WHO'S THE REAL WINNER??

 2004 FORD SVT LIGHTNING
 VS. 2004 DODGE RAM SRT-10

Recent test results published in Car and Driver on the 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 appear to challenge the superiority of the 2004 SVT F-150 Lightning as the benchmark performance pickup.  The SRT-10 was tested at 0.3 of a second quicker to 60 mph, 0.2 of a second faster in the 1/4 mile with a 1 mph higher trap speed, and hit a 6 mph higher top speed.  So, is the SRT-10 the new king of the sport trucks?  Maybe in magazine-land, where price is no object, you never need to tow anything, and you don't pay for gas.  In the REAL world, however, Lightning still rules.  Here's why:

SVT F-150 Lightning         Ram SRT-10
$33,715 MSRP                    $45,795 MSRP

VALUE: SRT-10 costs $12,080 more that Lightning. That's quite pricey for a few ticks of extra acceleration in anybody's book.  Even if a customer can afford it, the question remains, is it worth it?  Then there's Resale Value to consider:  The SVT F-150 Lightning has consistently demonstrated 5-7 percentage points better resale value than the F-150, which is a perennial resale value leader.  SRT-10 resale value is unknown.


WEIGHT & SIZE:  In this case, less is more.

SVT F-150 Lightning                RAM SRT-10
Weight: 4,700 lbs                            Weight: 5,139 lbs
Width: 79.1 in                                 Width: 79.9 in
Length: 208.0 in                             Length: 211.6 in
Height: 70.9 in                               Height: 74.4 in


OPERATING COST:  If fuel economy is not important, who do people complain about gas prices so much?

SVT F-150 Lightning                    RAM SRT-10
EPA Ratings: 13 city / 17 hwy        10 City / 15 hwy
Range/City: 325 miles  (+65)          260 per tank
Range/Hwy:  425 miles  (+35)        390 per tank

SPECIFIC OUTPUT: Ain't technology great?

SVT F-150 Lightning              Ram SRT-10
HP / liter 70.2 hp                           HP / liter  60.24 (-10)
HP / Cubic inch  1.15 hp                HP / Cubic inch 0.98 (-1)
RPM @ max. HP:  3250 RPM  
  

TIRES: Of course, sport truck owners never do burnouts.
                                             EVER!!
     
SVT Lightning                           Ram SRT-10
295/45R-18 = $202 each                  305/40YR-22 = $332 each
                     $808 set                                            $1328 set 
  

UPGRADABILITY:  There are lots of performance parts currently available for the SVT F-150 Lightning, and its supercharged engine provides a great platform for modifications. *

 

TOWING & PAYLOAD:  We say, if a truck can't tow or haul, it's just a toy.
BOTTOM LINE: The Ford SVT F-150 Lightning is the longest-running, best selling sport truck nameplate of all time.  Despite one-dimensional newcomers to the marketplace for 2004, when you compare pure functionality - dollar-for-dollar, pound-for-pound and feature-for-feature -- Lightning remains the top performing pickup value on the planet.

*Some performance upgrades may affect the factory warranty.  Although the installation of non-Ford parts and aftermarket modifications, by themselves, will not void the Ford New Vehicle Limited Warranty, failures that result from these parts and/or modifications may result in a denial of warranty coverage for such failures or damage.
SVT F150 LIGHTNING
Towing Package Standard
5,000-lb towing capacity std.
Class III hitch standard
1,350-lb payload capacity
3-pass 40/60 split bench seat		 RAM SRT-10
Towing  "Not Recommended"
Towing rating
         "under investigation"
No Factory hitch avail.
900-lb payload capacity
2-pass 40/20/40 split seat

YOU ARE!
 FORD SVT F-150 LIGHTNING
      FORD SVT F-150 LIGHTNING   DODGE RAM SRT-10
MSRP $33,715 $45,795
0-60 MPH 5.2 sec (C&D) 4.9 sec (C&D)
1/4 MILE 13.8 sec @ 104 mph (C&D) 13.6 sec @ 105 mph (C&D)
TOP SPEED 147 mph 153 mph (C&D)
SKIDPAD 0.81 g (C&D) 0.86 g (C&D)
BRAKING 185-ft; 70-0 mph (C&D) 184-ft; 70-0 mph (C&D)
PAYLOAD 1350-lb 900-lb
TOWING 5000-lb 0-lb
ENGINE 5.4L Supercharged V8, OHC, 16v 8.3L V10, OHV, 20v
HORSEPOWER 380 hp @ 4750 rpm 500 hp @ 5600 rpm
TORQUE 450 ft-lbs. @ 3250 rpm 525 ft-lbs. @ 4200 rpm
TRANSMISSION 4-speed automatic 6-speed manual
     
WHEELS 18 X 9.5 22 X 10
TIRES 295/45ZR-18 305/40YR-22
FRONT BRAKES 12.1 -in vented, twin-piston, ABS 15.0 -in vented, ABS
REAR BRAKES 13.1 -in vented, single-piston, ABS 14.0 -in vented, ABS
AXLE RATIO 3.73:1; limited slip 4.10:1; limited slip
RIDE HEIGHT 0.5-in lower front, 2-in lower rear than stock 1-in lower than stock
     
SEATING 3 passenger, 40/60 split seats 20 passenger, 40/20/40 split seats
DISPLAY IP White face gauges; 140-mph speedo Silver face gauges; 160-mph speedo
SOUND SYSTEM AM/FM 6-disc CD, 4 speakers AM/FM 6-disc, 8 speakers
     
WHEELBASE 119.8 -in 120.5 -in
FRONT TRACK 65.3 -in 68.0 -in
REAR TRACK 65.3 -in 67.4 -in
OVERALL LENGTH 208.0 -in 211.6 -in
OVERALL WIDTH 79.1 -in 79.9 -in
OVERALL HEIGHT 70.9 -in 74.4 -in
TURNING DIAMETER 44.3 -ft 39.3 -ft
     
FUEL CAPACITY 25 gallons 26 gallons
FUEL ECONOMY 13 mpg (city; 17 mpg (hwy) 10 mpg (city; 15 mpg (hwy)
     
CURB WEIGHT 4,700 lbs 5,139 lbs (C&D)
WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION 57 % F / 43 % R 56 % / 44% R
     
EXTERIOR COLORS Black, Red, Blue, White, Gray and Silver Black, Red, and Silver