Sam Krahn 
Still disappointed the Ford F-150 Raptor doesn’t come with a V8? Detroit, Michigan based tuner Mil-Spec Automotive has an answer. Mil-Spec has been around for a few years now, selling painstakingly restored Hummer H1 military SUVs. Their newest model is a heavily modified F-150, and its a worthy competitor to the factory F-150 Raptor. Or something from Roush or Hennessey, for that matter.
The biggest reason to get the Mil-Spec F-150 pickup truck over a Raptor is what’s under the hood. Unlike the Raptor’s EcoBoost V6, the Mil-Spec truck is powered by a 500 horsepower, 5.0L naturally aspirated Coyote V8. This gives it a 50 hp advantage over the original offering. It should sound better too, with a performance cat-back exhaust.
The bodywork and off-road modifications are even more impressive. Mil-Spec significantly widened the F-150’s bodywork. In fact, it’s a whole seven inches wider than a Raptor, which isn’t what you’d call narrow in the first place.
The optional Baja Suspension Package adds most of the off-road goodies. With it, the truck gets specialty Fox coilover shocks and long travel Eibach springs. They allow for 11 inches of suspension travel. The Baja Suspension package also adds long Tavel control arms, axle shafts, and an LED light bar. Mil-Spec also offers a Baja Appearance package. It gives the truck an additional roof mounted light bar, roof rack and tire carrier.
The truck rides on a set of 20 inch alloy wheels and 37 inch Nitto Ridge Grappler tires. Overall, the truck looks purposeful and imposing, but never tacky. Mil-Spec has a reputation for rather sophisticated, stealthy, and military-esque modifications with their Hummers, and their truck is no different. The military inspired look carries through in the color schemes. You can only get it in two grays, white and black.
Mil-Spec hasn’t left the interior untouched, either. Leather seats come in three colors, and there’s a smattering of billet aluminum badging. The billet dials are a nice addition, too.
Unfortunately, all of this comes at a price. While a Ford F-150 Raptor starts at $54,455, the Mil-Spec truck starts at a whopping $85,000. The Baja Suspension and Appearance Packages are an additional $6,000 and $8,600 respectively. But to many, the exclusivity, design and V8 of the Mil-Tee F-150 will make it worth every penny.
