LokJaw works because the whole truck is built around one hard idea: make a classic ’66 Chevy C20 look right, then hit people with a powertrain they never saw coming. The patina, bags, wheels, split-bed details, and underhood finish get the first reaction. Then the hood opens and the real point lands—a supercharged L5P Duramax in a vintage pickup. That combination flips expectations fast, especially for people who assume they’re looking at a gas engine build. Even small details matter here, like the wheel fin design called out for pulling hot air out of the wheel area. It’s not shock value for its own sake. It’s a complete diesel build that shows what happens when styling, packaging, and engineering all point in the same direction.
The speakers react to the truck as a highly distinctive build, repeatedly emphasizing that it feels like a true one-off. Their comments focus on the overall execution rather than any single cosmetic trick: the stance, the proportions, the engine presentation, and the way the entire package comes together. The truck is described as something they would gladly drive every day, not only because it looks aggressive, but because it stands apart from typical custom builds.
A major part of the truck's appeal is its exterior treatment. The patina finish is singled out as especially effective, giving the build a deliberate, finished look rather than appearing unfinished or accidental. The truck's ride height, shown sitting low on air bags, also makes a strong impression. The wheels draw immediate attention, both for their appearance and for the engineering behind them. One speaker recalls seeing prior Banks material explaining how wheel-fin design can be used to help pull hot air away from the brakes or wheel area, and that detail stands out here as an example of functional design being integrated into the styling.
Beyond the truck itself, the discussion turns to what the build represents about Banks as an engineering company. The speakers contrast Banks with builders who are only trying to impress other enthusiasts, arguing that Banks is focused on advancing the industry through real technical development. Their reaction suggests that the truck is impressive not just because it is visually striking, but because it reflects a broader engineering mindset: continual refinement, experimentation, and the pursuit of better-performing solutions rather than superficial modifications.
Several details underneath and around the bodywork reinforce that impression. The exhaust system is described as especially aggressive and well executed, and the inner-fender work is praised for its level of finish. These comments indicate that the truck's craftsmanship extends beyond the obvious exterior surfaces. Rather than concentrating only on the visible body and paint, the build appears to carry the same level of attention into the supporting structure and packaging details.
The engine combination creates one of the strongest reactions in the conversation. At first glance, one speaker assumes the truck must be powered by an LS-based gasoline engine with a large blower, simply because the visual presentation does not match what people normally expect from a diesel. Another says he suspected it might be a Detroit Diesel, but not a newer Duramax. The reveal that it is a Duramax-based setup, specifically an L5P, makes the truck even more surprising because it breaks from familiar diesel performance formulas.
What truly sets the powertrain apart is the use of a supercharger on the L5P Duramax. The speakers note that this is not the kind of modification most people would even consider on a modern Duramax platform. One comment points out that these engines already come with a billet compressor wheel in the turbo system, yet Banks chose to move in a completely different direction by removing the expected arrangement and installing a supercharger instead. That decision is treated as evidence of unconventional thinking and a willingness to explore combinations that others would dismiss or never attempt.
The truck's fabricated body features also receive attention. The split-bed design is specifically praised, suggesting that the bed has been modified for access, display, or packaging in a way that is both functional and visually interesting. The hood latch arrangement is also called out as a standout detail. These elements contribute to the sense that the truck was engineered as a complete system, with custom access solutions and mechanical presentation considered alongside performance hardware.
When the hood is opened, the reaction is that the engine bay delivers exactly the kind of impact the exterior promises. The supercharged diesel layout is described as something people would not expect to see, and that surprise is a major part of the truck's appeal. The visual drama of the induction system, combined with the unusual diesel application, makes the engine compartment one of the defining features of the build. For at least one speaker, seeing this truck is enough to reinforce plans for a Duramax swap into an OBS truck, simply because the concept looks so compelling in execution.
By the end of the exchange, the excitement shifts from broad admiration to specific mechanical curiosity. After taking in the truck's exterior, fabrication, and supercharged L5P engine, one speaker asks to discuss the clutch. That final pivot suggests that the build is not merely a showpiece; it raises practical questions about how the driveline is configured to handle the powertrain and how the truck functions as a complete performance machine.