First things first...None of our top 5 picks featured bluetooth driveshafts. But we did find some cool new stuff in the South Hall at the SEMA Show this year. Some are easy on the eyes, others are a bit in-your-face, but we can all agree that that each of these builds took time and dedication to stand out from the rest. See if you agree with our top off-roading picks from SEMA 2017...
1. Tasteful Gen 2 Raptor
The second generation Ford Raptor seemed to be the "hot platform" for this year's SEMA show, with many companies showcasing their products on them. This particular one, from SCT Performance, showcases a clean aftermarket front bumper with Rigid Industries LED lighting, and a set of 37x13.50R17 Nitto Trail Grapplers for an aggressive stance. SCT Performance offers tuning solutions for Gen 2 Raptor owners, opening a world of opportunity to get more power from their turbocharged 3.5L Ecoboost engines. We like this truck for its subtlety, by SEMA standards at least—not overdone, not too stock...just right.
2. Mega Big Mega Cab
Our next build features a Ram 3500 Mega Cab with a 6.7L Cummins powerplant, sitting pretty in the McGaughy's Suspension booth. Known for their big-boy lift and lowering kits for full-size trucks, McGaughy's outfitted this Ram with their 8" Premium lift kit, alongside added Fox Shocks coilovers and bypasses up front. This Cummins is rolling on a set of American Force Wheels, wrapped in 40-inch Nitto Trail Grapplers and is the perfect jacked-up junction of function and form.
3. Fab Ford
Okay, so maybe the "grumper" isn't for everyone. But you gotta admit, when it comes to over-the-top looking trucks with almost Transformer-esque design, nobody does it better than Fab Fours. Among their lineup was this 2017 Ford Super Duty, sporting their grill+bumper (Grumper) setup, a sleek windshield surround and light mount with their newly released fender flares, allowing you to run a 40-inch tall Nitto Trail Grappler with no more than a simple leveling kit. Tires that big on a virtually stock truck is definitely something we've never seen before. Try making that look good with a Sawzall... it ain't happening.
4. Raptor Camper
How do you encompass all the essential parts of the SEMA off-road build into one truck? You start with the hottest platform, a Gen 2 Ford Raptor, add some big brass colored wheels to it and slap a Tepui Tents roof-top tent on the bed to give it a sprinkle of Overlanding style. This Raptor at the Bodyguard Truck Accessories booth definitely caught our eye, from its wide stance on Nitto Ridge Grapplers to the matching monster hook on the rear bumper. It really does have something for everyone.
5. The Duke
Easily one of the most impressive builds in the South Hall, Randall Robertson's K50 Chevrolet crew cab in Nitto Tire's booth was an absolute showstopper. Unlike any other truck of its time, The Duke features a custom chassis and several styling points from different trucks of the era. This monster K50 is powered by none-other than the legendary 6BT Cummins, paired to an NV4500 manual transmission. The Chevy really gets its grit from a set of 40-inch tall Nitto Trail Grapplers, commanding a powerful and slightly intimidating stance. You'd be lucky to get a clear photo of The Duke all weekend, as show attendees circled it for the entirety of the SEMA Show.
Well, there you have it!