S3, E84 - Have You Heard? Truck News!
About this episode
Rumor and product news drives the episode, starting with Toyota’s likely Raptor rival: a trademark filing for “TRD Hammer,” hinted by the Mint 400 where a hybrid Tundra on 37s won. Next up is Shelby’s 2026 Shelby F-250 Super Baja—limited to 250 units, built on the 6.7L Power Stroke with a long list of off-road and tech upgrades, plus 22,000-lb towing. The show also covers Polaris’ high-power Razor ProR Ultra Edition UTV, a lawsuit over “final edition” Durango Hellcats, a Cat-branded Super Duty concept focused on jobsite tech, a Jurassic Park LEGO Wrangler set, and two quirky GM recalls.
Toyota TRD Pro HAMMER, Shelby Super Baja, $50K Polaris RZR, Dodge Durango Hellcat wins in court, Caterpillar pickup is real, LEGO launches Jurassic Park YJ, and the latest recalls. The Truck Show Podcast is brought to you in partnership with AMSOIL, Kershaw Knives, and OVR Mag. Don't forget to check out truckshowpodcast.com for special offers from our friends and sponsors.
lifted
"We have the lifted. We have the lowered and everything in between. We'll talk about trucks that run on diesel."
A “lifted” truck is a truck that sits higher than it did from the factory. People do it to clear obstacles off-road and fit bigger tires, though it can make the ride feel different.
A “lifted” truck has been raised higher than stock, usually with suspension lift components. The goal is more ground clearance for off-road use and room for larger tires, but it can affect ride quality and steering feel.
lowered
"We have the lifted. We have the lowered and everything in between. We'll talk about trucks that run on diesel."
A “lowered” truck is set up to sit lower than stock. It usually looks more aggressive and can feel more stable, but it may scrape easier and ride differently.
A “lowered” truck sits closer to the ground than stock, typically using lowering springs, coilover adjustments, or other suspension changes. It’s often done for a sportier look and handling response, but it can reduce ground clearance and make daily driving harder.
Amsoil
"The Truck Show podcast is proudly brought to you in partnership with Amsoil, the maker of the best synthetics and the same ones we use in our rigs."
Amsoil is a company that makes motor oil and other vehicle fluids. They’re sponsoring the show and saying they use their products to help protect their trucks.
Amsoil is an aftermarket lubricant brand known for synthetic oils and related products. The episode sponsor mentions using Amsoil in their “rigs,” highlighting its role in engine protection and maintenance.
Toyota
"So our favorite rumor of the week has to do with Toyota, and that's the fact that they're finally coming to market with a Raptor competitor."
They’re talking about Toyota and a rumor about a new pickup truck. The idea is that Toyota may be making an off-road truck that competes with the popular Raptor.
Toyota is the automaker being discussed for a rumored new truck model. The segment focuses on Toyota entering the pickup-truck niche with a competitor to Ford’s Raptor-style off-road trucks.
U.S. trademark
"And that starts with on March 10th, my birthday, thank you very much, Toyota filed a U.S. trademark for the name TRD Hammer."
A U.S. trademark is paperwork that protects a name. Car companies sometimes file it before they officially announce a new model, so people use it as a hint.
A U.S. trademark filing is a legal step to protect a brand name (like a model name) in the United States. Automakers often file trademarks before announcing a vehicle, so it can be an early clue about upcoming products.
TRD
"Toyota filed a U.S. trademark for the name TRD Hammer."
TRD is Toyota’s performance brand. When you see TRD on a truck, it usually means the vehicle is set up for more aggressive driving or off-roading.
TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development, Toyota’s in-house performance and motorsports division. It’s frequently used on models and packages that emphasize off-road hardware, tuning, and durability.
Mint 400
"But again, we have some clues and those clues came from the recent Mint 400. And it was the first time ever that a hybrid vehicle raced in the Mint."
The Mint 400 is a well-known desert off-road race. It’s the kind of event where companies test how tough and fast their trucks really are.
The Mint 400 is a famous off-road desert race held in Nevada, known for high-speed sand and rough terrain. It’s a proving ground where manufacturers test race-ready durability and performance under extreme conditions.
37s
"And it was the Toyota Tundra on 37s and it won. So Toyota is getting serious about it. And so I think that tells us that that was probably the pre-production hammer in race guys."
“37s” means the truck is running 37-inch tires. Those are huge off-road tires that help the truck clear obstacles and grip better in sand and dirt.
“37s” refers to 37-inch off-road tires, a common size for serious desert and rock-crawling builds. Bigger tires improve ground clearance and traction, but they also require more power and careful gearing/suspension to stay fast and reliable.
Shelby F-250 Super Baja
"Shelby Performance just announced the 2026 Shelby F-250 Super Baja, which is the first in a new line of their high-performance truck series."
This is a 2026 off-road version of the Ford F-250, built by Shelby Performance. The idea is to make the truck more capable for dirt and rough terrain, not just look tough.
The “Shelby F-250 Super Baja” is a 2026 off-road truck built by Shelby Performance on the Ford F-250 platform. It’s positioned as a high-performance, Baja-style package with suspension, tires, and exterior hardware aimed at rough-road use.
Shelby Performance
"Shelby Performance just announced the 2026 Shelby F-250 Super Baja, which is the first in a new line of their high-performance truck series. And it's the first Shelby vehicle to be built at Shelby Performance's new state-of-the-art facility in Bristol, Indiana."
Shelby Performance is the company building this special truck. They’re also setting up production at a new factory in Indiana.
Shelby Performance is the company behind this truck build, handling the engineering and assembly of the Super Baja package. They’re also mentioned as moving production to a new facility in Bristol, Indiana, which can matter for build consistency and support.
6.7-liter power stroke turbo diesel
"And this is based on an F-250, and it's got the 6.7-liter power stroke turbo diesel and the 10-speed torque shift automatic."
That’s Ford’s 6.7-liter diesel engine with a turbo. Diesel turbos usually give trucks strong pulling power, especially at lower speeds.
This refers to Ford’s 6.7L Power Stroke turbo-diesel engine, a common heavy-duty powerplant known for strong torque and towing capability. “Turbo diesel” indicates forced induction plus diesel combustion, which typically delivers low-end pull for trucks.
Super Duty
"So the Shelby team carefully developed their version of the Super Duty with a bunch of tier one top suppliers in the industry."
Super Duty is Ford’s heavy-duty truck line. It’s the platform these off-road upgrades are based on.
“Super Duty” is Ford’s heavy-duty truck family name (including the F-250 and F-350). When the host says Shelby developed their version of the Super Duty, they mean the off-road package is built around that heavy-duty platform.
37-inch tires
"So you'll know names like BF Goodrich for the 37-inch tires, and King Shocks for the suspension, and 20-inch wheels."
37-inch tires are huge off-road tires. They help the truck clear obstacles and get over rough terrain more easily.
“37-inch tires” indicates very tall off-road tire sizing, typically used for serious ground clearance and obstacle clearance. Larger tires also change gearing feel and can affect steering effort and braking, so they’re a major part of the build’s capability.
BF Goodrich
"So you'll know names like BF Goodrich for the 37-inch tires, and King Shocks for the suspension, and 20-inch wheels."
BFGoodrich is a tire maker. In this build, they’re supplying the big 37-inch off-road tires, which are a key part of how the truck performs off-road.
BFGoodrich is a major tire brand, and here it’s specifically tied to the truck’s 37-inch tires. Tire choice is a big part of off-road performance because it affects traction, ride quality, and how the truck handles obstacles.
King Shocks
"...BF Goodrich for the 37-inch tires, and King Shocks for the suspension, and 20-inch wheels. And they've got spare tires mounted on steel chase racks in the bed..."
King Shocks makes off-road shock absorbers. Better shocks help the truck stay controlled and ride smoother over bumps and ruts.
King Shocks is a well-known off-road suspension and shock absorber manufacturer. Using King Shocks suggests the Super Baja is tuned for better damping control over rough terrain, improving stability and comfort off-road.
powder-coated steel front and rear bumpers
"...powder-coated steel front and rear bumpers, toe points, custom painted grille, airflow vents, LED lighting..."
These bumpers are steel and then coated with a protective powder finish. That helps them resist rust, and they’re meant to protect the truck off-road.
Powder-coated bumpers use a protective coating that improves corrosion resistance compared with bare steel. Front and rear bumpers are also key off-road protection points, often designed to handle impacts and mounting accessories.
toe points
"...powder-coated steel front and rear bumpers, toe points, custom painted grille, airflow vents, LED lighting..."
Toe points are strong attachment points for recovery. They’re where you hook up a tow strap or winch line if you get stuck.
Toe points are recovery points used for towing or winching the vehicle. Off-road builds include them so you can attach straps or cables safely during recovery situations.
rock sliders
"...XL power steps with rock sliders and lights. And of course the aforementioned Shelby Baja chase rack with a nine-pod power actuated LED light bar..."
Rock sliders are protective bars along the sides of the truck. They help prevent damage when you’re driving over rocks or uneven ground.
Rock sliders are reinforced side panels/rails that protect the lower body when driving over rocks. They’re common on off-road trucks because they take the scrape and impact instead of the doors or floor.
LED light bar
"...Shelby Baja chase rack with a nine-pod power actuated LED light bar, bed liner, tinted windows..."
An LED light bar is a row of bright lights for seeing farther at night. “Nine-pod” suggests it’s split into multiple sections, and “power actuated” means it can move with a switch.
An LED light bar is an array of LEDs mounted to provide high-intensity forward lighting. The transcript also mentions a “nine-pod” and “power actuated” setup, which implies multiple LED sections and a mechanism for raising/lowering or deploying the bar.
MSRP
"And that truck by itself has an estimated MSRP of around 97,000 miles, and the trucks will come with a full three-year 36,000 mile warranty."
MSRP is the “sticker price” the manufacturer puts on the vehicle. It’s a reference point for what the truck costs before deals.
MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is the price the automaker lists as the standard retail price before discounts. The host uses MSRP to compare the base truck’s starting value versus the special Shelby package price.
limited production truck
"Only 250 of this limited production truck will be made, and it makes it pretty exclusive. So if you're a fan of Ford trucks and Shelby..."
Limited production means only a small number of these trucks exist. That often makes them more special to collectors.
Limited production means only a small number of units will be built, which can increase desirability and resale interest for collectors. The host reinforces this by stating only 250 will be made, tying the limited run to the truck’s exclusivity.
225 horsepower
"...two-liter inline four, 225 horsepower. I was looking at the specs of this thing, and I'm like, this is gnarly."
Horsepower is how strong the engine is. More horsepower usually means it can move faster and feel stronger, especially when the vehicle is working hard.
Horsepower is a measure of engine power output. For UTVs, higher horsepower generally improves acceleration and helps maintain speed under load (like climbing or pulling through rough terrain).
full digital gauges
"if you are wondering, this thing has full digital gauges. It's got a screen on it. I mean, the UTVs in the last maybe five years are, I mean, they've just gotten to be insane."
Instead of regular needles and dials, the dashboard uses a screen to show your speed and other info. It can show more details at once, which helps when you’re driving off-road.
“Full digital gauges” means the instrument cluster is displayed electronically rather than using traditional analog dials. Digital displays can show more information and be customized for driving modes, which is especially useful in off-road vehicles where you want quick access to key data.
Polaris Slingshot
"So that's the two-liter ProStar Fury inline four. That comes out of the Polaris Slingshot, if you're wondering, but tuned to produce 225 horsepower. And it's 104.5-inch wheelbase, 74-inch track width, and 29 inches of usable suspension trial."
They mention the Polaris Slingshot because the engine design comes from that vehicle. Then Polaris tunes it differently so it works for the UTV’s off-road needs.
The Polaris Slingshot is referenced as the origin of the engine used in the Razor ProR. That matters because it shows the ProR’s powerplant is derived from a different Polaris vehicle platform, then re-tuned for UTV use.
whoops
"And for all the wamping you can do over the whoops, I think I get it. It's just, that's just a lot of coin."
Whoops are those bumpy, wavy sections of trail or race track. A good suspension helps the UTV stay controlled and not slam into the ground.
“Whoops” are repeated, closely spaced bumps commonly found on off-road desert tracks. They demand suspension travel and damping control to prevent the vehicle from losing contact or bottoming out. The speaker uses whoops to justify why the ProR’s suspension specs matter.
trailer
"That's what I'm saying. That's it. And you still need the trailer. You still need the tow rig."
They’re reminding you that you usually can’t just drive a UTV everywhere—you often need a trailer to haul it to the trails. That’s part of the real-world cost of owning one.
The speaker notes you still need a trailer, which highlights a practical ownership consideration for UTVs. Even if the vehicle is capable off-road, transporting it to trails often requires a suitable trailer and tow vehicle.
tow rig
"That's what I'm saying. That's it. And you still need the trailer. You still need the tow rig."
A tow rig is the truck or vehicle you use to pull the trailer. If you don’t already have something that can tow safely, that’s another thing to plan for.
A “tow rig” is the vehicle used to tow the trailer carrying the UTV. This matters because UTV ownership isn’t just about the purchase price; you also need towing capacity, hitch setup, and safe transport planning.
Dodge Durango
"It's just that's a lot for most people. So here's one for you Dodge Durango owners out there who sued Stellantis because he bought Final Edition Hellcat powered Durango SRTs."
The Dodge Durango is a Dodge SUV. Here they’re talking about a special high-performance version that used a Hellcat engine and was marketed as a limited “Final Edition.”
The Dodge Durango is a midsize SUV from Dodge. In this segment, it’s specifically tied to a high-performance Hellcat-powered Durango SRT variant and a “Final Edition” marketing dispute.
Caterpillar
"Remember, we talked about the caterpillar truck... So caterpillar released images from the con expo con AGG event in Las Vegas."
Caterpillar is the company behind a lot of heavy construction machines like excavators and bulldozers. Here they’re showing a concept truck that’s meant to demonstrate their tech for construction sites.
Caterpillar (often shortened to “Cat”) is a major manufacturer of construction and mining equipment. This segment describes Cat releasing images of a concept pickup at CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas, showcasing their technology suite.
concept pickup truck
"it is a cat branded pickup truck except it's a super duty... And so it's not their own pickup truck, but they did redesign it."
A concept truck is a prototype meant to show off new ideas and tech. It may not be a normal production truck you can buy off the lot.
A concept pickup truck is a show-car or prototype built to demonstrate ideas, styling, and technology rather than to be sold as-is. This segment emphasizes that Cat’s reveal is based on a Super Duty platform but redesigned to showcase Cat electronics.
driver fatigue monitoring system
"It’s got a drone launching station driver fatigue monitoring system, camber detection for when people are too close to machinery..."
This system watches for signs that the driver is getting tired. If it thinks you’re not alert enough, it can warn you to take a break.
A driver fatigue monitoring system uses sensors (often steering input, camera/eye tracking, or vehicle behavior) to detect signs of drowsiness. The goal is to warn the driver before fatigue leads to unsafe driving.
AI assistant
"an additional interior display that runs cats AI assistant and vision link productivity."
An AI assistant is like a smart helper built into the system. It can guide you or help you with tasks using AI, shown here on the truck’s interior display.
An AI assistant is software that uses artificial intelligence to answer questions, help with tasks, or guide users through workflows. In the segment, the concept truck’s interior display runs Cat’s AI assistant as part of a construction “control center.”
control center
"So basically, it's a concept as a control center for a construction boss is basically what it is."
A “control center” means one main screen or setup where you can manage a lot of functions. The idea is that the truck cab becomes the command spot for construction work.
A “control center” describes a centralized interface where operators can monitor systems and manage workflows. Here, the concept pickup is framed as a mobile hub for construction tech—combining safety monitoring, AI assistance, and productivity tools.
N252-537-030
"So this goes under a customer satisfaction program N252-537-030. And it was launched on February 10th."
That code is like a case number for GM’s fix. It helps identify the exact service action dealers are supposed to perform.
N252-537-030 is the specific GM program identifier for the hitch label issue. These codes help dealers and owners track the exact campaign and the required remedy steps.
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