A 1978 F-100 pickup with 480 horses sounds like the best bad idea ever.
At the SEMA Show last year, Ford introduced the Eluminator E-crate motor, the same electric motor you’ll find in the Mustang Mach-E. It produces 281 horses and 317 lb-ft of torque and can spin at a maximum speed of 13,800 rpm. At only 22 inches wide, it’s a nifty powertrain to use for engine swaps, and EV swaps are, to quote Mugatu from Zoolander, so hot right now. Look at the Totem Automobili Giulia GT and tell us it’s not the most remarkable thing on four wheels.
Ford was smart enough to launch the Eluminator with a concept called the F-100 Eluminator, and now its CEO, Jim Farley, wants to know if Ford should build it.
I loved this video. Build it? https://t.co/LzWxRkwRHy
— Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) April 19, 2022
The F-100 Eluminator concept was built to show what was possible with the Eluminator crate motor. It’s based around the 1978 F-100 pickup, and Ford used two of its EV crate motors to power it. The concept truck uses the same eAWD setup as the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT, which means 480 hp and 634 lb-ft of torque.
It was not done in-house, however. Ford built the concept in collaboration with MLe Racecars and Roadster Shop. As you can imagine, a late ’70s truck was never designed to handle that much instant torque, not to mention the sheer braking power it needs to scrub the speed. For that reason alone, we’re going to go ahead and say no.
While the interior looks phenomenal with all the modern Mach-E bits, we can’t help but think such an old brick-like truck would be a handful, even with an entire chassis rebuild courtesy of Roadster Shop. The concept still has some merit, though. Look closer, and note how little space the electric motors require. Ford even had enough room left over for a frunk. No wonder the Eluminator motor sold out within a week.
Thankfully, the Eluminator crate motor is back. While there’s zero chance Ford will build the Eluminator F-100 concept, you can now at least try and create your own. Currently, an Eluminator crate motor retails for $4,085, which is cheaper than virtually every other crate motor. The price does not include a traction inverter, control system, or battery, all of which raises the total cost substantially. According to comments on Reddit, a standard-range battery costs around $18,500, while an extended-range battery goes for $23,600.
