From Dale Wickell,
Your Guide to Trucks.
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Dodge chose the 2003 Chicago Auto Show to showcase their new performance truck, the Viper-powered 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10, which the manufacturer calls "the boldest, baddest and fastest full-size pickup ever." The truck houses the highest displacement engine in a factory pickup truck--the same 8.3-liter V-10 that powers the all-new 2003 Dodge Viper.

If it's power you're after, this truck sets out to deliver it, with 500 horsepower and 525 lb.-ft. of torque. The truck goes from 0 to 60 in approximately five seconds and tops out at about 150 mph.

"The Dodge Ram SRT-10 may be the first halo truck, but trust me, this truck is no angel," Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group, told reporters. "The Ram SRT-10 is true to the performance ideals that created the original Dodge Viper: keep it simple and make it fast."

"There is no replacement for displacement," added Bernhard. "The Ram SRT-10 delivers its astounding performance in a way that only Viper owners will recognize, with an endless rush of torque."

The new V-10 engine delivers 90 percent of its 525 lb.-ft. of torque from 1500 to 5600 rpm. The all-new cast aluminum cylinder block has interference-fit cast-iron liners and cross-bolted main caps. Both bore and stroke have been increased over previous Viper models. Block length, block height, bore spacing, firing order, rod length and compression ratio remain the same.

The Viper V-10 includes a six main bearing crankshaft with increased stroke length and cross-bolted main bearing caps. All-new cast aluminum alloy pistons weigh slightly less than prior years. New cracked-steel connecting rods are lighter, but stronger.

More New Viper Engine Features

• Redesigned semi-permanent mold (SPM) 356 T6 aluminum cylinder heads, with improved intake port, exhaust port and combustion chamber cooling.

• Lower-profile die-cast magnesium cylinder head covers with steel internal baffles and anti-slosh foam.

• Single-piece, central dual-plenum, cast aluminum intake manifold.

• Shorter runners and a single, non-staged two-barrel throttle body provide higher peak horsepower RPM. The intake manifold is an all-inclusive Integrated Air and Fuel Module (IAFM) with tubular fuel rails, injectors, sensors, wiring and throttle body - delivered assembled and pre-tested.

• A Ram Heavy Duty cooling system is modified to handle the needs of the new Viper engine. A custom dual exhaust system is mounted to new exhaust manifolds.

Power Train

The Ram has a new Hurst shift linkage and a modified version of the Viper SRT-10's Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission. The T56 is fully synchronized with electronic reverse lockout.

A new driveshaft runs to the Viper-sourced transmission and a modified differential with a 4.10 rear axle delivers the torque to the road. The SRT-10 features a fully hydroformed Dodge Ram frame, one of the stiffest in the industry, and a suspension that's been dropped one inch at the front and two inches at the rear.

New front and rear strut assemblies and a rear sway bar were added to handle the increased cornering loads.

Also used are Bilstein shock absorbers, performance-tuned springs, 22-inch custom "Viper-style" wheels and 305/40 Pirelli Scorpion Tires.

Standard ABS-equipped brakes are fitted with new 15-inch rotors on the front brakes. Rear brakes are modified Ram Heavy Duty 14-inch rotors. Front and rear brakes feature unique red calipers. The Ram's new front fascia features brake ducts to provide plenty of cooling for track sessions.

Prices: US $22,425 base; as tested, $45,795. Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles total vehicle and powertrain.

Page 2, Dodge Ram SRT-10 Specifications

See the 2004 Dodge Ram Photo Gallery