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2019 Ford F-150 Platinum Gets Menacing V8 Raptor Treatment
That's one way to get a new Raptor with V8 power.
Usually, when you hear about a V8 conversion on a second-generation Ford F-150 Raptor, it involves an engine swap. Texas-based aftermarket company PaxPower loves the F-150, but instead of plugging a V8 into an EcoBoost-powered Raptor, this company plugs Raptor body and suspension components into V8-powered F-150 trim levels. The subject of this particular build is an F-150 Platinum model, equipped with snazzy creature comforts like massaging leather seats, power moonroof, and a 5.0-liter V8 under the hood. From there, however, things get a bit crazy.
This truck looks nothing like a luxurious Platinum model, nor does it even look like a typical Raptor. There’s a good reason for both observations, starting with the fact that PaxPower replaces most of the Platinum’s body panels with Raptor-specific items. However, not everything is Ford direct – the fenders and bedsides are aftermarket components that measure three inches wider, hence the not-quite-a-Raptor widebody look.
The F-150’s underpinnings are also a mix of Raptor bits and aftermarket upgrades. Beefier front suspension arms work with adjustable shocks to provide improved ride and handling depending on terrain. The Raptor’s rear leaf springs are swapped for a set that offers a better progressive rate with increased travel. Updated tie-rod ends help dial-in this F-150’s steering. Aggressive tires look ready to shred unsuspecting boulders, and a brake upgrade works to keep it all in check. The result is a truck that should conquer high-speed trails even better than the factory Raptor, especially when you see what’s under the hood.
This Platinum edition pickup came with a 5.0-liter Coyote V8 already hooked to a 10-speed automatic, but PaxPower bumps output to 700-horsepower (522-kilowatt) thanks to a hefty supercharger upgrade. The company says it even maintains a 3-year/36,000-mile engine warranty, though if such things don’t concern you, there’s also a 758-hp (565-kW) package.
In its announcement, PaxPower says this F-150 Platinum/Raptor build has a retail price of $125,000. That’s a hefty sum, but a fully-optioned F-150 Platinum by itself gets close $70,000, and there's definitely a market for custom-built, six-figure pickup trucks. This one looks properly equipped to attack country trails with legit Raptor speed while providing a comfortable ride home.
