The 2018 Chicago Auto Show opens to the public Saturday and pickup trucks are a centerpiece of many automakers' displays, reflecting the increasing importance of truck sales in the U.S. Be sure to check out the redesigned 2019 Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 that were both revealed in January at the Detroit show. Toyota also updated the Tacoma TRD Pro and brought back the Tundra TRD Pro for 2019. Here are some gems — some hidden, some hard to miss — that truck fans should be sure to add to their list of things to see in Chicago.
Related: More 2018 Chicago Auto Show Coverage
1. Nostalgia Play
As part of the celebration of its off-road history, the Toyota booth includes Ivan Stewart's No. 1 Trophy Truck and playable copies of his signature arcade game. The games made Managing Editor Joe Bruzek a bit nostalgic.
"Ivan Stewart's 'Super Off Road' arcade game in the Toyota booth: So many nostalgic feelings, and all the wheels and pedals work — unlike the poor, abused ones I remember stuck in the corner of the arcade when I played them," Bruzek said.
2. Monster of the Midway
Toyota also brought along a monster Tundra pickup. It impressed Senior Research Editor Mike Hanley.
"It's not Bigfoot, but the Tundra monster truck looming over the Toyota stand at the Chicago auto show is gawk-worthy, to say the least," Hanley said. "The only thing that would make it better is if it was on one of the auto show's many ride-along courses, crushing some junkyard cars."
3. SEMA in Chicago
"Check out the cool trucks that Ford has on display, all the special versions of the Raptor or my personal favorite, the BDS F-250 short wheelbase in bright orange," Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman implored. "Featuring a full BDS aftermarket suspension and 43-inch tires, this would give a Raptor a run for its money!"
This truck won a Best Monster award from sister site PickupTrucks.com at the 2017 Specialty Equipment Market Association Show in Las Vegas, and you can definitely see why in person.
4. 'Coolest Truck in the Show' (see main image)
That's according to PickupTrucks.com Editor Mark Williams, who says, "By far the coolest truck of the show: the Ford F-550 Skeeter Brush Truck 6x6 — $250K with a gross vehicle weight rating of 24,000 pounds. You have to crawl underneath to see the custom transfer case. Very cool Used Engine ering."
You can see all of these trucks and more at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show, and you can find the rest of our coverage here.
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