march2015

MARCH 2015 -

SEXY GLAM

MAGAZINE -

they generally aren’t actual trucks as they are commonly

referred to as, and only maintain their name due to the

common style of fiberglass truck bodies used on the

vehicles. Trucks now have custom built tubular chassis,

with four-link suspension to provide up to 4-feet of clear-

ance. Mounted just behind the driver on most trucks are

the engines, which are typically supercharged and run

on methanol an alcohol and corn-based oil and have

displacement up to 575 cubic inches (9.42 L). Axles are

mostly taken from either heavy-duty military trucks or road

vehicles like school buses, and are modified to have a

planetary gear reduction at the hub to help turn the tires.

All trucks have hydraulic steering in both the front and the

rear (four wheel steering), with the front wheels controlled

by the steering wheel and the rear wheels by a toggle

switch. The tires are typically “Terra” tires used on ferti-

lizer spreaders, and have measurements of 66″×43″×25″

(1.7×1.1×0.6 m). Most trucks utilize a modified and/or

custom designed automatic transmission, such as a Turbo

400, Power glide, Ford C6 transmission, or a Torque-flite

727. A limited number of trucks utilize a Lento transmis-

sion, which traces its roots to drag racing. Most of the

automatic transmissions are heavily modified with trans

brakes, manual valve bodies, and heavy duty gear sets.

Trucks running a Lento use a centrifugal clutch as op-

posed to a torque converter, which are used in automatic

transmissions. Lento transmissions are usually found in

two-speed or three speed configurations, and are com-

monly shifted using compressed CO2.

This image of Grave Digger, minus much of its body work,

reveals how far removed monster truck designs are from

the traditional trucks they somewhat resemble

The trucks have many safety features, several required

just to run in the small arenas that the trucks frequent.

Trucks are equipped with three kill switches: the RII (Re-

mote Ignition Interrupt), one within the driver’s reach in the

cab, and another at the rear of the truck so that all electri-

cal power may be shut off in the event of a rollover. Many

trucks are constructed with the driver sitting in the center

of the cab for visibility. Most cabs are shielded with Lexan

(or comparable polycarbonate), which not only protects

the driver from track debris, but also allows for increased

visibility. Drivers are required to wear fire suits, safety har-

nesses, helmets, and head and neck restraints. Most mov-

ing parts on the truck are also shielded, and high pressure

components have restraining straps, both in case of an

explosion.