Frequently Asked Questions

• #2 Will there be a new BIGFOOT truck anytime soon?

  • BIGFOOT #16 was finished in 2007.  That is the newest BIGFOOT truck.  There are not currently any plans to build a new one.

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• #3 How much does BIGFOOT cost?

  • It has always been difficult to put a price tag on any of our trucks; there are so many factors involved. Along with all the parts, you also have to consider the human labor put into it.  For a rough estimate: between $150,000 and $250,000!  Another factor to take into account is the VERY high cost of maintaining one of these trucks.  This figure could, depending on accidents and rollovers, add a large amount onto this estimate.

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• #4 How can I get a ride in BIGFOOT?

  • At one time BIGFOOT #2 & BIGFOOT #3 were set up to accommodate taking people for rides.  However, due to the incredibly high cost of running these "ancient feet", they have been disassembled or sold.  These trucks used to carry up to 10 passengers on a small dirt track with bumps & occasionally a few crushed cars.  While you currently can't get a ride in BIGFOOT, there are several other "monsters" that have this capability.

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• #5 How many other countries has BIGFOOT visited?

  • BIGFOOT has appeared in Aruba, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Caracao, England, the Faeroe Islands, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Thailand, Venezuela, & Wales, among others.

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• #7 How long does it take to build a BIGFOOT truck?

  • It can take anywhere from 3 months to a year to build a BIGFOOT truck.  This varies depending on how much time is put into it & how many people are working on the project.

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• #8 How fast can BIGFOOT go?

  • BIGFOOT has been driven at over 80 miles per hour.  This is accomplished by raising the gear ratio.

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• #9 What are some of BIGFOOTs greatest accomplishments?

  • Aside from being "The Original Monster Truck®", BIGFOOT was the first to use 66-inch tires & the first to use rear steering.  It was the first to crush cars and made the first car crush in front of an audience in 1982.  BIGFOOT has appeared in 8 movies & has won 23 championships.  BIGFOOT also holds several world records including outdoor long distance monster truck jump and the tallest pickup truck in the world BIGFOOT #5.
  • For details on exactly what BIGFOOT has accomplished over the years, CLICK HERE.

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• #10 How can I get the autograph of my favorite BIGFOOT driver?

  • There are a couple of different ways to accomplish this.  One way is to attend an event that BIGFOOT is going to appear at.  A lot of times, there is a pit party before the races where you can meet the drivers & get their autographs.  Click here to find out where BIGFOOT will be.  Another way is to order a picture or t-shirt from the BIGFOOT Online Store.  When placing the order, in the "Comments" section, just request that the driver of your choice sign the item you are purchasing.

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• #12 What happened to some of the old BIGFOOT paint jobs?

  • Each of the BIGFOOT trucks (chassis) has interchangeable bodies.  So, at any given time, just about any truck can have just about any body on it.  For example, Wildfoot was actually BIGFOOT #11.  BIGFOOT Power Wheels was actually BIGFOOT #14.  Each of these trucks, along with all the others, have interchangeable fiberglass bodies.  This allows Team BIGFOOT to put a particular body on a truck depending on what the show promoter wants for their show.  BIGFOOT tries to keep things interesting by always coming up with new paint schemes and designs (check out the pictures from the Photo Gallery).

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• #15 How do I become a BIGFOOT Driver?

  • To become a BIGFOOT Driver, you must be 25 years of age with a good driving record & have a current CDL (Commercial Drivers License). We like to see at least 3 years over the road experience.  You need to be in good physical shape, have knowledge of mechanics, electrical & metal fabrication before you are even considered for the crew. We would like to see well rounded people with no tempers and good people skills.  PATIENCE is a must as is a good appearance.  Any background in electrical and racing would also be a plus.  Common sense would be the single most thing that could really add to the rest of your attributes.  Your willingness to spend hours interacting with the public in the heat and cold or whatever the case maybe would be a factor.  If you make the crew, you would most likely serve 2 years apprenticeship to learn to drive. Applications and/or resumes should be sent to Jim Kramer's attention at the following address:

  BIGFOOT 4x4, Inc.

  6311 N. Lindbergh Blvd.

  Hazelwood, MO 63042

  ATTN: Jim Kramer

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• #16 Tell me more about the tires on BIGFOOT.

  • Firestone makes the 66x43x25 Flotation Tire on all of the BIGFOOT trucks.  The average cost is about $2000 each!  BIGFOOT #5 uses Firestone's 120x48x68 tires.  Check out the Team BIGFOOT section for specs on each individual truck.

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• #17 Where did the name "BIGFOOT" come from?

  • When first starting out, Bob Chandler was always breaking axles & engine parts. One day he asked a friend what he thought the problem was.  Ron Magruder responded with "it's because of your big foot"!  Eventually that name made onto the door of the original truck, in small letters just below the window.  Eventually, that evolved into the name for the truck.

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• #19 Why is the motor in the middle of the newer BIGFOOT trucks?

  • Especially on long straight-line courses it helps the truck launch off the start line quicker.  It also enables the engine to be placed lower in the chassis, thus lowering the center of gravity, which makes it better for cornering.  In addition, with the engine in the middle, maintenance on the motor is simplified.  It is much easier to change parts, and even the whole engine when it is placed in the middle.

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• #20 What is the red light in the cab of the race trucks?

  • Every MTRA Certified Monster Truck must be equipped with an RII (Remote Ignition Interrupter).  This interrupter enables someone on the ground to shut the truck off with a remote control in just case something goes wrong.  The RII must be tested before each run.  The light in the cab signals to the track official that the RII is functioning properly.

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• #21 Tell me more about the engines used in BIGFOOT.

  • The BIGFOOT racing trucks (8, 10, 11, 14, & 15) use a 572 c.i. engine, which puts out between 1200 and 1500 horsepower, and 1100 to 1300 foot/pounds of torque.  BIGFOOT #16 runs a 565 c.i. engine which puts out even more power.  BIGFOOT even runs a hemi for certain types of events, which can put out even more horsepower.  They are assembled by an engine builder (Ed Dixon of Dixon Innovations at 314-739-7790).

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• #22 What kind of gas does BIGFOOT use & how much does it use per run?

  • BIGFOOT uses methanol racing fuel.  Each truck uses approximately 2-3 gallons per 250-foot run.  We use methanol because it is a cooler burning fuel, thus keeping the engine cooler.  This makes it possible to run the truck for longer during racing on longer tracks and during freestyle runs.

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• #23 Can Bigfoot drive on the road or is it illegal?

  • BIGFOOT is not street legal. With the big tires on, the trucks are too wide, 11 to 12 feet as opposed to a maximum legal width of 8' 6".  It requires special permits or a police escort.

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• #24 How far can BIGFOOT jump?

  • BIGFOOT has set several record jumps.  Aside from other past records, in July, 1999, Dan Runte & BIGFOOT #14 flew 202 feet over a 727 jetliner.
  • For details on exactly what BIGFOOT has accomplished over the years, CLICK HERE.

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• #26 What color is BIGFOOT?

  • BIGFOOT has a few different paint schemes, and the designs/colors are always changing, so it is difficult to list exactly what the color is.  For pictures of the different BIGFOOT looks, CLICK HERE or CLICK HERE.

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• #27 Where can I get an R/C BIGFOOT or a BIGFOOT Go-Cart? 

  • Check our Online Store for any remote controls (R/C) available.
  • Carter Brothers used to make a BIGFOOT Mini Monster Truck Go-Kart featuring a 5 HP Briggs & Stratton engine with electric start.  Sorry, these go carts are no longer available.

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• #28 Where is BIGFOOT #13? 

  • For the same reason there is no 13th floor in most hotels, there is also no BIGFOOT 13!  The #13 has been symbolized with bad luck, our guys prefer to have good luck!

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• #32 Do you have any BIGFOOT party supplies like plates & napkins?

  • Unfortunately, we do not have BIGFOOT plates, napkins, balloons, etc.  It is easy to put together a party package with the exact items you want buy selecting them from the large selection of items we have in our Online Store.

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• #33 How can I get a diagram of the tube chassis?

  • CLICK HERE for diagrams of the tube chassis that the BIGFOOT trucks use.   Sorry, there are no diagrams of the older trucks available.

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• #34 What is going on between BIGFOOT and Clear Channel/Monster Jam/SFX/PACE/Live Nation Motor Sports?

Clear Channel Entertainment owns Monster Jam, Grave Digger, Maximum Destruction, PACE, SFX, USA Motorsports, MEG, Live Nation and other entities, including many other monster trucks that run in it's events.

Send your thoughts on this matter to:

Clear Channel Entertainment
495 N. Commons Dr. Suite 200
Aurora, IL 60504-8187
630/566-6100
630/566-6180 (fax)
http://www.ushra.com

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• #35 Where can I see BIGFOOT on TV?

  • BIGFOOT does appear daily on Discovery Kids on a cartoon titled:  "BIGFOOT Presents: Meteor and the Mighty Monster Trucks".  The schedule for these shows are as follows:

   

  "BIGFOOT Presents: Meteor and the Mighty Monster Trucks" TV schedule is as follows: Please check local listings for details.

  Discovery Kids: Monday - Friday 10:30 am ET / 1:30 pm ET Saturday - Sunday 7:00 am ET

• DVDs are available of the cartoon in our Online Store.
• BIGFOOT also appears on other networks such as The Travel Channel, TLC, The Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, ESPN2, Spike TV, Fox Sports, The History Channel, and FX.  Bigfoot4x4.com will post when BIGFOOT appears on TV.  Please check our home page for updates on TV appearances.  For more details on other shows and movies BIGFOOT has appeared in, follow this link: BIGFOOT Credits.
• DVDs of BIGFOOT are available for sale in our Online Store.

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• #36 How can I find information about the 1987, 1994, and 2004 BIGFOOT street trucks?

  • There is not much information on the older versions of trucks.  Eli Mann has some parts available for them.  He can be contacted at elimann@hotmail.com.

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• #38 Who builds monster truck chassis & bodies?

  • Dan Patrick, owner of the Samson Monster Truck builds monster truck chassis'.  GTS Fiberglass in Wentzville, MO, makes our BIGFOOT monster truck bodies.
  • CLICK HERE for diagrams of the tube chassis' that were designed by Bob Chandler that the BIGFOOT trucks use.   Sorry, there are no diagrams of the older trucks available.

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• #40 What happened to BIGFOOT 9?

• BIGFOOT #9 was scheduled to appear, along with a few other BIGFOOT trucks, in Brazil in January, February and March, 1999.  BIGFOOT 9 went to Brazil in October, 1998 in order to promote the shows.  Due to some irregularities in the importing papers, the truck was confiscated by local customs.

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• #42 What are the newest BIGFOOT bodies?

• CLICK HERE to see the Firestone BIGFOOT.
• CLICK HERE to see the Summit Racing BIGFOOT.
• CLICK HERE to see the Black Flame BIGFOOT.
  CLICK HERE to see the Bad Boys BIGFOOT.

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