The Golden Age of Fast Pickup Trucks
Remember when fast pickup trucks were the norm? Back then, you could walk into a dealership on Friday and drive away in a high-performance truck ready for the drag strip on Saturday. The big three automakers – Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge – all had their own versions of these powerful pickups. However, one stood out from the rest: the Dodge Ram SRT10.
The Birth of the SRT10
Dodge executives had an innovative idea to create a high-performance variant of their Ram pickup truck. They took the powerful V10 engine from the Dodge Viper and installed it in a single-cab, short-bed Ram pickup. This bold move resulted in a truck that could compete with two-door V8 muscle cars.
SRT10 Performance Specifications
The stats are impressive:
- Horsepower: 500 hp
- Torque: 525 lb-ft
- Engine: 8.3-Liter V-10
- Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
- Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
- 0-60 MPH: 4.9 seconds
- 1/4 Mile Time: 13.8 seconds
The SRT10’s performance was remarkable, keeping up with muscle cars like the Ford Mustang GT and even coming close to the base model Chevrolet Corvette of the same era.
Comparison with Other Performance Trucks
The SRT10 outperformed other notable performance trucks of its time:
- Ford F-150 Lightning: 360 horsepower, 440 lb-ft torque
- GMC Syclone: 4.3-liter turbocharged V-6, all-wheel drive, 0-60 in 4.3 seconds
While the F-150 Lightning had better fuel economy, the SRT10’s overall performance was superior. The GMC Syclone, though faster in acceleration, was a compact truck with different capabilities.
Buying an SRT10 Today
If you’re considering purchasing an SRT10, be prepared for varying prices. According to Classic.com, the average sale price is $37,125. However, prices can range from around $10,000 for a four-door model in good condition to nearly $70,000 for low-mileage examples.
Aftermarket Support
While there isn’t a huge aftermarket for SRT10 upgrades, enthusiasts have modified their trucks with custom additions. Examples include header and exhaust system upgrades, as seen on YouTuber Collete Davis’s modified four-door SRT10.
Future Value
As the SRT10 approaches antique status, prices are likely to increase. The used truck market’s trends suggest that rare, high-performance vehicles like the SRT10 will become more valuable over time.
The Dodge Ram SRT10 remains a legendary performance truck, offering a unique blend of power and style that continues to captivate automotive enthusiasts today.
