If you had a blank check to build a classic truck into the ultimate off-road machine, what would you create? For Andrew Knudsen, the answer was this Ford F100. By his own admission, there's not much left unmodified, but the timeless style and character of the classic F-Series is still clearly visible. Beneath that, it has a custom tube chassis, long-travel suspension, 40-inch tires, an 830-horsepower V8, and a surprisingly luxurious (yet highly functional) interior.
No Expenses Spared
In an interview with Autotopia LA, who documented this build in a recent video on their YouTube channel, Knudsen said he bought this truck as an unfinished project. Some of the chromoly steel tube chassis and suspension work was completed, including the massive reinforced control arms, but it was far from a drivable state.
Above: the rear of the truck features two complete spare wheels and a huge 90-gallon fuel tank, both necessities for long-range off-road racing in the desert. There's also an onboard jack, of course.
Knudsen took the chassis to Geiser Bros Design & Development in Phoenix, AZ to complete the build. There, the drivetrain, body, interior, and electronics were completed to reach the impressive state seen here.
Taking a closer look at this truck reveals an extremely tough, purpose-built setup that's capable of high-speed runs through the desert over washboard roads and jumps. It features massive 4.5-inch King shocks — the largest the company offers — with huge remote reservoirs and hydraulic bump stops. According to Knudsen, suspension travel is more than 24 inches up front and 36 inches in the rear to soak up bumps effortlessly.
Huge 40-inch BF Goodrich tires and Method Race Wheels sit at all four corners, backed by Jamar Performance brakes. Extra-wide flared fenders and bedsides from McQueen Fiberglass wrap around the oversized wheels. The SuperCab is still original to this 1979 F100, and the grille and lighting were converted to an earlier 1973-75 F100 design using original-style parts.
With all this suspension work, the F100 needed an equally extreme powertrain. Knudsen chose a heavily modified 596ci LS V8 that produces over 830 horsepower and 800 ft-lbs of torque. For better weight distribution and suspension clearance, the engine is set back much closer to the firewall. It's paired with a 4L80e transmission with a manual valve body.
While the interior on this type of truck is often little more than bucket seats and a bare metal dashboard, Knudsen opted for a much more luxurious setup. It features a custom-fabricated dash and center console with all the comforts of a resto-modded truck: Vintage Air climate control, touchscreen GPS navigation, power windows, cupholders, and leather-wrapped seats.
Still, some components make it clear this is a truck built for off-road racing. The Momo steering wheel, dual MoTec gauge screens, auxiliary switch panels, and mandatory headsets for noise reduction and radio communications are what you'd find in a pro Baja race vehicle.
Check out the video below from AutotopiaLA to see this truck in action. It's no garage queen — Knudsen shows off its capabilities with some impressive powerslides.
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