The Ford F-150 Lightning SwitchGear EV is an electrified monster
A partnership between Ford Performance and RTR has resulted in the Ford F-150 Lightning Switchgear EV, an electric truck that seems to compete on a higher level when compared to the electric Raptor. With both on and off-road configurations, the Switchgear is an all-around high performance electric beast that’s been created in collaboration with Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s tuning company.
Consider the Ford F-150 Lightning Switchgear EV as a unique car meant to demonstrate Ford’s commitment to racing and performance. Ford views it as a “testbed” to show off how well it can handle challenging off-road circumstances.
Ford developed two variants of the truck including one off-road model and another surface road variant. The off-road vehicle is equipped with enormous 37-inch Nitto Ridge Grappler tires, while the street configuration sits on 33.23-inch Nitto NT420V 305 / 55R20. The off-road variant also has steel-fabricated bumpers, skid plates, and rock rails, as well as extra tires set on a rack in the truck’s bed.
Ford prioritized the chassis and suspension when creating the Switchgear. The double-wishbone arrangement of the independent front suspension includes droop limit straps, a stabilizer bar, and coil-over shocks. In the rear suspension, semi-trailing arms replace the double-wishbone, but there is still a stabilizer bar and droop limit straps.
Ford claims that the 80-inch front and rear track widths are a “significant” increase over the standard F-150 Lightning. The suspension system also includes “unique front and rear bumpers to improve approach and departure angles,” in addition to Fox three-inch diameter internal bypass shock absorbers.
As for now, there are no plans for the Ford F-150 Lightning Switchgear EV to go into production as the company states it’s currently a “testbed for pushing the boundaries of what’s expected from electric trucks.” Needless to say, we’ve got our fingers crossed.
