A Truck With Purpose
In 2019, Ford’s F-Series full-size pickup truck franchise generated $42 billion in revenue, second only to Apple’s $55 billion iPhone in branded consumer product sales, according to an economic analysis published by the Boston Consulting Group last summer.
As reported in a Detroit Free Press article from June 2020, just the F-150 pickup truck with its family of Super Duty siblings within Ford Motor Company alone would make the list of Fortune 100 companies.
“It is impossible to overstate the economic significance of the Ford F-150 to Ford and to the U.S. economy," market analyst Jon Gabrielsen said. "The Ford F-150 is the single highest volume vehicle sold in the U.S. and has been for years."
FOX Factory’s BDS Suspension, based in Coldwater, Michigan, lies just two hours east of Ford’s world headquarters in Dearborn. This, combined with the healthy OE and aftermarket relationship we have with Ford, brings opportunities to build custom vehicles to highlight at events like SEMA. The vehicle BDS chose to geek out with was the new F-150 Limited 4WD with 3.5L Powerboost 10-speed hybrid/electric transmission dubbed ‘Work/Play’, making its world debut during Ford’s Auto Nights SEMA Special streamed live on November 19.
“The ‘Work/Play’ theme came about because so many people use their trucks from more than just a daily driver, work truck, or dedicated adventure rig,” BDS Marketing Manager Carter Reed explained. “This truck is super cool, super capable, and above all else checks all the boxes bringing comfortable to the daily commute, functionality to the job site and capability for outdoor/off-road recreation.”
“Over the years we’ve built a slew of cool vehicle builds, from purpose-built trail rigs to show-quality haulers,” Reed added. “With the goal being to highlight the wide range of uses for a truck the new 2021 F-150 with hybrid powerplant and pro power on board offered the best all-around match. With tons of power and a 700+ mile range, great capability and tech right from the factory, impressive payload and (thanks to the pro power on board) 7.2kW of 110V/220V power accessible in the bed to power tools, welders, fridge and other gear.”
BDS ‘Work/Play’ Ford F-150 video Build – Suspension:
With all the additional weight, Reed and the BDS team understood the need to bolster suspension to maintain comfort and control. They chose a BDS 4” lift system, BDS custom front skid plate, BDS upper control arms, FOX Performance Elite 2.5 coil-over shocks with Dual Speed Control (DSC), and Ridetech LevelTow airbag system.
All told, the team at BDS spent a solid two weeks with its nose to the grindstone finalizing the build.
Final Reveal video:
Ford Auto Nights: SEMA Show Q&A Special – 2021 BDS ‘Work/Play’ Ford F-150 video:
Vehicle:
2021 Ford F150 Limited 4WD
3.5L Powerboost Full Hybrid
10-speed Hybrid/Electric Transmission
7.2kW Pro Power On-Board
Antimatter Blue Exterior
Suspension:
BDS Suspension 4” Lift System
FOX Performance Elite 2.5 DSC Coil-overs & Shocks
Ridetech LevelTow Airbag System
BDS (Custom) Front Skid Plate
BDS Upper Control Arms
Tires/Wheels:
20x10 Method Race Wheels - Series 304
35x12.50x20 Mickey Thompson Baja Boss Tires
Drivetrain Mods:
Ford Performance (Borla) Exhaust System
Ford Performance Differential Cover
Interior Mods:
Trigger 4-Switch (Bluetooth) Relay System
Truck Vault Console Vault
Ford Performance Pet Ramp/Seat Covers
Ford Performance Storage Bags
Sync4 Infotainment System
B&O Premium Stereo System
Graphics:
Work/Play Graphics & Striping
3M 1080-series matte black and satin silver
Exterior Mods:
Putco Illuminix Front Ford Emblem
Air Designs Fender Flares
Decked Storage System w/ D-Box and Core Trax Rails
Yakima Overhaul Rack System w/ Accessory Mounts
Ford Factory Powerstep Running Boards
Rigid LED Lights (auxiliary & under body)
Rotopax Storage Containers
Ford Performance Recovery Boards
Yakima Slim Shady Awning
Ford Performance (Warn) Recovery Kit
Ford Performance First Aid Kit
ARB Twin Air Compressor
Work Gear:
Milwaukee MX Fuel Battery Power Tools
(deep cut band saw, 5” grinder, magnetic drill press, hammer drill, impact gun)
Miller Multimatic 255 Welder (MIG/TIG/Stick)
Hypertherm Powermax30 Air Plasma Cutter
Miller 30FX Welding Table (folding)
Ford Hand/Air Tools
Recreational Gear:
ARB Elements Fridge/Freezer
Grillpro 1500W Electric Grill
Milwaukee 18V Bluetooth Speaker/Charger
Isle Outpost Stand Up Paddleboard
Yeti Arc C Bike
Yakima Bike Rack and SUP Mounts
Camping Gear (tent, cot, chairs)
