Big Dummy

Big Dummy
Background Information
Owner(s)	Frank Schettini
Driver(s)	Frank Schettini
Debut	1985
Retirement	2011
Truck Overview
Body Style(s)	1999 Ford F-350 Super Duty
Chassis	Inhouse
Engine	Chevrolet 454 cu.in.
Transmission	Turbo 400
Tires	66" Goodyear 66" Firestone

Big Dummy was a series of custom Ford/Chevrolet monster trucks owned and driven by Frank Schettini out of Santa Clarita, California.

He first built a Blazer show truck in 1985, which was Big Dummy 1. Big Dummy 2 was a Chevrolet show truck as well.

Big Dummy 3 was the first real monster truck and started as a Chevrolet with a scissor lift body. It was switched to a Ford and given a tilt bed with a stereo system.

Big Dummy 4 was the last monster truck, which ran a Ford body and is unique as the suspension and driver console is similar to that of a motocross rider, Frank's previous sport, and even has handlebar steering. It was redesigned at least three times.

The trucks have had many sponsors, such as Fabtech, 4 Wheel Parts, Dick Cepek, ProComp, TruckWorldOnline, Smittybilt, as well as Monster Jerky, which #4 ran as an alternate name. It was also featured in the horror movie Monster Man.

The truck is also known for its appearance in monster truck videos, such as the "Real Wheels" production called "There Goes a Monster Truck'' (1995) as well as "All About Monster Trucks " with Hard Hat Harry. The truck also appeared in There Goes a Truck, chasing Dave & Becky & giving them a ride.

Frank confirmed that he's slowly building a new Big Dummy truck in a video where he's helping crew for Rick and Eric Swanson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6DMvnQMGAY

Trivia

• While Big Dummy never truly received a toy release, in 2004, Muscle Machines released an alternate colored design of Rick Swanson's Obsession, colored with the blue and white colors Big Dummy ran, instead of the yellow and purple.
• The truck got its name after an elderly lady at a gas station told Frank Schettini and his friends to move their truck, which she referred to it as "Big Dummy".
• The truck ran as Obsession/Obsessed for SEMA 2010.
• Frank has driven at least one of his trucks while standing. That is revealed in the Hard Hat Harry video: All About Monster Trucks. He used a 18 point harness, which would hold the driver safer & more stable. It also took the load off the drivers body. He is the only known driver to use this method.

Gallery

Big Dummy 3.

Big Dummy, circa 1989.

Big Dummy 3, circa 1994.

Big Dummy in "There Goes a Monster Truck!" (1995).

Big Dummy 4 under construction.

Big Dummy 4 without the truck's name in All About Monster Trucks.

Big Dummy 4.

Big Dummy 4, circa 1998.

Black Big Dummy.

Big Dummy, circa 2007.

Big Dummy running a special Line-X Obsessed/Aspart-X Obsession body, called Gemini.

A mini version in There Goes a Monster Truck (1995).

Another smaller version in There Goes a Monster Truck (1995).

Dave driving Frank's truck over his dad's car in There Goes a Monster Truck (1995).

After Dave smashed his dad's car in There Goes a Monster Truck (1995).

Big Dummy 3 in There Goes A Truck (1994).

Big Dummy 3 at the Indy Jamboree in 1992.