2019 Ford F-150 RTR: Kind of Like the Raptor, Only Not
Having completed a tribute to Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s 900-horsepower drift car with its Series 1 Mustang, RTR is moving onto Ford’s F-150 — delivering something akin to an unofficial Raptor appearance package. As with the coupe, the pickup attempts to provide RTR’s unique blend of automotive style and performance without obliterating drivability. However, we expect a bruiser to arrive later on, since RTR also sells several beefed-up versions (kits, really) of the Mustang.
For now, shoppers will have to make due with Series 2.0 shocks from Fox, 20-inch RTR Tech 6 wheels, 295/55R20 Nitto Ridge Grappler tires, and a throaty exhaust system from Ford Performance. The engine has not been modified. But RTR assured us that the custom grille does improve airflow to the radiator, which we suppose you could brag about in a pinch.
While the company claims the kit can be applied to any new F-150 (minus the Raptor) so long as it’s of the 4×4/Supercrew variety, you’ll have to provide one equipped with the 5.0-liter V8 or one of the EcoBoost V6s if you want the cat-back exhaust hookup. Fortunately, you won’t have to do the work yourself. Gittin/RTR’s partnership with Ford allows its vehicles to be sold straight from the dealership… for an additional $12,750.
While not cheap, consumers have shown there’s really no limit to how much some are willing to spend on a full-sized pickup. And yet we remain unconvinced that this is a superior choice to nabbing something like a Ram Rebel and just calling it a day. You could, of course, save yourself some cash by basing your RTR on a more-affordable F-Series.
Of course, then we’d just wonder why you didn’t put that 13 grand into the powertrain and suspension. Are you some kind of poser? Why didn’t you just get a Raptor?
The package makes the most sense when you’ve got money to burn and want something that stands out a bit — which the F-150 RTR manages to achieve without being garish. The company provides exclusive LEDs, fender flares, skid plate, floor liners, a graphics package, loads of RTR badging, and a serialized dash plaque signed by Vaughn Gittin Jr.
[Images: RTR]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Hey, lets make an F series look like the Honda Element with some extra cheap plastic! Of all the options on trucks out there I would like to buy, this aint one of them.
Keep 'em coming, Ford. Stock up 20% in a month, still kicking a 6.4% dividend, and they just dropped $500 million into Rivian. Mrs. Barra made a mistake by walking away from that deal, she wanted ownership of IP, etc., she wildly misplayed her hand, so "thanks, Mary!" I kick myself in the butt for unwinding my F position, the only good thing is that I only dumped 25% so far. This will be a good run for Ford with their new models, the only bear looming is $4.00 gas.