How You Can Turn a Pickup Into a Mini 18-Wheeler With an XS Big Rig Kit

Have you ever wanted a semi-truck… that isn’t actually a semi? If that sounds like your kind of idea, there’s a pretty wild solution out there. For adults with some cash to spare who still remember dreaming big as kids, these conversion kits might deserve a spot on your wish list.

Forget road trips to places like Mt. Rushmore or cruising Route 66 in an old beater. Those things can wait. This is more about doing something for yourself now — turning that childhood obsession with big rigs into something you can actually park in your driveway.

Tennessee-based Lil Big Rig is behind this whole niche world. The company builds kits that transform regular pickup trucks into scaled-down “XS” 18-wheelers. The results look like miniature versions of real highway haulers.

Their first kit, called the Lil’ Kenny, is designed to work with 1973–1987 full-size Chevrolet pickups, as well as two-wheel-drive Dodge 1500 and 2500 trucks from 1994 to 2003.

Then there’s the Lil’ Pete, which fits 1994–1998 Ford F-250 and F-350 two-wheel-drive trucks equipped with the 7.3-liter diesel engine.

You don’t even have to hunt down a donor truck yourself. The company can source one for you, though of course that adds to the total cost.

Speaking of money — this is where things get interesting.

The base Lil’ Pete kit starts at about $17,950. Fully loaded with options, it climbs to roughly $38,550. That’s not exactly pocket change — it’s close to the price of two entry-level compact cars — but for the right buyer, the appeal is obvious.

The Lil’ Kenny is slightly cheaper. It starts at around $18,950, with top-spec builds reaching about $26,460. It may cost less, but it doesn’t quite have the same road presence as the miniature Peterbilt-style build.

Optional upgrades include extra windows, chrome exhaust stacks, sleeper cab doors, air conditioning, mirrors, gauges, a tandem axle setup, and even pre-installed wiper systems.

If you’re serious about building one, the company meets customers at its shop in Nashville — but only by appointment.

There’s also a growing online community of owners who’ve already built their own XS rigs. They share tips and help troubleshoot installs in a private Facebook group, keeping things fairly low-key and away from casual onlookers.

At the end of the day, this isn’t a cheap hobby. But it’s also not something most people can say they’ve done. Owning a mini Kenworth-style or Peterbilt-inspired truck is about as niche as it gets.

And sure, it’s easy to joke about future grandkids and driveway bragging rights — but these builds do tend to become conversation pieces. Whether it’s local car shows, parades, or even holiday events, a scaled-down big rig tends to get attention wherever it goes.

Just maybe think twice before sinking that money in — unless a mini semi-truck is really worth more to you than the stock market.