Bad-Ass Trucks of SEMA: The Lifted, Slammed, and Modded

There is no doubt that the American new vehicle market is awash in trucks and SUVs. So it stands to reason that these vehicles' popularity would carry over to, say, the SEMA show in Las Vegas. Like a mirror facing America's roads—well, a fun-house, bizarro mirror, perhaps—the 2024 SEMA show sees those trucks and SUVs as blank canvases for tuners, modifiers, and hot-rodders to do with what they may. And this year, the SEMA show features more than just jacked-up, sky-scraping trucks. This year, there is equal representation of the highest and lowest builds on display at the Las Vegas Convention Center, home of the trade show. These are our favorites:

The Duality of SEMA

While the lead image shows just how diverse the SEMA show's displays can be, this image captures the wackiness perfectly with a Tesla Cybertruck parked right beside a jacked-up Chevrolet Silverado HD.

Speaking of Duality

You’re always going to find the latest and greatest on display at the SEMA Show, but also the most ridiculous. Case in point is this dually-converted Cybertruck. With twice the rear wheels and tires as normal, it's even wilder-looking than a regular Cybertruck.

It’s even equipped with a set of custom “big rig” style wheels with the adapters to match the different bolt patterns. We’re curious to see just how long the rear steering mechanism will last with this setup, or even what kind of clearance is lurking underneath those fenders.

That’s a Big Truck

From the ridiculousness of a dually Cybertruck comes the audaciousness of on of the tallest trucks on display at the 2024 SEMA Show. This makes the already monster truck–like Ford Super Duty even more so.

Don’t worry, you’ll probably be able to “hop in” using its hydraulic step bar. But you also see just how much engineering went into making this Monster Super Duty. Yes, it’s not F1 levels of engineering, but it’s still spectacular considering what’s been done.

Supporting this giant-sized monster are a pair of Rockwell axles with hydraulic steering on both ends, appropriate for such a large beast with such enormous tires.

If You Need a Tow, You Gotta Go Low

From the highest, we now come to the lowest with this Chevrolet tow-truck.

Despite its patina'd appearance, the engine is fully modern, with a supercharged LS V-8 under the hood. The space it lives in is immaculate, too.

The tow setup, however, is decidedly old school using a Warn VR Evo winch to move the tow bar up and down.

You've Got Mail

Here’s something you don’t see every day: A 1965 Jeep FJ6A Postal Vehicle. Don’t let the dumpy appearance fool you, as it’s packing a 4.8-liter GM V-8 with a pair of Garrett GT35 turbos; that combo is stuffed between the front seats in the stock engine location.

Here is a closer look at that engine room. The back of this mail truck is even packed with some Speedway packages ready for delivery.

Lift Me Up

There’s more than one way to jack up a truck, but we weren’t thinking literally with this Dodge Power Wagon and its Cummins swap—it's on very tall post lifts.

But it is a great way for us to look under the chassis and see just how properly built it is.

Clean Restomod Jimmy

There is everything to like about this old GMC Jimmy. It packs the right amount of modern touches while retaining its classic four-wheelin' roots.

While it has an LS-swap under the hood, the gauges on the dash are all mechanical. Inside is a modern leather interior.

The suspension is all leaf spring and live axles, but a set of Forgeline wheels keep this old squarebody looking sharp with its BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A tires sized LT275/70R18 all around.

A Different Kind of Ford Ranger

While the newest Ranger is all the rage for Ford fans, there’s no denying that there is a soft spot for many for older models, specifically this early post-Courier Ford Ranger pickup.

However, one look at the TDI turbocharger coming out of the grille will tell you that this is no ordinary Ranger.

The tube-frame chassis will also let you know that this Ranger isn’t an all original, either.

A Rad Hauler

If you like your campers with a bit of a unique Euro flare, then this Rad Factory built Porsche Cayenne might just be up your alley.

To make it a reality, The Rad Factory cut away the roof after the B-pillar to first convert this Cayenne into a ute. So, take your pick—it's either cool because it's a Porsche pickup truck, or cool because it's a Porsche camper.

With the new bed, it was easy to install the Tune Outdoor pop-up camper shell. It’s equipped with Quake LEDs and an Openroad Canopy for good measure.

Datsun Datsun Pickup

Imports had a great showing besides the usual Tacomas and Tundras, too. This Datsun 620 pickup gives off time attack vibes.

But its heart is a modern SR20DET with an amazing custom paint job on its various covers.

Inside is a fairly modern office, including a digital gauge cluster and OMP seating. Driver and passenger are secured with a set of Willans six-point safety harnesses.

High School Dropped Truck

The showstopper for mini trucks at SEMA this year is this high-school-inspired build by Rutledge Wood. The rear end is converted to an independent rear suspension (IRS) thanks to a Nissan 240SX S14 rear subframe and quickly jacking the rear up is a cinch thanks to its central jacking point where the bumper used to reside.

Driving those rear wheels is a built 2JZ-GTE. Up front are drift car–inspired flares thanks to its front wheel tubs for increased steering angle without rubbing the original wheel wells.

Inside is a custom interior with a giant handbrake from Koru Works to yank and get the rear wheels stopped for precise slides. Steering is done with a Grip Royal steering wheel with Rut’s face on the bottom spoke.