The 5.4L Triton V-8 benefits from an AEM Brute Force air-intake system, 3-inch-diameter Dynomax after-cat exhaust, and Edge Evolution programmer that is said to help create 35 more horsepower and 50 lb-ft of torque.
Mark Schleipfer of Marble Hill, Missouri, is a fan of fullsized American iron. As a matter of fact, the 39-year-old New Business Development Coordinator at JD Motorsports has built several rockin' rigs in his lifetime, and the majority of them have worn the nameplates of the Big Three. His latest creation is this capable '06 Ford F-150 Super Crew, and it could be one of his best yet.
This truck was designed to be a "full service race/event support vehicle with all the modern features and comforts in mind." With that said, Schleipfer designed it to handle the grueling task of supporting an off-road racing team (which it did at the '06 Baja 1000). Building a rig like this from stock was a challenge, because in addition to carrying hundreds of pounds of critical tools and supplies, the truck had to be completely self-sufficient in the brutal Baja terrain. In addition to these weighty tasks, the F-150 had to be flexible enough to remain Schleipfer's daily driver. This meant it had to retain its manners on-road as it hauled him, his wife Margaret, and their family during day-to-day travels. Ultimately, Schleipfer created a truck that's flexible enough to do it all.
Strong exterior lighting was a priority for the workhorse F-150. There are nine forward-facing KC HiLiTES on the Road Armor front bumper, while six KC HiLiTES illuminate the back of the rig. In addition, there's a Whelen lightbar on the roof. Other exterior mods include a Reflexxions steel cowl hood, Superwinch front-mounted S9000 and rear-mounted EP 12.5 winches, Smittybilt rear bumper protector, ATC fiberglass bed cover, and ATS Designs fender flares and running boards. A Westin cargo rack mounted on the hard bedcover holds a spare tire and wheel as well as a Hi-Lift Jack and shovel. The folks at the Bigfoot 4x4 paint shop designed and applied the tribal and skull graphics over the stock Gun Metal Grey paint. The rig rolls on 35x12.50 BFGoodrich Baja tires mounted on 17x10 Weld Dune 6 Pro Crusher wheels.
The team at Custom Differentials beefed the rear Ford 9.75-inch axle for severe duty with a 1/4-inch steel weld-on truss. They also added a pair of custom traction bars to keep the rear axle planted, a Detroit Truetrac to improve traction, and a Mag Hytec diff cover to increase fluid capacity and keep the oil cooler. The rear suspension was lifted 6 inches by the folks at FST using custom-built Dunbar Spring long-travel springs and spacer blocks. They installed Fabtech Dirt Logic 2.25 remote-reservoir shocks and Fabtech Dirt Logic 2.25 hydraulic bumpstops as well as a pair of limiting straps so the rear suspension doesn't over-extend. The rear brakes were upgraded with SSBC's Short Stop slotted rotor kit with new pads.
A Contractor Grade BedSlide is mounted in the cargo bed. Its tough design and 1,200-pound capacity means that it serves as a secure mounting point for a number of mandatory off-highway items like a Powertank, a ViAir compressor and tank, a fire extinguisher, recovery equipment, and a Craftsman floor jack and jackstands. Also mounted in the bed is a Whistler 2,000-watt power inverter and a pair of Odyssey auxiliary batteries that supplement the Odyssey battery mounted underhood. | 
The inside of the truck resembles an electronics store. There's a Motorola two-way radio, a Uniden scanner, a Cobra CB, and a Whelen switch box and lightbar controllers. Aaron Hill at JCS Tel/Link installed a massive A/V system sporting components from Jensen, Audiovox, and Kicker. Other interior mods include a Lowrance Baja 480 GPS, a Whistler WGPX 635 navigation unit, a Whistler radar warning system, a Whelen center console, and a Superior dash trim kit. | 
The team at FST lifted the front of the F-150 6 inches via a Fabtech suspension system. It features Dirt Logic 2.5 coilover shocks, Dirt Logic 2.25 hydraulic bumpstops, and dual Dirt Logic 2.25 steering stabilizers. The stock brakes were pitched in favor of SSBC's new Force 10 three-piston Aluminum Caliper Disc Brake kit. |
Specifications
Owner: Mark Schleipfer
Vehicle/Model: 2006 Ford F-150
Estimated Value: $40,000
Engine
Type: 5.4L V-8
Aspiration: Fuel injection, AEM Brute Force intake system, Dynomax after-cat 4-inch exhaust, Edge Evolution programmer
Output, hp/torque (estimated): N/A
Drivetrain
Transmission: Stock
Transfer Case: Stock
Suspension
Front: Fabtech 6-inch IFS lift, Fabtech Dirt Logic 2.5 coilovers, Dirt Logic 2.25 hydraulic bumpstops, Dirt Logic 2.25 dual steering stabilizers, FST pitman arm
Rear: Custom Dunbar Spring leaf springs, lift blocks, Fabtech Dirt Logic 2.25 remote-reservoir shocks, Dirt Logic 2.25 hydraulic bumpstops, limiting straps
Axles/Differentials
Front: IFS/open
Rear: Ford 9.75-inch/Detroit Truetrac
Ring and pinion: 4.10:1
Wheels/Tires
Wheels: 17x10 Weld Racing Dune 6 Pro Crusher
Tires: 35x12.50-17 BFGoodrich Baja