The Ford F-150 is designed for Americans looking for a durable full-size pickup truck with strong towing and payload capacity, a wide range of powerful engine options, strong off-road capability, comfort, and cutting-edge technology. clearly a rational choice for consumers. All these features combine to make it such a great and highly regarded half ton truck. But every once in a while, Ford (or a custom car manufacturer, as in the case of the Tonka F-150 and the 2019 Harley-Davidson F-150) goes the extra mile to introduce something a little more special than the . Regular “F-150” model.
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The history of special edition Ford F-150 trucks began with the Night Package, which debuted in 1991 as a single-color option (featuring black paint and blue-to-purple striped trim). Regular cab, four-wheel drive XLT Lariat trim. Since then, special edition models have become a big part of the F-150’s heritage, to the point that they now symbolize much of what the F-150 stands for. All of Ford’s F-150 special edition models are great fun in their own right, but a select few tickle our fancy a little more than others.
Ford F-150 SVT Lightning
The Ford F-150 SVT Lightning was the first in a series of Ford muscle trucks. Introduced in 1993, for the first time, Ford truck owners could experience top-level performance and practical features in one package. Launched from 1993 to 1995, the first F-150 SVT Lightning generation was powered by a naturally aspirated 5.8-liter Windsor V8 engine designed for a more aggressive driving experience from 0 to 60 mph. , with 240 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque on tap. According to MotorTrend, it got there in 7.2 seconds. And while its power output is hardly adequate by modern standards, it was impressive for its time. For context, most other 1993 Ford F-150 models were powered by a 4.9-liter inline six-cylinder engine that produced 145 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. In fact, even the much-hyped GMC Cyclone truck only produced 40 horsepower and 10 pounds more torque than the F-150 SVT Lightning, which has 280 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.
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Still, while it may ultimately mean that bragging rights were usurped by bow tie enthusiasts, there was more to the original Ford F-150 SVT Lightning than just power (even though the second-generation Ford Even though the SVT Lightning later increased output to 360-380) horses, 440-450 lb-ft). This half-ton pickup truck was equipped with an enhanced suspension system with front coil and rear leaf springs, Formula GP shocks, front and rear sway bars, and Firestone Firehawk P275/60HT-70 radial tires. The results were clear. It is a full-size truck that handles more like a passenger car than other trucks in its class. In keeping with its sporty image, the SVT Lightning also features a unique Lightning badge and bucket seats with electrically adjustable side and lumbar support. A total of 11,563 first-generation F-150 Lightnings were sold between their introduction in December 1992 and final production discontinuation in 1995.
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Ford F-150 Raptor
The Ford F-150 Raptor needs no introduction. It is well known for its rugged off-road ability, aggressive stance, and especially its robust engine that delivers high performance. When the original Raptor arrived in 2010, it quickly became one of the most powerful F-150 models ever, thanks to the availability of a 411-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine shared with the F-Series Super Duty. Ta. The standard engine for 2010 was a 310-hp, 365-lb-ft 5.4-liter Triton V8, which was discontinued for the 2011 model year, leaving a 6.2-liter V8 as the only engine choice. In addition to its powerful engine, the F-150 SVT Raptor is made even more special by a unique suspension setup that includes front coilovers and rear leaf springs and Fox Racing shock absorbers, offering the following benefits: Improved shock absorption and stability.
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Raptor’s capabilities further grew with the introduction of the second generation model in 2017. Ford introduced a new aluminum body that reduced the truck’s total weight by more than 500 pounds. A new 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine delivers 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Fox also made several other changes to enhance the Raptor’s off-road capabilities, including adding 17-inch aluminum wheels with BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A K02 tires, while also increasing the diameter of the Fox shocks. increased from 2.5 inches to 3.0 inches. Ford has once again made significant suspension upgrades, along with other changes, for the third generation of the Raptor, which launches in 2021. But the biggest news so far was the introduction of the Ford F-150 Raptor R, with increased power output to a powerful 700 horsepower. It delivers 640 pound-feet of torque thanks to a 5.2-liter supercharged Predator V8 engine lifted from the Mustang Shelby GT500.
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Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition
You expect a collaboration between powerful brands like Ford and Harley-Davidson to create something truly special, and the Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition did not disappoint. The F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition was first launched in August 1999 prior to the 2000 model year. It came standard with the same 5.4-liter Triton V8 as the aforementioned second-generation F-150 SVT Lightning, but with less power at 260 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. But thanks to the SALEEN supercharged 5.4L Triton V8, power output increased over the years, reaching 450 horsepower and 500 pound-feet by 2007.
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Additionally, this truck features unique features and styling, including ebony black leather seats with Harley-Davidson badged seatbacks, a chrome steering column stalk, a “billet”-type grille, and a hard-shell tonneau cover. There was a hint. Similarly, the 2000 F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition was the first production F-150 with 20-inch wheels. It also features a tuned muffler sourced from SVT Lightning, as well as dual chrome 3.5-inch “slash-cut” exhaust tips, a 1.0-inch lowered suspension, and a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio for improved traction, acceleration, and off-road performance. I did. .
(Featured image by Matti Blume (MB-one) via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY-SA 3.0)
Ford F-150 Foos Edition
If you’ve ever wondered why the original F-150 SVT Raptor wasn’t considered the most powerful F-150 model back in 2010, despite pumping out a blistering 411 horsepower, that’s because That’s because Chip Foose’s F-150 has since taken the record and has had a firm grip on it ever since. Its introduction was in 2007. Already equipped with the 445-horsepower Stage 3 F-150 Specialty Package, though, the Raptor wouldn’t have sniffed that title even without the Foose Edition. The vehicle in question was another Roush-developed 5.4-liter V8 behemoth with a supercharger and intercooler that produced 450 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful truck in the world at the time. That was enough to make it a half-ton truck. market.
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The Ford F-150 Foose Edition is the result of a partnership between Ford and legendary car designer Chip Foose and is based on the Ford F-150 FX2 Sport. Unique features include a lowered body kit accentuated by large flares and eye-catching custom rocker panels, polished 22-inch Foose wheels shod with P275/45R22 Pirelli tires, and exclusive to Foose with special grille and bumper Front fascia includes Ford Racing. Exhaust system, leather center console, “Foose” embroidered floor mats, and more. Only 500 Ford F-150 Foose Edition trucks were ever built, making it one of the rarest F-150 models.
Ford F-150 Tonka
Often, as we grow older, the toys that once captured our interest become relics of the past, leaving us with only memories and nostalgia. However, nostalgia is a powerful thing, and Tonka trucks are no ordinary toy. Elkhart-based Tuscan Automotive Company saw fit to capitalize on their popularity and bring these toys to life, resulting in outrageous life-size models with plenty of power and modern equipment. The Tonka Special Edition Ford F-150 is born. The Shelby supercharged 5.0-liter V8 matches the Raptor R’s 700 horsepower, which is more than the 385 horsepower of the regular 2016 F-150 model’s naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8.
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It also features, among other things, uniquely tuned heavy-duty performance shocks, a 6-inch suspension lift, 20-inch black wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich All-Terrain KO2 325/60R20 tires, Tonka yellow brake calipers, and a performance exhaust. It’s a feature. Dual black tips. The interior of the special edition car featured everything from leather seats with yellow “Tonka” embroidered on the headrests to custom floor mats with yellow Tonka logos. Tuscan Automotive Company originally planned to produce 200 Tonka Special Edition Ford F-150s in 2016, but in the end only 128 were produced.
Ford F-150 Dallas Cowboys Edition
While we may prefer the stripped-down F-150 styling, the 2016 Ford F-150 Dallas Cowboys Edition boasts a stunning silver exterior finish enhanced with subtle and unique details in its profile. , that’s exactly what it says. The color complements the Dallas Cowboys silver helmet. This truck, based on the F-150 XLT with a chrome package, was intended to commemorate the opening of the Ford Center at Star Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
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Stands out with details like blue, white and blue rocker panel stripes, 20-inch chrome wheels with Cowboys star center caps, Cowboys star logos on the front doors and tailgate, a molded heavy-duty bed mat, and chrome. I am. Footplates and floor mats. Performance-wise, the Ford F-150 Dallas Cowboys Edition was available with a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 that produced 385 horsepower and 387 pound-feet of torque. A total of 400 Ford F-150 Dallas Cowboys Editions were built, each with a base price of $41,925.