not for USA: Ford SORP

[haven]

Ford has developed a Powerstroke with a very capable off-road package, but for reasons unknown is limiting its USA sale to corporations who will use it off-road only (like a mining company).

The Severe Off-Road Package starts with a F250 or F350 SRW diesel, then adds a small lift to the suspension, aggressive tires, ARB-style front and rear bumpers, sliders, and extra undercarriage skid plates. Central Tire Inflation System and beadlocked rims are optional.

SORP sounds like a great solution for someone who doesn't want to take 6 months building up a standard pickup.

Does anyone know why Ford wouldn't make the SORP package available to the general public?

If we can't buy a SORP truck, does anyone know if Ford sells parts of the SORP package, like the bumpers or sliders, to be installed after the sale?

Chip Haven

 

[OutbacKamper]

Chip;
I find this very interesting. I wonder if Trail Ready (makers of front bumper) also made the custom sliders? I have never been able to find heavy duty sliders for my F350, which is why my truck has bent and damaged oem steps. I would kill for CTIS!
Please let me know if you get any more info.
Where did you find out about the SORP? I wonder if this is the rumoured Ford answer to Dodge's Powerwagon?
Cheers
Mark

 

[flyingwil]

They were talking about this today on extreme 4x4 on Spike TV. And actually made one similar. I did not catch the entire show, but you get the drift..

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

I like it!

The front bumper looked great until they put the scaffolding on it!.........hehe:088:


......I'm still praying for the "Jeep Gladiator"..........!:drool: .........:rockon: ............:friday:

 

[datrupr]

It could be that Ford is throwing out for heavy commercial use, and kinda guage public interest in this option package. I could be wrong though. I would also ask if they had any plans for locking diffs, kinda like the Power-Wagon.

 

[haven]

more severe off road packages

The Border Patrol is evaluating prototypes of a "severe off road vehicle" for duty on rough roads in the Southwest. Here's one example

The standard SUVs used by the Border Patrol reportedly fall apart after only 6 months of use in this terrain.

Ford is building a severe duty version of its Ranger pickup in Indonesia. The truck is a version unavailable in North America, a Crew Cab 4x4 with 2.5L diesel engine. The severe duty pieces are upgraded suspension and undercarriage protection, plus a snorkel. The Afghan government is purchasing a bunch of these Rangers for use as Army patrol vehicles (your tax dollars at work).

Again, we can't purchase any of these factory severe off road setups.

Chip Haven

 

[Grim Reaper]

Picture that truck in Olive Drab.

My Bet is Ford is trying for some military vehicle contracts. GM has managed to land most of those contracts for the past 30 years. CITS is again something that the military would want.

 

[CLynn85]

Wow, I'm diggin that SORP.

I wonder how all these compare to the AM General LSSV?
http://www.amgeneral.com/vehicles_lssv.php

 

[outsidr]

Ford Full Size/ Chevy Border Patrol info

Trail ready does make all the hardware for the modified F250 so you could use ARB Lockers with Trailready www.trailready.com hardware and a Donahoe racing suspension or like and have the same functionality.

In regard to the Chevy Border Patrol a company called Light Racing http://www.lightracing.com/ makes a full underbody skid plate and Jounce shocks that decelerate the upper control arms to decrease impact damage in highly dynamic suspension events. I don't know how much longer the Chevy frame holds up, it along with the front "Cast" style differential seem to be the week point. The cool thing about Light Racing is that they support most Toyotas with the same applications, so many of you on the board could benefit from it too.

 

[calamaridog]

The Border Patrol is evaluating prototypes of a "severe off road vehicle" for duty on rough roads in the Southwest. Here's one example

The standard SUVs used by the Border Patrol reportedly fall apart after only 6 months of use in this terrain.

Most of the BP trucks being used are NOT diesel for some reason. Haven't quite figured out why yet but they still prefer the gasoline motors.

The vehicle pictured has the very very heavy insert for carrying prisoners. They have mostly given up on using Ford and Chevy gasoline trucks to haul these inserts and are now trying to purchase exclusively the 5.7 HEMI powered Dodge gas trucks. You may still see some new Chevy's as supply fluctuates, but most of the new ones are the Dodge HEMI's.

The trucks tend to last longer than the SUV's however due to their heavier suspension.

 

[shawkins]

So is the Ford SORP street legal?

If you own a construction company, could you conceivively oreder one through it?

My dad would have totally tryed to order one of these if they were out when he special ordered his '06 Super Duty.

 

[scsykes]

SORP Conversion on Spike TV's Extream 4x4

Check out the Link below. I saw the Ford SORP featured on Extream 4x4 and they converted a King Ranch to SORP specs.

http://www.truckstv.com/sites/xtreme/

 

[4Rescue]

Wow, I'm diggin that SORP.

I wonder how all these compare to the AM General LSSV?
http://www.amgeneral.com/vehicles_lssv.php

they'll all run longer and better just cause they don't have a bow tie on them HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I'm Serious...

These projects are interesting. I like hearing that at least somewhere the big three are keeping their minds in the dirt. You'd be suprised what you can find when you look at large scale excavation, Police/patrol and mine opperations. THere were Toyota FJ 70 series imported into N.America as mine trucks... SO anyone want to start a shell company??? Oh and I thought I read somewhere that AM generals defence contract (for tactical vehicles, read: the Hummer) was running up sometime soon and that another round of "let's make the baddest off-roader we can" would begin. I hope so cause whenever defence contracts have come up for bid, we (offroaders) have gotten some neat things to play in eh

 

[viter]

fj70 land cruisers are still used in mines in both US and Canada. I wonder if one could buy a new one somehow thru a mining company and drive it on the roads legally.

and yeah - military seems to be one of the few forces that can motivate auto manufacturers to design "serious" off-road stuff, so new developments can be very usefull to us offroaders! I want a CTIS on my truck!!!!

 

[Killntime]

I have 2 of these right now!!

Hello,

I was surfing around for additional info on these vehicles, and I found this thread.

I know this thread is a tad old, but it was announced in today's meeting that we have 2 of these F350 Diesels on the ground with more available if possible.

The Federal Government Sales Department, in conjunction with Export Engineering, developed an enhanced off-road mobility package for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency for F-350 Crew and Super Cab Models. The intent of the package was to provide enhanced suspension modifications specifically engineered for extreme off road and all-terrain capabilities.

Package Description for Available Units:

F-350 Super Cab

* XL Trim
* Body Code X31
* Preferred equipment package 610A
* 158" wheel base
* Bed Length: 8'
* 6.4L Power Stroke V8 with 5spd auto trans
* 200amp Alternator
* Power equipment group(remote keyless entry, perimeter anti-theft alarm, power front
side windows, power rear windows(crew cab), manual telescoping trailer tow mirrors
with power heated glass, heated convex spotter mirror, and integrated clearance
lamps/turn signals.
* Upfitter swithches
* Rotory control 4WD switch with auto-manual locking hubs
* Camper Package
* Transmission power take-off.

Extreme Off-Road Package Content

* Torque biasing limited slop front differential and automatic-locking rear differential
(includes 4.10 axle ratio)
* Breather kit and transmission/starter incremental silicone sealing for 29" fording
capability.
* ABS lockout on 4WD low.
* R9 9way manually adjustable shocks in front and rear; special use front and rear
springs, steering damper, and front rebound straps.
* Protective skid plates for transfer case and fuel tanks with the addition of rocker
protection bars.
* MT/R LT285/70R17 Goodyear Tires.
* 4 ton jack and tools in lieu of 2 ton.
* DRW rear Springs in lieu of SRW springs

If you are in the San Antonio area, you can come by and check it out. If not, the picture originally posted is similar without the replacement front bumper and of course this is a new 2008 model. Everything else is there.

Hope this is what you've been waiting for, cause now I've got em'. OH, and I also heard we could the F250 Crew Cabs like this too. Don't know how many just yet.

Thanks for looking, and if you have any questions please feel free to call me at 210-550-4532.

Robert