What was the base vehicle of the original Bigfoot monster truck?

The original Bigfoot monster truck was based on a 1974 Ford F-250 pickup.

Bob Chandler bought the four-wheel-drive Ford for use as a family and shop truck in the St. Louis area. As Chandler modified it for off-road driving, the vehicle gained larger tires, stronger axles, suspension changes, and other upgrades. By the late 1970s, the truck had become so extensively modified that it was recognized as one of the first true monster trucks.

The name Bigfoot came from Chandler’s heavy-footed driving style, which reportedly caused frequent drivetrain damage. The truck initially appeared at mud runs, tractor pulls, and car shows, where its size and ability to drive over obstacles attracted attention. Its success led Chandler’s company to build a growing fleet of Bigfoot trucks.

A common mix-up is confusing the original Bigfoot with later numbered trucks. Bigfoot 5, for example, was a separate truck built in 1986 around 10-foot tires. The original vehicle’s 1974 Ford F-250 foundation is central to the history of modern monster-truck racing and promotion.