In North America, particularly in the United States and Canada, pickup trucks are more than just vehicles; they’re a vital part of daily life. Their unique design, combining the comfort of an SUV with the practicality of a truck bed, makes them versatile enough for both everyday driving and heavy-duty tasks. With a rugged, masculine appearance and functional cargo space, pickups symbolize utility and durability. In the U.S. alone, pickup trucks boast annual sales of about 3 million units, with the average price exceeding $40,000—making it one of manufacturers’ most profitable vehicle segments.
Despite the global appeal of pickup trucks, the market is largely dominated by American brands like Ford, Chevrolet, and RAM, which hold significant sway. Japanese automakers such as Toyota, with its Tacoma, and Nissan, with the Navara, have managed to carve out some market share outside the U.S., but few other brands have made an impact. Even Porsche, which has expanded its lineup to include SUVs like the Cayenne, has traditionally stayed clear of pickups, maintaining its focus on high-performance sports cars. However, in an unexpected twist, one Porsche Cayenne owner decided to defy convention and turn their luxury SUV into a pickup truck.
Cutting the Cayenne: A Bold Modification
The Rad Factory, an influencer specializing in car tuning, has been uploading the process of making a Porsche Cayenne pickup truck-tuned car on his YouTube channel. The project began about two months ago and is based on the first-generation Cayenne model produced from 2002 to 2010. It started with the goal of making a Cayenne Overland that Porsche had never attempted before, and the process is extremely rough and bold.
The transformation began with stripping the Cayenne of its second-row seats, trunk trim, and tailgate, all of which are unnecessary in a pickup truck configuration. Next, the team used a saw to cut away the rear pillars and roof, leaving only the top of the B-pillar intact. While the initial teardown might sound simple, the more complex structural modifications that followed proved to be full of unforeseen difficulties.
Challenges of Customization and Structural Reinforcement
When Porsche engineers originally designed the Cayenne, they didn’t envision it being converted into a pickup truck. This is incredibly challenging given that the Cayenne has a monocoque structure, which relies on the body for strength, rather than a body-on-frame setup typically found in traditional trucks. The most significant obstacle in the conversion was the loss of rigidity after cutting away key body components, which threatened the vehicle’s structural integrity.
The process of meticulously finishing the back of the first-row seats with a bulkhead was also not easy. They had to think long and hard about securing torsional rigidity while applying a sliding window that could be opened at the rear. They solved this problem by using meticulous welding and flexible polyester putty in various places, and now only a few minor finishing touches remain.
SEMA Show Debut
Meanwhile, the highly anticipated 2024 SEMA Show is set to take place from November 5 to 8 in the United States. Known as the world’s largest automotive tuning exhibition, the SEMA Show is where some of the most creative and groundbreaking tuning projects from around the globe are unveiled. It brings together renowned tuners, industry leaders, and passionate enthusiasts to showcase cutting-edge modifications and personal project vehicles.
The Rad Factory has confirmed that, at this year’s show, they will debut their custom Porsche Cayenne pickup truck and reveal an off-road tuning car based on the Mazda Miata.
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