It’s gearing up to go electric, but Dodge’s Hellcat models are still roaring away. However, Dodge offered some high-horsepower vehicles before the first Hellcat ever did a burnout. For example, before the Durango SRT and Hellcat SUVs, there was the Shelby SP-360. And this week on Cars & Bids, there’s a chance to own the truck that preceded the Ram 1500 TRX: the Dodge Ram SRT-10.

Forget the Hemi, the Dodge Ram SRT-10 has a Viper engine

While dune-jumping trucks like the F-150 Raptor and Ram 1500 TRX define the performance pickup world today, that wasn’t the case in the ‘90s and early 2000s. Back then, a performance truck was something like the F-150 SVT Lightning: forgoing off-roading in favor of corner-carving. Or at the very least, flattening the pavement in a straight line.

The Dodge Ram SRT-10 is even better than the SVT Lightning at that last job. That ‘SRT-10’ in its name stems from the engine under its hood: the 8.3-liter V10 from the contemporary Viper. As in the Viper, the V10 makes 500 hp and 525 lb-ft of torque. And that power goes to the truck’s rear wheels via the Viper’s six-speed manual.

Initially only available in single-cab, manual form, Dodge later offered the Ram SRT-10 as a quad cab with an automatic. But while the automatic model actually has a tow rating (7500 lbs), for sheer speed, you want the stick. The manual Ram SRT-10 is still tied for the second-fastest fastest pickup Car and Driver has ever tested. It goes 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, which is slower than the Ram 1500 TRX. But it’s 0.3 seconds faster than the SVT Lightning, which is 400 lbs lighter.

Although the Dodge Ram SRT-10’s main party piece is that Viper engine, the truck has more to offer. To handle all that power and weight, Dodge added Bilstein shocks, stiffer springs, a rear sway bar, and upgraded suspension components, MotorTrend reports. The SRT-10 also rides lower than the standard Ram and has four-wheel disc brakes plus an upgraded cooling system. And while the hood scoop is nonfunctional, the front splitter and rear spoiler are. Plus, inside there’s a carbon-fiber leather-trimmed steering wheel and well-bolstered leather bucket sport seats.

There’s a 2004 model for sale on Cars & Bids

As of this writing, there’s a 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 up for auction on Cars & Bids. And it comes fairly well equipped beyond its performance-related features.

It has power-adjustable pedals, a removable tailgate, heated door mirrors, fog lights, and an eight-speaker audio system with a subwoofer and a six-disc CD changer. Plus, while the manual SRT-10 technically wasn’t tow-rated from the factory, this 2004 model has a trailer tow harness with a four-pin connector. Also, this 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 isn’t stock. It comes with a short-throw shifter, window rain guards, as well as aftermarket rear bump stops, power steering lines, and engine oil cooler lines.

Cars & Bids notes that this Ram SRT-10 was in an accident, though the only repair appears to be a new or repainted front bumper. In addition, the truck has some exterior scratches and interior. But it has less than 32,900 miles on the clock as well as fairly new tires and plenty of service records. The seller also recently replaced the oil, power steering pump, and serpentine belt.

The Dodge Ram SRT-10 won’t be a bargain Viper truck for much longer

As of this writing, this 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 is listed on Cars & Bids for $19,000 with three days left in the auction. That’s less than half of its original sticker price. And it’s noticeably less than even an early Viper RT/10 these days.

Speaking of, this might be one of the last chances to get a reasonably affordable Ram SRT-10. These V10-powered muscle trucks are appreciating; Hagerty says that $20K is now the bare minimum for a fair-condition example. And the last one that sold on Cars & Bids went for $35,250.

So, if you want a stick-shift truck that can keep up with some sports cars, this Ram might be worth considering.

Follow more updates from MotorBiscuit on our Facebook page.