There are trucks, and then there are trucks. It’s one thing to be reasonably prepared for an off-road adventure; it’s another entirely to be ready to tackle any terrain on the planet. This year, the world’s most elite truck customization shops are proving that four-wheel drive is so 2017. Welcome to the era of the 6×6, monster, custom-built trucks designed to take you anywhere you want to go. Why? Because size matters; because you never know when you might need to bug out; and because more axles are always better than less. Assuming money is no object, here is a shopping list of five of our favorites.
2018 Land Rover Defender 110 Flying Huntsman 6×6
There’s a whole lot of numbers in its name, but the most noteworthy fact about the 2018 Land Rover Defender 110 Flying Huntsman 6×6 is that it’s a 6×6 Land Rover Defender. The Defender has long been considered one of the most capable off-road trucks on the planet. Chelsea Truck Company ups the ante by taking a brand new stock Defender and expanding it literally as far as possible. Including the driver, the stretched cab accommodates nine passengers comfortably. The entire affair is powered by a 2.2 TDCi diesel, and there are more than enough bells and whistles — anti-lock brakes, electronic traction control, all-wheel drive, and satellite navigation — to get you wherever you need to go safely. Sure, at £250,000 (USD $320,000), it costs as much as a modest New England home. But, who cares? With this much room to stretch out, you’ll want to live in it anyway.
Ferox Azaris Advanced Off-Road Vehicle
When Bruce Wayne dreams of a Batman-worthy ATV, we imagine it looks something like the Ferox Azaris Advanced Off-Road Vehicle. It’s not quite a truck, or a dune buggy, or a traditional ATV, but rather a beautifully Frankenstein’ed mashup of all three. It’s impossible to gloss over its stunning looks which feel like a futuristic design study by the folks at Polaris. But, what’s most impressive about the Azaris is its serious off-road prowess. The rear four wheels are driven by independent, lightweight motors good for up to 500 foot-pounds of torque each. That’s a whopping 2,000 total foot-pounds that promise to take you virtually anywhere on the planet. The Azaris is available with either a traditional internal combustion engine or an all-electric alternative — your call.
Hellcat-Powered Jeep Wrangler 6×6 Pickup
Dollar for dollar, the Jeep Wrangler is arguably the most capable off-road consumer vehicle ever. However, California-based Exotic Custom Motorsports wanted to go bigger. So began the SEMA-worthy Inferno project which started with a stock 2017 Wrangler Rubicon and added a custom pickup bed and a third axle for a proper 6×6 conversion. The company boosted its offroad capability by adding 35-inch knobby tires and a five-inch suspension lift kit. Because that just wasn’t enough, the crew also shoehorned a Dodge Hellcat supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 under the hood. That upgrade more than doubles the Wrangler’s stock output to a full 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. Sure, it’ll run you nearly USD $300,000. But you certainly won’t have a hard time finding your ride the next time you’re leaving Whole Foods Market.
Mercedes-Benz Monster X 6×6 Carbon Fiber EXY Pickup
No one needs a 6×6 carbon fiber Mercedes-Benz X-Class pickup, but that’s exactly what the custom Monster X delivers. The flagship build from Carlex’s newly established Pickup Design studio feels more like a museum-worthy truck most owners would want to keep under glass than take off-roading in the Utah backcountry. The lowered stance, beefy hood bulge, carbon fiber body panels, and high-contrast yellow-on-black accents all scream “show car.” Should you decide to put it through its paces, however, the Monster X is equipped with ceramic-carbon brakes, an LED light bar, and dual winches at the front and rear. Official pricing has yet to be announced but, frankly, if you have to ask …
2019 Hennessey VelociRaptor 6×6 Pickup
The Ford F-150 Raptor is already among the most exciting and capable pickups on the market. However, if anyone can take it up a notch, it’s the good folks at Hennessey. The iconic aftermarket brand now offers the Hennessey VelociRaptor 6X6. Described as “pure aggression on wheels,” the Post-Malone-approved VelociRaptor is a beast. The sky-high price tag will land you a base four-door Raptor upgraded with 6×6 locking rear axles, 20-inch wheels and off-road tires, and other rugged customizations like a rollbar with high-intensity LED lights and special bumpers all around. The best part, however, is the 600 twin turbo upgrade good for more than 600 horsepower. For the right price, Brembo brakes, even larger wheels and tires, custom interior packages, and armored plating are all available.
