Imagine a pickup with not two sets of wheels, but three. That’s exactly what the Dodge T-Rex offers.
But before you head over to your nearest Dodge dealer to get your hands on your own T-Rex, you should know that it was only a concept vehicle produced in 1997. It’s still fun to consider the possibilities of cruising around in one today!
What are the most impressive specs for the Dodge T-Rex?
The Dodge T-Rex is often confused with the Dodge TRX, but they’re quite different.
The Dodge T-Rex concept vehicle had many impressive specs, including:
- Massive 8.0-liter Magnum V10 engine
- 300 horsepower and 450 lb-ft.
- Three axles
- Six-wheel drive
Continue reading to learn details of this exciting concept vehicle that never saw a showroom floor. Even though you can’t buy a Dodge T-Rex, it’s still fun to dream what it would be like behind the wheel.
History of the Dodge T-Rex Design and Launch
In August 1995, Chrysler gave its concept team, led by Leon Dong, the go-ahead to craft a 6×6 pickup truck concept vehicle. In just 14 months, the truck went from idea to fully- realized design. It debuted at the 1997 SEMA Show.
Dubbed the Dodge T-Rex, the truck boasted extreme off-road designs with three axles and six total wheels.
To build the Dodge T-Rex, the manufacturer took a factory stock Ram 3500 one-ton truck. It then swapped out the dual rear wheels in favor of dual single-axles. This design targeted better off-road traction and maneuverability.
The truck did what it was designed to do, and that was to impress the show’s visitors. It was never considered for production. Instead, it was designed to shed light on the abilities of the designers at Dodge Chrysler.
Today, the Dodge T-Rex is getting new attention with the up-and-coming 2021 Ram 1500 TRX, the top-of-the-line trim of the 2021 Ram.
Turning Heads with a Powerful Engine
For those who love to see what trucks can do, the Dodge Ram T-Rex 6×6 is definitely worth another look. It has a rarely-seen 8.0L engine with V10 power. It supposedly produced 497 horsepower and 593 foot-pounds of torque. There’s no denying this is a massive, powerful engine.
The T-Rex sits on a one-ton chassis that measures 133-inches.
Now with all of that power and the large size of the truck, you’re probably wondering just how fuel-efficient it is.
The answer is unknown, as concept cars aren’t tested, but a similar sized vehicle with just four axles, the Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Crew, had a low 9.2 mpg rating. The addition of the 6-wheel drive could drop that as low as 7 mpg.
The engine wasn’t the only impressive feature of the Dodge Ram T-Rex. Its six axles feature both a 4×4 and 6×6 mode. Both rear axles are always engaged, and the driver could engage the front axle if desired.
Considering a Dodge Ram T-Rex? Get Ready for the TRX
Sadly, no matter how much you might like the idea of the Dodge Ram T-Rex, you can’t get your hands on one. This truck never went to production. All we have left are images and memories.
However, Ram is bringing an impressive truck to its lineup in 2021, and that’s the Ram TRX, the top trim of the 1500 pickup truck.
The TRX is a powerful truck that’s gotten the nickname T-Rex, which is part of the reason for the confusion between the up-and-coming truck and the concept vehicle. The new truck has a 6.2L Supercharged Hemi V8. This is actually more powerful than the original T-Rex.
With the Ram 1500 TRX, you get 650-foot-pounds of torque and 702 horsepower. It can also tow up to 8,100 pounds. This is definitely a powerful truck. It sits on just two wheels, but you’ll probably not even notice when you get behind the wheel of this one.
Pros and Cons of the Ram TRX
Since we can’t weigh the pros and cons of the concept vehicle, here are the pros and cons for the TRX instead:
Pros:
- Powerful V8 Hemi capable of 702 horsepower
- Four-wheel drive standard
- 8-speed automatic transmission with overdrive
- Off-road capabilities
Cons:
- High manufacturer’s suggested retail price
- Poor gas mileage likely
More pros and cons will come out as the vehicle hits the open market. For now, you should know that the TRX is a powerful, rugged truck that’ll work well for off-roading. If you can’t drive a 1997 T-Rex, you might as well explore this one instead.
Shopping for a New Ram? Check the Vehicle History
While you won’t find any history for the 1997 Dodge Ram T-Rex, you will for other used trucks. If you’re shopping for a truck, make sure you check the Vehicle History before you make a purchase.
You will save yourself time and frustration by knowing exactly what you’re buying ahead of time.
