Even big pickup enthusiasts might not know what a 'deleted truck' is, but you'll have definitely seen one

Even the biggest pickup enthusiasts won’t know what a deleted truck is, but you’ve probably seen one before.

A deleted truck isn’t one that’s invisible to the naked eye or one with scratched-off serial numbers, but it actually has to do with emissions controls.

The removal or ‘deletion’ of these controls is what gives them their name. Yet to the naked eye, there would be no way in which to identify one.

Yet a deleted truck can feel like a different animal altogether, and you would likely know what it was if you got behind the wheel of one.

DISCOVER OUR SUPERCAR AUCTION SITE – View live auctions on SBX Cars

What makes a pickup a deleted truck?

The term deleted refers to the emissions control systems in diesel-powered pickup trucks.

Or rather, it refers to the removal of them on a diesel pickup.

Deleted trucks have had various systems added.

These include the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system, and the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system that uses DEF (diesel exhaust fluid).

All of which keep emissions at acceptable levels.

The removal of those control systems can completely transform one of the vehicles.

Doing so can unlock more power, make a pickup more reliable, and even increase the engine volume.

It is an interesting modification, and not one many owners willingly talk about.

That’s because the changes to the law made in the late 2000s made modifying pickups in any way illegal.

Deleted trucks are shrouded in secrecy

Truck ‘deletion’ began in 2007, after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began targeting diesel emissions with new regulations.

That required all diesel pickups, like the Chevrolet Silverado, to ship from the factory with all the above emissions control systems.

Adding those systems also effectively outlawed owners from modifying their pickups for more power.

Those who regularly use trucks for towing or hauling large loads say they noticed how they felt less ‘punchy’ following the new rules.

Even with modifications outlawed, owners simply kept on modifying their vehicles in secrecy.

However, tampering with any of the emissions control systems is a violation of American federal laws.

That could lead to huge fines of up to $5,000 for every part tampered with.

So while you may want to keep modifying your pickup, sometimes it is best to err on the side of caution.

DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie