Aussie (+Kiwi) Monster Truck Gallery - 2nd generation trucks

Aussie Monster Trucks from the late 90's and early millennium (except for one; guess which).

**Please forgive the picture quality, since the footage was captured from a deteriorating VHS**

This video clip represents the second generation of monster trucks in Australia, existing in a period that was at its peak in the late 90's and early new millennium. This generation of monster truck was characterised with the use of vehicle bodies that closely resembled original factory specifications. These bodies were modified to reduce weight, accommodate larger motors and safety devices such as roll cages, bucket seats and harnesses (such as used in the trucks Aussie Predator, The Rock (ranger) and Taurus). A few of these modifications had to be retrofitted to the trucks, as some of them were brought forwarded from the previous first generation, existing in the period from the mid 90's and below; a period which saw these type of trucks perform exhibition car crushes only (an example of which is Aussie Destroyer, Flying Falcon, Nite Thunder and Wild Thing).

Most trucks from the second generation were purposely built stronger to withstand jumping and high speed racing. The trucks often used the original vehicle chassis, which was either strengthened with steel plates, or mounted to a straight rail sub-frame for support. The suspension systems mostly comprised of leaf springs and heavy duty shock absorbers, which gave very little in the form of suspension travel, and was often the cause of equipment failure and/or driver injury.

However, as also evidenced in the video clip, this period of design and specification would soon be replaced around the turn of the millennium, by the third generation of monster truck in Australia (these trucks include Broncos Magic, Lunatic, Sampson, Stress Factor, The Rock (f-series) and Tropical Thunder. Commonly referred to as an 'open chassis' style, these trucks are mainly characterised by fibreglass bodies, a completely hand fabricated tube chassis utilizing strength through triangulation, advanced suspension systems allowing higher travel and rear mounted engines (although not always the case, for example in Tropical Thunder, which contains a front mounted engine).

Many of these trucks are still in operation today, although their roles in shows have been reduced due to the import of third generation open chassis monster trucks.

Brought to you by the Aussie (+Kiwi) Monster Truck Gallery - http://amt.mtm2.com/

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• AMT
• aussie
• australian
• monster
• truck
• monstertruck
• trucks

[gmtgmt123]

is the bus called bigfoot?

[GotAMT]

The truck was called the Bigfoot Bus, but due to copyright issues the name was soon changed to Desert Storm.

[Jonnie868]

@GotAMT got any videos of hank the tank?

[GotAMT]

@Jonnie868 I've got some video of Hank the Tank and will work on getting some new video's up soon.

[nissanbig1]

the sign says amt

[GotAMT]

AMT is correct!

[isamike]

The first and second generation Monster Trucks looked far better than the ones we see today. The trucks we have in Australia today are pathetic

[Jonnie868]

@GotAMT Awesome i remember seeing Hank the tank in Adelaide 10 or so years ago. If you can put the videos up of Hank i'll be extremely grateful.

[daniel7am]

Tin Obrien Worked for ed mulligan, ed got tim to build it.

[damopottage11]

tropical thunder is the best coz the guy who still or use to is my uncle jozo grizic

[Kurruptauzzy]

Tauruas is now at cardrona adventure park which is in new zealand were you can drive the truck on a offroad course and you get to jump it at the end. Terror trip is also at the same place but not sure if you can drive that one.