The new Ram Street Truck boasts 650 horsepower to outperform the Ford F-150 Lobo.

      Fox Factory Vehicles

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      In a country that has a strong fascination with pickups and horsepower, one automotive niche has been surprisingly quiet over the past few decades: street trucks. These vehicles possess the towing and hauling capabilities of pickups but are designed for on-road performance rather than off-roading. The new Ram 1500 Lowered, boasting 650 horsepower and part of the Fox Factory Lineup available through Mopar Direct Connection, appears to be an excellent option to satisfy that desire.

      Once, Ford dominated the factory street truck market with the F-150 SVT Lightning, a fantastic single-cab vehicle that became iconic during the ’80s and ’90s. Nowadays, Ford has introduced the F-150 Lobo, positioned as a street truck, but it falls short of the extreme character of the previous models. While it features a V8 engine, it lacks power enhancements, and its stance and aerodynamic features are nowhere near as bold as the upgrades made by Fox and Mopar on this Ram.

      Mopar Direct Connection essentially serves as an in-house aftermarket brand for Dodge cars and Ram trucks. Fox is a top-tier suspension manufacturer that has provided shock absorbers for both OEM and race vehicles for many years. Recently, Fox has ventured into producing factory-endorsed special trim levels of pickup trucks through its Fox Factory Vehicles line. These models can be sold at dealerships with factory warranties, although they are not entirely official manufacturer models.

      This approach allows the creation of unique sub-models that might lack the broad appeal needed for an OEM to produce them directly. For instance, this eye-catching, supercharged, low-riding Ram with gold accents and aerodynamic enhancements.

      The Fox Factory Ram 1500 Lowered (though I wonder why they chose such a straightforward name) claims a robust 650 horsepower from its 5.7-liter Hemi V8, equipped with a twin-screw Whipple supercharger. The axle ratio is set at 3.92, promising impressive acceleration unless the tires struggle with excessive spin during rapid acceleration. While no official 0 to 60 or quarter-mile times have been shared yet, I suspect it feels quick, which is what truly counts. It also features a unique cat-back dual exhaust system.

      I typically don’t think a spoiler is necessary on a pickup truck, but this one actually looks quite appealing! Fox Factory Vehicles, modified by the author.

      The truck's capabilities remain strong: it can tow up to 11,320 pounds and has a maximum payload capacity of 1,910 pounds. Some argue that street trucks represent the worst of both worlds, lacking the dynamic appeal of sports cars and off-road capabilities. However, I believe this viewpoint is misguided. A street truck is essentially a muscle car capable of carrying cargo or towing another vehicle, such as a boat or go-kart. While it may not outperform a Miata in a slalom course, it would certainly be enjoyable in intense highway merges. Additionally, the truck bed is always useful for those who enjoy DIY projects, be it related to cars or otherwise. This indicates that there is real practical value in this category of vehicles.

      The Fox Mopar Ram features a Ridetech coilover system, which includes tubular control arms for improved steering and traction bars to minimize wheel hop during aggressive acceleration. The ride height is lowered by 3 inches in the front and 5.5 inches in the rear—this adjustment levels the vehicle since the factory design had a taller rear. It's amusing that Fox, primarily a suspension company, chose to collaborate with another firm for its own build's suspension. Nevertheless, Ridetech is a significant player in this field with an existing Ram kit, making this partnership logical.

      Typically, street trucks are two-wheel drive, but this Ram can be customized as either rear-wheel drive or with Ram's electronic 4x4 transfer case.

      Fox Factory Vehicles, modified by the author.

      As for the tires, they are impressively large: 305/40R22 (approximately 12 inches wide with a 4.8-inch sidewall).

      Aesthetically, aside from the reduced ride height, the truck features gold stripes and aerodynamic accents at the front and rear. Available colors include black, silver, white, two shades of gray, and two tones of blue. Inside, there are “Mopar Connection” inserts and attractive stitching details. I must say, I am genuinely fond of its appearance. It’s both fun and aggressive without crossing into the territory of being overly exaggerated—and it likely garners fewer eye-rolls from non-car enthusiasts compared to something like a TRX that looms over traffic.

      The starting price for the Fox Factory Ram is just below $90,000. Including leather and four-wheel drive, the only available options, raises the price to around $95,000. Exact availability is yet