Justin: I'm Justin with americantrucks.com, and on this episode of The Haul, we're doing
SEMA.
Now when the trucks are towering above your head, and there is just chrome like an old
school Caddy, you know you are at SEMA.
What is going on, guys?
Justin with American Trucks, coming to you from Las Vegas with a very special SEMA 2018
episode of The Haul.
Now we're gonna show you the sights, the sounds, and of course, the trucks of the SEMA show
this year.
I'm gonna give you my top three picks of the show when it comes to F-150s and just all
of the craziness that is this just nutball show out here.
Blake, you ready?
Let's get after it.
Come on.
The moment we get here, every year at SEMA, we always beeline right to the Ford booth.
Why?
Well, some of the baddest builds here at SEMA in general.
But, more specifically for us, right?
We're amongst the sea of awesome Ford trucks in the Ford booth.
They got a press conference to unveil some juicy details, be sure to listen to that.
But what do you say we go check out some trucks?
Hermann: Thank you all, and welcome to another exciting SEMA show.
This year 2018, is a special year for us, as we will be introducing two new Ford Performance
offerings.
The HST, for those [inaudible 00:01:45] for global markets.
And we also teamed up with some of the most [inaudible 00:01:50] aftermarket suppliers,
such as the Addictive Desert Designs, FOX, BDS, Yakima, Rigid, Borla, and WARN Industries
to showcase even more ideas, this [inaudible 00:02:04] Rangers here on our stand.
Justin: So obviously, Ford, like the rest of us, is very excited about the upcoming
Ranger and outfitting these things with a ton of aftermarket goodies.
I'm actually taking a closer look now at the 2.3 EcoBoost engine that will be in that Ranger.
A variation of the EcoBoost found in the Mustang, of course.
Not the same exact thing but pretty darn close.
Now Ford actually has some pretty cool parts that they plan on offering for these things
for the aftermarket once they are released later this year, early next year.
But they've gone even further and offered some trucks already outfitted with some aftermarket
goodies.
This one in particular really caught my eye.
Why?
Well because it kind of reminds me of my Raptor at home.
Kind of the white and black theme going on.
Obviously, with the flares, 20-inch [inaudible 00:02:47] wheels here, with the Ridge Grapplers,
very sharp truck.
And a lot of these Rangers are running a variation of a BDS/FOX suspension, so it's giving it
a little bit more altitude.
And that's also found on the silver truck behind me, as you guys can see back there,
that is propped up on the rocks, very Raptoresque wheels on that truck.
Ford Performance front bumper with the light bar, looks to me like it was made by Addicted
Desert Designs, and all the Rigid lighting and things like that.
So, it's very exciting to see these things already starting to be modified before they
even hit dealer lots, and I think the Colorado and the Tacoma are in for a little bit of
competition.
My number three truck from the SEMA 2018 show comes from none other than Brad DeBerti, from
the father and son duo, Doug and Brad DeBerti, "Twin Turbos," on the Discovery channel.
Maybe you've caught the show before.
But this is one of their creations, one of two creations, that just so happen to be side
by side here at the 2018 SEMA booth.
Ford booth, to be exact.
And this thing is just...
I don't even know where to start, right, guys?
So, this started out life as a 5-liter truck, now a twin turbo.
But you see the cage in the windshield.
You see the mass of Rigid lights.
You can even see some of the FOX bypasses under the hood.
You know this thing means business.
Now we had the chance to catch up with Brad, chat a little bit more about this truck and
the chase truck right next to it.
Let's check that out.
This thing is simply insane.
Tell us a little bit more about what this thing's all about.
Brad: We did a complete trophy truck back half roll cage.
The front engine cage.
It has all 4.0 FOX bypass shocks, 3.0 coils.
The front pulls 20 inches, and then the rear is strapped at 30 as well, so.
Really this truck is just kind of one of those things I wanted to do different then what
everyone else is doing.
And I was stoked when Hot Wheels asked me to do it, just because it's different, you
know?
Justin: This truck is completely badass, man.
And you do all the work yourself, which is, I think, even more commendable.
Because a lot of times the guys just send them off to a shop and then they show up at
SEMA, like, with a shiny new truck.
But you actually stand in front of your truck and you built it.
So that's what it's all about.
Brad: Yeah.
No, it's fun.
I mean, my dad and I have a great relationship, and this is what we do.
Whether you like our builds or hate them, either way, you're standing looking at them
because you're like, what is this?
Justin: I don't know how anybody can hate this stuff, dude.
But speaking of building things twice, we're not done here.
Man, you've got the baddest probably chase truck next to this thing.
What do you say we go check that thing out?
Brad: Yeah, let's check it out.
So, this truck is built to look like a factory Pre-Runner.
So, starting... we'll just start with the back.
Justin: Okay, yeah.
Because this is the coolest thing, I think, about the truck, guys.
You gotta check out what these guys did to this thing because on the outside it, looks
just like a standard Super Duty.
Brad: Yeah, it literally looks factory.
So, the first thing we did is we built a complete drawer that has a MIG welder, TIG welder,
plasma cutter.
I mean, you could have all your [inaudible 00:05:33] hoodies, and just everything outfitted
to work on that truck.
Justin: Well, how about the side of this thing, because I think, you're not done, right?
Brad: Yeah, so this took me a long time.
Justin: What?
Check that out.
Brad: So, these hinges... making it all work is...
Justin: And so, you fabbed all these hinges up?
You fabbed all this up?
Brad: Yeah.
Yeah, we fabbed this, and basically, all in-house.
All these trucks are all built in-house.
Justin: So, this is like a Swiss army knife, but in the truck form, right?
Brad: Exactly.
I like that, exactly.
Justin: See, there you go.
Hey, we'll forgo that 20 bucks you and I talked about earlier.
We'll call it even.
Brad: Yeah.
Justin: Well, Brad, I appreciate it, brother.
You guys definitely built some next-level stuff, and I'm continually impressed by what
you guys do.
Brad: All right.
Well, thank you, man.
Thank you.
Justin: Thank you so much, brother.
Appreciate it.
One company continuing to push the boundaries as far as EcoBoost performance is concerned
is none other than Full Race.
Now I happen to be standing in front of their 2018 EcoBoost powered truck here at SEMA 2018.
And if you know Full Race, you know they make a lot of turbo-charged applications much cooler,
much faster in the process.
And in this case, they're doing all they can to make sure these EcoBoost powered trucks
can keep up and/or beat the V-8 powered trucks out there.
We had the opportunity to catch up with Geoff Raicer, CEO of Full Race, to hear what they're
working on to make these EcoBoost trucks even faster.
What's going on, man?
Good to see you again.
And you're in your...
I've never seen you this dressed up before.
Geoff: Yeah, it's SEMA, man.
Once a year I get dressed up, you know.
Justin: SEMA suit, I like that.
Geoff: I'm not in my dirty jeans and Dickies shirts, you know.
Justin: Right?
I hear you, man.
Well, let's talk a little bit more about the truck.
Obviously, it's badass.
Tell us a bit more about what's on it.
Geoff: So, what this is, this is a 2018 F-150, basically along the lines of what most of
our customers would do, so it's bolt-ons.
You have the intercooler, intake, catch can, you know.
It's truly bolt-ons with an upgraded set of Raptor turbos.
You know, and it's cool, it's fast.
Five hundred at the wheels, it rips.
But it's got JE pistons, Manley rods, Head Games did the heads, Ferrea valve train, and
the cams are kind of some prototypes that we're working on.
So, you know, truthfully, this is a work in progress for us.
We're here at SEMA, but the truck is by no means done, you know.
This is just the very beginning.
Justin: Well maybe I need to get a set of big Full Race turbos on my Raptor.
What do you say?
Geoff: Yeah, let's do it, man.
Justin: Hey, thanks for your time, Geoff.
Beautiful truck and it looks killer, man.
Geoff: Appreciate it.
Justin: Thank you.
Geoff: Thank you.
Justin: This is where it's at, man.
I mean, the inside Ford booth is pretty damn impressive.
The Ford Out Front though is where all the fun goes down.
Now Vaughn Gittin Jr. is actually out there right now in the Ultimate Fun-Haver F-150.
I'm lucky enough to ride shotgun in that thing more than a few times.
And of course, I rode shotgun with Vaughn Gittin Jr., winning the Reno Championships
last year at the ULTRA4 4500 class.
But, you know, I'm gonna catch up with some old friends, meet some new friends, and show
you some cool trucks.
Let's do it.
Now, guys, I know it's kind of nerdy to come to SEMA and talk about a stock truck, but
that's exactly what I'm gonna do.
Why?
Well, this is a 2019 Raptor, and it's the first time I'm actually seeing one here in
person.
Again, not a whole lot has changed with this truck, but some very notable changes that
are worth talking about.
First and foremost, the Live Valve technology, now, with the FOX shocks, the 3.0s.
Basically, adaptive suspension is what they've included on this though.
You jump this thing like you should, those FOX shocks go full stiff and absorb that landing
for you nice and smooth.
The graphics are a little bit different, here, with the Raptor on the bedside.
These are the new beadlock-capable wheels, and of course, those K02s are back for 2019.
But some subtle changes, a few of which can be found inside.
Let's open this thing up and check it out.
All right, guys.
The brand new RECAROs.
My first time sitting in them, let's see.
Yeah, I can get used to these.
I think I need to upgrade on my Gen 2.
But some other minor details that are different here on the 2019 Raptor.
Some little badging on the steering wheel, some different materials for the dash stuff.
Overall, guys, some minor changes but some nice light refreshes.
And the 2019 should be a lot of fun on the road and on the trail.
All right, guys.
My number two pick here from SEMA 2018 on the F-150 side comes to you from ZB Customs
and KBI, Kurt Busch Incorporated.
Now, these guys worked together on building this extremely beautiful 2018 5-liter truck.
Full forged rotating assembly under the hood with two big twins on there, making over 1000
crank horsepower on this thing.
Kurt Busch and his team took care of the driveline stuff, but ZB Customs took care of the aesthetics
and boy, did they do a job on this thing, man.
Countless of hours on this truck in regards to the appearance.
A lot of massaging going on.
As you can see, full widebody kit, both front and rear with this thing.
And to make that all happen, they actually widened the front end by six inches.
They widened that steel front bumper out.
A hydraulic suspension on this thing, with the coilovers up front so they can adjust
the ride height on the fly, as to protect that beautifully custom, massive front splitter
on this thing that makes it look like it's just slammed on the ground.
Eight-piston Brembos up front.
When you have 1000 crank horsepower, you eventually need to stop, and those Brembos will certainly
help out there.
Custom color here again with this blue.
They mixed this up themselves.
And it is just popping under the lights here at the Ford booth.
But the exterior is just one piece of the puzzle, guys.
Inside the truck, full gator interior on this thing.
From my understanding, ZB Customs, Zac Brown, Zac Brown Band, I'm sure you guys know him,
he loves to mess with these things.
He tends to go a little overboard on the interior, from what I hear from his buddy, Scott.
But I think it's killer, man.
So, Zac Brown, nice taste, my friend.
In fact, we caught up with Zac's buddy, Scott, to hear a little bit more about the truck.
Check it out.
Tell us a little bit more about this thing because it is absolutely sick, like, from
head to toe.
Scott: It's a one-off blue.
I mean, Christian, my guy, our guy, he's an amazing artist, airbrush artist.
He can paint the shit out of some stuff too, man.
Justin: It's the hydraulic stuff, too.
I mean, so you can control the ride height on this thing.
Scott: It sits so low when it's in race mode, you know, or drift mode, so they got the hydraulic
coilovers, so we can raise it up three inches to get around when you're going over curbs
and stuff, you know.
Justin: Now, KBI, they should know, Kurt Busch, I mean, of NASCAR fame and ZB Customs, Zac
Brown.
Obviously, you guys love the Zac Brown Band out there.
And, Scott, you and Zac are actually good buddies, correct?
Scott: Yep.
We go back a few years.
He's just an amazing guy, you know.
I mean, he just keeps giving.
And actually, the profit for this truck will go straight to a kid's camp, Camp Southern
Ground.
We do... it's for autistic children, any special needs children.
We do a military as well, folks with PTSD and everything.
Justin: It's all for a good cause.
Scott: And it's amazing, too.
Justin: That is awesome.
So, Zac's quite the car fan, and you said he actually has a hand in designing these
interiors.
Scott: Yeah.
He gets... he kind of goes off the reservation sometimes on interiors, but it all seems to
work out.
It always does.
Justin: I'd say so.
That gator looks pretty cool in there, man.
That's awesome.
Well, Scott, thank you so much for your time, sir.
Scott: Yeah, man.
I appreciate it.
Justin: Killer truck, man.
And who knows, maybe I'll hit the lottery.
I'll bet on this thing, [inaudible 00:12:30].
All right?
Scott: All right, man.
I appreciate it.
Justin: Thank you.
A nice change of pace here at SEMA 2018 is brought to you by the Wilderness F-250 and
its fresh coat of Grand Canyon mud from its recent trek from the Grand Canyon out to Las
Vegas and on the Ford floor here.
Now these guys do a really killer job, right?
So, what they do is they set you out with your boys for a three-night four-day jaunt
on some Enduro bikes, basically.
So, you get out, you go camping, you see some really gnarly scenery out there.
This thing follows you.
This is your chase vehicle outfitted with everything you need for three nights of camping
out there.
And they bring a chef, they bring a camera crew, the document the whole thing.
And you basically just show up with the clothes on your back, you go out, and you have the
best time of your life.
But, as the owner Steve was telling me about this truck, nothing on this thing is a bell
and whistle.
This is all completely functional.
You've got a damn chainsaw on this thing.
As you can see, we've got the winch up front.
They have their onboard air setup right out of the grille so if you need to air down,
air back up, they've got you covered.
So, a very functional truck, purpose-built, you know, that coat of mud is just an awesome
addition here to the SEMA floor.
Now one of the cool things about SEMA that I really like is that it showcases the wide
spectrum, if you will, of truck owners and truck enthusiasts.
And it kind of makes us ask the question, what are you guys?
Do you like this?
Now, this is something that we see a lot here at SEMA, of course, the huge lifts, the chrome,
the color matching, all that good stuff.
And it just really embodies what SEMA is all about.
Definitely see more of this than some of our other options in the truck market.
But, very, very cool stuff no doubt.
So, do you like the lifted stuff or do you like this?
The big-bodied duallies on air.
Just absolutely slammed to the ground, huge wheels.
Again, very much still over the top and fitting of SEMA, but a different kind of beer than
our first truck that we showed you guys.
So again, it begs the question, what do you prefer?
Do you like those big, lifted, over the top trucks or do you like them slammed down on
the ground, on air, and a little bit different?
Or are you somewhere in between?
Drop us a comment and let us know.
Good news, Raptor owners.
You can finally get yourself a V8 powered, second gen truck.
The bad news, it's gonna cost you about $150 grand to do so.
Let me introduce you to the VelociRaptor V8, John Hennessy's latest and greatest creation.
As you can see, guys, a traditional 3.5 EcoBoost Raptor, well, that's now been replaced with
a 5.0, topped off with a brand new 2.9 Whiffle blower, making over 700 horsepower.
Good enough to launch this thing to about a 12 second flat quarter mile time.
It's been lifted 6 inches, 37-inch tall tires, just a mean truck.
If you can dig deep, spend about $150 grand, well, you finally get your V8 powered Raptor.
Well, here it is, guys, my number one pick from the 2018 SEMA show.
Come on, as if there was any doubt.
The Hooni truck, built by none other than Ken Block.
Now, this thing started off life as a 1977 F-150.
However, that stock engine is now long gone.
In its place, 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost, pulled directly out of a Ford GT, making over
900 horsepower, over 700 pound-feet of torque, to all four wheels.
That's right.
All-wheel drive, here.
Six-speed gearbox.
Very similar to what he used in the Hoonicorn RTR, his all-wheel-drive Mustang.
And this thing is just completely nuts, guys.
Now his dad actually taught him to drive on a '77 F-150 very similar to this one.
And he actually used to bring it to go dirt bike racing back in the day.
So, it's only fitting that he kind of refocused that vision and turned it into his automotive
creativity craziness, whatever you want to call it.
It's just completely next level, guys.
Now everything was done by Detroit Speed here.
Hand built aluminum panels, same military-grade aluminum that Ford uses on their newer F-150s,
but just... there's nothing stock about this thing, right guys?
Come on.
It's completely awesome.
A super wide stance, and it's actually gonna be built and used for the Gymkhana TEN video
dropping December 7, exclusively on Amazon Prime, and then later, for the Hoonigans.
But, I mean, this is one I was looking forward to, guys, 100%.
I'm stoked to see it here in person.
And it was an easy choice for my top pick at SEMA 2018.
Well, guys, that's gonna wrap up our coverage from the 2018 SEMA show.
We hope you enjoyed it, of course.
I know I did, but I am ready for a beer.
My dogs are barking.
You should know what to do by now, guys.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel, of course, if you haven't done so already.
And remember, for all things F-150, keep it right here at americantrucks.com
See, told you so.
See you next year.