On paper, the idea of turning a 1977 Ford F-150 into a precision-built, 900-horsepower AWD drift machine sounds absurd. But that’s exactly what Ken Block and his team pulled off with the Hoonitruck. It started with nostalgia—Block’s dad had one just like it—but the final result was anything but sentimental.
Every part of this truck was engineered with purpose. From its Le Mans-derived V6 to its custom chassis and handcrafted bodywork, the Hoonitruck didn’t just look cool—it worked. And when it lit up all four tires in Gymkhana Ten, it proved just how far you can push the idea of a “classic pickup.”
Built on a 1977 Ford F-150 Shell
The Hoonitruck might wear a ’77 F-150 body, but underneath, it’s a purpose-built machine. The shell is aluminum, hand-formed by Detroit Speed to match the look of Ken Block’s old family truck. It’s retro on the surface, but none of the factory truck’s original bones made it to the final build.
The overall stance is wide and low, with a chopped-down profile that exaggerates the vintage lines. It keeps the squared-off charm of a late-’70s Ford, but every panel was subtly reshaped to clear tires and aerodynamics. It may look familiar, but it’s anything but stock.
Twin-Turbo V6 Straight From the GT
Powering the Hoonitruck is a 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6—the same one used in the Ford GT Le Mans car. This engine was custom-built by Roush Yates and tuned to produce a reported 914 horsepower and 702 lb-ft of torque. That’s more than double what the GT puts down in factory trim.
It’s mounted mid-front, right behind the front axle, to help with balance. Paired with a Sadev 6-speed sequential transmission and all-wheel-drive, the truck was designed to shred all four tires with ease. This isn’t just a show build—it was made to move.
All-Wheel-Drive Setup for Total Grip
Unlike most drift cars, the Hoonitruck features a rally-style all-wheel-drive system. It uses a custom Sadev gearbox paired with active center and rear differentials. This layout gave Ken Block the traction he needed to pull off high-speed slides with precision on mixed surfaces.
The AWD system is key to how the truck handles—it’s not about brute power alone. It lets Block transition between asphalt, dirt, and painted lines without hesitation. It also helps put that near-1,000 horsepower to the ground in a way that actually works in real-world conditions.
Suspension Built for Abuse
Underneath, the truck rides on a fully independent suspension setup. It uses custom long-travel arms, coilovers, and reinforced mounts to handle the abuse of gymkhana-style driving. This isn’t lifted for off-road—it’s lowered, stiffened, and dialed for grip and agility.
Detroit Speed engineered the suspension geometry from scratch, factoring in the truck’s wide body and AWD layout. The setup allows for quick direction changes, tight turning circles, and flat landings when the wheels leave the pavement. It’s overbuilt, but built smart—everything is there for a reason.
Brakes That Can Handle the Heat
With a truck this heavy and powerful, stopping power had to match. The Hoonitruck uses six-piston calipers up front and four-piston units in the rear, clamping down on massive vented rotors. The setup is track-grade, built to take heat without fading.
It also uses a hydraulic handbrake system for sharp rotation on tight corners. That’s how Block could flick the truck sideways on a dime. Brakes were never an afterthought on this build—they were tuned and balanced to hold up under heavy loads and serious punishment.
Interior Built Around Function
The cabin is all business. Inside the Hoonitruck, you’ll find a minimalist dash, race-spec seats, a full cage, and just enough tech to control the drivetrain and suspension settings. The layout is clean and focused, with digital displays and toggle switches at arm’s reach.
There’s no carpet, no creature comforts. The truck is wired for data logging, with engine maps, boost controls, and telemetry readouts all visible to the driver. It’s a functional cockpit that puts the driver in full control—no distractions, no excess.
Bodywork That’s Part Art, Part Aerodynamics
The body panels were hand-fabricated using aluminum, giving the truck a lightweight skin that still looks like a classic. But there’s a lot going on under the surface—wider fenders, integrated aero bits, and a front splitter and rear wing that actually work at speed.
The rear diffuser and custom side skirts help manage airflow and reduce lift during high-speed runs. This isn’t show-only fiberglass; everything was shaped with a purpose. Even the vents and louvers were designed for cooling and pressure balance. It just happens to look great doing it.
Rolling on Massive Custom Wheels
The Hoonitruck runs on 18-inch fifteen52 Turbomac wheels, custom made to handle the stress of hard landings and sideways action. They’re wrapped in sticky Toyo Proxes R888R tires—designed for maximum grip during quick transitions and high-speed drifts.
The setup gives the truck a planted look, with a square stance and minimal sidewall flex. Behind the wheels, the massive brakes peek through, and the hubs are quick-release for service during race prep. These wheels weren’t chosen for looks alone—they’re a key part of the performance formula.
Featured in Gymkhana Ten
The Hoonitruck made its debut in Gymkhana Ten, tearing through an industrial yard in style. It showed off the AWD control, mid-corner transitions, and huge tire smoke that made Ken Block’s videos legendary. But unlike some past builds, this truck didn’t just appear—it dominated.
Viewers got to see the truck in full flight—literally—on ramps and jumps, pirouetting through tight sections without missing a beat. Its role in the series cemented it as one of Block’s most recognizable vehicles. It was purpose-built for that film, and it didn’t disappoint.
Retired but Not Forgotten
Though the Hoonitruck has been retired from active Gymkhana duty, it remains a fan favorite. The build represents a blend of nostalgia and technical precision, wrapped in a platform that no one expected to perform at this level. It redefined what a vintage pickup could do.
Now it lives on in museums, videos, and fan builds inspired by its aggressive stance and wild sound. Even off the stage, it continues to turn heads and spark conversation. Not many trucks earn a legacy like that—and it did it sideways.
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*Created with AI assistance and editor review.
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