Ford Teases F-150s Built for SEMA
For those who customize their cars or trucks, the annual SEMA show in Las Vegas is their mecca. It’s not just the aftermarket suppliers that show off their goods—manufacturers have their own displays. This year, Ford is planning on bringing over 50 vehicles to the show. The company has already shown off the customized Rangers and souped-up Super Duties that will be making an appearance. And now, Ford is showing a small selection of the F-150s that will be at SEMA.
Ford Accessories F-150 Lariat Sport Crew Cab with Black Appearance Package
The Ford F-150 Lariat is the mid-level trim on the F-150, above the XL and XLT but below the King Ranch/Platinum and Limited. Standard features include a larger touchscreen for Ford’s Sync system, as well as a host of driver-assistance and safety technologies. This particular F-150 Lariat has a long name, but an equally extensive list of modifications.
Although the Lariat trim gives buyers the option of Ford’s 5.0-liter V8, this particular F-150 Lariat is equipped with the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6. A Ford Performance Borla cat-back exhaust is the only modification. But engine tuning wasn’t the point of this build.
The suspension is upgraded with the Ford Performance Fox off-road leveling kit. This raises the F-150 Lariat by 2”, improving ground clearance as well as break-over angle. Raising the ride height makes more of the off-road trail visible, but what if it’s dark? Ford thought of that and fitted upgraded Ford Performance and Rigid LED lighting. The 22” wheels and Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ P3 tires round out the off-road modifications.
The wheels and tires are part of the Black Appearance Package, which makes its debut here. The package also includes black and smoky chromed Ford badges. The exterior also features custom splatter graphics.
The best part of this build is that prospective buyers can recreate it themselves. Almost everything, except for the splatter graphics and color-keyed interior accents, is available in the Ford Performance catalog.
J Robert Marketing and Attitude Performance Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew FX4
Although J Robert Marketing and aftermarket modifier Attitude Performance have their name on this truck, the real stars are Black Rifle Coffee Co and Kryptek Outdoor Group. The latter two are companies owned and operated by veterans, who helped create this F-150. CPV Paint & Graphics and Soundz Plus were also key build partners.
Ford has not stated which engine is under the hood. However, the exhaust is, again, the Borla cat-back unit. The truck was also treated to a BDS Suspension 6” lift kit, and the shocks were replaced with Fox 2.5 remote reservoir coil-overs. The F-150 now rides on KMC XD DemoDog 20” wheels and Interco SS M-16 tires.
The combination of new wheels, tires, and suspension also meant the build team could enhance off-road capability further. The fender flares and both front and rear bumpers are from Warn Industries, with a Warn winch at the front. There’s a Yakima Load Warrior basket rack on the roof, as well as Rigid off-road LED lights. The camouflage vinyl graphics are courtesy of Obskura-Nox Kryptek.
Even the interior has been prepped for off-road adventures. The seats are covered in Katzkin leather and there’s a Rockford Fosgate sound system. There are Cobra Electronics radios and electronic accessories, all linked to a Switch Pros panel that controls all the other accessories, too. There’s even an Indel B fridge. It’s a real off-road warrior.
DRAGG Ford F-150 Lariat Sport SuperCrew 4×4 “Desert Defender”
Off-roading can be dangerous. King of the Hammers racers, for instance, have to carry enough food, water, and medical supplies to survive on their own for 24 hours. The KOH race may want to consider a support truck like this.
DRAGG stands for Drag Racing Against Gangs & Graffiti, a non-profit automotive after-school program that focuses youthful energy onto cars instead of more destructive pastimes. The build team behind “The Desert Defender” created this truck for mobbing off-road while providing essential first responder services.
Performance has been increased via a Ford Performance supercharger, cold-air intake, and Borla cat-back exhaust. A BDS Suspension 6” lift kit has been installed, as well as Fox race series shocks, Wilwood Performance brakes, and DSM&T Co. harnesses. The wheels are 20” Fifteen 52 TurboMacs, and the tires are BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2s. And the off-road mods don’t stop there.
There’s a Warn recovery kit, rock slider side steps, and a steel powder-coated chase rack for additional accessories. These include all the lights. The chase rack has rock lighting and a light bar, in addition to the Rigid LED light bar on the front bumper. This is in addition to the West Coast Lights & Sirens police lighting package. The bumpers themselves are from Addictive Desert Design and have Diablo bumper shackles for when things need to get dragged. And for when the driver has to announce said dragging, they can use the police radio system (also from West Coast Lights & Sirens). Or they can blast tunes from the Kicker Audio subwoofer and amp.
And to make sure the Desert Defender fits in with the sand, it’s been custom-wrapped by Ford Vehicle Personalization. Trim accents in the interior are colored to match.
