"Electric Truck 'Truck Nuts': Home-Made Fun for EVs"

Dec 6, 2024 at 1:34 PM
Truck nuts have long been a somewhat peculiar yet popular automotive accessory. They started as a simple idea of selling molded plastic testicles to hang from tow hitches, providing a brief moment of humor. But now, a new twist has emerged - wire truck nuts, specifically designed for electric vehicles (EVs).

Uncover the Electric Side of Truck Nuts

Introduction to Molded Truck Nuts

Originally, truck nuts were a straightforward concept. Someone saw the potential in offering these inexpensive and amusing molded plastic items. It was a joke that captured attention for a short while, and the creator likely reaped the rewards. However, the automotive world continued to evolve.

These molded truck nuts became a common sight on various trucks, adding a touch of lightheartedness to the roads. They were a simple yet distinctive accessory that sparked conversations among drivers.

Even though the initial novelty wore off, they remained a part of truck culture, with people often recognizing them as a symbol of automotive quirkiness.

The Birth of Wire Truck Nuts

Charlie Wil, a creative individual, took things to a new level. In August this year, he uploaded design files for 3D-printed truck wire nuts to Thingiverse. These wire nuts are a larger-scale recreation of the simple wire fixing devices.

They are easy to make at home by downloading the files from Thingiverse and printing them on a 3D printer. Their geometric simplicity allows them to be produced on almost any FDM or resin printer.

Wire truck nuts have found their place, especially on EVs. Their electrical nature makes them a perfect fit for these vehicles, as seen on a Ford F-150 Lightning spotted in the wild by digital creator BJ Adams.

Wire Truck Nuts in the Wild

These unique wire truck nuts are already making an appearance. As mentioned, BJ Adams shared his hilarious find on Facebook, and other Lightning owners have also installed them.

One truck in Alabama has a similar setup, and a user named Kenric posted a great set on the F-150 Lightning Forum. The install on an EV adds an extra layer of fun and authenticity.

The choice to install two wire nuts with red and black wires emulates the positive and negative lines of a DC hookup, creating a visually appealing and humorous effect.

Other 3D-Printed Truck Nuts

It's not just wire truck nuts that are making waves. On the Shitty Car Mods page on Reddit, someone posted a set of Cybertruck nuts.

Their angular and jagged design, with a low-poly aesthetic, perfectly complements the unique look of the Cybertruck. Files for these nuts are available on Thingiverse for those who want to print them at home.

This shows the creativity and diversity within the truck nuts community, with different designs catering to various vehicle styles.

Context of Regular Truck Nuts

For those unfamiliar, regular truck nuts are basically simulated scrotums that hang off the back of a truck. To provide some context, we've included some photos.

It's interesting to note that you can even get truck nuts for RC cars, as seen with RPM RC selling them for $7.95 each. The realism is quite creepy in some cases.

Truck nuts on a GMC Yukon also give an interesting visual effect. Ideally, the nuts would hang below the bumper with the attachment point hidden, creating a more natural look.

The Importance of Language in Truck Nuts

We often see truck nuts on trucks because of the way the English language works. "Truck" and "nut" both have a certain "uh" sound that makes "truck nuts" fun to say.

If they were called "car nards," we might see them on a wider range of vehicles like Nissan Altimas and Kia Seratos. But the language plays a significant role in shaping our perception of these accessories.

In any case, the creativity in the truck nuts fanbase is refreshing. It has breathed new life into an old joke, allowing people to continue having fun with their vehicles.