Ford F-150 bakkie gets the Mil-Spec treatment (including extra oomph!)

By: CAR magazine

Mil-Spec Automotive, a US-based firm specialising in beefing up Hummer H1s, has now turned its attention to the Ford F-150, with the folks over at the Michigan-based tuner handing the pick-up an off-road kit, upgraded suspension and extra oomph.

Employing an uprated version of the F-150’s naturally aspirated 5,0-litre Coyote V8 which, as standard, churns out 295 kW, the modified pick-up directs a whopping 373 kW (when using 91 octane) to the (now upgraded) front and rear axles via the Blue Oval brand’s ten-speed automatic transmission. The company does, however, not mention whether there’s been an increase in torque. Mil-Spec Automotive claims the 2,6-tonne pick-up will dash to the 60 mph (96 km/h) marker from standstill in 5,7 seconds, before topping out at 177 km/h.

Other tweaks in the engine bay includes an “oversized” high-flow performance cold-air intake, a high-flow performance throttle body and software updates for improved throttle response. A cat-back exhaust setup is part of the package, too, while the stock 98-litre fuel tank can be upgraded to a 136-litre item. Black Rhino Arsenal alloys, measuring 20 inches all-round, are wrapped in thick Nittor Ridge Grippier rubber.

The Mil-Spec-modified F-150 is priced from $85 000 which, at the current dollar-to-rand exchange rate, equates to around R1,6-million.

However, if you wish to “take your truck to the next level”, Mil-Spec Automotive offer two additional packages. The first is the Baja suspension kit, which includes items such as Fox 3.0 long-travel performance shocks, wider tracks and lower control arms. Specifying this kit will set you back some $6 000 (around R113 000). Option the Baja appearance pack and for an additional $8 500 (R160 000), Mil-Spec Automotice will equip your F-150 with a front bumper-mounted 39-inch LED light bar; low-profile roof rack, replete with 50-inch LED light bar; and a spare-tyre carrier.

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