In time for SEMA, Vaughn Gittin Jr’s RTR Labs have cooked up an extra-special concept – the Ford F-150 Muscle Truck.
Using the newly-restyled 2018 F-150 Crew Cab with a 5.0L V8 under the hood as its starting point, the mad scientists at RTR have created a pickup that’s designed to be at as at home off-road as it is on the streets.
Rather than tweaking the EcoBoost V6 as most aftermarket companies have done, RTR Labs grabs the venerable 5.0L V8 by the scruff of its neck and hauls it all the way up to 600 horsepower. Your humble author heartily approves of this decision, as a hairy-chested V8 rumble beats a V6 exhaust note any day of the week.
“Expanding RTR into the Ford F-150 model has been a goal since day one,” said RTR head honcho Gitten Jr. “This Is just one of the multiple F-150 RTR models we expect to release through Ford dealers in 2018. Stay tuned!”
The long-travel coilover suspension has been specially tuned by RTR to provide longer travel than stock and a low, aggressive stance. Paired with natty RTR Tech 6 Off-Road wheels are a set of gnarly 33-inch Nitto Ridge Grappler tires.
RTR’s signature LED-outlined twin-nostril grille which appears on its modified Mustangs has been adapted to the F-150, creating a unique look that’s sure to get noticed. A new F-150 Exterior Design Package developed by the company adds fender flares and special RTR badging to round out the visual treats.
Existing as much more than just a sticker-and-styling company, the RTR facility houses a state-of-the-art motorsports shop and assembles racecar for the Formula Drift World Championship. Back in July, RTR dropped hints about this Muscle Truck, releasing a video of a modified F-150 tearing across a proving ground and taking flight over some sweet jumps.
The F-150 RTR Muscle Truck Concept will be joining the existing Mustang RTR line, which has been providing turnkey Mustang enhancements to customers for the last six years, and launching at this year’s SEMA Show in the Ford Display. Pricing and power specifics for the upcoming F-150 RTR and Mustang RTR production vehicles will be announced in the future.
The SEMA Show runs from October 31st to November 3rd at the Las Vegas Convention Centre.