As American muscle cars were winding down in the '70s, pickup trucks began to gain more popularity. This was because the pickup trucks were exempted from the emission standards that passenger cars were subject to. In addition, many insurance firms did not see pickups as performance vehicles, so insurance rates were relatively cheaper. And with the gas prices peak in the late '70s, many people were left with pickup trucks as the only viable alternative for power.

Back then, pickup trucks were built and used as workhorses and had to be able to traverse difficult terrain and haul heavy objects, which is where power comes into play. The more power and torque a pickup truck had, the better it usually was at getting the job done. This meant that some of the most powerful consumer vehicles on the roads in the '70s were indeed pickup trucks such as the ones you'll see in this list. So, without further ado, here are the most powerful pickup trucks of the '70s.

Related: These New Trucks Desperately Need More Power

10 1970 Dodge D100 - 255 HP

Red 1970 Dodge D100
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1970 was the year Dodge introduced its "lifestyle pickups" to the market for those who desire a more personalized pickup truck. The D100 Dude trim came with a 440 Magnum cu. in. V8 engine that pumps out 255 hp.

Green 1970 Dodge D100
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Unlike the Ford F-100 that was offered for more than $30,000 at the time, the Dodge D100 was just over $21,000, making it more appealing to buyers with a tight budget.

9 1970 Chevrolet C10 - 375 HP

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From the late 60s, Chevrolet focused more on convenience and comfort for its pickups and that was how the C-Series pickup line was born. The 1970 C10 was one of the first models built for this line, and it came with a 250 cu. in. six-cylinder inline base engine that delivers 155 hp.

Green 1970 Chevrolet C10
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The C10 also offered a 402 cu.in V8 engine that churns out 375 horses. At the time, all Chevrolet pickups were built with a standard 3-speed manual column shift transmission, while some had a 4-speed manual transmission as an option.

8 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS - 450 HP

Red 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS
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Chevrolet's El Camino was a coupe utility vehicle that was based on a sedan's chassis. Coming with a powerful power plant and a sizable bed, the 1970 El Camino was General Motors' response to the Ford Ranchero.

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This pickup/car hybrid was equipped with a 7.0-liter V8 engine that was rated 450 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Owning an El Camino back in 1970 would cost you over $23,000, but nowadays, you can get it for roughly $8,000.

Related: 9 Lesser-Known Facts About The Chevrolet El Camino

7 1970 Ford Ranchero - 370 HP

White 1970 Ford Ranchero
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Ford’s 1970 Ranchero was a luxury pickup that shared many similarities with the Torino Squire station wagon. All Ford Ranchero models came with optional hidden headlamps, save the base model, which was equipped with a six-cylinder engine that cranks out 155 hp.

Red Ford Ranchero
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The most powerful Ranchero engine option was the 429 cu. in. Super Cobrajet V8 that releases up to 370 hp. Besides the elegant styling and powerful engine, the was also loved by collectors for its bargain price.

6 1971 Chevrolet C20 Longhorn - 255 HP

Red 1971 Chevrolet C20 Longhorn
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What's not to love about the 1971 Chevrolet C20 Longhorn? Vintage collectors who are big on power would definitely be swayed by the C20 Longhorn's 350 cu. in. V8 engine that generates 255 hp. The C20 Longhorn also comes with an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor and a spring suspension.

Green 1971 Chevrolet C20 Longhorn
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Back in the day, the C20 Longhorn was suitable for any job on the field, thanks to its wooden bed, gigantic trailering mirrors, and 8-inch wheels. Although the 1971 C20 Longhorn was well-received, Chevrolet only made 3,331 units.

Related: Here's What We Love About The Chevrolet C20 Longhorn

5 1971 GMC C2500 Sierra Grande - 300 HP

Black 1971 GMC Sierra Grande
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The C2500 Sierra Grande was introduced into the 2500 series pickup line in 1971 and the top-of-the-line engine option was the 396 cu.in V8. That same year, GMC bore out the engine to 402 cu. in. and increased power generation to 300 hp.

Green 1971 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande
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This truck is equipped with upper and lower side molding, as well as padded seats for maximum comfort. The '71 GMC C2500 Sierra Grande is valued at about $25,600.

4 1973 Ford F-350 - 245 HP

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1973 saw the evolution of Ford from the "grandma" pickup design it used to have to the "big daddy" design that offered a wider square front end, longer wheelbase, and higher center of gravity for the F-Series line up. Weighing 6,600 - 10,000 lb with a wheelbase of 161 inches, the 1973 F-350 can pull trailers and heavy campers effortlessly.

1973 Ford F-350
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The standard 1973 Ford F-350 engine was a 300 cu. in. I6, which could only generate 118 hp, but the top-of-the-line 460 cu. in. V8 raised power generation to 245 HP. Back in the day, drivers who wanted a pickup that worked like a truck, but rode like a car opted for the Ford F-350.

3 1974 AMC Jeep J10 - 225 HP

Red 1987 AMC Jeep J10
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Formerly known as Gladiator, the J-Series is one of AMC's most popular model lines even though it has been discontinued. Whether you need a pickup for your daily ride or off-road adventures or even as part of your collection, the 1974 Jeep J10 would always be a great fit.

Black 1977 AMC Jeep J10
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The base engine of the Jeep J10 is a 4.2-liter six-cylinder with a power rating of 112 hp and 210 lb-ft. There's also the 6.6-liter V8 engine option that delivers 225 hp and 320 lb-ft torque.

Related: This Is The Best Feature Of The 1974 AMC Jeep J10

2 1978 Dodge Midnite Express - 255 HP

Black Dodge Midnite Express
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The 1978 Dodge Midnite Express is loved not just for its practicality but also for its design, power, and sportiness. This rare, classic pickup truck is quite similar to the Li'l Red Express, with both having the same wheels and the same Old West-style gold pinstriping tape.

Black Dodge Midnite Express
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The Dodge Midnite Express came with a 440 cu.in V8 engine that makes 255 hp. Dodge marketed this truck as a "lifestyle" pickup to attract a younger audience. From 1978 to 1979, about 10,000 units of the Dodge Midnite Express were produced.

1 1979 Dodge Li'l Red Express - 295 HP

Red 1979 Dodge Lil’ Red Express
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Released in March 1978, the Li'l Red Express was one of the rarest Dodge Utiline stepside pickups with only 2,188 units built. The high-performance pickup came with automatic transmission and a 360-cu. in. 4-cylinder engine that cranks out 295 hp.

Red 1979 Dodge Lil’ Red Express
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An unknown fact about the Li'l Red Express is that Dodge built two 440 V8 trial versions, which were showcased at auto shows in the US and Canada. The 1978 Li'l Red Express sprints to 100 mph in 19.9 seconds, which isn't that bad for a truck built over four decades ago.