Purists never got behind the idea of the Ford F-150 V-6 EcoBoost. They wanted a new Ford F-150 Raptor V-8. Now, thanks to PaxPower, they have it. Yet, if the world only acted on the wishes of purists and classic truck lovers the F-150 would have never become an aluminum built truck, the three-speed auto would have never become a 10-speed tranny, and we would still be hauling our asses in trucks powered by V-8s with sad specific outputs. Now we don't. Now, we can enjoy a modified Ford F-150 V-8 Raptor with a supercharged engine churning out the insane power of 758 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque. That is what PaxPower did to what once was a 2018 Ford F-150 Platinum V-8 truck.

2018 Ford F-150 Raptor V-8 PaxPower

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2018 Ford F-150 Raptor V-8 PaxPower
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 758
  • Torque: 600
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Exterior

Making the Raptor without Raptor bodywork would be a tad cheesy. Well, Texans aren’t like that and the Houston-based tuner, PaxPower, prepared a whole set of additions in order to turn what essentially was a Ford F-150 truck into a Ford F-150 Raptor. I am not talking here about reimagined plastic parts, but about proper OEM Ford Raptor gear. Wherever you look at this thing, you see proper Raptor parts. Even in the bed which was smartly converted using Raptor aluminum inner and outer sides.

While additions like these most certainly improve the overall look of the F-150, one cannot but admire the sheer strength and attitude injected in it with the massive Toyo Open Country R/T 35×12.5” tires sitting on Method Con 6 18” wheels. All of this over the OEM Raptor suspension upgrades. I am not joking, PaxPower will actually install original Raptor parts on the stock F-150 V-8 basically turning the truck into a Raptor. This is not an easy job as the suspension alone requires the installation of:

- upper and lower control arms,

- front axle shafts,

- steering links,

- brake lines,

- sway bar setup,

- leaf springs,

- Fox internal-bypass shocks.

All of the features listed here are taken directly from the Ford F-150 Raptor and installed in anything you drive up PaxPower's driveway (as long as it is 2015-2018 Ford F-150 V-8). It's Kind of incredible, really. Furthermore, the installation of a Raptor bonnet and special decals will additionally improve the overall look of the machine. PaxPower isn’t fooling around with this one. It is building a proper Ford F-150 Raptor V-8.

Considering that Ford is selling their top notch, luxed up versions under MSRP, PaxPower finds that building a Raptor based on it is the logical next step. People will buy it. And they do.

Interior

Interestingly enough, I was not able to find much information about the interior upgrades of the PaxPower Ford F-150 Raptor V-8. But get this, the company will transform any 2015-2018 Ford F-150 from its stock form to Raptor specs. With that in mind, you may end up with an interior as sparse or as loaded up as you wish. Imagine buying the most expensive Ford F-150 V-8 with all the luxury gear and then handing it to PaxPower for a Raptor conversion. You’d get yourself a luxury V-8 powered Ford F-150 Raptor. Awesome.

Drivetrain and Performance

While one may stop with the conversion after the installation of the proper suspension or the exterior makeup, PaxPower offers quite an alluring prospect. With such a proficient weapon under your right foot, even the stock Ford F-150 Raptors wouldn't stand a chance. This thing is a blast, more so with a really fast 10-speed automatic transmission, 3.55 ratio electronic locking differential, and a dual-exhaust system. Those who have heard this thing roar are in awe. In the cabin, the driver isn’t actually bathed with the sounds of hell, but those outside will hear the devil itself.

While PaxPower did not officially reveal the performance, an awesome guy from “The Fast Lane Truck” actually test drove the truck and cloaked 60 mph acceleration at 5.26 seconds. That’s a second quicker compared with the stock Raptor.

Price

Suspension conversion package starts at $7,500

Complete suspension and body upgrades, would set you back $25,000

Ticking all the boxes from PaxPower catalog, including the supercharger for 758 horsepower, would bring you to a grand total of $37,400

If you bring a cheapish Ford F-150 for a conversion and let PaxPower do its thing, you could actually end up having a truck comparable to a stock Ford F-150 Raptor EcoBoost which, according to PaxPower representative, sells over the sticker price. Regardless of the Raptor EcoBoost vs. Raptor V-8 Supercharged comparison, this thing is a really, really interesting prospect for any serious truck enthusiast. Plus, PaxPower would do all the job necessary in three to four weeks. Not three to four months (at least) which Ford would need in order to deliver to you the new Raptor.

And you get a warranty for all the parts. Two years for the suspension hardware, and up to three years for the cars with a supercharger installed. Isn't that awesome?

Conclusion

While the truck you see on these photos features a lot of aftermarket gear (LED lights, bumpers, stickers and such), the matter of the fact is that the Houston based company actually used the OEM Ford Raptor parts for the conversion. Everything underneath is from the Raptor - including the rear shocks. The front shocks form the previous Raptor, while the exhaust actually is a dual-tip CORSA Performance Exhaust. I don't see anyone complaining as this thing sounds mean.

All in all, PaxPower did a thorough job in identifying the points of divergence between the Raptor EcoBoost and the F-150 V-8. After that process the company mated the two ideologies, getting rid of the EcoBoost power, but retaining all that “F-150 Raptor made the F-150 Raptor”. The guts and the muscle. The result is an F-150 Raptor V-8 truck with effortless power, insane torque, and capabilities to dwarf everything else on the market. However, basically, the only thing non-Ford on this truck is probably the freaking 2.9-liter Whipple supercharger. Great job PaxPower.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Ford F-150.

Read our full review on the 2018 Ford F-150 Raptor.