The Ram's styling has aged well, but the chassis feels old. Even with the SS/T's tuning and tires, this big-big-big-feeling truck lacks the bump-contending subtlety found in Ford's F-150. It's not that the SS/T's handling performance isn't laudable (59.0 mph through the slalom is good), but there's little communication between the driver and a lot of truck. Still, though the steering is slow, the response of the big Goodyear tires is nearly instantaneous; the SS/T's initial turn-in-that moment where steering input becomes a change in direction-is exceptional.
The 7.9-second 0-60 clocking and 15.8 second/84.6-mph trip through the quarter mile is much better than the 8.2 and 16.2 times of the last 5.9-liter Ram we tested. Make no mistake, this particular engine just felt right; much like one of GM's lauded Vortec family of V-8s. That's high praise. And the four-speed automatic transmission shifted more crisply too.
Four years into its production run, the Ram is still a compelling and unique vehicle with a huge, inviting, and supremely useful interior. But sometime around 2000, a Ram should appear powered by a new family of overhead-cam V-6s and V-8s. Considering Chrysler's track record for leading-edge design, that's exciting.
| PERFORMANCE |
| Acceleration, mph | '97 Dodge Ram SS/T |
| 0-30 | 2.6 |
| 0-40 | 3.9 |
| 0-50 | 5.5 |
| 0-60 | 7.9 |
| 0-70 | 10.7 |
| 0-80 | 14.8 |
| 1/4 mile, sec/mph | 15.8/84.6 |
| Braking, 60-0, ft | 144 |
| Slalom, 600-ft, mph | 65.1 |
| LATERAL ACCEL, g | 0.75 |