From Concept to Reality: Jaws Trophy Truck Bug Build
Five years ago a small garage fabricator, Blake Wilkey, made a video tearing up the streets of San Diego with his insane 800 horsepower Baja Bug - it was called Urban Assault and it caused widespread media attention on the internet. Ever since then he has made a name for himself in the off-road industry being known to "shred" anything he builds or touches. Blake has traveled around the world creating content around offroading in an added effort to grow his brand, but the main purpose: have fun doing it. He has built many vehicles: from a nimble 76 horsepower Class 11 Race Beetle named "Slug Shark" to a screaming 560 horsepower Baja Bug named "Megladon". But it isn't just old Volkswagens he tampers with, he has built himself a mini jet boat and even a Polaris RZR. So what was next for him? He has already built and tampered with the most insane machines, most people would just build another one, but how could he take it to the next level? Well, he is building a full-tilt Trophy Truck.
He is building a Trophy Truck Bug affectionately named "Jaws," and we aren't talking about another Bug with long-travel suspension, no; this is a full tube chassis Trophy Truck that will be on par with some of the best trucks out there of what you would see in Baja or racing in Nevada. We want to document the Jaws Trophy Bug story and provide you - the reader updates on the journey of the build as it progresses.
This was an idea that was born out of curiosity and passion, Blake was trying to push himself and was willing to move up to the next level by not being just a social media guy who off-roads frequently he wants to race and make his own path getting there. This was proven last year when he finished building his Class 11 race car and had a successful season racing.
Blake teamed up with his good friend, Kevin Butts, owner of Quixotic Motorsports to take the lead on this project to help design and build the Trophy Bug. They have been working together for years together on projects - everything from pulling truck bed sides to fabricating long-travel suspension kits on Ford Rangers. This was a project, unlike anything Kevin had done before but was ready to put his skills to the test. It was only fitting for them to collaborate on this project together.
This was an extensive project and attention to detail was crucial -everything was completely designed using computer-aided design (CAD) for over a year now. Once all the design was finished they sent the files off to Precision Tube Cut Laser to have them cut enough material to build two trucks. They aren't just building one Trophy Bug, but two. Once word got out about their project, they commissioned a second Trophy Bug for a local San Diego business owner. He wants Blake and Kevin to build an exact replica of the one they are building.
Just over a month ago, they began the fabrication work of tig welding the chassis and other suspension components. Many late nights later they have the beginning of what is starting to look like a complete roll cage. The original body will be utilized from a VW Beetle and was laser scanned and FiberwerX machined a mold and fiberglass body shell they can use from here on out.
When the Trophy Bug is complete it is not only going to be a show stopper but it is going to be an engineering marvel. Kevin designed the suspension to cycle 24" in the front and 32" in the rear utilizing King Racing shocks. Of course, they will be running a 40" tire so they are getting two custom sets of fiberglass bodies molded right now to clear the wheels but will retain the original steel body.
There is one certain thing, it is a unique project that has never been done before, yes, there are plenty of Trophy Truck builders and millionaires who have purchased Trophy Trucks to race, but watching people like Blake and Kevin chase their dreams and keep charging forward is a story we love. For most people, this is a dream come true to build your own Trophy Truck let alone have someone pay you to build a second one. Blakes affinity for Volkswagen Beetles is something that may transcend to younger generations to come. We can't wait to check it out again, get more technical specs, and keep documenting this build until the day he races it.
If you want to keep up with the build go follow @kevinqms and @blakewilkey357
