VERSATILITY OF FORD F-150 SHINES BRIGHTLY AT 2009 SEMA SHOW - POWERED BY FORD
11/03/2009
Ford
The versatility and widespread consumer appeal of the Ford F-150 have made F-Series the best-selling line of trucks in the marketplace for 32 years running - and the most customized trucks in the $31.8 billion aftermarket industry.
Ford will display a creative collection of customized F-150s at this year's SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show, which will be held Nov. 3-6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Ford is the featured automaker of this year's show, which is the premier automotive specialty product event in the world.
According to Mark Grueber, Ford F-150 marketing manager, the F-150 is the perfect foundation for customers and aftermarket companies looking for a way to express themselves and satisfy their requirements, both on and off the job.
"The F-150 is the ultimate all-around 'do everything' truck, and it is available in 10 different distinct versions, everything from an XL work truck to a Platinum luxury edition to the latest edition - the SVT Raptor - for the ultimate off-road experience," he said. "People can personalize the F-150 to meet any need and do just about anything with it."
Ford SEMA Design Manager Melvin Betancourt agrees that much of F-150's success in the aftermarket is due to its wide-ranging appeal. "Some people use the F-150 as a work truck. For others, it's a luxury truck," he said. "And everyone is always looking to create something that's new that no one else has ever seen."
K-Daddyz Kustomz, of Bakersfield, Calif., customized an F-150 for SEMA that combines street influence with a touch of urban luxury. "We pretty much did something to every aspect of the truck - from 24-inch wheels with a radical air bag suspension to a fully custom bed enclosure and panoramic sunroof," said Kyle Gann, of K-Daddyz Kustomz.
The exterior of the K-Daddyz Kustomz F-150 features custom two-tone paint - black on the upper portion of the vehicle and red on the bottom - with silver custom airbrushing and pinstripes in between by Sacred Air. The vehicle is powered by a 5.4-liter supercharged engine.
Rick Spears, owner of Malibu Customz in Knoxville, Tenn., took a very different approach. "We wanted to do something really cool with the F-150, so we decided to create what we call a 'Freedom Truck,'" he said.
Spears says the F-150 Freedom Truck is designed to honor the men and women serving the U.S. as members of the armed forces. It features airbrushed graphics by famed artist Mickey Harris depicting all five military services - the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard.
"The F-150 is rugged and tough, just like the people who serve our country in the military services," said Spears.
Malibu Customz also lowered the suspension on the truck and added a supercharger that is expected to give the vehicle 70 percent more horsepower.
"It was strong enough already," said Spears. "But when we put that supercharger on there, it's going to be very powerful."
Ford F-150 project vehicles featured at SEMA this year include:
2009 Ford F-150 by K-Daddyz Kustomz
The crew at K-Daddyz Kustomz has applied their street influence with a touch of urban luxury to this Ford F-150. Staying true to their "In Your Face" style of building, this truck boasts 24-inch wheels with a radical air bag suspension. The custom two-tone paint grabs your attention while remaining classy. And in case you really need to get there quickly, the 5.4-liter supercharged engine will deliver. Whether drawing crowds at a show or turning heads on the boulevard, this F-150 plays for keeps. After all, it's Built Ford Tough.
2009 Ford F-150 by Malibu Customz
Malibu Customz has taken their talent for customization and accented it by teaming up with world-renowned artist Mickey Harris to create the 2009 "Freedom Truck" as a tribute to all the people who serve or have served in the U.S. armed forces.
2009 Ford F-150 by Superlift
Superlift Suspension Systems has been manufacturing superbly engineered off-road suspension systems for two- and four-wheel-drive trucks for 35 years. Superlift has taken that experience and applied it to Mattel's Hot Wheels vision of the 2009 Ford F-150. In doing so, they were able to take the F-150 to the next level in style, appearance and performance, while keeping as much detail as possible of the original 1:64 Hot Wheels die-cast model. Superlift has taken a pedestrian F-150 and transformed it into a toy that any man, woman or child would be happy to play with.
2010 Ford F-150 by Ford Vehicle Personalization
Project FX2 Sport 6.2L H.O. showcases the new Ford F-150, the Ford Vehicle Personalization Team, Ford Racing, Genuine Ford Accessories and Ford Licensed Accessories. Starting with America's best-selling full-size pickup for 32 straight years, the Vehicle Personalization Team delivers the new head-turning 2010 F-150 FX2 Sport production package. The FX2 Sport package is available right now from your local Ford dealer and features a dark billet grille, unique headlamp treatment, monochromatic paint, unique wheels, custom step bars, a sporty deep front valance and sport captain's chairs with flow-through center console and floor- mounted shifter. Adding Genuine Ford Accessories such as the bed sport liner and Ford Licensed Accessories such as the Hard Color Matched Tonneau Cover, you can easily transform America's best-selling full-size pickup into a highly personalized vehicle.
This concept vehicle adds additional excitement by showing concepts presently not available on the FX2 such as the Regular Cab configuration and the power and towing muscle of a 6.2-liter H.O. powertrain. With its Red Candy tinted clearcoat exterior paint and Satin Gold graphics, this vehicle projects even more sport style. In addition to the standard FX2 Sport package content, the show vehicle features concept equipment such as a black chrome billet grille, a Ford Racing rear dual exhaust system with black chrome tips, a lowering kit, a hood scoop and Satin Gold finishes on the wheels and towing hitch accessories. In addition to Trailer Sway Control, which is standard on all F-150s, this vehicle also features available F-150 options such as the Trailer Brake Controller and a navigation system. The result is Project FX2 Sport 6.2L H.O. - sport style that stands out from the crowd at the track, and powerful towing confidence to get you there and back.
2011 Ford Super Duty DeWALT Contractor "Concept"
The new 2011 Ford Super Duty is the ultimate tough truck on any job site. With all-new powertrains, upgraded capability and tougher-than-ever new styling, the rugged, durable and strong truck is a valuable member of any work crew. This custom DeWALT edition of the new Super Duty is designed to drive improved productivity and performance for the serious contractor with a host of innovative features and upgrades inside and out. One of the most powerful enhancements is Ford Work Solutions(TM), the exclusive system from Ford that helps turn Super Duty into the ultimate mobile office and helps contractors effectively manage their tool inventories through Tool Link(TM) and Customized On-Board Storage.