About this episode
Moab travel logs and product talk kick things off: a Moab trip, Moab-ready Jeep upgrades, and a deep dive into Brita American Adventure Lab’s “power pack rack” concept using a KC flat battery plus Redarc electronics and the Redarc Solid State BC/DC Alpha 50R. Then the main interview with Ben Palmer (406 Garage) covers the Scout revival after International Harvester’s name was revived by Scout Motors, EV-credit uncertainty, and how it impacts his IH/restoration business. Ben also shares his Montana-rooted branding redesign, favorite builds, and his “service truck” idea for barn-find rescues—plus the story-driven approach behind every restoration.
Friend of the show, original listener, early guest, and International guru Ben Palmer returns to the show to catch us up with his entrepreneurial journey of growing his business, 406 Garage. The Truck Show Podcast is produced 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.
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105 amp hours
"...the one in mine is a concept for now it's 105 amp hours but it mounts under the shelf..."
“Amp hours” tells you how much energy the battery can store. More amp hours usually means you can run things for longer before it needs recharging.
“Amp hours” (Ah) is a battery capacity rating that indicates how much electrical energy the battery can store. Higher amp-hour numbers generally mean the battery can run accessories for longer, depending on load.
backwards compatible
"...Brits plan is to make it backwards compatible to people who've already purchased the AAL cargo shelf..."
Backwards compatible means the new accessory will still work with gear you already bought. So you don’t have to replace everything to add the new power setup.
Backwards compatibility means a new product is designed to work with older versions of related gear. In this case, it’s about making the new power rack work with people’s existing AAL cargo shelves.
tailgate table
"the red vision and the red vision screen actually goes inside the tailgate table so when you drop the tailgate table down you can see the red vision screen"
A tailgate table is a fold-down surface at the back of the vehicle. Here it’s being used as a place to mount a screen so you can control your gear while you’re parked.
A tailgate table is a fold-out work surface integrated into the rear of a truck/Jeep. In this segment it’s also used as a mounting location for a screen, turning the tailgate into a functional “command center” for the electronics.
solar charging
"it has an app so you can control all your electronics from your phone it allows for solar charging it allows for alternator charging"
Solar charging means your solar panels can recharge your extra battery while you’re parked. A controller helps make sure the battery is charged safely.
Solar charging refers to using solar panels to recharge your auxiliary battery system. In off-road setups, solar charging is typically managed by a charge controller or integrated power system to prevent overcharging and to optimize charging.
Optima
"the Jeep was at the Overland Show Overland Expo's Orange County show in the Optima booth and Optima gave me an orange top"
Optima is a battery company that makes car and accessory batteries. Here they’re talking about their newer lithium-ion batteries for off-road setups.
Optima is a well-known automotive battery brand, best known historically for its AGM batteries. In this segment, Optima is also promoting a new lithium-ion line, implying a shift toward lighter, more modern battery tech for overland/auxiliary use.
lithium-ion line
"Optima gave me an orange top and they said hey we want to display your Jeep or give you an orange top this is their new lithium-ion line and I've been really really impressed so far"
This means the battery is lithium-ion, not a traditional lead-acid battery. Lithium batteries are usually lighter and can be used more before they’re considered “empty.”
A lithium-ion battery line refers to a specific family of lithium-based auxiliary batteries. Compared with older lead-acid types, lithium packs often offer higher usable capacity, lower weight, and built-in electronics for protection and monitoring.
BMS
"it's got Bluetooth it's got battery protection it's got a BMS that shuts down at basically 35% so it always has energy left over to jumpstart yourself"
BMS is the battery’s safety brain. It watches the battery’s condition and can stop it from going too low so it stays protected.
BMS stands for Battery Management System. It monitors cell voltage and temperature and can shut the battery down to prevent unsafe conditions like over-discharge, which is why the speaker mentions it cutting off around a certain remaining percentage.
lithium battery
"can't wait to let you guys know a little bit more about the lithium battery and what it's like to live with because it's a little bit different than an AGM especially if you have a maintainer or a charger you have to have an algorithm on those things that are lithium specific"
They’re talking about a lithium battery instead of the more common lead-acid type. Lithium batteries can handle demanding use, but they need the right charging setup to stay healthy.
The speaker is discussing lithium batteries used in a vehicle, focusing on how they behave under real-world conditions. Lithium packs can be managed by battery electronics that monitor temperature and protect the cells, which matters for reliability in heat and off-road use.
34s
"waiting for in a modified version of the new Recon EV with 34s on it which was awesome"
“34s” means 34-inch tires. Bigger tires can help the vehicle handle rough trails better, but they can also make the ride and efficiency different.
“34s” refers to 34-inch tires, a common shorthand in off-road circles. Larger tires increase ground clearance and improve traction over rocks and ruts, but they also affect gearing, ride quality, and fuel economy.
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 more than synthetic oil they also make some of the finest lubes greases additives filters car care products"
Amsoil is a company that makes synthetic oils and other fluids for vehicles. They also sell things like filters and car-care products, and the hosts use them in their trucks.
Amsoil is an aftermarket lubricant brand best known for synthetic engine oils and related fluids. In this segment, they’re positioned as the oil and additive supplier for the hosts’ rigs, plus they also sell filters, greases, and car-care products.
front row bench
"...my favorite design queue that they incorporated is they did the front row bench yeah I love that too..."
A front-row bench is when the front seats are one long seat instead of two separate seats. It can fit more people and can feel more “truck-like” inside.
A “front row bench” means the truck’s front seating is a bench-style layout instead of two separate buckets. This is often used to maximize seating capacity and can change cabin ergonomics, visibility, and how the vehicle feels day-to-day.
40 20 40 split bench
"...there's a couple 1500s that might have a 40 20 40 split bench these days..."
A 40/20/40 split bench means the front bench is split into three parts. That middle section can move or fold differently, so you can adjust how the seats and space work.
A “40/20/40 split bench” is a bench seat divided into three sections: 40% on the left, 20% in the middle, and 40% on the right. This layout can fold or slide to create different seating and storage configurations.
EVs are heavy too
"well and EVs are heavy too so they have more wear and tear on the roads and things like that parking structures"
EVs usually weigh more because of the battery. That extra weight can mean more wear on roads and parking garages.
EVs often have higher curb weight due to battery packs, which can increase stress on infrastructure. The speaker connects that weight to faster wear on roads and added load on parking structures.
solar panels on your roof
"because I think if you can make a case for EV you have solar panels on your roof you make your own electricity"
Solar panels can make electricity at home. If you charge your EV with that power, you may spend less on charging from the electric utility.
The speaker is describing a home energy setup where solar panels generate electricity that can be used to charge an EV. This can reduce reliance on grid electricity costs and improve the economics of EV ownership in some regions.
V8
"like us it's big gas guzzling V8s because that's what makes us happy yeah [1031.5s] horse power and tire smoke that's right"
A V8 is a type of engine with eight cylinders. It’s known for strong performance and a great exhaust sound.
A V8 is an engine with eight cylinders arranged in a “V” shape. It’s often associated with strong power and a distinctive sound, which is why the hosts link it to their enjoyment.
Ken Block
"one of those people was our the late [1114.6s] Ken block I was friends with a lot of people that he worked with"
Ken Block was a well-known race driver and car content creator. People still associate him with wild, high-skill driving and big car culture.
Ken Block was a famous motorsports driver and media personality known for rally and gymkhana-style driving. The episode ties him to the design team behind liveries for his race cars and the Hoonigan brand.
trademarked
"it is not a copy of the IH logo but there's enough pieces in that when you look at it that if you know anything it's like oh wow that looks like the IH logo yeah it's not so we can't get trademarked you know what I mean"
A trademark is legal protection for a company’s brand name or logo. They’re saying their design is close-looking, but not close enough to copy, so they can use it safely.
Trademarked refers to legal protection for brand identifiers like logos. The speaker is explaining that their logo is intentionally similar in spirit to IH, but different enough to avoid trademark infringement.
area code 406
"so 406 is the area code for basically all of Montana right it is the only area cuz that's where my kids were born"
Area code 406 is the phone area code for Montana. They’re using it in the company name/logo to show their connection to the state.
Area code 406 is the telephone area code for Montana. The speaker uses it as a branding element to tie the company identity to Montana and personal history.
406 garage
"...let's talk about your YouTube page for a moment if you go to the website 406 garage calm boom if you go to Instagram at 406 garage boom if you go to YouTube at 406 garage 3..."
“406 Garage” is the name of the page/channel being promoted. They’re talking about where to find it online and how they tried different handles.
“406 Garage” appears to be the host/guest’s brand identity across platforms (website, Instagram, YouTube). For listeners, it’s useful because it signals the specific channel they’re discussing and the marketing strategy behind it.
one owner
"...you will post trucks and you'll be like one owner two owner whatever special one this one's you know AC power breaks power steering blah blah blah and then you'll be like I drove by this for"
“One owner” means the vehicle has only had one main owner. People like it because it can suggest the truck was cared for and not passed around a lot.
“One owner” means the truck or car has been owned by a single person (or household) since it was new or since a specific point in its life. It’s often used as a quality signal because it can imply more consistent maintenance and fewer handoffs.
Shopify
"[1643.3s] and so if I open myself up to a store and I had to stock all the inventory I [1650.5s] would fail miserably yeah we're setting up a Shopify with a third party that [1654.6s] will actually be on demand stuff"
Shopify is a website tool for running an online store. It helps you sell things like shirts and stickers without building everything from scratch.
Shopify is an e-commerce platform that lets creators set up an online store. In this context, it’s being used to sell merch without managing fulfillment directly.
on demand stuff
"[1650.5s] would fail miserably yeah we're setting up a Shopify with a third party that [1654.6s] will actually be on demand stuff yeah yeah I've looked at that"
Instead of making a bunch of shirts first, they make them after someone orders. That way you don’t have boxes of unsold stuff sitting around.
“On demand” merchandising means items like shirts or stickers are produced only after a customer orders them. That avoids having to buy and store inventory upfront.
looks like that that's close to that
"[1936.1s] car factory but like the reality is we need to find you something that looks [1940.3s] like that that's close to that and you know maybe it's red that needs to be a"
Sometimes you can’t find the exact truck someone wants. So the search shifts to finding one that’s close—especially in the parts that matter most visually or functionally.
The speaker explains the practical reality of sourcing: you may not find an exact match to every spec, so the goal becomes finding something “close” in appearance and key traits. This is a common tradeoff in classic vehicle buying when exact configurations are rare.
roof rack
"that was an original kind of uh that green mica color and it had a roof rack and stuff on it it spent a lot of time in montana"
A roof rack is the bars/rails on top of the vehicle used to strap things down. It’s often used for camping gear or luggage.
A roof rack is an external mounting system for carrying gear on top of the vehicle. On classic SUVs like the Travelall, it’s often part of the “period-correct” look and can also indicate how the owner used the vehicle.
rooftop tent
"they would go up in the summer and they would use it and had a CVT had a rooftop tent on it they would go camping with it they'd put the boat in and out of the water with it"
A rooftop tent is a camping tent that sits on top of the car and opens up when you park. It’s popular for road trips and camping.
A rooftop tent is a tent mounted on the vehicle roof that can be deployed for camping. It changes how the vehicle is used (and often how it’s equipped), which is why it comes up in a restoration story.
shocks
"and put a little bit of lift on it and shocks and interior and blah blah anyway"
Shocks (shock absorbers) control how the vehicle moves over bumps by damping suspension motion. When paired with a lift, new shocks can help maintain ride quality and stability rather than making the truck feel bouncy or floaty.
turnkey
"[2078.4s] turnkey and it was ready to go and I called them and they paid their bill"
“Turnkey” basically means it’s ready to go. You don’t have to fix it up or do extra work before using it.
“Turnkey” means the vehicle was finished and ready to use with no additional work required. In enthusiast circles, it often implies the prior owner handled setup, maintenance, and any upgrades so the next buyer can enjoy it immediately.
service truck
"i'm like you know it'd be really cool because if we built a service truck just like a pay homage to the old service trucks that would go out to the farms and ranches from the dealership we stopped it full of uh tools"
A service truck is a mobile workshop vehicle stocked with tools and parts so technicians can perform repairs on-site. In this episode, the concept is to build a truck that can go to farms/ranches to get old vehicles running and film the process.
box trucks
"international made a gazillion of these things their box trucks and their last mile delivery trucks"
A box truck is a delivery truck with a closed cargo area (the “box”) instead of an open bed. It’s built for hauling stuff around town.
Box trucks are medium-duty commercial trucks with a cargo “box” mounted on the chassis. They’re commonly used for local delivery and service routes because the enclosed cargo space protects goods and equipment.
lap belt
"sure enough there's a lap belt so I had this black belt all the way over the top you know I'm like six seven eight years old"
A lap belt is a seatbelt that goes across your hips. In older cars, it was common to have only this kind of belt instead of a full shoulder-and-lap belt.
A lap belt is a seatbelt that secures the passenger at the hips rather than across the chest. Older vehicles often used lap belts (sometimes with no shoulder belt), which changes how well occupants are protected in crashes.
cars and coffee
"I've always liked having um I've always liked having a vehicle when you go to you go to cars and coffee or you go hang out with your buddies or whatever"
“Cars and coffee” is a casual car meet format where enthusiasts gather in the morning to talk about vehicles. It’s a key part of modern car culture because it encourages sharing builds and seeing different cars in one place.
Lamborghini Huracans
"people want to show up to the the Huntington Beach cars and coffee with all the big uh Lamborghini Huracans and Porsches"
Lamborghini is a famous exotic-car brand. A Huracán is one of their supercars, and it’s the kind of car people show off at big car meets.
Lamborghini is an Italian supercar brand, and the Huracán is one of its most popular modern models. Mentioning “Huracans” signals the kind of high-end, performance-focused cars that show up at the event.
RC crawler
"Well, he walks over to the corner where I have all my RC car stuff. All my little RC rock crawlers are like, yeah, people don't know that we did, you know, that was a big part of my life at one point."
An RC crawler is a small remote-control truck designed to crawl over rocks and obstacles slowly. It’s built for control and grip, not racing speed.
An RC crawler is a radio-controlled model built to move slowly and precisely over obstacles, mimicking real rock-crawling. “Crawler” setups often emphasize torque, traction, and scale details rather than speed.
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