks to leather bolsters and suede-like alcantara inserts.

Of course, pushing the performance envelope is what the Ram SRT-10 is all about, not to say it cant be used for light-duty service work too. Dodge will capitalize on the new trucks notoriety even further, however, by releasing a much more practical SRT-10 Quad Cab for 2005. Witnessing the new models introduction was one of the reasons the domestic brand invited me to Chelsea in the first place, and it was well worth waiting around in the scorching sunshine for. The new entry will be much more useful for family-oriented truck enthusiasts, and its heavily massaged 48RE 4-speed automatic transmission appreciated by those looking to tow or haul heavy loads.

While no prices have been set for the 2005 Quad Cab, the 2-door SRT-10 is astoundingly competitive at $45,795. Thats just a shade more than Chevys Silverado SS, which is nicely appointed but hardly a sport truck in comparison. The SRT-10 also annihilates Chevys rather lethargic SSR, despite being priced about the same. For the time being the only serious competitor is Fords SVT Lightning, but with only 380 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque available, its no real threat. Still, its reasonable base price of $33,035 would allow quite a number of Ford Racing upgrades. Also, dont expect Ford to take Dodges Ram SRT-10 lightly. A much more powerful and distinctive looking Lightning is expected soon. Of course, in the end how difficult will it be for the Mopar engineers to coax more power from their 8.3-liter V10? I think this rivalry is clearly in Dodges favor.