h1 Hummer

The Roughest, Toughest, Manliest Trucks Of All Time

Let’s face it, we love trucks. Especially those that made it into our list of the manliest trucks of all time.

Bigger, stronger, more power, more strength, 37-inch Swampers, air-lockers, bead-lockers, winches, racks, recovery points, snorkels, oh yeah – that stuff get’s our blood pumping. If you’re like us, you want your beast to be able to go to hell and back. You want one of the manliest trucks ever conceived.

However, some of you might be stuck in your mini-van, or as some like to call it the “Swager Wagan.” If that’s you, don’t worry, we won’t question your manliness.  No, rather we are sorry your in that situation and want to help. Don’t lose hope, your day will come, and we are here to help you with our list of the manliest trucks of all time. Read it and drool.

Mercedes-Benz Unimog - the manliest trucks of all time
Mercedes-Benz Unimog

1. Mercedes-Benz Unimog (1947-2014)

The all-wheel drive Mercedes-Bens Unimog is clearly one of the roughest, toughest, manliest trucks ever built. Incredibly versatile, the multi-purpose truck is used all over the world in the Energy, Rail Road, Airport, Snowplow, Salting, Mowing, Fire & Rescue, Haulage, Construction, Agriculture and Arboriculture, and Highway Maintenance industries.

Unimog is a German Acronym for UNIversal-MOtor-Gerät,” Gerät being the German word for “device.” 

The Unimog sports a very high ground clearance and a flexible frame that is part of the suspension making it one of the most formidable off-road vehicles ever made.

Learn more about current production models at the official Mercedes website.

See the Unimog in action in this [video_lightbox_youtube video_id=”INxkz6UcNoE” width=”640″ height=”390″ anchor=”Extreme Off-Road Compilation”].

h1 hummer - the manliest trucks of all time
H1 Hummer

2.  AM General Hummer H1 (1992-2006)

Another hard-core rig is the venerable Hummer H1 – the civilian version of the Military M998. This animal sports 16 inches of ground clearance, super-aggressive approach and departure angles, the ability to climb over a 22-inch obstacle, scale a 69 percent grade, and wade through up to 30 inches of water. Booyah!

Watch this [video_lightbox_youtube video_id=”NiIot7CDRg8″ width=”640″ height=”390″ anchor=”1998 Promo Video”].

Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6X6 - the manliest trucks of all time
Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6X6

3. Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6X6

Uh, Yeah — a six-wheeler, what the heck? Mercedes labeled the cross-country vehicle “The automotive declaration of independence.” LOL. This bad boy sports six driven wheels, off-road reduction gear in the transfer case, portal axles, five differentials which can be locked on the move, and an onboard tire pressure control system. Result…clearly one of the manliest road-beast of all time.

Must See [video_lightbox_youtube video_id=”DrUVMdkb4_k” width=”640″ height=”390″ anchor=”Video Review from the BBC”].

Early Bronco - the manliest trucks of all time
Early Bronco

4. Early Ford Bronco (1966-1977)

Unlike the previous two trucks, the Early Bronco is not based on a military vehicle. No. It is a seperate creation, built from the ground up by Ford as an entirely new vehicle.

This classic icon is one of the most sought after vehicles of all time, and it’s not hard to see why. A well restored Early Bronco is simply a thing of beauty. In the manliest possible way.

Originally crafted to compete with the Jeep CJ and the Internation Harvester Scout as an ORV (Off-Road Vehicle), the selling price was US$2194. Good luck finding one, in any shape, even close to that price today.

Here’s a fun video of some [video_lightbox_youtube video_id=”Fp5sFtSsD6o” width=”640″ height=”390″ anchor=”Early Broncos hitting the trails”].

Full-Size Bronco - the manliest trucks of all time
Full-Size Bronco

5. Full-Size Ford Bronco (1978-1979)

Ford’s was compelled to produce the larger full-size Bronco because of the success of the Chevrolet K5 Blazer (first produced in 1969). However, production was delayed because of the fuel crises of the 1970’s. As a result production of this version of the Bronco only ran for two years 1978/79.

Many consider this to be the last desirable Bronco. It’s also the last to sport a solid front axle and solid steel dash.

Watch Powerblock rebuild a 79 on the cheap.

Ford Highboy - the manliest trucks of all time
Ford Highboy

6. Ford f-250 “Highboy” (1967-1977.5)

Having lived in farm country for some time there is no other truck that I see sitting under a carport, or in a barn waiting to be restored as often as the Ford Highboy — most likely, because they ooze manliness. Built to last many are still on the road today. They can be cheap to acquire, cheap to repair, and easy to repair. As a result, they are a favorite with the mudding crowd.

[video_lightbox_youtube video_id=”t3TwLD3GB6w” width=”640″ height=”390″ anchor=”Here’s a mudding vid for your pleasure.”].

Ford Raptor - the manliest trucks of all time
Ford Raptor

7. Ford Raptor (2017)

The first time I saw the Ford Raptor I was in love.  The 2017 model brings so many improvements I am drooling.  These improvements include a 3.5-liter v-6 with 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, a 10-speed automatic transmission, new aluminum block, upgraded internals, port and direct fuel injection, a lighter valve train, all aluminum frame, and more. After test driving the 2017 model, Car and Drive said this,

“Few vehicles of any kind and at any price—and none near the Ford’s $49,520 base price—offer as many thrills or fulfill their mission as perfectly as the Raptor. Driving this truck off-road and at max attack is as exhilarating an automotive experience as you’ll find.”

[video_lightbox_youtube video_id=”94YV1eZ17Pw” width=”640″ height=”390″ anchor=”Watch the Raptor make easy work of rock climbing and high-speed off-road driving in the desert.”].

Chevy Blazer - the manliest trucks of all time
Chevrolet K5 Blazer

8. Chevrolet K5 Blazer (1969-1972)

When Chevrolet introduced the 69 K5 Blazer it was intended to compete with the International Harvester, and Ford Bronco, both of which were targeting the smaller Jeep CJ. It provided the off-road capabilities of these vehicles with additional “luxury features” such as improved cargo space, air conditioning, and an automatic transmission commonly available on pickup trucks. Its great innovation was that it was built on a shortened pickup truck chassis greatly reducing production costs.

And ain’t it purdy.

[video_lightbox_youtube video_id=”94YV1eZ17Pw” width=”640″ height=”390″ anchor=”Watch this Blazer rip up the desert.”]

International MXT - the manliest trucks of all time
International MXT

10. International MXT

International is back with a vengeance! Enter the International MXT – Most/Military Extreme Truck. This bad boy is purpose-built for the civilian market on the International MXT-MV (Military Version) chassis used by the United Kingdom, by Midwest Automotive Designs. Notable owners include Ashton Kutcher, Red Bull, Viktor Yanukovych, Cara Delevingne and basketball stars Shaquille O’Neal and Roy Jones, Jr., while Nick Lachey and Jay Leno are said to have taken test drives.

[video_lightbox_youtube video_id=”8q-F_46pC2c” width=”640″ height=”390″ anchor=”See the military version in action.”]

International Scout II - the manliest trucks of all time
International Scout II

11. International Scout II (1971-1980)

Maybe it’s nostalgia; maybe it’s the rarity, maybe it’s the fact that the Scout went away for good in 1980. Whatever it is, it’s not uncommon to hear someone say, “Oh, look it’s a Scout” whenever one passes by today. Without a doubt, a well restored or maintained Scout II is a thing of beauty.

[video_lightbox_youtube video_id=”GVW4DLCjbvw” width=”640″ height=”390″ anchor=”Check out this Anything Scout rebuild.”]

Jeep Gladiator and J Series - the manliest trucks of all time
Jeep Gladiator and J Series

12. Jeep Gladiator & J-Series (1963-1987)

My first introduction to the Jeep Gladiator was as Val and Earl’s truck in the movie Tremors. I remember thinking it was a good-looking truck at the time, and then I saw one that had been beautifully restored in person. I was hooked. This rig just had to go on our list of the manliest trucks, I mean come on, what is manlier than blowing up monster graboids in the desert.

The Gladiator is also known as the Kaiser M715 (Military Version).

[video_lightbox_youtube video_id=”wF9TtP1okuA” width=”640″ height=”390″ anchor=”Here is an incredible rebuild of the M715.”]

There is a new concept m715 from Jeep. It looks awesome. [video_lightbox_youtube video_id=”ezeKQD781Vo” width=”640″ height=”390″ anchor=”See it in action here.”]

Jeep CJ-2A - the manliest trucks of all time
Jeep CJ-2A

14. Willy’s CJ-2A (1945-49)

The CJ-2a Willy’s Jeep is the civilian version of the Willy’s Military Jeep of World War II. Only 214,760 were produced.

[video_lightbox_youtube video_id=”ezeKQD781Vo” width=”640″ height=”390″ anchor=”Check out this episode of Motor Trend where they test a 1946 Willys Jeep vs John Deere Gator!”]

Jeep CJ - 7 - the manliest trucks of all time
Jeep CJ – 7

15. Jeep CJ-7 (1976-1986)

The CJ- 7 is the last in the series of CJ Jeeps which began with the legendary Willy’s of World War II. It is a favorite for both mud sports and rock climbing.

[video_lightbox_youtube video_id=”gHl9OrEnh_0″ width=”640″ height=”390″ anchor=”Watch some intense muddy trail riding.”]

[video_lightbox_youtube video_id=”xsa6lTbZVQs” width=”640″ height=”390″ anchor=”Watch the history of Jeeps (documentary).”]

Jeep Rubicon - the manliest trucks of all time
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

16. Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

The Wrangler Rubicon (named for the famed Rubicon Trail in the Sierra Nevada Mountains) was introduced in the summer of 2002. It featured front and rear air actuated locking Dana 44 axles with the Rock-Trac NV241 4:1 ratio transfer case, diamond plate rocker panels, 16-inch alloy wheels, and Goodyear MTR P245/75-R16 tires. From 2003 and 2004 featured a standard New Venture Gear NV3550 five-speed manual transmission, which changed in 2004 (2005 model) to the NSG370, a Mercedes-sourced six-speed. The optional 42RLE four-speed automatic transmission was available from 2002 to 2006.

[video_lightbox_youtube video_id=”y74JKXWsK1s” width=”640″ height=”390″ anchor=”An failed attempt to crawl out of a mud hole.”]

Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser - the manliest trucks of all time
Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser

17. Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser (1974 – 1983)

No. It’s not a Jeep stupid! It’s a Land Cruiser. An absolute beauty at that.

[video_lightbox_youtube video_id=”Sn7l3UDPV0M” width=”640″ height=”390″ anchor=”We’re not going to say much about this because this is a must see video from Petrolicious you should watch.”]

Toyota FJ80 Land Crusier - the manliest trucks of all time
Toyota FJ80 Land Cruiser

18. Toyota Land Cruiser FJ80 (1990-1997)

This vehicle is so rugged and durable that along with the Toyota Hilux, it has become one of the favorite vehicles of fighters in war-torn regions around the world.

Mark Wallace, a former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, who is CEO of the Counter Extremism Project, a non-profit working to expose the financial support networks of terror groups said, “Regrettably, the Toyota Land Cruiser and Hilux have effectively become almost part of the ISIS brand.”

[video_lightbox_youtube video_id=”FpJkbKTm7oM” width=”640″ height=”390″ anchor=”Here’s an incredible off-roading video — incredible until the driver flips the vehicle. “]

Dodge Power Wagon 1952 - the manliest trucks of all time
Dodge Power Wagon 1952

19. Dodge Power Wagon (1946-1968)

The Doge Power Wagon was the first civilian 4-Wheel Drive.

[video_lightbox_youtube video_id=”EtJkbL78rpQ” width=”640″ height=”390″ anchor=”Watch this 3 minute video on the history of the Power Wagon. “]

Dodge Power Ram Cummins Turbo Diesel - the manliest trucks of all time
Dodge Power Ram Cummins Turbo Diesel

20. W-250/350 Dodge Power Ram Cummins Turbo Diesel (1989-1993)

Scorpion MK1 - the manliest trucks of all time
Scorpion MK1

21. Scorpion MK I

The Scorpion is a custom built vehicle intended to be the most capable off-road and rock climbing rig every built. According to 4wheeler.com, that intention was met. Read more about the history and specifications here.

[video_lightbox_youtube video_id=”3EPHVOsjTuE” width=”640″ height=”390″ anchor=”See it in action.”]

Land Rover Defender - the manliest trucks of all time
Land Rover Defender 1993

22. Land Rover Defender (1993-1997)

If you own one of the vehicles and have a story to tell, please let us know. We would love to publish it here. And Hey! We’re not perfect. If we missed your favorite manliest truck that you think should be on this list of the manliest trucks of all time, let us know in the comments below. Also, tell us what your favorite truck is.

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