Oh What Wondrous Trucks We Saw At the 2017 SEMA Show – Part 3

This is our third and final installment of just some of the fantastic trucks we saw at the 2017 SEMA Show. While there were many more that were deserving of mention, our space is somewhat limited. We do hope that you've found these three articles as a good overview of the types of trucks on display at SEMA 2017.

2017 Ford F-250 Chris Kyle Frog Foundation

Chris Kyle drove a Ford pickup so the builders thought an F-250 a fitting tribute

This Ford F-250 was constructed by Complete Customs to benefit the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation

Navy Seal Chris Kyle needs no introduction to most of us. The most effective sniper to ever serve in the US military, he publish his autobiography to wide acclaim. Clint Eastwood directed a movie about his life, but as you know, Chris never saw it as he was killed by a former Marine suffering from PTSD. His wife Taya, founded the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation to support military, veteran, and first responder marriages. For the past few SEMA Shows, Complete Customs has built a Jeep to be auctioned to benefit the Foundation. As Chris drove a lifted Ford Super Duty, they decided this year to build a 2017 Ford F250. Added were a 4.5” Pure Performance suspension, 20” American Force Wheels with the foundation's name etched into them, wrapped by 42” Interco Tires. A custom grille was fabricated as well as a custom bumper/light bar and many other fantastic additions.

2016 GMC 2500HD Scosche UTV Hauler

Rockstar Garage wanted to build a truck that carried a UTV lower, to have less impact on handling

How best to carry a UTV in the back of a truck? Rockstar Garage may have the ultimate solution

UTVs loaded into the back of a truck are a pretty common sight. The problem, for the most part, is that many UTVs are longer than the bed of the truck, which forces them to be carried high which completely messes up the center of gravity and of course the handling. Rockstar Garage set out to solve the problem. Instead of using ramps, they installed a Knapheide bed and utilize a winch to load the UTV, dropping the CG considerably. Hellwig air suspension keeps the bed level, loaded or not, supplemented by Altas leaf springs and BDS coilovers. 20” KMC Rockstar 3 wheels are wrapped by 40” Mickey Thompson tires. Other outward mods include a Royalty Core grille, Bulldog LEDs, and Addictive Desert Design bumpers. Under the hood, the Duramax has been upgraded with a K&N filter, Mishimoto intercooler, and Edge tuner. Inside the crew cab, Scosche provided a MagicMount Pro phone mount, ReVolt Dual USB charger, iPad dash mount, and EFX audio. And to make sure you can go out and always make it back, there’s a Titan 50 gallon fuel tank.

2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD 5.11 Tactical MRV

The truck even features 5.11 Tactical fabric covering the seating surfaces

5.11 Tactical apparel and gear manufacturer created this TRD Tacoma around its products

5.11 Tactical, makers of tactical apparel and gear for military, first responders, and recreational enthusiasts, displayed their 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD powered by the proven Toyota 3.5L V6 at the 2017 SEMA show. 5.11 has named their truck the MRV, which stands for Mission Ready Vehicle. The theme is to keep in the spirit of 5.11 products, which are found both outside and inside the truck, including the upholstery. There are even a tent and a fridge in the bed. Other upgrades include Cooper Tires, King Shocks at all four wheels, Deaver Springs, Total Chaos Suspension, ARB Lockers, Warn winch housed in a wicked front bumper/skid plate assembly, flared fenders, and of course a K&N filter.

A Polaris RZR rides piggyback in the bed of the Ram pickup truck

Dennis Dillon Ram of Boise displayed this truck to promote its Sawtooth parts & accessories business

Keg Media illustrates many of the show car designs used for approvals before any metal is cut

Graphic designers Keg Media worked with High Altitude Customs on this H2 to demo their work