In the chrome-saturated environment of the SEMA show in Vegas, many people didn't give this understated black F-150 a second glance. However, truck lovers with a keen technical eye were left speechless when they eyeballed this Ford. The reason? It harbors a multitude of cool modifications including a prerun-ready independent rear suspension (IRS).
FST Motorsports engineer Torrey Porter was inspired to build this F-150 for his boss, Mark Dye, after watching (ahem) rental IRS-equipped Ford Expedition SUVs being used as chase vehicles at off-road races. Impressed by their handling and ability to absorb abuse, he worked with FST Motorsports fabricator Brian Mead to create this very unusual IRS-equipped machine.
Clearly, this F-150 is all clean and pretty in these photos, but the team at FST says that won't last long because the vehicle will immediately be put to use as a chase vehicle for their off-road racing team.
The exterior of the 5.4L-powered Ford is tastefully customized with a variety of functional items. A pair of Trailer Products fiberglass fenders, a Reflexxions steel hood, and a pair of custom electric side steps starts off the list. FST Motorsports created the cool front prerunner bar/winch mount/skidplate combo as well as the rear bumper. Both ends of the F-150 sport a Superwinch S9000 winch and KC off-road lights. Finally, the left front fender sports custom graphics by Arizona Design. | 
Because the framerail measurements of the '05 F-150 are identical to the framerail measurements of the '05 Expedition, the guys at FST were able to cut the rear of the solid-axle suspension frame from the F-150 and replace it with the IRS frame and suspension from the Expedition. Once in place, the guys at FST designed a custom 4-inch suspension lift using Bilstein struts. They also upgraded the rear trailing links with custom FST 7075 aircraft-aluminum trailing links that feature QA1 spherical rod ends. FST says that the IRS now generates more than 10 inches of suspension travel. | 
A Fabtech 6-inch IFS coilover suspension kit was modified by the guys at FST Motorsports to produce 4 inches of lift, while retaining the full range of suspension travel. They also beefed up the steering with custom FST 7075 aircraft-aluminum-grade tie rods that feature QA1 spherical rod ends. The front differential was regeared to 4.56:1 by West Coast Differentials to handle the larger-diameter 35x12.50-17 Goodyear CORR-spec tires. The wheels are factory-spec, but they've been beefed for abuse with Champion bead locks. To enhance their durability, they've been coated with Goodrich Technologies' tough, new PermaStar finish. |
Blasting across the desert requires spare tires, extra fuel, and recovery equipment. Oh, and cold drinks. Naturally, it's mandatory that all of these items be securely fastened to the truck, so the guys at FST designed secure, quick-release mounts for all of the bed-mounted items. The back of their truck contains a Hi-Lift jack, a cooler, a pair of CORR-spec spare tires, two 10-gallon fuel cans, and a floor jack. | 
Inside the truck is a custom FST-fabbed four-point rollcage. One of its unique features is that it was designed to be unobtrusive and almost invisible to passengers. The interior also features five Icon TV LCD video monitors as well as a significant amount of Car Toyz-installed MTX audio equipment. Finally, the seats feature custom suede inlays by Interstate Custom Interiors. | |
The Dirt
General
Owner: Mark Dye, Phoenix, Arizona
Vehicle/Model: '05 Ford F-150
Estimated Value: $75,000
Engine
Type: 5.4L OHV V-8
Aspiration: Fuel injection (a Whipple supercharger is on its way), custom FST 3.5-inch after-cat exhaust
Output, hp and torque: N/A
Drivetrain
Transmission: 4R75E
Transfer case: Two-speed
Suspension
Front: IFS, modified 6-inch Fabtech coilover kit producing 4 inches of lift
Rear: Ford Expedition IRS, custom FST 4-inch-lift kit with Bilstein replacement struts and FSTaluminum trailing links with QA1 spherical rod ends.
Axles/Differentials
Front: Stock differential, FST aluminum tie rods with QA1 spherical rod ends
Rear: Stock Ford Expeditiondifferential
Ring-and-pinion: 4.56:1, West Coast Differentials
Wheels/Tires
Wheels: 17x8 Ford wheels with Champion bead locks and Goodrich Technologies PermaStar finish
Tires: 35x12.50-17 Goodyear CORR-spec