For those strolling the aisles of the wheel and tire building at the Las Vegas Convention Center, one vehicle that was rather difficult to miss was Mickey Thompson’s Project “Big Rig” Ford F-250 4X4 truck, which was tricked out for this year’s show. Among the primary features of this ghastly beast at M/T’s Classic Big Rig wheels wrapped in 38-inch Baja MTZ tires that was designed to reflect the Built Ford Tough concept, and was a 2011 Ford Product Excellence Award winner for The award was created to recognize excellence in project vehicle execution. “The excellence in building this project vehicle provides a benchmark for all aftermarket organizations,” said Brian Nottmeier, Director, FNA Product Planning, Ford Motor Company. “We thank Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels for their dedication to the project vehicle program.”
Expert truck builder Mike Duval, owner of X-Treme Toyz, oversaw the planning, designing, and construction of M/T’s Big Rig, which is based upon a production 2011 F-250 with a 6.7L V8 diesel engine under the hood with a six-speed automatic transmission. An AFE air intake system and Scorcher programmer provides enhanced flow going in, while an MBRP dual stack exhaust system delivers the grunt on the way out.
The chassis of Project Big Rig has been raised via a Fabtech 10-inch suspension system and traction bars, mated with Dirt Logic shocks from Fabtech, and Mag-Hytech front and rear differential covers, oil, and transmission pans.
While the powertain has received a solid upgrade from front to back, it’s the exterior where things have really modified. The list begins with Amp Research power steps, corners, side steps, and entry lights, a Line-X bed liner, K-40 CB radio antenna, Warn VTV compressor and auxiliary power leads, auxiliary lighting from PIAA, and a 50 gallon replacement fuel tank from Transfer Flow.
Other features like Cargo Glide’s sliding cargo deck, Recon’s LED rear cab, side clearance, mirror and side lights, MM Auto Arts paint ands graphics, X-Treme Toyz custom accessories and lighting accents, and Putco billet grille with LED accents round out the appearance package. And if you need to get more attention than you’ve already gotten behind the wheel of M/T’s Project Big Rig, there’s a United Pacific train horn system installed, as well.
Inside this mud-ready truck you’ll find a Katzkin custom leather interior, paired with a Kenwood DNX7180 head unit, CW Motorsports audio/video/navigation and backup camera system, CR Laurence power sliding rear window, a Midland 4–channel CB radio, and Scosche Accumat acoustic material, Realm speakers, audio/video wiring, and factory interface.