Through 130,000 miles of sand, mud, clay, dirt and asphalt, our Lexus 4x4 SUV performed well with both the Nitto Ridge Grappler and Terra Grappler G2 tires.
The all-electric pickup changing the dual-purpose game forever.
2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Switchgear
Ford has just unveiled its all-electric F-150 concept truck called the Switchgear. Based off of the F-150 Lightning platform, the Switchgear is a collaboration between Ford Motor Company, Vaughn Gittin Jr. and RTR vehicles. The idea behind the truck was to reimagine just what a dual-purpose pickup truck could be. The reason it’s called Switchgear is that the off-road upgrades are designed to be easily swapped out for a street setup.
While we’ll have to wait to see just what that looks like, for now, we will dive into the details of this all-electric off-road setup.
Electrified Power
The Switchgear uses the Lightning’s dual motor configuration to crank out 580hp and 775 lb. ft of torque. Given it’s a concept vehicle, there’s no official 0 to 60 times or range estimates.
Shocking Suspension
Switchgear has a fully independent suspension utilizing Fox 3.0 Internal Bypass shocks. The front suspension is turning out 11 inches of travel, while the rear is dialed in for 13 inches.
Grounded Grappling
Getting the power to the ground is a set of 37x12.50R18 Nitto Trail Grapplers. Securing the ultimate mud-terrain tires in place are 18-inch RTR beadlock wheels. For street driving (aka drift mode) the Trails are swapped out for a set of Nitto NT420Vs in a 305/55R20.
Connected Interior
The inside of the Lightning is a busy arrangement of old and new tech. This is represented wonderfully by the custom machined handbrake nestled between the massive display screens.
High Voltage Flare
Providing coverage for the Grapplers, and adding a bit of style to boot, are the carbon composite fenders. The flares, along with the bedsides and front bumper cover were all handcrafted for this F-150.
Ride The Lightning
Recaro seats and Schroth 6-point harnesses were installed to keep everyone strapped in safely. We’re thinking this truck may see a similar tour circuit as the original F-150 RTR collaboration. This means there is a real possibility you could go for a ride in this concept truck sometime in 2024.
Plugged In Mods
In the off-road configuration, a bed rack, rocker guards, and steel bumpers complete the look and function of the truck. For the street setup, these off-road wares are set aside for lighter carbon composite upgrades.
The Spark
While Vaughn Gittin Jr. made his name in the racing world by becoming one of the most dominate drivers in Formula Drift, he’s continued his racing career as a championship winning driver in the Ultra4Racing series. This experience in both worlds undoubtedly led to what may be the future of EV dual-sport building.
With blown LSX power and a killer stance, this classic 1955 Chevy Tri-5 is back for another round.
Mid-Century Modern: '55 Chevrolet Bel-Air Restomod
Starting a project with an iconic platform can be daunting for some builders. When a particular car has cemented its place into the minds of both enthusiasts and the larger American public, the transformation needs to truly be special to elevate it beyond its roots. Take a Tri-5 Chevy for example, a car so entrenched into Americana that it moves past iconic into nearly “the icon.” Moving the needle on a Bel Air build requires a whole lot more than just wheels and a drop.
Start with Good Bones
The owner of this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air gave Georgia-based SOB Motorsportscarte blanche to transform the car into something special. The owner said, “A local hot rod builder/ collector originally built the car and drove and showed the car across the southeast."
"There was no hesitation in taking the car to where it is now, though. The car had a nice shiny 502 big block in it with a turbo 400 transmission, but I wanted to take it a little further and keep a black theme going.”
SOB Built’s vision for the car was a “big horsepower, street friendly tire frier! The car was beautiful, it just needed our custom vision for the stance, the wheels and of course the power!” Their decision to retain the overall classic OEM aesthetic of the ‘55 was a smart decision, allowing the slick black paint and chrome to shine in a way that is thoroughly period-correct.
While the modern trend of blacking out chrome certainly has its purpose for certain segments, robbing a Tri-5 of its shine requires a LOT of justification.
Big Wheels, Big Vibes
SOB Built painstakingly fitted the staggered 20 and 22 inch Forgiato FV4 to the classic Chevy resulting in a completely jaw-dropping look. While calling a set of staggered large diameter wheels “period correct” would be a bridge too far, Forgiato’s design harkens back to popular hubcap designs of the period, feeling both fresh and familiar at the same time.
Bagged Bel Air
Stance is not made by wheels alone, however. The Bel Air received a full Ride Tech air suspension to really hammer home the classic gangster vibes. SOB Built owner Zack Martin said, “I love the custom fitment of the wheels, which required the new axles, and the air suspension."
"Everything is a precise puzzle piece, they all have to work together and fit just right for the big picture to come out correct in the end.”
Nitto Invo + Forgiato Combo
Choosing the right tire for the Bel Air was an easy decision. Although the car makes big power, the goal for this build was ultimately a street cruiser rather than a pure performance machine. Zack said, “We love Nitto's Invo tires, we have run them on multiple builds, along with our personal cars! The car still spins the tires but it’s a great smooth ride thus far.”
The Nitto Invo Luxury Ultra High Performance tire works perfect for the project because it was specifically developed for staggered size applications. Every aspect of the Invo’s modern tread design was engineered to optimize traction in both wet and dry situations, increase braking stability, and provide a quiet, predictable experience on long drives in high horsepower vehicles.
Blown LSX Power
That high horsepower, by the way, comes courtesy of a 427” LSX crate motor with a Boost District blower. Pulling this off in a classic Chevy platform wasn’t easy. Zack said, “Fitting the complete package in a somewhat tight engine bay, with the added needs for the supercharger and required cooling wasn’t easy. We built a custom “Air Dam” type heat exchange so the Heat Exchanger is actually flat under the front of the car with ducting forcing air in and through.”
A Holley Terminator X ECU and custom Custom Built Aeromotive fuel system keeps everything running smoothly through a built 4L80E transmission. Altogether, Zach said, “The goal was as close to 1000hp as possible on a pump gas combo for ease of use and drivability. The car makes well over 700hp to the tire, which through a 4l80E and a 9” rear end is pretty close to our target crank HP goal on pump gas.”
Altogether, this Tri-5 successfully separates itself from the hordes of classic '50s Chevrolets filling the lots of cruise-ins around the country. Pulling bits of influence from the pro-touring style, the big wheel domestic scene, and OEM+/period correct tuner styles, it stands on the shoulders of so many cars before it while firmly having its own identity. It feels both mid-century, and modern, doing justice to the iconic platform on which it is based.
Nitto's Recon Grappler all terrain tires proves itself over the long haul as a worthy OEM replacement tire for the F-250 Tremor.
Nitto Recon Grappler 30,000 Mile Tire Review: Trail & Street Tested on a Ford F-250 Tremor
As an owner of a modern 4WD heavy duty truck, tire choice can make or break your experience. While there’s always the temptation to outfit the most aggressive terrain possible for that hypothetical off-road adventure, most modern trucks will spend the majority of their time on asphalt if owners are honest with themselves. Finding the right tire to strike the balance is crucial. We're taking a deep dive into Nitto’s Recon Grappler all terrain tire, as we review its performance on our Ford F-250 Tremor over the course of 30,000 miles to see how it performed.
The Recon Grappler is an all terrain tire specifically engineered for those who demand versatility. Its design aims to provide a balance between rugged off-road capability and on-road comfort and handling. With this in mind, we chose a set of LT285/75R18s that were the perfect OEM alternative for an off-road focused heavy-duty truck like the F-250 Tremor.
Off-Road Prowess
When it came to off-road performance, our Recon Grappler tires excelled in everything it was tasked to do. The aggressive tread pattern, featuring large, chunky blocks with alternating shoulder and sidewall reinforcements, provided exceptional grip on a wide range of surfaces.
Over the course of our 30,000-mile journey, these tires tackled the rocky trails of North Carolina and the sandy paths of coastal Florida with ease.
One specific challenge that we faced often was towing an RV in and out of the slick Georgia red clay. Navigating through mud on a trail is one thing, but pulling a camper out of outdoor storage after a long rain is another. Despite the clay doing its best to fill the deep treads, the Recon Grappler never failed to find enough grip to pull both the truck and camper out of a potentially sticky situation.
Traction in All Conditions
Whether we were navigating through muddy trails or driving on rainy Georgia roads, the Recon Grappler tires always exhibited reliable traction. The siping on the tread blocks enhances grip on slippery surfaces, and the large, open voids between the blocks effectively evacuate water and mud, preventing hydroplaning.
On-Road Comfort and Handling
One of the standout features of the Recon Grappler tires is their impressive on-road performance. While aggressive off-road tread can often be a handful on the pavement, the Nittos are surprisingly well-mannered. Whether we were cruising on the highway or tackling twisty mountain roads, the Recon Grapplers always provided a reassuring level of grip and stability.
On top of that, the ride quality is surprisingly comfortable for a heavy duty truck. The thick sidewall construction helps dampen impacts, and the tires maintain a predictable ride even on rough roads. This is a significant benefit for those who spend a lot of time driving their truck on pavement, because it minimizes driver fatigue during long journeys.
We’ve made two long trips with these tires, from Georgia to Montana, and Georgia to West Virginia. Even with 10+ hour driving days, the F-250 remained a pleasant place to soak up miles.
Durability and Longevity
Over the 30,000 miles we've put on the Recon Grapplers, they've shown minimal signs of wear. The tread depth remains consistent, which is impressive given the variety of terrain these tires have tackled.
This longevity is a testament to Nitto's quality and construction, as it can be challenging to find tires that provide both excellent off-road performance and a long lifespan. And Nitto is proud of their tires, and stand behind the Recon Grappler with a 55k limited treadwear warranty on LT Metric and flotation sizes and 65,000-mile treadwear warranty on Hard Metric sizes.
Nitto has managed to create a tire that combines off-road tenacity with on-road comfort and durability. Whether you're an avid off-roader, an overland enthusiast, or simply a daily driver, these tires offer a compelling blend of performance.
So, if you're considering upgrading your F-250 Tremor's tires, the Recon Grappler tires deserve a closer look. Our 30,000-mile experience has convinced us of the quality and performance, and they've certainly earned their place as the ideal OEM replacement tire for our F-250 Tremor.