The '90s really was a boom period for pickup trucks. There were so many great compact, full-sized, medium-duty and heavy-duty options around. In quite a few instances, you could have those trucks with some seriously crazy engine options. These engines were definitely not created equal — some were squarely aimed at performance, while others were more for heavy-duty hauling. There was also a big difference with how reliable and convenient they were. But, all of them were absolutely wild, and they all deserve to be celebrated. Ford F-150 SVT Lightning (Ninth Generation) Engine: 5.8-liter Windsor V8Power: 240 hp via Bring A TrailerWhen it first appeared back in the early '90s, the F-150 SVT Lightning was a game-changer for Ford. A proper high-performance pick-up truck, it's powered by a 5.8-liter version of Ford's venerable Windsor V8. This produces 240 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque. While that might not sound that impressive today (and it isn't impressive by the standards of this list, either), that kind of output was genuinely great for a pick-up truck of its time.via Bring A TrailerThis generation of the F-150 is becoming more and more prized by collectors. The SVT Lightning version is no different. People have started appreciating it more as time's gone on, and it's pretty much inevitable that these will become super-valuable trucks in good time. After all, what muscle car enthusiast could say no to a proper slice of Americana with a Windsor V8 in it? Dodge Dakota R/T (Second Generation) Engine: 5.9-Liter Magnum V8Power: 250 hp Bring a TrailerThe Dodge Dakota R/T (from the second generation of the Dakota) is a compact truck that's gone under the radar quite a lot. Those who know, though, know that it's a proper beast. What Dodge did to make this pickup as much of a beast as it is is to give it the 5.9-liter Magnum V8 that was standard-issue in the bigger Ram. As you'd expect, this 250-horsepower V8 was almost too powerful for the Dakota!Bring a TrailerThe Dodge Dakota R/T is often considered to be one of the last proper muscle trucks. With its exclusively rear-wheel drive configuration and proper naturally aspirated V8, it's easy to see why people think that. It certainly is the kind of crazy pick-up truck and powerful engine configuration that seemed to only exist in the '90s (and early '00s). Chevrolet 454 SS Engine: 454 Cubic Inch (7.4-Liter) Big-Block V8Power: 230 hp (1990), 255 hp (1991-1993) Via: Bring a TrailerAnother legendary muscle truck, the Chevrolet 454 SS is what happens if you put a proper big-block V8 engine into a regular-sized pick-up truck and let it loose. Originally producing 230 horsepower when it launched in 1990, the 454 SS got a power boost the following year that took it up to 255 horsepower. That made it easily one of the most powerful trucks you could buy back in the '90s, and more powerful than the F-150 SVT Lightning that we mentioned earlier once it got that power bump. The power bump also came with a change in transmission — a more modern 4-speed automatic replaced the older 3-speed unit that 1990 cars got.Bring a TrailerIf you want a proper big-block performance truck, the Chevy 454 SS is probably the best classic option out there. Its power isn't that far off what later high-performance trucks were achieving, and in some ways, there's just no replacement for displacement. GMC Syclone Engine: 4.3-Liter Turbocharged LB4 V6Power: 280 hp Via MecumBased on the GMC Sonoma, the GMC Syclone has to be one of the most famous high-performance pick-up trucks ever made. Eschewing the V8 tradition of other more powerful trucks, the Syclone uses a 4.3-liter turbocharged V6 instead. While slightly unorthodox for its vehicle type, this engine absolutely works wonders. It's got an output of 280 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, making it one of the most powerful pickup trucks of the '90s. It can also accelerate from 0-60 mph in less than 5 seconds, putting it into proper sports car territory for its time.MecumUnusually for this list, the Syclone comes exclusively with all-wheel drive. This system shared components with the one used in the Chevrolet Astro van, and it was rear-biased (65% of the power goes to the rear wheels). That all-wheel drive system no doubt helped to make it as fast as it is, and would have also made it absolutely fantastic to drive. Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 2500 HD (First Generation) Engine: 6-Liter Vortec 6000 V8Power: 300 hp ChevroletWe're getting into the realm of the medium-duty pickups now, a realm where there were also (surprisingly) some crazy engine options around during the '90s. The first of those is the 6-liter Vortec V8 that you could get in the first-generation version of the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD and GMC Sierra 2500 HD. This engine is known for being an absolute monster — early versions from the back end of the '90s had 300 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque, and (like all Vortec engines) they quickly gained a reputation for being absolutely bulletproof.The 6-liter Vortec was never meant to be a high-performance engine. What it was meant to do was have enough torque to pull almost anything, all day long. In that regard, its performance is incredibly impressive, and it'll go down forever as one of the craziest engines ever offered in a '90s pickup truck. It wasn't just an option in trucks, either — it also appeared in various General Motors vans, and even the heavy-duty version of the Chevrolet Suburban! Ford Super Duty (First Generation) Engine: 6.8-Liter Triton V10Power: 310 hp Bring a TrailerThe 6.8-liter Triton V10 that was available in the first generation of the Ford Super Duty is an absolute beast that barely anyone talks about. Not only does it have 310 horsepower, but it also has a phenomenal 425 pound-feet of torque. That makes it absolutely perfect for any kind of heavy-duty work, as well as being one of the best trucks out there that isn't a diesel for towing anything.The Triton V10 doesn't have the best reputation. Firstly, it's an absolute gas-guzzler — you'll be very lucky to get any more than about 10–12 miles per gallon out of it. Secondly, it's got some known problems. There are a lot of parts that can be problematic on these, including the spark plugs and the timing chain. But, those issues don't take away from how gloriously ridiculous it is that this was ever offered in a regular production truck during the '90s. Dodge Ram 2500/3500 (Second Generation) Engine: 8-Liter Magnum V10Power: 310 hp MecumFord wasn't the only manufacturer back in the '90s that offered a medium-duty truck with a V10. Dodge could also sell you the massive 8-liter Magnum V10 in the Ram 2500 and 3500. This engine gained a reputation as a torque monster, producing more torque (450 pound-feet) than the Triton V10 in the Ford Super Duty we mentioned earlier.Unfortunately, like the Ford Triton V10, the Dodge Magnum V10 is a real gas-guzzler. You'll be lucky to get 10 mpg out of it. But, that's offset by its relatively simple mechanics compared to modern diesel trucks. If you need a cheap heavy hauler, a Ram 2500 or 3500 with the Magnum V10 is one of the best options around. Ford F-150 Harley Davidson Edition (Tenth Generation) Engine: 5.4-Liter Supercharged Triton V8Power: 340 hp Bring A TrailerThe Harley Davidson Edition is a version of the Ford F-150 that often doesn't get talked about. Introduced in 1999 for the tenth-generation F-150, it was the result of a working partnership with the Harley Davidson motorcycle company. It's more of a high-performance variant, with a supercharged version of the 5.4-liter Triton V8. This makes it the second-most powerful truck on this list, producing 340 horsepower. These trucks were also exclusively rear-wheel drive, and exclusively based on the four-door SuperCrew configuration.Bring A TrailerWhile many have forgotten about this truck, true F-150 aficionados know how great it is. A lot of that greatness is down to its fantastic engine. While some aren't huge fans of the Triton V8, this supercharged iteration of it is easily one of the best truck engines Ford has ever made. Ford F-150 SVT Lightning (Tenth Generation) Engine: 5.4-Liter Supercharged Triton V8Power: 360 hp FordWith how great the original F-150 SVT Lightning was, it would have been immensely difficult for Ford to try and top it. But, they absolutely did with this newer version of the truck. Based on the tenth-generation F-150, this is the most powerful truck here. It's got a slightly more powerful version of the supercharged Triton V8 that was used in the Harley Davidson Edition, producing 360 horsepower. It isn't the most torquey, though, having a bit less than the medium-duty trucks here. That doesn't matter much, though, as this is a performance machine rather than a hauler. It's based on the two-door Super Cab body style, and features various modifications to the suspension to make it handle better.MecumThis version of the F-150 SVT Lightning has become one of the most sought-after high-performance American pick-up trucks around. With how brilliant that engine is, it's not hard to see why!Sources: Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC