Was Swamp Rat Canada’s First Monster Truck?

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The Swamp Rat monster truck is rumored to have been the first monster truck in Canada. Built by Trevor McLean of Elkford, BC, the Swamp Rat started out as a 1980 GMC Sierra Classic. McLean contacted Bob Chandler and the guys at Midwest 4WD Center and ordered 2.5 ton axles and 48″ tires. However, he found that they were not large enough and soon moved up to 66″ tires and 5 ton axles. It was powered by a supercharged big block engin Most of these photos are from a few years ago… as you can see, the Swamo Rat monster truck has aged very well!

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1 comment… add one
  • Buck Healy May 26, 2023 @ 12:15

    Been a Looooong time!
    I had work done at Town and Country, about the same time your truck was there , I had a 383 Chevy engine, than switched over Too a 454
    Mine was a long box GMC
    Was a half ton but with 350 turbo , switched over to 1ton axles and 205 transfercase,
    Was called EasyRider ,
    Was ready for New paint ,
    Was working at JD frame and Autobody, but truck was stolen and never recovered!
    Glad too see you still have your truck , I was able too drive mine on street machine weekend, and mud bog ,race here and there, heard you tried driving yours with the 48s in lethbridge
    But cops huh ? well I’m older now and trying too get the bug back , I’m messing around with a 1/10 RC truck now ,I take it on walks, had too learn to walk again, was hurt 4yrs ago,
    Take care ,and keep on trucking!

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