The coolest concept trucks that were never built

Updated Dec 28, 2014
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Dodge Ram T-Rex Concept Vehicle. 1997. (CV-718)

Build it and they will come. Great saying, but hard to execute.

The reality is pickup manufacturers have built a lot of really cool concept trucks over the years.

But none have been produced exactly as the one-off “teaser” model that was displayed at auto shows.

We thought it’d be fun to take a look at some of those concept pickups that have rolled out into public view during the last 20 years.

Dodge/Ram and Ford have by far the largest number of concepts, showing they encourage their creative design teams to stretch their imaginations as a barometer to measure the interest of those of us who love trucks.

Every concept truck is a study in balancing people transportation with cargo carrying, towing and/or off-road needs.

As you scroll through the gallery of images below, pay close attention not to the truck overall, but to the smaller styling and design cues. Look closely.

Even though the concept truck as a whole never made it into production, it’s possible a number of smaller elements did in the production models that came years later.

You might also get some creative ideas to do to your pickup if money and engineering resources weren’t of any concern.

(Photos courtesy of the manufacturers.)