There’s something very entertaining about classic pickup trucks packing ridiculous amounts of horsepower. This heavily modified 1959 Ford F-100 takes that idea and turns it all the way up to 11, combining an enormous V8 with some serious off-road hardware.
Built with help from Fat Fender Garage, the truck looks like it was designed to climb over just about anything in its path. Its towering stance, massive tires, and custom bodywork make it impossible to mistake for an ordinary vintage Ford.
The real attraction, however, is what’s hiding beneath the hood. According to the latest Autotopia LA video, this F-100 packs a $50,000 big-block V8 that pumps out a staggering 800 horsepower.
The YouTube channel recently visited Fat Fender Garage to examine the build before taking it onto the road, and that test drive became more eventful than anyone expected.
A 572-Cubic-Inch Monster Under The Hood
Power comes from a naturally aspirated 572-cubic-inch (9.4-liter) Jon Kaase big-block V8 that’s said to produce 800 horsepower. It’s paired with a manual transmission and a custom exhaust system that presented some serious packaging challenges.
The exhaust uses enormous 2.25-inch header primaries before merging into a single five-inch pipe. According to the shop, one header is so tightly packaged that the engine had to be lifted slightly to install it.
The truck also features selectable exhaust cutouts, allowing the V8 to sound even more aggressive, and with an engine this large, there’s certainly no shortage of noise.
Built For Off-Road Adventures
Unlike the lowered street trucks Fat Fender Garage is known for, this F-100 was designed with off-road use in mind. It rides on 40-inch tires, heavy-duty axles, and leaf-spring suspension at both ends.
The truck weighs over 5,000 pounds and features a reinforced chassis originally fabricated by its owner, Mike. His father also contributed bodywork, making this a project with a strong family connection.
Its custom grille combines pieces from two original grilles, while the rear features a fabricated tailgate, spare-tire carrier, and heavy-duty bumper. The exterior wears Porsche Chalk paint, giving the towering truck a surprisingly understated finish.
Inside, Fat Fender Garage installed black upholstery, air conditioning, upgraded gauges, a backup camera, and a powerful sound system.
The Test Drive Didn’t Go Entirely To Plan
Despite its size and old-school suspension, the F-100 initially impressed Autotopia LA’s host, Shawn, with its surprisingly composed and civilized road manners. However, the drive soon revealed some problems.
First, the steering developed noticeable play, prompting the crew to stop and investigate. Later, after some enthusiastic acceleration and visible flames from the exhaust, the engine stalled.
The crew suspected a fuel-related issue, although the exact cause wasn’t confirmed during filming. The truck eventually needed assistance getting off the road.
Fortunately, Fat Fender Garage was still testing the build and planned to complete approximately 1,000 miles before handing it over to the owner. When building an 800-horsepower custom truck, discovering those problems before delivery is probably a good thing.