Such a beast. When I built and owned it, it was undoubtedly the blackest Dodge Ram in the world. Engine removed and blacked out + bay, underside, blacked out, interior, blacked out, everything. Tastefully done might I add, not just a spray can job. So many custom touches. The only car I would buy back. Owner, if you are reading this, get in touch.
The Batram
What can I say! This pickup truck was a one of a kind absolute
beast
that turned heads everywhere. The only vehicle I would probably buy back if given the chance. However, if it came down to it, I'd build "The Batram 2.0". I still have the [ BATRAM ] plates too... so who knows, watch this space? It started life as a stock 2006 Dodge Ram SRT/10 Night Runner Edition. It was powered of course by a 8.3L 505ci Viper V10, you guessed it, straight out of a Dodge Viper, from the factory like this. The Night Runner was a special edition of an already low production year. It was
# 384 / 400
ever made. The Dodge Ram SRT/10 machines were only manufactured for 3 years. 2004, 2005 and 2006. When they were built, their claim to fame was being the worlds fastest pickup.
I purchased it from an E-body Mopar friend of mine Brian who lived in Lincoln Nebraska, U.S.A. I could have a page on that alone! From purchasing it, trucking it to LA, to it landing in New Zealand and then having the RHD conversion completed. Very interesting stuff. Once the right hand drive conversion was completed, it was time to customise it. I wanted a one of a kind blacked out stealth machine.
After all the custom mods and touches were completed, one of the biggest accolades The Batram received apart from being featured in the NZV8 Magazine, was wining the 2009 Viper Truck of America Forums truck of the year. This was during one of the most contested years at the VTCOA with nearly 15,000 active members, no mean feat! I was a proud Kiwi taking that "award" competing against some very unique and amazing trucks.
I had and was in a black on black "murdered out" buzz from the Jeeps and wanted to carry that on To another level. In the photos below, are the best of the best photos including photos of the one off custom touches I did. I had plans to supercharge it with a Roe Racing unit, but with some bolt on work and tuning, the light rear end and heavy front meant getting the current 500hp to the ground was sketchy as it was, so this idea was canned. By that stage we had already installed the custom 4L80E racing trans ad other odds and ends. I could have always done it later so it was a great platform and performed well as-is.
Some of the best and my most memorable driving experiences I've ever had were in The Batram. Below are photos taken out and about during those trips. I drove the shit out of it and took it everywhere so I definitely got my monies worth. I only sold it to fund a business venture at the time and it was hard... I won't lie, I shed a tear when I saw and heard it driving off one last time. Very hard to watch. Family and friends who often ask about it and last I heard, it was last seen in Auckland and someone had put two great big silver "racing stripes" right down the middle. Poor thing! I feel sorry for the truck but once it left my possession, it was no longer known as... The Batram.