Monster Truck shows have transformed from the rough and rowdy event into a family-friendly night of entertainment. People from all lifestyles can appreciate the roar of engines and huge tires crashing those pitiful tiny cars.
The history of monster trucking began back in the 1980’s. The first monster truck show was held in 1982 at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. Bob Chandler was the initial person to create a monster of a truck from a 4-wheel drive Ford F-250. With larger-than life tires and a spruced- up suspension system, the “Bigfoot” truck was put on display where its agility was tested by demolishing two cars in front of 70,000 people.
The original goal of monster trucking was to display how the truck could roll over and flatten as many cars as possible at exhibitions and fairs around the country. But as popularity for this type of entertainment rose, the monster trucks began actually racing around a track. In 1987, the United States Hot Rod Association created head-to-head competitions complete with car crushing and racing.
Each year, we see monster trucks that are bigger and fiercer than ever. The costs to build and run a monster truck are hefty. Some typical prices include $1,800.00 per tire to anywhere from $2,000.00-$7,000.00 for paint and around $1,500.00 for shocks.
It’s not just the appearance of a monster truck that makes them so popular, it’s also their capability on the track. The trucks are capable of speeds up to around 100 mph. These beasts can jump across 110 to 115 feet and 20 to 25 feet in the air. Monster trucks weigh anywhere from 10,000 to 12,000 pounds.
The fact that monster trucks are custom built piece by piece, you will never find two exactly alike. SCS Gearbox is proud to carry quality drive-line parts to help make your monster vehicle run with precision. There are nearly 300 monster truck events each year and we would like to help make your next and future events a success.