Even though pickup trucks are basically workhorses and designed to carry, tow, and work for a living, they have evolved far beyond its original concept over the years. Modern trucks are status symbols, well-engineered luxury vehicles capable of tacking any road conditions.
But, today, we will concentrate on performance trucks - a special sub-segment where 0 to 60 mph is a more important figure than tow capacity rating. These so-called "muscle trucks" comprise models such as the Chevrolet 454 SS and are a legitimate part of the muscle segment, often faster than a standard muscle car. So, here are ten pickups that can probably smoke your Camaro at the stoplight.
10 Ford F-150 Lightning
The first F-150 Lightning debuted in 1993, and it was dubbed a "Mustang GT with the truck bed;" but the second generation, which was introduced in 1999, could be called an "SVT Cobra with the truck bed." It had a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 with 380 hp on tap, 0 to 60 mph time of 5.4 seconds, and was one of the fastest American production cars of the early 21st century.
9 Chevrolet 454 SS
The 1990 454 SS was the muscle truck in its purest form. Chevrolet took regular Silverado truck and stuffed it with its biggest engine – the 454 V8. The result was a muscle truck with a 7-second 0 to 60 mph time. Not fantastic, but it was a decent result for 1990, and it cost around $18,000, which was less than the price of the new Camaro Z28. So the 454 SS was affordable and fast, which is what the muscle truck guys really want.
8 Dodge Ram SRT-10
One of the craziest trucks ever produced is the Dodge Ram SRT-10. Introduced in 2004 and sold through 2006, the Ram SRT-10 had an 8.3-liter Viper V10 engine and delivered 500 hp to the rear wheels. It could reach 60 mph in less than 5 seconds, which was and still is a really respectable time. Back in the early 2000s, it could beat a Porsche 911 in a stoplight drag race.
7 Ford F-150 Raptor
With 5.1 seconds to 60 mph, the 2020 Ford F-150 Raptor is a muscle car and a desert warrior all in one. It is incredible how one vehicle can be so versatile and perform as a real muscle machine as well as a proper Baja racer. Powered by a 3.5-liter, turbocharged V6 engine, the Raptor is already considered a modern classic.
6 Chevrolet El Camino 454 SS
Half car – half truck, the El Camino was a popular classic Chevrolet that could be ordered with big-block V8. The El Camino 454 SS was produced from 1970 to 1972 and had 450 hp and all the muscle car goodies you could also get in a Chevelle. This meant that the El Camino was a very fast and capable truck.
5 Dodge Lil Red Express Truck
The late '70s Lil Red Express Truck was the fastest accelerating production car in America thanks to a loophole that allowed Dodge to install unrestricted 360 V8 engines. This motor delivered 225 hp and could propel the Lil Red Express Truck to a 7-second 0 to 60 mph time. Not impressive today, but back in 1978, it was just enough to beat the Corvette.
4 GMC Syclone
The legendary GMC Syclone was a real factory hot rod that was faster than contemporary Ferrari 348. When Motor Trend magazine pitted those two vehicles side by side, they were amazed by the Syclone's acceleration and its 4.3 seconds from 0 to 60 mph. Even today, this is an impressive achievement, and some 30 years ago, it was insanely quick.
3 Chevrolet SSR
Although it was a pretty controversial vehicle, the Chevrolet SSR could be considered a truck since it has a functional truck bed, aside from its retro looks and a retractable hardtop. It could be ordered with 400-hp LS2 V8, which turned this retro machine into a proper muscle car. Not as fast as the Corvette, but close enough to beat many '80s Mustangs and Camaros off the line.
2 Ford Ranchero GT
A competitor to the El Camino, the Ford Ranchero was designed as a truck with a passenger car driving dynamics. However, in the late '60s, the muscle car craze influenced even this model, so Ford offered it with the 428 Cobra Jet. It was a pretty rare car, underrated from the factory at 335 hp. However, the quarter-mile times showed that the real output is close to 450 hp and that the Ranchero can run with the Mach I and Shelby Mustangs of the era.
1 Dodge D-Series High-Performance Package
If you think that the Lil Red Express Truck was the first muscle pickup from Dodge, you are wrong. From 1964 to 1966, Dodge offered a High-Performance Package on its D-Series lineup of trucks. It was a pretty serious kit, and it included a console, racing stripes, a heavy-duty suspension, and a 426 Wedge V8 engine with 365 hp. With such power, the Dodge D-Series HP Package could outrun 440 Chargers without any problems.