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Think power. Think traction. Think about all the possibilities should the think tank at Chrysler offer this 500-horsepower, six-wheel-drive Dodge Ram for sale to the public. They call it T-Rex; short for Technology, Research, Experimental vehicle.
This 6x6 was conceived, designed and built with minimal investment in about 13 months. Among the innovations that make this concept truck potentially realistic is how power is delivered to the three axles. To handle increased power, torque and payload capacities, new transfer cases where developed. Chrysler engineers used a new external rear transfer case and availabLe production axles. The t-case delivers available torque equally to the two rear axles. An output shaft powers the second axle and a chain-driven over-the-shoulder propshaft delivers power to the third.
A new transfer case was developed for power distribution at the front axle as well. The front t-case incorporates a differential with lock-up feature, a 2. 72:1 low range and electric shift. In six-wheel drive, 48 percent of available engine torque output is delivered to the front axle and 52 percent to the rear t-case -- an arrangement that provides full-time four-wheel drive to the rear axles and full- or part-time six-wheel drive with the front axle locked in.
Speaking of power distribution, Chrysler's rolling platform is motivated by an eight liter, high-output Magnum V-10, modified to boost power from 350 hp at stock specs to 500 hp at T-Rex specs. Power was increased with high-compression pistons, a billet crank, ported and polished heads, modified camshaft and tubular headers. Torque goes from 450 lbs-ft to 600 lbs. - ft.
A standard four-speed Dodge Ram V-10 automatic transmission was strengthened to handle the increased power,torque and payload ratings. Payload rapacity stands at 5,000 lbs. now, with the potential for more. Current towing capacity is 19,000 lbs. , with a goal of increasing it to 26,000 lbs. of Gross Combined Weight.
Ride comfort is handled by an adaptive air-suspension system located by trailing arms and track bar with automatic load leveling and driver-selectable ride control. For ease of entry and ground clearing height adjustment, T-Rex can be adjusted from inside the cab. The truck bed measures eight feet, six inches using Kevlar-carbon fiber composite material on the outer sides of the stretched cargo bed.
T-Rex may well be the world's first fulltime 6x6 designed for personal use in a light truck. Off-road mobility is improved, not only by greater tire patch surface, but better traction due to the power distribution of two transfer cases. Turning radius is tighter than traditional duallies by two feet.
Because this concept truck was designed using supplier-available parts and with cost-of-production considerations in mind, the reality of seeing this truck on U. S. highways may be closer than we think. Think positive.
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