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Ford is testing a new off-road-focused mule for the F-150 Lightning, as evidenced by this modified EV truck with upgrades suggestive of Ford’s Tremor or Timberline trail-ready trims.
More Clearance
The F-150 Lightning mule caught looks raised up for a taller ride-height. Front approach angles are enhanced by the removal of the front bumper’s low-hanging bits, and a front skid plate has been added to its chin.
New Tremor-spec Rubber
This lifted Lightning is equipped with 33-inch General Grabber A/T tires, sized at 275/70R18—the same rubber used on the F-150 Tremor. The 18-inch wheels look to lifted from Ford’s Expedition Timberline—it’s off-road-focused trim for its big SUV. There’s no tire spec like this available on the currrent F-150 Lightning.
Revised Side Steps and Underbody
Beyond the raised stance, trail-ready tires, and revised front bumper, this truck goes even further. The Lightning’s side steps have been removed for improved off-road clearance. We can see some structural elements tucked further under the body, placed to keep the truck from bottoming out on the battery. It appears that there is further skid plate protection on the underside, but the exact design is inconclusive on these shots, taken of the truck driving in heavy traffic. We can see a skit plate over the rear EV motor, but that is nothing new on the F-150 Lightning.
On its initial launch, the F-150 Lightning has focused on range efficiency and basic work functions, leaving anything specifically tailored toward off-roading off the table. It now appears that Ford is in the early stages of adding an off-road-focused variant of its EV truck. New competition from Ford’s crosstown rival is about to hit the market in the form of the Chevy Silverado EV. A more rugged Trail Boss variant has been teased and promised for the Silverado EV, which may explain the impetus for the Tremor-esque upgrades seen on this new F-150 Lightning mule. We’ll be on the lookout for more evidence of just what modifications Ford is making to the Lighting, as we search for more prototype evidence on- and off-road.
More Clearance
The F-150 Lightning mule caught looks raised up for a taller ride-height. Front approach angles are enhanced by the removal of the front bumper’s low-hanging bits, and a front skid plate has been added to its chin.
New Tremor-spec Rubber
This lifted Lightning is equipped with 33-inch General Grabber A/T tires, sized at 275/70R18—the same rubber used on the F-150 Tremor. The 18-inch wheels look to lifted from Ford’s Expedition Timberline—it’s off-road-focused trim for its big SUV. There’s no tire spec like this available on the currrent F-150 Lightning.
Revised Side Steps and Underbody
Beyond the raised stance, trail-ready tires, and revised front bumper, this truck goes even further. The Lightning’s side steps have been removed for improved off-road clearance. We can see some structural elements tucked further under the body, placed to keep the truck from bottoming out on the battery. It appears that there is further skid plate protection on the underside, but the exact design is inconclusive on these shots, taken of the truck driving in heavy traffic. We can see a skit plate over the rear EV motor, but that is nothing new on the F-150 Lightning.
On its initial launch, the F-150 Lightning has focused on range efficiency and basic work functions, leaving anything specifically tailored toward off-roading off the table. It now appears that Ford is in the early stages of adding an off-road-focused variant of its EV truck. New competition from Ford’s crosstown rival is about to hit the market in the form of the Chevy Silverado EV. A more rugged Trail Boss variant has been teased and promised for the Silverado EV, which may explain the impetus for the Tremor-esque upgrades seen on this new F-150 Lightning mule. We’ll be on the lookout for more evidence of just what modifications Ford is making to the Lighting, as we search for more prototype evidence on- and off-road.
