S3, E93 - Return of the Sport Truck
The Truck Show Podcast
The Truck Show Podcast May 21, 2026
S3, E93 - Return of the Sport Truck

S3, E93 - Return of the Sport Truck

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49:34
S3, E93 - Return of the Sport Truck
Company

Roush

Roush is brought up as a company that helps build performance versions of trucks. The point is that more than one company has been working on sport-truck ideas.

Company

Hennessy

Hennessy is mentioned as another performance-focused company that’s been building sport trucks. The hosts are basically saying this trend isn’t new—multiple builders have been doing it.

Dodge Ram
Car

Dodge Ram

Ram is a brand of pickup trucks. People buy them for towing, hauling, and different levels of comfort and power. The podcast mentions Ram teasing new things, which usually means new truck versions or packages are coming.

Car

2027 Ram Rumblebee

This episode is talking about the 2027 Ram Rumblebee as a new “muscle truck.” The hosts say Ram isn’t just making one special truck—they’re bringing back a whole lineup aimed at performance on regular roads.

Concept

performance street trucks

“Performance street trucks” means trucks that are built to drive more excitingly on normal roads. They’re meant to feel sporty without being track-only or impractical for daily use.

Ram Srt 10
Car

Ram Srt 10

Ram is a brand of pickup trucks. The podcast is talking about a very powerful Ram model, the SRT 10, which is known for high horsepower. It’s mentioned to show how far Ram’s performance versions have gone.

Term

V10

A V10 is an engine with 10 cylinders, shaped like a V. More cylinders like this usually mean smoother power delivery and a lot of “big engine” character—exactly what the host is pointing out about the Ram SRT 10.

Ford F-150 Lightning
Car

Ford F-150 Lightning

The Ford F-150 Lightning is an electric pickup truck. It’s built on the same general idea as the F-150 but uses an electric powertrain. The podcast mentions it when talking about Ford’s involvement in special truck concepts over time.

Ford Raptor
Car

Ford Raptor

The Ford Raptor is a pickup designed to be great off-road, not just quick on the street. The host is saying Ford moved away from sport-truck street performance and leaned into the Raptor instead.

Ford Maverick Lobo
Car

Ford Maverick Lobo

The Ford Maverick Lobo is a special version of the Maverick pickup meant to be more fun and engaging. The host is using it as evidence that Ford is trying to bring back some of that sport-truck spirit.

Ford Lobo
Car

Ford Lobo

The Ford Lobo mentioned in the podcast sounds like a special version of the Maverick. The main point is that it’s meant to be fun to drive. The host is saying they really enjoy it.

Ford F150
Car

Ford F150

The Ford F-150 is a large pickup truck. People buy it for hauling, towing, and also for regular driving. The podcast mentions special packages that can make it more performance- and style-focused.

Brand

Mustang

The Mustang is a famous performance car. They’re using it as an example to say that today’s regular vehicles can be surprisingly quick compared to older sports cars.

Ford Mustang
Car

Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang is a sports car made by Ford. It’s designed to be fun to drive and comes in different performance versions. The podcast is basically saying newer vehicles can be quicker than older Mustangs.

Term

off road market

“Off road market” means the people who buy trucks to drive on dirt, rocks, and trails. These buyers usually want the truck to be set up for that kind of terrain, not just look rugged.

Brand

Jeep

Jeep is known for making vehicles that can handle rough terrain. The hosts are saying other brands are now trying to compete with that off-road reputation.

Concept

off road lineup

An “off road lineup” means a brand offers several truck versions meant for dirt and trails. Instead of one off-road model, they cover different tastes and needs with multiple trims.

Dodge Power Wagon
Car

Dodge Power Wagon

The Dodge Power Wagon is a tougher, off-road version of a pickup truck. It’s designed to handle rough terrain and demanding driving. The podcast mentions different special editions, including one that was just announced.

Brand

Ram TRX

The Ram TRX is Ram’s top off-road performance truck. It’s the kind of truck designed to go hard off pavement, not just be a normal pickup.

Brand

Warlock

Warlock is a truck variant name mentioned as part of Ram’s off-road lineup. The episode uses it to show Ram has several different off-road options.

Brand

Rebel

Rebel is a truck trim name. Here it’s listed as one of Ram’s off-road options, showing they offer more than one off-road style.

Brand

Apex Predator

“Apex Predator” is a hype nickname for the truck Ram just announced. It’s basically saying it’s the most extreme off-road version in the lineup.

Brand

RHO

RHO is a name used for one of Ram’s off-road truck versions. The episode is listing these to show Ram has multiple off-road trims.

Concept

on road space

“On road space” means regular street driving. They’re contrasting that with off-road, where they say Ram went all-in compared to other brands.

Brand

Little Red Express

The “Little Red Express” is a past special truck concept they mention as being popular but not lasting. They’re using it as an example of why some cool truck ideas fade out.

Chevrolet Express
Car

Chevrolet Express

The Chevrolet Express is a large van. It can be used to carry people or cargo. The podcast mentions it in the context of older themed vehicles and concepts.

Brand

Viper truck

They mention a “Viper truck” as an earlier performance-style truck idea. The point is that it was exciting, but it didn’t stick around long-term.

Brand

Daytona truck

They also mention a “Daytona truck” as another earlier special truck idea. The hosts are saying some of these experiments don’t last, even if people like them.

Dodge Viper
Car

Dodge Viper

The Dodge Viper is a very powerful sports car. In the podcast, it’s mentioned because people remember it as a standout performance vehicle. The conversation ties it to other “wild” themed builds and concepts.

Concept

muscle car formula

People use “muscle car formula” to describe the classic look of muscle cars. It’s mostly about the shape—low front, long hood, short rear—so the car looks powerful even before you mention the engine.

Concept

street performance trucks

“Street performance trucks” are trucks meant to be fun and quick to drive on regular roads. The host argues that earlier versions were kind of niche because the truck shape didn’t give the same “muscle” look as classic cars.

Concept

OE sport trucks

“OE” here means “original equipment,” i.e., the factory-produced version of a sport truck rather than an aftermarket build. The host is claiming that some factory “sport truck” offerings had deficiencies, which is part of why they think the market is ready for a better approach.

Concept

Fox 650

“Fox 650” sounds like a specific show or media outlet the host is referencing. They’re saying the reaction there has been really strong, supporting their idea that the timing is right.

Topic

SEMA

SEMA is a big car show in the U.S. focused on aftermarket parts and performance ideas. The host is using it as proof that people are excited about these truck concepts.

Concept

muscle trucks

“Muscle trucks” are trucks built to feel like muscle cars—meaner styling and a more aggressive vibe. The hosts are using the term to explain what kind of truck the Rumblebee is trying to be.

Ram 1500 Rumblebee
Car

Ram 1500 Rumblebee

The Ram 1500 Rumblebee is a Ram pickup made to feel like a muscle car—more aggressive styling and attitude. They’re also talking about how the truck is set up with a different cab/bed layout to improve the overall shape and usability.

Term

quad cab short bed

“Quad cab short bed” means the truck has rear seats for extra people, but the cargo area is shorter than a long-bed. They’re saying this layout helps the truck look right and work better day-to-day.

Term

regular cab

A “regular cab” is the simpler, more basic cab style on many trucks—usually fewer doors and less rear-seat space. The hosts are saying it would save weight, but they chose a different cab to appeal to more buyers.

Term

spousal alibi

“Spousal alibi” is a joke about what you tell your partner so they’ll understand why you bought something. It’s basically a friendly excuse for the purchase.

Term

crew cab

A crew cab is a pickup with four full-size doors. They’re saying it’s harder to keep the same short-bed, muscular look when you go with a crew cab.

Term

DT platform

A platform is the basic “bones” of a vehicle that many versions share. They’re saying Ram’s current pickup setup (the DT platform) doesn’t naturally include a regular cab, so adding one would have meant extra engineering.

Term

short box

The “short box” is just the pickup’s shorter bed. They’re saying pairing a short bed with the right cab shape is part of what makes the truck look more muscular.

Term

0 to 60 in 6.1 seconds

“0 to 60” means how fast the truck accelerates from a stop to 60 mph. They’re using that number to show the truck isn’t just for looks—it’s quick.

Term

GT exhaust

“GT exhaust” means the truck has a sportier exhaust system. The idea is that it sounds more aggressive (and may flow better) than the basic exhaust.

Term

four-wheel drive

Four-wheel drive means power goes to all four wheels, which helps with traction. They’re saying this truck normally has 4WD, but it can switch to rear-wheel drive for a more playful feel.

Term

rear-wheel drive mode

Rear-wheel drive mode sends most of the power to the back wheels. They’re saying it can make the truck feel more fun to drive than full-time four-wheel drive.

Term

start-stop

Start-stop is a feature that turns the engine off when you’re stopped and turns it back on when you go. The host says people often hate it because it can feel intrusive.

Term

wide body kit

A wide body kit is a set of body parts that makes the car look wider around the wheels. It’s often used so the truck can run wider tires and look more aggressive.

Term

lowered steel suspension with passive damping

Lowered suspension means the truck sits closer to the ground. Passive damping means the shocks control bumps in a fixed way, not with computer-controlled settings.

Brand

Bilsteins

Bilstein makes performance shocks and struts. Mentioning Bilsteins is basically saying the truck’s suspension shocks are from that well-known brand.

Term

14.9 inch brake rotors

Brake rotors are the metal discs that your brakes squeeze to slow the truck down. Bigger rotors can handle more heat and braking effort better.

Term

torque

Torque is the engine’s twisting force. More torque usually means the truck feels stronger when you accelerate, especially from slower speeds.

Term

transfer case

A transfer case is what sends power to the wheels when a truck has four-wheel drive. “On demand” means it can switch into that mode when traction is needed.

Jeep Wrangler
Car

Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler is an off-road SUV. It’s made to handle rough terrain better than many regular cars. The podcast mentions that it can switch modes, including a rear-wheel-drive style mode, depending on what you’re doing.

Term

limited slip

Limited slip helps when one rear wheel loses traction. It tries to send more power to the wheel that still has grip.

Term

axle ratio

Axle ratio is the gearing that changes how the truck feels when you accelerate versus how it runs at steady highway speed. It’s a big part of why different trucks feel different even with similar engines.

Term

U connect

Uconnect is the truck’s built-in screen system for things like music, navigation, and phone features. Here they’re talking about the size and design of that screen.

Term

quarter mile

The “quarter mile” is a common drag-racing test: how long it takes to cover 1/4 mile. It’s another way to measure how fast the truck accelerates.

Term

Viper engine

The “Viper engine” means the V10 engine family from the Dodge Viper. The host is saying that the truck’s engine heritage is why it still does well.

Term

track pack option

A “track pack option” is a bundle of upgrades meant for harder driving, like on a track. The host is saying there’s a special package for the 6.4-liter version.

Term

6-4

“6-4” is shorthand for a 6.4-liter engine. They’re using it to describe which engine size is pulling ahead in the comparison.

Concept

halo truck

A “halo truck” is the brand’s showpiece. It’s the one meant to make people think, “Wow—this brand can really build something special,” even if most buyers don’t get that exact model.

Concept

production truck speed record

This is about the fastest speed a truck can achieve when it’s based on a real, sellable production model. The hosts are talking about brand-to-brand record attempts on the same track.

Concept

Chelsea Proving Grounds

Chelsea Proving Grounds is a place where automakers test cars and trucks. Here, it’s the same location tied to the speed record and the on-site driving demonstrations.

Concept

skid pan

A skid pan is a special test area made to safely create sliding conditions. It helps show how a vehicle handles when tires start to lose traction.

Term

donuts and burnouts

A burnout is when you spin the tires to heat them up. Donuts are when you drive in circles so the tires slide and the car rotates.

Term

drifting

Drifting is when the driver intentionally makes the car slide sideways while still steering and controlling it.

Challenger Hellcat
Car

Challenger Hellcat

The Challenger is a muscle car built for strong acceleration. The podcast is talking about a very high-power version with a supercharged engine and quick 0-to-60 performance. It’s included because it’s an extreme performance example.

Supercharged 6.2 Hellcat
Car

Supercharged 6.2 Hellcat

Hellcat refers to a high-performance V8 engine. Here, the host is talking about the supercharged version used in a truck and why it’s so powerful.

Term

MDS

MDS lets the engine shut off some cylinders when you don’t need full power. That can save fuel, but it can turn the cylinders back on when you accelerate.

Term

compression ratio

Compression ratio is how much the engine squeezes the air-fuel mixture before it ignites. More squeeze can mean more power, but it usually requires higher-octane fuel to avoid knocking.

Term

octane

Octane tells you how resistant the fuel is to engine knocking. If an engine needs higher octane, using lower octane can cause rough running or damage.

Term

forged steel crankshaft

A forged steel crankshaft is made by shaping steel under high pressure, which typically improves strength and durability versus some cast alternatives. It’s commonly used in higher-output engines to better handle increased loads.

Term

hyper eutectic cast aluminum pistons

These are performance-grade pistons made from a special aluminum alloy. They’re designed to handle heat and pressure better than cheaper piston types.

Term

floating pins

Floating pins are a piston-pin setup that helps the parts move slightly as they heat up. That can reduce stress and help the engine last longer under hard use.

Term

twin screw blower

A twin-screw blower is a type of supercharger. It uses two spinning rotors to squeeze more air into the engine so it can make more power.

Term

PSI

PSI is a pressure measurement. In this context, it tells you how much extra pressure the supercharger is pushing into the engine.

Term

no low range

Low range is a gear setting in many 4x4 transfer cases that provides much lower gearing for crawling over obstacles. The host says these trucks have no low range, meaning they’re set up for street use rather than slow off-road “rock crawling.”

Term

four high

Four high is a mode for four-wheel drive that’s meant for everyday driving on slick roads. It’s not the slow, crawling low-gear mode.

Term

Dana rear axle

The rear axle is the big drivetrain component that sends power to the back wheels. Dana is a well-known parts maker, and axle specs matter for strength.

Term

electronic spool differential

It’s a rear-axle setup that can “lock” the wheels together electronically. When it’s locked, both rear tires work together more, which helps the truck hook up and accelerate harder.

Term

drag race starts

A drag race start is when you launch as hard as possible from a stop. The differential helps keep the tires from spinning uselessly so you get moving faster.

Term

thermal management

Thermal management is how the vehicle keeps important parts from getting too hot. Better cooling helps the truck keep working consistently when you drive it hard.

Term

racetrack duty cycles

A duty cycle is how hard and how often you’re stressing the car. Racetrack duty cycles mean lots of repeated hard driving, which can overheat brakes and fluids if the cooling isn’t up to it.

Term

oil temps

Oil temps are how hot the engine oil gets. If it runs too hot, the oil can stop protecting the engine as well.

Term

brake package

A brake package is the whole braking setup working together. Upgraded brake packages help the brakes keep working well even after repeated hard use.

Term

ring and pinion

Ring and pinion are the gears in the rear axle that determine how the driveshaft’s rotation turns into wheel rotation. They affect how quickly the truck accelerates and how it reaches higher speeds.

BMW 335
Car

BMW 335

The BMW 335 is a BMW 3 Series model that’s meant to drive more like a performance car. The podcast talks about rear tire size, because bigger tires can cost more to replace. It’s a practical detail that affects ownership.

Term

towing

Towing is how much weight the truck is rated to pull. It depends on the truck’s strength and cooling.

Term

frame flex

Frame flex is how much the truck’s body/frame twists when you drive it hard or carry weight. Less flex usually means the truck feels more stable and predictable.

Car

Rumble B 392

The Ram Rumble B 392 is a performance version of a Ram truck with a bigger 392 HEMI V8. It’s set up to handle better than a normal Ram—wider stance, performance shocks, and different driving modes for street and track-style driving.

Term

IFS short long arm

IFS means the front wheels move more independently, which usually helps the truck stay stable over bumps and during cornering. “Short long arm” describes the shape and mounting of the front suspension arms that control how the wheels move.

Term

Bilstein monitor performance shocks

Bilstein performance shocks are the parts that control how the truck bounces up and down. They help keep the tires planted and make the ride more controlled when you drive hard.

Term

compression and rebound

Compression is when the suspension squats as you hit something. Rebound is when it springs back up—shocks control both so the truck doesn’t bounce or lose grip.

Term

two piston pin slider calibers

This is the brake caliper design. “Pin slider” means the caliper moves on pins to squeeze the brake pads, and “two piston” means it uses two pistons to press the pads against the rotor.

Term

drive modes

Drive modes are settings you choose that change how the truck responds. In this case, they can change things like throttle feel, braking behavior, steering response, and suspension firmness.

Term

air suspension

Air suspension uses air-filled springs to support the truck. It can make the ride feel more controlled and can also help the truck stay composed on different road conditions.

Term

valet mode

Valet mode is a setting that reduces how much power the vehicle can use. It’s meant to keep things safer when someone else is driving.

Term

throttle mapping

Throttle mapping is how the truck decides how much power to give based on how far you press the gas pedal. Change the mode, and the same pedal movement can feel more or less aggressive.

Term

SRT track mode

Track mode is a special driving setting meant for harder driving. Here, it reduces how much the truck tries to correct you, so you can drive more aggressively.

Term

stability control

Stability control is the car’s traction-safety computer. It steps in when the car starts to slide, and track mode can make it less intrusive.

Part

air springs

Air springs are like the suspension’s “cushions,” but instead of metal coils they use air pressure. That lets the suspension adjust how it supports the truck.

Part

Bilstein damptronic Sky dual valve semi active performance shock absorber

This is a special type of shock absorber that can adjust its resistance as you drive. The goal is to keep the truck controlled without making the ride feel overly harsh.

Term

dual electronic proportional valves

These are electronically controlled valves inside the shocks. They can fine-tune how much the shock resists movement, smoothly, not just on/off.

Term

skid pad improvement of more than 20%

A skid pad is a test that measures how well a car can stick to the road in a turn. A 20%+ improvement means it should corner much harder before it starts to slide.

Term

lateral grip

Lateral grip is how well the tires can hold the truck when you’re turning. More grip usually means less sliding and better control.

Part

inverted hat outboard vented rotors with six piston Brembo's

These are upgraded brake components. The vented rotor helps it shed heat, and the multi-piston Brembo calipers squeeze the pads harder for stronger, more consistent stopping.

Term

launch control

Launch control helps the vehicle accelerate hard from a standstill. It manages wheel spin so you get better traction and more consistent launches.

Term

coefficient of drag

Coefficient of drag is a number that describes how much air resistance the vehicle creates. Lower is better because it takes less energy to go fast.

Term

downforce

Downforce is the “squishing” effect of aerodynamics that presses the tires harder onto the road. That helps grip in fast driving, especially turns.

Term

stability cooling

Stability cooling is about directing airflow so key performance parts don’t overheat. When things stay cooler, the truck can keep performing consistently.

Term

engine brakes

An engine brake slows the truck using the engine instead of just the brake pads. It can help keep the brakes cooler and reduce wear, especially when driving hard.

Term

SMC front splitter

A front splitter is a low front piece that helps control airflow at speed. “SMC” means it’s made from a composite material, which helps it be strong and light.

Term

aero aids

Aero aids are extra shapes on the truck that help the air flow the “right” way. They can improve grip and stability without being very noticeable.

Term

cooling stack

A cooling stack is the front area of the truck that helps remove heat. It’s basically the “cooling system parts” stacked together, and airflow has to be managed around it.

Term

TRX skid plate

A skid plate usually protects the underside from damage. In this case, they’re using a similar-looking piece to also help control airflow and add grip at speed.

Term

brake temperature

Brake temperature is how hot the brakes get. If they run cooler, they’re less likely to lose stopping power when you’re driving hard.

Term

rear spoiler

A rear spoiler is an aerodynamic device at the back of the vehicle that creates downforce by shaping airflow over the tail. The hosts describe redesigning the spoiler from 45 mm to 80 mm to balance downforce with the front splitter for high-speed stability.

Term

tri-fold hard tonneau cover

A tonneau cover is a lid over the truck bed. “Tri-fold hard” means it’s a rigid cover that folds into three sections, and here it also helps the truck’s aerodynamics.

Term

thermal plastic

Thermal plastic is a type of plastic that can be molded with heat. They’re using it on the tailgate because it’s tough and holds up well in sunlight over time.

Term

UV resistance

UV resistance means the material won’t get damaged as quickly from sunlight. They’re saying the tailgate material is picked so it stays strong and looks good over time.

Car

RAM Rumblebee SRT

The RAM Rumblebee SRT is the sportier, higher-performance version of the Rumblebee. They mention it has its own special styling and unique wheels compared with the other trims.

Term

marker lights

Marker lights are small lights on the outside of the vehicle that help other drivers see the truck’s shape. In this case, they’re added because the truck is wider than normal.

Car

RAM Rumblebee 392

The RAM Rumblebee 392 is the higher-performance version of the Rumblebee. In this segment, they mainly talk about the unique wheels/tires and the overall Rumblebee style inside and out.

Term

paddle shifters

Paddle shifters are the small levers behind the steering wheel that let you change gears quickly. They’re meant to give a more driver-focused, sporty feel.

Term

rear wheel drive buttons

These buttons let you choose rear-wheel-drive mode. That can be useful for saving fuel or changing how the truck behaves.

Term

digital display

Instead of classic round gauges, a digital display uses a screen to show the speed and other info. They wanted an analog-style look, but ended up using a full-color digital cluster.

Term

Apple CarPlay

Apple CarPlay lets you connect your iPhone to the truck’s screen. You can use apps like maps and music right from the dashboard.

Term

Android Auto

Android Auto connects your Android phone to the truck’s screen. It brings useful apps like directions and music into the dashboard display.

Plymouth Prowler
Car

Plymouth Prowler

The Plymouth Prowler is a sports car with a very unusual, retro-inspired design. The podcast mentions its color and interior details, like yellow accents and stitching. It’s brought up because it’s a standout collector-style vehicle.

Term

12.3 cluster

The cluster is the screen with your gauges behind the steering wheel. A 12.3-inch one is larger and can show more information at once.

Term

10 speaker Alpine audio system

This is the truck’s upgraded sound system. “10 speakers” usually means better, more evenly spread audio, and Alpine is the company making the audio hardware.

Term

12-way power adjustable

“12-way power adjustable” means the seat has lots of electric adjustments. It helps you dial in a driving position that fits you better.

Term

10-way power adjustable leather and suede bucket seats

These seats can be adjusted in many directions with buttons (power). “Bucket seats” are the more supportive, contoured seats, and leather/suede is the nicer upholstery.

Term

carbon fiber deco trim

This is decorative interior trim meant to give a carbon-fiber look. It’s mainly for style, making the cabin feel more performance-focused.

Term

heads up display

A heads-up display shows important info on the windshield. That way you can check things like speed or alerts without taking your eyes off the road.

Term

zero to 60

“Zero to 60” measures how quickly a vehicle accelerates from a stop to 60 mph. Faster times generally mean stronger acceleration.

Term

g force

G-force tells you how strong the acceleration forces are compared to gravity. Higher numbers usually mean harder acceleration or cornering.

Term

active driving assist

Active driving assist is technology that helps you drive by doing things like steering or braking support. It’s meant to reduce workload and help prevent mistakes.

Term

digital rear view mirror

A digital rear-view mirror uses a camera and screen instead of a normal mirror. The host mentions they prefer the traditional mirror feel, which is a common reaction.

Term

active noise canceling microphones

These microphones listen for unwanted noise inside the cabin. The system then tries to cancel that noise using the truck’s audio hardware.

Term

class d amplifier

A Class D amplifier is the electronics that power the speakers. It’s designed to be more efficient, so it can deliver sound without using as much power.

Term

gross vehicle weight rating

GVWR is the maximum total weight the truck is designed to handle. If you exceed it, you can overload the suspension, brakes, and other systems.

Term

payload

Payload is how much weight you can carry in the truck. It’s basically the “cargo limit” once the truck’s own weight is considered.

Term

gross combined weight rating

GCWR is the maximum total weight of the truck and whatever it’s towing. It helps define the safe towing limit.

Term

maximum trailer weight

Maximum trailer weight is the biggest trailer the truck is allowed to tow. Staying under it is important for safe braking and handling.

Term

gear ratio

Gear ratio affects how the truck’s engine power is translated to the wheels. It can change whether the truck feels more responsive or more relaxed at speed.

Term

fuel tank

A fuel tank is where the truck stores gas. They mention it has a 26-gallon tank, which helps determine how often you’ll need to stop for fuel.

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