Dodge promotes power in pickups in three sizes for the ram-horned line of 2005. Head of the line is the full-size Ram 1500 (light-duty) truck presenting a get-out-of-my-way face and a Viper-powered SRT-10 high-performance variation that ranks as the world's swiftest production-model sport truck. Heavy-duty Ram trucks in two weight classes pack big engines for serious towing muscle, and Dodge's mid-size Dakota pickup merits a re-do with best-in-class power and tow capacity.

With that chin-forward prow and stepped-hood styling of a big-rig Peterbilt, Dodge's light-duty 1500 (half-ton) series pickups look like no other trucks. Ram 1500 brings two cab choices, either the two-door Regular Cab or a four-door Quad Cab, and both are available in two-wheel-drive (2WD) and four-wheel-drive (4WD) traction modes.

Entry issue is called ST, but there's also the Work Special model, Sport, SLT and deluxe Laramie. A 3.7-liter V6 rated at 210 hp is standard on 2WD Ram Regular Cab and 2WD Quad Cab coupled to a new Getrag six-speed manual shifter. The Getrag six-speed also works with Ram's 4.7-liter Magnum V8 that produces 235 hp. A 5.7-liter Hemi Magnum V8 scored to 345 hp is optional- it's teamed with a five-speed automatic transmission. With that Hemi in place, Ram's Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) runs as high as 14,000 pounds, while the Gross Trailer Weight Rating (GTWR) climbs to 9,300 pounds.

Ram's Off-Road package installs equipment for rugged four-wheeling excursions, including skid plates, a limited-slip differential, fog lamps, heavy-duty cooling system and tow hooks. For Quad Cab versions a new sunroof is available with one-touch tab to open or close the window.

Take the full-size Ram 1500 and add high-performance suspension and brakes, then borrow the outrageous V10 engine out of Dodge's Viper super car and stuff it into that stepped-hood prow. The result becomes an ultimate performance pickup dubbed SRT-10. Viper's aluminum V10 engine numbers elevate this truck to the stratosphere of the triple 500 Club. It brings 500 hp with 525 lb-ft of torque and more than 500 cubic inches in engine displacement.

That means acceleration times around five seconds for the run from zero to 60 mph and a maximum speed topping 150 mph. A heavy-duty Tremec six-speed manual transmission with customized Hurst linkage and shifter converts all of that power into muscle to turn two enormous rear wheels -- 22-inch Viper-style rollers with Pirelli Scorpion tires. Capping the truck box is a functional spoiler wing that not only reduces lift but also aerodynamic drag. For 2005 the SRT-10 shows two cab configurations -- the standard two-door Regular Cab fitted with twin sport buckets or a new Quad Cab four-door edition with a body-colored aluminum tonneau lid mounted on the pickup bed. (CONTINUED...)