Here’s the 758-HP V8 Ford Raptor We’ve Been Waiting For

Two extra cylinders make all the difference.

Dan Carney

Aug 31, 2018

The Ford F-150 Raptor is an off-road beast, with 450 horsepower and industrial-strength off-road suspension. But while the current Raptor has a higher horsepower rating than the first-generation truck, it does lack something: two cylinders.

The 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 is a capable motor, but it isn’t the V8 engine truck enthusiasts love. So Houston’s PaxPower aims to fix that by offering a 758-horsepower supercharged 5.0-liter V8 Raptor clone.

Rather than start with a Raptor and swapping out the EcoBoost, PaxPower starts with a V8 F-150 and upgrades the bodywork and suspension to Raptor specifications. Then they bolt on a Whipple 2.9-liter supercharger to give the truck the bite to match its bark.

PaxPower emphasizes that it does the conversion using all new Ford factory parts, “from fenders to fasteners.” That means Raptor-spec upper and lower control arms, front axle shafts, steering links, brake lines, sway bar setup, leaf springs, hardware, and, the crucial Fox internal-bypass shocks. The body conversion includes the entire front body clip from the 2017-’19 Raptor, with its fenders, hood, grilles, trim, flares and accent lighting.

There’s more work at the rear, where the bed is rebuilt with Raptor aluminum inner and outer bed sides, fender flares, and accent lighting. Underneath, the chassis is armored with factory Raptor skid plates and the customers’ choice of bumpers, wheels, tires, or other upgrades. For example, the prototype truck in the photos includes FabFours Aero bumpers, Method Con 6 18” wheels, Toyo Open Country R/T 35×12.5” tires, and Rigid Midnight Edition 20” light bar, which aren’t standard Raptor equipment.

A suspension-only upgrade for an F-150 starts at just $7,500, while the complete chassis, suspension and body upgrade starts at $25,000. Plus, of course, the new F-150 of your choice.