Ford has introduced the Switchgear concept, which sports custom bodywork, an off-road focused suspension, and 37-inch tires
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Off-road focused trucks are big business and Ford is hinting at the possibilities with the F-150 Lightning Switchgear concept.
Created by Ford Performance and RTR, the truck draws inspiration from the F-150 RTR Ultimate Fun-Haver and sports an eye-catching exterior with custom carbon composite bodywork. This includes a widebody kit with bulging fenders and pronounced vents.
The changes continue elsewhere as the concept has been equipped with front and rear bumpers that help to improve approach and departure angles. The model has also been outfitted with a front skid plate, steel rock rails, and a sizable spoiler.
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The most noticeable upgrade is 18-inch wheels that are wrapped in 37-inch Nitto Ridge Grappler tires. They’re joined by a bed-mounted chase rack, which houses two spares.
Ford didn’t say much about the cabin, but it sports a handful of notable upgrades including five Recaro Sportster ORV seats that have six-point harnesses. We can also see a unique dash, a rear bar, and what appears to be a manual parking brake that could double as a hockey stick.
The modifications are more than skin deep as the truck has a revised suspension with custom components front and rear. The concept also sports 3-inch Fox internal bypass shocks and a significantly increased track of 80 inches (2,032 mm).
Thanks to the changes, the model promises to be an off-road beast as it has 13.5 inches (343 mm) of clearance up front and 11 inches (279 mm) out back. The truck also offers up to 13 inches (330 mm) of wheel travel.
If dirt scares you, there’s a street configuration with an aerodynamic front bumper, a tonneau cover, and 20-inch wheels wrapped in Nitto NT420V tires. This variant also has a revised suspension with a significantly lower ride height.
Street setup
Despite the Raptor-like looks, the F-150 Lightning Switchgear is relatively tame as it features a stock powertrain. This means drivers will find a 131 kWh battery pack, which powers a dual motor all-wheel drive system with 580 hp (433 kW / 588 PS) and 775 lb-ft (1,050 Nm) of torque. There’s no word on how quick the concept is, but the regular F-150 Lightning with the extended range battery can hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in less than four seconds.
Ford Performance’s Global Director of Motorsports, Mark Rushbrook, said the truck “showcases the possibilities of what an electric vehicle can be and provides a playground for engineers to advance learnings quickly for future electric vehicles.” He went on to note the truck will celebrate its public debut at the King of the Hammers race on January 25.
