Raptor ‘factory’ takes flight
Customized Ford F150 gets a lift, upgraded tech and exterior flares
Since its release, the 2017 Ford SVT Raptor has been a hot item at B.C. dealerships.
To meet that demand, Brown Bros. Ford racing division has fired up a ‘Raptor factory’ to produce its own customized version of the Raptor, based on a 2017 F150 XLT Supercrew 4x4 FX4.
Power comes from a factory installed 3.5-litre V6 Ecoboost engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The motor produces 375 horsepower at 5,750 r.p.m. with 470 pound feet of torque, while the transmission is designed to save fuel during everyday driving. Shifting more often means less time putting the twin turbos through their paces. Save that for the off-road.
The convenience package includes backup sensors, rear-view camera, power sliding rear window, remote starter, 400-watt power inverter and LED box lighting. The factory installed voice-activated navigation system displayed on the 4.2inch screen plots your desired drive route, but won’t work when you yell “get me out of this mud hole.”
Here’s where the customization comes in. Brown Bros.’s in-house tech department, featuring Ford factory trained mechanics, install a four-inch Zone suspension lift with off-road shocks to enhance the truck’s abilities off-road. Like the Raptor’s factory shocks, this suspension upgrade is designed to absorb the terrain without catapulting the truck in either direction, and will also give you a firm but smooth ride on-road.
The exhaust is upgraded with a Magnaflow performance system that not only improves performance but sounds great, too. The grille is replaced with an aftermarket Raptor grille that looks right at home on this truck. Also up front, an Addictive desert design front bumper is added with Rigid LED lights across the front. Night becomes day with this many lights. You can start to see the Baja race-inspired vehicle starting to claw its way out.
Bushwacker flares provide ideal coverage for the new Toyo MT 35X12.5X18 tires with 18x9 Fuel Maverick wheels. (I have owned a set of these tires and found them to be terrific on and off-road.) The tires increase your ground clearance and give you much more ability to climb over obstacles such as rocks, falling trees or that futon bed you dragged to the curb.
The interior is not overlooked, with the addition of Katzkin leather seats with custom stitching. Add that to the already great factory interior and you have yourself a sweet ride.
The 5.5-foot truck box is covered by a Bakflip matte black tonneau cover that can open in two sections to allow larger items to be transported.
The price for this unique pickup available only through the Vancouver-based dealership is $75,607.