Fall Guy Truck Prepares For Its Biggest Jump Ever

Many of our readers will remember the Fall Guy TV program from their youth. The show’s storyline follows the adventures of a film stuntman who moonlights as a bounty hunter when movie work is slow. Or, you may have seen the recent movie of the same name, starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. Either way, the story revolves around a “Fall Guy”, aka, stuntman, who finds himself using his day job abilities to get himself out of sticky situations.

In the earlier, made-for-TV version, Lee Majors was the guy doing the falling as Colt Seavers, but a case could be made that the star of the show was the gold and brown Fall Guy truck. In about every episode, viewers would see the four-wheeler bounding over people, cars, ditches, or whatever kept it from completing the task at hand. There were so many trucks getting bent due to the numerous, large jumps during filming that the production company had a Fall Guy jump truck built to successfully withstand repetitiously entering back into Earth’s orbit.

The Fall Guy truck

The Fall Guy truck shared screen time with Lee Majors, Heather Thomas, and others. Arguably, the truck’s in-the-air, on-air antics made it the star of the show. Note the mid-mounted engine and transmission. This centered the weight of the Fall Guy jump truck for more survivable, level (but perhaps less dramatic) landings.

The TV series Fall Guy truck was a heavily modified square-body GMC K2500 pickup. Its raised stance and roll-bar persona instantly became iconic cues for off-road-capable, mid-’80s trucks. The gold and brown two-tone paint (which ironically are not GM colors) has been replicated time and again on a variety of body styles since the show first aired. Today, there are groups dedicated to keeping the Fall Guy truck alive, even generations after the square-body truck rode out onto the horizon.

Fall Guy jump truck

Several Fall Guy trucks still exist, including a specially built jump truck, now owned by Fall Guy historian, Kevin Webb. Kevin had the pickup on display while viewing the new Fall Guy movie at the Cinemark Tinseltown theater in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Chris McDonald has always been a fan of the Fall Guy truck and they say some things are just meant to be. When Chris, who lives in Alaska, had the opportunity to pick up a free Squarebody truck, he knew what he had to do. You may recall seeing an Alaskan event where they send various vehicles over a cliff for sport. Have you ever wondered why they do that? Chris explained in one of his videos.

The Glacier View River Retreat near Anchorage, Alaska hosts its car launch to celebrate the nation’s Fourth of July birthdate. When you consider that summer in Alaska is dominated by daylight, you soon realize how futile fireworks can be. So, residents around Sutton, Alaska send a few celebratory cars and trucks off of a cliff instead. With his not-so-new, pink and purple Chevy in hand, Chris set out to build a Fall Guy truck worthy of its biggest jump ever.

Chris took delivery of this Chevy half-ton, long-bed pickup approximately six months ago, but it was in such a state that even gravity could barely help it get over the cliff. Plus, he needed to make it look like Colt himself might be driving it. The truck was basically a bed and cab, with no doors, front sheet metal, or grill. It still had its 305 cubic-inch V8, but it didn’t run due to several parts being scavenged years before.

Chris combined four trucks in total to make the Fall Guy truck. Each was donated by local enthusiasts who wanted to support the project.

Chris immediately began scouring for parts. Much like the production company many years before, he wanted to keep costs to a minimum, since the truck would be making its final exit in a big way on July 4, 2024. In the end, three other trucks were donated to the cause, each one giving up a few necessary parts for the overall build of this Fall Guy truck. Chris’ goal was to recreate the truck as close as reasonably possible, aiming for approximately “7 out of 10 points.” He put a lot of research into the details of the iconic jumper, using as many cues as possible. He also joined with Fall Guy historian, Kevin Webb, to help with many items and obtain a high level of accuracy. Kevin helped Chris locate many decals specific to the small screen’s star truck.

Chris needed to repair several rust holes before spraying the signature gold and brown color. Instead of tape and putty, he went the extra mile, pulling the truck apart for painting and using metal replacement panels.

Chris’ truck rides on a Rough Country lift kit adding five inches in the front and four inches in the rear to help clear those 35×12.5 tires. Topside, there’s a bargain-basement light bar (remember they couldn’t call them rollbars) kit-bashed out of running boards and wearing those dual off-road lights.

Fall Guy truck fuel tanks

Because most of the truck’s distance traveled is going to be powered by gravity, Chris’ Fall Guy truck only carries a few gallons of fuel. The original Fall Guy’s K2500 truck had dual tanks and Chris kept that little detail, albeit on a smaller scale.

Preparing Chris’ Fall Guy truck for its last big jump involves removing things instead of beefing them up. All glass needs to be removed, including side glass, headlights, and even mirrors. Chris also moved the fuel system inside the cab and removed the fuel tank from under the truck’s bed. The interior is spartan, since comfort would likely end very abruptly, and no one will be riding in the cab when it takes its final bout with gravity.

Fall Guy license plate

It may not be Alaska DOT-approved, but it’s a perfect fit on Chris’ truck. Chris purchased the California Fall Guy plates on Amazon and Kevin Webb supplied the stickers.

Chris just finished the truck and took it for a little spin around the Alaskan countryside making sure everything works as it should when the big day arrives. He’s also been promoting the truck at various places in his state, showing it off at some of the project’s sponsors. One big thank you goes to Carquest Auto Parts in Alaska, which supplied many parts to get the truck up and running. Chris would also like to thank the many Fall Guy enthusiasts who helped him with the necessary parts to complete his Fall Guy truck.

There are a few loose ends to tighten up, but until Independence Day, Chris and his Fall Guy truck are hitting the local circuit to promote its final, celebratory leap. While some may question doing all this work to simply run it off of a cliff, anyone who knows Chris McDonald knows he doesn’t do anything halfway. For each of his videos documenting the build, Chris goes into detail about what it took to get the truck ready. There are also numerous comments from people looking forward to seeing the Fall Guy truck make its biggest jump ever. Which, if we’re honest, that’s why many of us watched the TV show in the first place.

About the author

Andy Bolig

Andy has been intrigued by mechanical things all of his life and enjoys tinkering with cars of all makes and ages. Finding value in style points, he can appreciate cars of all power and performance levels. Andy is an avid railfan and gets his “high” by flying radio-controlled model airplanes when time permits. He keeps his feet firmly grounded by working on his two street rods and his supercharged C4 Corvette. Whether planes, trains, motorcycles, or automobiles, Andy has immersed himself in a world driven by internal combustion.
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