1996 Ford F150 - Bionic Truck - Offroad

In-laws, fiancées, and lean times are usually a pretty disastrous combination for those of us who are mid-build into a project truck. When money gets tight, usually the "toy" is the first thing to get sold, after pressure from significant others. Joe Miller seems to have better luck than most, however, and when he thought about covering some other expenses by selling the '96 F-150 that he was building, his super-cool fiancée said, "Never." Her parents provided a garage workplace, and Joe continued pursuing his dream: a truck that would perform as well as the high-dollar race trucks seen in the SCORE series.

Almost three years later, the truck is ready to be flogged. The sheetmetal is gone, replaced by tubing and a custom tub. A fuel-injected 460 cubic inch big block with a Holley throttle body provides the power, and a built C-6 transmission with hardened billet shafts helps get the power to the wheels. In the front, a custom I-beam setup absorbs the bumps, and in the rear, a four-link system provides maximum travel.

Sometimes, when we feature a vehicle in OFF-ROAD, we have to coax the owner to step on the gas and get on it. That wasn't the case here. In fact, Joe's fiancée, Jessica, took care of the camera work herself while her man got heavy on the throttle. Needless to say, we're impressed. If you find yourself in Glamis and happen upon Joe and his terminator-of-a-truck, be sure to take a few minutes to watch the action-this is one ride built to take the punishment.

Corners can confidently be handled at high speeds, thanks to the 93-inch track width and a carefully tuned suspension.
Corners can confidently be handled at high speeds, thanks to the 93-inch track width and a
Joe built the truck to perform in a variety of environments, and as you might guess, it handles whoops with little effort. The 114-inch wheelbase helps keep the vehicle stable through the bumps.
Joe built the truck to perform in a variety of environments, and as you might guess, it ha

There's really not much F-150 left. Newly-styled chromoly I-beams with upper Heim joints and lower uniballs provide a clean 24 inches of wheel travel. Blitzkrieg hubs reside within the Pro Comp wheels, and the truck sits on 35-inch BFG short-course race tires, which will soon be replaced with a set of 39s.
There's really not much F-150 left. Newly-styled chromoly I-beams with upper Heim joints
When preparing for sand duty, Joe breaks out the paddle tires for some serious scooping power. The fuel-injected 460 is mated to a MSD ignition, custom headers, a high-flow water pump, and a custom NASCAR-style intake. Yes, the mufflers are mounted on the doors-each side of the dual exhaust wraps around the cab.
When preparing for sand duty, Joe breaks out the paddle tires for some serious scooping po
The cockpit is clean and simple, outfitted with a carbon-fiber dash and Auto Meter gauges. Beard racing seats and a roll cage built to SCORE standards help keep occupants safe. A PCI intercom and a Kenwood race radio provide communication capability, and a Winters shifter rounds out the package.
The cockpit is clean and simple, outfitted with a carbon-fiber dash and Auto Meter gauges.

Cooling duties are handled by a PWR radiator and electric fans, along with two large PWR oil coolers (also with fans). A 42-gallon Fuel Safe fuel cell resides behind the rear axle. Twin Optima Yellow Tops provide battery power.
Cooling duties are handled by a PWR radiator and electric fans, along with two large PWR o
Joe tells us that the truck has handled a great deal of punishment without fail, and he plans on more. He'd like to thank Baja Mike for the help, as well as Kruder Engineering.
Joe tells us that the truck has handled a great deal of punishment without fail, and he pl
Inland Empire Driveline created the custom driveline, which has been dialed in to make the best use of the rear four-link suspension. Joe wants to give special thanks to Jeff Gilroy, who rebuilt the driveline not once, but twice, to ensure everything worked exactly as they wanted it. A Currie 9+ third member resides in the Currie prerunner housing, equipped with Blitzkrieg hubs, 300mm axles, and a chromoly spool, fitted with a 5.00 gear ratio.
Inland Empire Driveline created the custom driveline, which has been dialed in to make the

In the front, each 2.5-inch Fox shock is mated to a 3-inch five-tube Fox bypass. Straps limit the travel at 24 inches.
In the front, each 2.5-inch Fox shock is mated to a 3-inch five-tube Fox bypass. Straps l
The fabrication work is rock solid. Because Joe long ago decided to rid himself of pesky body panels, he didn't need to work within the constraints of fenders. Although the big block is plenty powerful as is, Joe has plans to coax it to at least 650 horsepower, and we don't doubt that he'll do it.
The fabrication work is rock solid. Because Joe long ago decided to rid himself of pesky
Burly custom trailing arms are the most noticeable feature of the rear four-link, along with the massive 2.5-inch Fox shocks and 3.5-inch bypasses, with 16 and 18 inches of stroke respectively. Travel is strapped at a full 34 inches.
Burly custom trailing arms are the most noticeable feature of the rear four-link, along wi