Famous Trucks: The Trucks of Baywatch

The Show: Baywatch

Baywatch is a hit action drama series revolving around the interpersonal relationships and professional happenings of lifeguards on busy California beaches. The show boasts a massive ensemble cast, as with most soap operas, though recurring characters include Lt. Mitch Buchannon (David Hasselhoff), Casey Jean Parker (Pamela Anderson), Caroline Holden (Yasmine Bleeth), Hobie Buchannon (Jeremy Jackson), and Michael “Newmie” Newman (Michael Newman). 

Though originally seen as a critically loathed flop, the original series ended up becoming the most-viewed television series in the world, running from 1989 to 1999. Its popularity spawned several spinoff series, including Baywatch Hawaii (1999–2001) and Baywatch Nights (1995–1997).

The Trucks (Original Series)

Throughout the original series, Baywatch featured several midsize pickup trucks, with a new model appearing essential every season. However, all trucks feature the same basic styling and design, including a vibrant yellow paint job, utility rack with emergency lights, red “LIFEGUARD” graphics along the bedsides, and “Los Angeles County Fire Department” door decals. 

The trucks appear in several sequences, like transporting the lifeguards to accident sites, transporting injured beachgoers, and more.

The Trucks (Baywatch Hawaii)

In the tropical spinoff series, lifeguards pilot similarly-styled midsize pickups—particularly Nissan Frontiers. While some trucks sport a similar yellow paint job, most feature an inverse colorway of red paint with yellow graphics.

The Trucks (Baywatch Nights)

Considering Baywatch Nights’ departure from the original television format in favor of a sleuthy, detective-style show, it features few, if any, lifeguard trucks. Instead, the cast cruises in several civilian trucks, including a 1985 Toyota Pickup, similar to Marty McFly’s in Back to the Future.

2017 Reboot: Baywatch

In 2017, Paramount Pictures released the action-comedy film Baywatch, based on the original series and characters. This reboot stars Dwayne Johnson as Mitch Buchannon, Zac Efron as Matt Brody, Kelly Rohrbach as Casey Jean Parker, and Alexandra Daddario as Summer Quinn. The team, in their new setting of Emerald Bay, Florida, fights to take down a local drug lord that threatens the sanctity of their beach. 

While a commercial success, the film fell flat to critics. However, that doesn’t say much, considering the beloved original series also did.

Build Your Own Baywatch-Inspired Truck

If you’ve ever pictured yourself running in slow motion on a warm, sunny Malibu beach, here’s your chance to take part in the action. In this section, we’re showcasing our recommended parts, accessories, and modifications to build your own Baywatch-inspired lifeguard truck.

Platform

Depending on the series and season, Baywatch uses countless makes and models of pickups. However, most are standard, civilian-issue midsize trucks, like the Ford Ranger, Chevy S10, and Toyota Pickup. These discrepancies work to our advantage, seeing as finding any clean midsize truck is far simpler than honing in on a particular make or model. 

In any case, we’d recommend finding an extended cab, four-wheel-drive variant of your favorite midsize truck in a period-correct generation.

Body

Depending on which series and season you're recreating, you may choose to decorate your Baywatch tribute truck’s body in a different paint finish or graphics. However, you’ll be limited to yellow paint for a classic experience or red for a Baywatch Hawaii tribute. 

After selecting your preferred color and season, consider sourcing a quality graphics shop for reproduction body decals, including the iconic “LIFEGUARD” text on each bedside and door insignia.

Wheels and Tires

All lifeguard trucks in the Baywatch franchise appear to be relatively stock, running stock alloy wheels and factory-sized tires. If your tribute truck isn’t sporting factory alloy wheels, consider replacing them with factory-inspired aftermarket wheels from OE Creations or OE Wheels. Wrap your preferred alloy wheels in high-quality all-terrain tires, like the Toyo Open Country A/T III Tires, for maximum traction on the street or in the sand.

Suspension

Baywatch lifeguard trucks appear to sit on factory-height suspension, which offers plenty of ground clearance in most flat, beachy areas. Still, some improvements can be made. For our Baywatch tribute, consider boosting handling with a set of premium aftermarket dampers, like Superlift Shadow Series shocks.

Bed Rack

In the rear, the lifeguard trucks in Baywatch feature slick, cab-height rack systems for loading surfboards, paddle boards, and other emergency supplies. For a modern take on this classic design, consider outfitting your tribute build with a premium RealTruck Elevate Rack. With a lightweight engineered aluminum construction and 250 lbs. of off-road weight capacity, the Elevate Rack is the perfect addition to a Baywatch build.

Auxiliary Lighting

Affixed to the rack of the lifeguard trucks are emergency light bars, similar to the kind found on construction vehicles and transit safety trucks. For a similar appearance, consider the Wolo Infinity Light Bar, featuring five halogen rotating lights, four flashing marker lights, two alley lights, and two takedown lights for maximum visibility.

Other Features

Aside from screen-correct red swim trunks and glasses, these are the key ingredients in building a screen-accurate tribute to Baywatch's lifeguard trucks.  

As always, we offer all the parts and know-how to piece together this build and countless others at RealTruck®. For additional information, check out the rest of our articles on RealSource, and don’t hesitate to contact the experts.