Drive across the US and you'll see a variety of vehicles. But one particular machine outnumbers the rest, and it's the pickup truck. It's not a secret that Americans love these gas-guzzling machines quite a lot. They are the symbol of American values – a cross between play, work, and lending a hand. In the past, it required a lot of hard work to produce goods and deliver them to market. The first pickup truck could haul thousands pounds instead of a hundred.
Thinking that your truck is missing something, but you can't put a finger on what it is? There is hope, because a few popular modifications can give your machine a cooler appearance. Raising suspension gives the ground clearance you need to command attention. Proper tires can give the desired traction and complete the look of the truck. To get more ideas, check out these cool modified classic trucks.
15 RingBrothers Ford F-100
The Ringbrothers love building insane vehicles for their customers, but this time they created a truck for themselves, transforming an F-100 into a gorgeous restomod pickup. This machine features extensive body modifications, amazing chrome work and custom billet accessories. The bed has been custom-built, fenders were widened and wheel openings were narrowed.
14 1935 Dodge Pickup
Troy Adams has customized many trucks. This 1935 Dodge Pickup was rust-free but had the scars of hard work. He said he spent two weeks on metal and bodywork. The rear sides of the bed were extended. The truck came out really well, which gives us an appreciation of how talented Adams is.
13 Kaiser Jeep M715
The modified Kaiser Jeep M715 we see here is one of the best things that have happened to this machine. It features a GM 5.7L V8 engine that offers more power and torque than the original model. Up front, it rides on Dana 60 axle, and there is a Dana 70 axle in the rear.
12 Willys CJ-2A
This Willys CJ-2A was created by Rock Solid Offroad for 2013 SEMA. The project began as a concept drawing but quickly turned into a heavily modified build. The custom frame was handmade. RSO stretched the frame 12 inches and made the truck 6 inches wider. A custom cage was then installed.
11 1954 Ford F-100
Gene Ayers owns a Car Carrier Repair shop where he creates and repairs car carriers. These skills helped him build this truck. Gene uncovered lots of areas that had more filler material than metal. He had to redo the doors, front valence and cab corners. The bedsides were welded and running boards were made.
10 3,424 HP Supercharged 24-Cylinder Peterbilt Semitruck
Envisioned by Mike Harrah and built by Tim Spinks and Paul Abram, this truck has so much going on that it's impossible to concentrate on just one detail. The engines command the majority of our attention. We've never seen 24-cylinder Detroit Diesel units mated and topped with eight 8-71 superchargers.
9 Compound Turbo International Rat Rod Truck
Ray Evernham, a 3-time NASCAR Champion crew chief, knows everything about hot rodding. His other passion is helping people, so he came up with an idea to meld the two together into what turned out to be one of the best modified classic trucks. This machine was a part of the AmeriCarna LIVE charity event.
8 Big-Block Military Volvo From Riyadh
This Volvo TP-21 Radio Command Car started the life as a military wagon for the Swedish defense forces. However, all details we see here have been custom-built. The body was modded from a 1930s Volvo taxi that was matted to a heavy-duty truck chassis. The machine also got all sorts of exterior gear.
7 1951 Ford F-1 Pickup Truck
Ray Corn, the owner of this truck, explained that "It started when a friend I worked with was building a '52 F-1 pickup. My friend handled the bodywork, starting with a new firewall, then moving up to the top, which was chopped 23/4 inches. The cowl was filled and all the gaps were made perfect."
6 Bill Sandefer’s 1956 Ford F-100
The look of this 1956 Ford F-100 relies on its stance-derived demeanor. Bill could achieve this by placing a wheel toward the rearmost side of the front fender. He could also find the right balance of form and function – not one over the other – and got a mean-looking retro truck.
5 Jason’s 1949 Chevy Pickup Truck
The owner said, "I started will a full Art Morrison chassis, complete with a coilover suspension, and 9-inch rear. The engine was pulled and updated with a Comp cam, RHS heads, Weiand intake, and a much- needed Holley EFI kit. To hide the EFI, and keep a somewhat traditional look, I fabricated an air cleaner."
4 The Patriot
Here, we can barely recognize a 1937 Ford truck. This machine got an air-cooled, twin-turbo diesel used as a generator for a Patriot radar system. It delivers 380 horsepower and 1,300 lb. ft. of torque. The owner said it took 9 months to build, eight of which were spent fabricating the chassis and rear suspension.
3 Trophy T
The Trophy T is a mashup of new technology and old design, created by Vice Unlimited's Tim Odell. The name comes from the Trophy-Truck-like rear end melded with the cab and the front sheet metal from a Diamond T truck. Power comes from a turbocharged LQ4 that sends 650 hp to a 9-inch housing in front.
2 1953 Willys Overland Pickup
Richard Link turned his Willys Overland Pickup into a 1960s street rod. He said that "The truck was tired, to say the best. Blown rear axle, froze-up Chevy 283 under the hood, and it was all pieced together in farm truck fashion. The main work the rod shop had to do was body and paint."
1 Hemi-Fied Dodge
Greg Salzillo and Dave Ford won the 2019 Hot Wheels Legends Tour with this heavily modified Hemi-Fied Dodge. The craftsmanship is stellar, with a bagged front suspension and smooth bodywork that deserves to be out in the open for all of us to see. And check out this Hemi engine.