Pickup trucks have evolved from being used strictly for heavy mechanical duties to highly sought-after versatile daily drivers. Right from the days of the Ford Model T, to the F-150s, and now to the latest models of Hilux, GMC, and the likes, pickup trucks have generally become more sporty, powerful, and also more luxurious. Notably, the abundant variety of vintage and modern models, trims, and variants of pickup trucks has become a source of inspiration for modification companies and tuning shops.
Likewise, the relatively big size of pickups and the ample space available in these trucks allow for massive upgrades and extreme fabrications during modifications that might be difficult to execute in smaller cars. As seen with these modified pickups from revered tuners, it’s obvious the size advantage isn’t lost on tuning shops, with several instances of them exploiting upgrade possibilities to the fullest through the powertrain, interior luxury, on and off-road prowess, and general aesthetics.
10 Roush Nitemare Ford F-150
This modified Ford F-150 is dubbed the world’s fastest production truck. That isn’t just a mere tag, as the truck hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds to earn the bragging rights. Built by Michigan-based tuning shop, Roush Nitemare, this F-150 is fitted with a recalibrated 5.0 L V8 engine that features an RS2650 supercharger proudly producing 650 hp and 610 lb-ft of torque.
To back up the awesome power, the truck also possesses a mean look courtesy of its custom front bumper, new grille and lighting, and 22-inch monster wheels.
9 Ringbrothers CLEM 101
Ringbrothers aren’t new to the business of restomodding and if anyone is ever in doubt of their proficiency, then here is CLEM 101, a classic example of the company’s outstanding capability. CLEM 101 is simply a Ford 1956 F100 pickup that has been upgraded to a 2017 standard pickup truck.
It runs on a Ford Coyote 5L Crate Motor with a Vintage Air Front-Runner system that is mated to a Bowler 4-speed automatic transmission. This vintage truck uses Nitto tires and the entire body is covered in a BASF Glasurit Waterborne custom paint.
8 Hennessey Goliath
The new GMC Sierra Denali Truck has been given a new meaning by the Hennessey Performance team – they call it Goliath. The awesome truck was unveiled to a group of automobile enthusiasts at the 2020 Las Vegas NADA show. It features a special HPE’s stage-1 Off-Road package which includes a custom HPE bumper furnished with LED lighting, custom 20” HPE wheels, and 35” tires.
Goliath is about six-inch off the ground and is powered by a 2.9 L supercharger with an incredible 700 hp.
7 Mani Kulasooriya’s Modified G-Class Pickup
Mani Kulasooriya intended to build a low-profile pickup, however, with his modified G-Class pickup, he’s only succeeded in showing us how to build a high-profile truck. The conversion job was done on a G500 by a Netherland-based conversion shop, Ikwileeng.
The tuning shop extended the truck’s frame and also added a custom coil spring and Bilstein shocks. However, things didn’t change underneath the hood as Mani’s newly modified pickup retained the stock naturally aspirated 5.0 L V8 engine. The modification costs about $140,000 inclusive of the G500.
6 Legacy Classic Trucks 1949 Dodge Power Wagon Crew Cab
It’s thrilling sharing the road with a greatly built automobile and it’s even more amazing realizing that such an automobile is a decades-old, war era pickup truck that has been revived. Legacy Classic fitted this 1949 Dodge Power Wagon Crew Cab with a twin-turbo Cummins 4BT four-cylinder that churns out 350 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque.
Gear heads might find 350 hp to be average, however, dropping such a humongous amount of horsepower on a wartime truck is unprecedented. The build costs well over $350,000.
5 Icon 4x4 1970 Ford Ranger
California-based after-market tuning shop, Icon 4x4, which specializes in restoring old classics, tried their hands at rewriting history with the restoration of this 1970 Ford Ranger. Hence, the team fitted the truck with a new 426-hp Ford 5.0 L Coyote V8 engine along with Ford AOD automatic transmission.
For seamless halting, they added hydroboosted ICON Brembo brakes to the equation while the truck rocks forged aluminum wheels with fitting BFGoodrich all-terrain tires. However, for a vintage theme, it has no power windows.
4 Expedition Motor Company 1992 Mercedes 250GD Wolf
If anyone ever wonders what the Expedition Motor Company does, this 1992 Mercedes 250GD Wolf restomod is an ideal answer to such inquiry. The Expedition team took the truck apart, blasted it, added anti-corrosive primer, and then coupled it back without major alteration to its form.
It’s powered by an OM602 five-cylinder engine while its fenders are constructed high up to give ample space to the truck’s massive BFGoodrich all-terrain tires. The restomodding job took over 1000 man-hours and has a price tag of over $90,000.
3 Hennessey MAXIMUS 1000 Jeep Gladiator
Here is the Hennessey MAXIMUS 1000 Jeep Gladiator, a pickup truck that rules on and off-road. Based on the Jeep Gladiator, this modified truck has now been taken to the extreme with features such as the specially upgraded suspension package with a 6-inch lift, custom 20-inch wheels, MAXIMUS front, and rear bumpers, LED light, and BFG 20-inchKD off-road tires among others.
Also, the MAXIMUS runs on a 6.2L supercharged Hellcat V8 with HPE 1000 engine upgrade and 933 lb-ft of torque. Just 24 units will be produced at $225,000 each.
2 Rtech Fabrications Ponderosa
Truck fabrication doesn’t get more awesome than the Ponderosa. Built by US-based tuning shop, Rtech Fabrications, this modification is simply a synergy that puts a 1966 Chevy K30 Crew Cab body on a 1972 Chevy C30 chassis with a 175-inch wheelbase.
The truck’s build specification is mind-boggling, standing at 8 feet tall and 20 feet long. The giant truck needed a commensurate engine to power it and got one in a Ram Cummins diesel engine that produces 550 hp and 1,300 lb-ft of torque.
1 Hennessey MAMMOTH 6X6
Through MAMMOTH 6x6, Hennessey Performance is about to launch the unthinkable. With a projected release date of 2021, the Mammoth is a 1200 bhp-producing monster truck currently under construction by the Hennessey team. It’ll be “the biggest and the most powerful truck in the company’s 29-year history.”
With this, Hennessey is simply converting the 2021 Ram TRX truck into 6x6, while also swapping the truck’s 702 bhp Hellcat supercharged V8 with a 7.0 L 1200 bhp-producing Hellephant variant, at a cost of $500,000.