2005 Dodge Ram SRT-10

Before you do anything, crank up our Video Review below and scrub through to 4 minutes and 51 seconds. The noise will leave you weak-kneed…

The vendor bought this magnificent big beast two years ago on a ‘whim’. “I’d just sold my Porsche and was feeling bereft. I like American cars and have a daily Dodge Ram and then also had a Ford Falcon, so it was a good fit,”

You’d be forgiven that this is a standard example (I say standard with my tongue firmly in cheek, because from factory the second-generation 8.3-litre Dodge Viper engine outputs over 500bhp and 535lb ft of torque), but it’s not, as it’s had significant upgrade work carried out.

“It was imported new by its first owner, who had his own business and large fleet of trucks and cherished it; the modifications he had carried out are what most of the US forums suggest to gain the full potential from the Viper truck. The result is significantly more power and a 60+ lb ft increase in torque!”

The full list of work carried out includes:

• Belanger Headers (much more detail on these in the ‘Underneath’ section, below)

• Header back exhaust system

• Groundforce lowering kit

• Aftermarket bonnet scoop (“ready for a supercharger should anyone fancy even more power”)

• LED lights

• Standard wheels coated Black

• Grill coated Black

• Short shift kit

• K&N intake

• BBK throttle body

• Uprated billet fuel rails

• Cam covers painted

• Bed rug bed liner

• Bed cover with spoiler

• Wind deflectors

• Stubby aerial

• Drilled/Slotted brake rotors and Z23 Evolution Ceramic brake pads

“We’ve used it locally and for a couple of memorable trips to the Lake District – it’ll return 18-20mpg on a long run. It’s an amazing beast, which makes everyone smile as the headers and exhaust are just the right side of too loud,” says the seller. “It’s epic. Mental – like a big Capri. It’s also really fast and scares Porsches and Porsche owners, but life is too short for worrying about being too brash. Every time you start it, you smile. It drives really well, has an epic HiFi and everyone stares as it makes a lovely popping and crackling on the overrun.”

So, why is the vendor selling? “We have a 1-year-old and sadly three seats don’t work with the big child car seat installed (trust me, I’ve tried), so it won’t get used. We have a 2020 Dodge Ram Hemi with a big cab now so we can accommodate the baby. If I had a barn then it would never get sold, as it’s the most fun ever.”

Anything else we need to know?

“Wet roads can be sideways.

“It’s addictive.

“You get the urge to play country music”.

Presence comes in many forms, some impressive and others not. This is most definitely in the former category; repeat after me, ‘I am the god of hellfire and I bring you… Fire!’

What an earth-shaking, flared-nostril big beast of a truck. It looks mean anyway, but even more so in its Red and Black colour combination. Overall condition reflects the fact that it’s always been a toy, it’s been cherished and has only covered just over 18k miles.

“There’s a small scuff on the front spoiler and the glass-fibre rear cover has some small micro-blisters, but that’s it,” says the vendor. I put a pair of new rear tyres on when I got a puncture. That was during the lockdown, and they were the only ones I could get at the time.”

If you want to make a statement, then this should be your steed of choice.

The cabin remains in very good health. Leather seats are in excellent condition, as are carpets and you’ll find some Viper branded protective mats in the footwells. The seating position lends an imposing driving position, while the white SRT-10 dials sit straight ahead and are clear – perfect for watching that speed pick-up at a wild rate.

It has an uprated UK specification HiFi system that runs through an o/e subwoofer. The bed at the rear is as new and is lined with bed rug, which means you can carry suitcases and it’s fully lockable and waterproof.

Practical.

All electrics work as they should, too.

“It isn’t a heavy drive or as big as you think. The freer flowing engine is magnificent. I’ll say it again, it’s epic – mental. I have driven a RAM SRT-10 in standard form without the inlet and exhaust mods and it didn’t rev as cleanly or sound as good as this; it was also slower and without the uprated discs the brakes faded. The lowering kit also makes a big difference to the truck, making it feel like a high Dodge Challenger rather than a bouncy pick-up.”

We’ve had Viper truck out for a spin and can only state that on our return we had to put our underpants in the fridge – it’s that good. And it takes a hell of a while for your smile to subside.

Anyway, I digress. More on exactly how it does that… the full specification for those Belanger Headers is as follows:

• Super tuned, long tube, Tri Y Headers

• Jet Hot high temp ceramic coating (inside and out)

• One-piece construction for easy installation

• Mandrel bent 1¾” primary tubes, D-ported and port matched

• Laser cut 5/16” flanges

• Big 3” collectors

• OBD2 compliant, no check engine light

• O2 bungs welded in

• Limited lifetime warranty

• Aluminized tubing runs cooler, retards rust and corrosion

“All I’ve had to do during my ownership is service it with the correct oil, fit new spark plugs and oil filter, replace the crank sensor and put a battery on it. There is some very light surface rust underneath, but it is totally dry, and it hasn’t seen winter.”

You’ll find the vehicle’s V5c document and current MOT test certificate (which runs until March 16, 2023) both in the history file, as well as the original bill of sale ($61,700) and numerous shipping and importation document/certificates. Importantly, confirmation that it conforms to UK emissions standards is also listed on the V5c, and a there are further basic emission test documents included. The vehicle’s manuals are present (still in the original wallet), as are several parts invoices.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork to support our claim that this car has been upgraded and then maintained to an excellent standard.

The six-speed manual version of the Viper truck is super rare and, until we get to 30 years old, to import a short bed from the USA is 35 plus per cent tax so they’re understandably even rarer over here. “It’s also tipped as a good investment in the USA,” says the vendor.

Given its superlative condition, rarity, upgrades, and sheer bellicose driving experience, we think the SRT-10 should realise somewhere between £20,000 and £25,000 – that’s one helluva bang for your buck.

There aren’t many better ways to burn hydrocarbons than this, but don’t make the same mistake as us, though… get those pants in the fridge well before you set off.

Epic.

Viewing is always encouraged. This particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays between 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.