Roush is to Ford what steroids are to athletics. While their modified vehicles are certainly less than common on the road, we usually see them materialize as Mustangs. That wont be true this time.

Instead, Roush Performance is going to work on the 5.0- and 6.2-liter V8 F-150 trucks. Customers have the option to buy a non-calibrated kit, or a pre-tuned version according to Roush specifications. Both kits take advantage of new Eaton rotors that reduce noise, increase air flow and consequently offer greater power potential.

The kit includes the supercharger, of course, as well as a cold air intake, 100mm mass air flow tube, a twin 60mm throttle body and a bigger intercooler. The tuner version of the kit is available now for the 5.0-liter model, while the Roush spec version will be available in early February. Properly installed, the kit is expected to boost your truck between 140 and 175 hp for a total 500 to 525 ponies.

Try fitting that kit with the 6.2-liter and you jump up to a whopping 700 hp. The tuner kit fitted to that model, however, won’t be available until a week from now and the tuned version in April.

Dont forget to read the sticker before you label this one a “buy,” as these kits will set you back $6,199 to $6,499 before the cost of installation. As with any serious engine modifications, make sure you talk to a qualified mechanic before tinkering. For example, these kits don’t come with new fuel injectors, something you’ll need before installation. A Roush salesman said during a phone call that they aren’t including injectors in the tuner kit because people often prefer to choose their own.

They can include injectors with the kit for the 5.0-liter engine but don’t currently offer injectors for the 6.2-liter engine. When the tuned version ships, they say it will include everything necessary for complete installation.

Don’t have the V8, or just uncomfortable with engine surgery? It’s ok, there’s no need to feel left out of the fun. You can still bolt on a roush cold air intake to any F-150 and all models for between $340 and $400. High performance exhausts are also available on all models save the 3.7-liter V6.

Reports are coming in that Ford‘s next-generation F-Series full size pickups will be using plenty of aluminum panels in order to save weight. Ford is working adamantly to comply with fuel economy standards that continue to become more stringent.

Due in 2014, the new F-Series trucks will have aluminum doors and fenders, which is a tad shocking in the full size pickup market where steel has been the standard for decades. The continued movement towards using aluminum is consistent with Ford’s intentions to shave up to 700-lbs per model before 2019.

Currently the F-Series and Explorer utilize an aluminum hood, but the F-Series has never been outfitted with aluminum body panels. Ultimately however, weight savings means cost savings, in addition to better fuel economy.

[Source: Ward's Auto]

Ford took a bit of a gamble, putting in a fuel efficient V6 into their full-size F-150 pickup but now that the EcoBoost-powered truck has sold 100,000 this year, we’re pretty sure Ford execs are content with their decision.

It’s been over 25 years since Ford has sold that many V6-powered pickups in one year, with 40-percent of the buyers opting to pay the extra $895 for the turbocharged EcoBoost 3.5L V6 rather than the conventional 3.7L V6. More than half of all the trucks sold by Ford have been an F-150 V6.

The EcoBoost V6 sports 365-hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, while the non-turbocharged 3.7L has 302-hp.  The V8 offerings have 360-hp and 411-hp from a 5.0L and 6.2L respectively.

[Source: Detroit News]

Click here to read AutoGuide’s Ford F-150 EcoBoost Review

Addictive Desert Design is teaming up with JPM Coachworks to build a one-of-a-kind Luxury Performance Ford Raptor for this year’s SEMA Show. Starting with a 2011 Raptor SVT SuperCrew, the team revamped the sport truck from bumper to bumper, with a collection of some of the industry’s finest products available for the Raptor.

The first stop for the Raptor SVT was nowhere else but Hennessey Performance where the SVT was outfitted with their VelociRaptor 600 SC package, giving the truck 605-hp thanks to a supercharger. From there, it headed down to JPM Coachworks where the interior was completely redone with Royal Hides from Edelman Leather and Alcantara. Next, it headed over to High Desert Mobile where it received a complete audio upgrade featuring products from Mosconi, Blackhole, Chasecam, Visualogic and Tsunami.

The now-heavily modified Raptor was then shipped to Addictive Desert Designs where it received front and rear bumpers from Stealth, LED lighting from Rigid, rock guards, King Shocks coilover shocks, Fuel Hostage wheels with Goodyear MTR Kevlar tires. Braking upgrades come from Baer Brakes with their Extreme Plus Calipers and 15-inch rotors.

Bodywork enhancements were done over at Hi Tech Collission where some custom touches were added. Spintech Muffler then added a one-off true dual exhaust system while the bed, wheel-wells, underside and bottom 12-inches of the body were coated by Line-X.

Affliction Clothing will be holding a contest to name the finished Raptor SVT project and participants interested in contributing some suggestions will have a chance to win some prizes.

The full build process can be seen at LuxuryRaptor.com or on Facebook.

[Source: Truck Trend]

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 SEMA Show preview here

Ford ventured into dangerous territory five years ago, when they considered switching out the traditional V8 for a V6 powerplant. The two biggest issues surrounding the change was whether the V6 would have enough power, and whether the engine would be durable enough to compete with big boy V8′s. Doug Scott, manager of Ford’s truck marketing group said, “We knew there’s no replacement for displacement. That’s a very popular saying among full-sized pickup customers, which just shows their love for the V8 engine. We knew we had a marketing challenge”.

The Ford leaders approved the plan in 2006 to begin developing an EcoBoost engine that would be suitable for the F-150. The Ford engineers were eager to build a V6 engine that could top a V8 in performance, durability and fuel economy. Ford’s chief engineer of the F-150 at the time was Eric Kuehn, who recals making many of the engine parts by hand. After months of trial and error testing, Ford put together a high-performance turbocharged EcoBoost V6 that had an immense amount of power, torque and would return very good fuel economy. The EcoBoost V6 produces 365-hp and 420 lb-ft of torque with a maximum payload of 3,060 lbs. The pickup also achieves 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.

Ford had amazing initial success selling the F-150 EcoBoost and in May, June and July and the sales have only increased. The American automaker sold forty-one percent of its F-150′s with the EcoBoost engine and 15 percent of the trucks were sold with the base 3.7-liter V6, according to Ford.

Two things have helped Ford’s V6 gain ground this year, analysts say. One was the spoke this spring in fuel prices to $4 a gallon. The other was Ford’s success in building consumer recognition of the EcoBoost name, according to J.D Powers.

Martin Gubbels, owner of Big Sky Ford-Lincoln in Torrington, Wyoming stated that he has become a believer in the EcoBoost engine. “A redneck will buy an EcoBoost when they’re told by a knowledgeable salespoerson that this thing has more horesepower, torque and better fuel economy than a V8. They’ll buy it.”

[Source: Automotive News]

A recall has been issued out for owners of 1997-2004 Ford F-150s, 1997-1999 F-250s and 2002-2003 Lincoln Blackwoods to address a fuel tank strap that has become susceptible to corroding due to de-icing chemicals used on roads in cold weather. Owners of affected vehicles will receive a recall notice in mid-September and replacement straps will be installed on their vehicles. If the straps aren’t available when the recall repairs are done, an interim repair utilizing a cable support under the fuel-tank strap will be installed.

The defect has already lead to three unfortunate fires and one injury according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating a fuel tank problem that could affect more than 2.7 million Ford F1-50 pickup trucks.

NHTSA claims that the steel straps holding up the gas tank in place can rust and break, possibly allowing fuel to spill and catch fire. The trucks with this issue include the model years 1997- 2001. The F-150 is also the top- selling vehicle in the U.S. So far, 243 trucks have had gas tanks fall off causing two fires, however no injuries have been reported.

Ford says it’s cooperating with the investigation. Any 1997-2001 F-150 owners should contact their dealer if concerned.

They said it couldn’t be done. They said a V6 would never belong in a Ford F-150, that most American of trucks with that most American of powerplants. But lo and behold, not only is the Ecoboosted V6 more fuel-efficient, but it’s comprised a significant percentage of F-150 sales already.

Ford sold a little over 45,000 trucks in April, and the two V6 models have accounted for half of those sales. There are two V6 models available: a 3.7-liter with 305 horsepower and 23-mpg, and a 3.5-liter Ecoboost model with 365 horsepower and 22-mpg. And the Ecoboost is the most popular, making up 75% of V6 truck sales.

Hey, just because you own a truck, doesn’t mean you have to go bankrupt from filling it up.

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost Review

What do you get when you take a Formula Drift champion, a video camera, and a website editor that has no fear? Apparently the video that’s available after the jump. Wrecked Magazine teamed up with Vaughn Gittin Jr. out in Las Vegas with a Ford F150 SVT Raptor to reach all new heights – recording it, of course, to share with the rest of the world.

Knowing just how bold of a driver Gittin is, handing him the keys of an F150 SVT Raptor and access to the CORR Truck Track at Las Vegas Speedway, most of us could conjure up the result in our minds. And absolutely nothing less than what’s expected is what’s seen on the video.

As far as Wrecked Magazine is considered, they may have filmed the highest jump an SVT Raptor has ever made in stock form. Despite all of the work and abuse the truck took at the track, they drove it home safely from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, a great testament to just how tough Ford tough is.

Check out the video after the break.

[Source: Wrecked Magazine]

GALLERY: Vaughn Gittin Jr Jumps Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

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After going through the equivalent of 160,000 miles worth of grueling tasks, Ford will take apart an Ecoboost V6 selected for the evaluation process, in a bid to demonstrate that the boosted V6 can be a viable alternative to traditional V8s.

The V6, which was randomly pulled from the regular production line, was put into action in a variety of tasks, from racing in the Baja 1000 to towing over 11,000 pounds for 24 hours straight. At the end of the test process, Ford dynoed the motor and found that it still produced 360 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, just as it did when it left the assembly line.

[Source: Ford]

Hit the jump to see the official press release

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