Rough Rider 1988 Ford F-150 Class 8 Show Truck

This Ford F-150 started life as a 1988 F150 Class 8 Truck built by the Kishyama brothers and later purchased by Ford as a test mule in the Rough Riders program in the early 90s. One reason Ford purchased this truck was due to the craftsmanship and quality of the build. At the time, the Kishyama brothers were known to build some of the best and fastest Class 8 trucks taking what they had learned working with Bill Stroppe previously.

When Ford purchased the truck, it was converted to the step-side bed and updated to a 1992 F150 facia to resemble the current truck being sold at the time. Then, of course, the truck was painted in the iconic Rough Rider livery. Because the truck was never raced, the paint is still original and in great shape despite being well used.

Dave Ashley and Dan Smith both drove and used the truck for the initial transmission development. They would later purchase the truck from Ford and then sell it to its current owner David Leeper. It has remained mostly original besides the installation of the Lowrance GPS system for prerunning trips in Baja. There are additional upgrades such as the Harmon Fuel cell and Optima battery.

The motor was built by Roush and is 351 Windsor with Yates Cleveland heads, Kinsler 8 stack fuel injection system back to a E4OD four-speed transmission.

The front suspension is a 2wd I Beam with Walker Evans branded Kuster shocks and adjusters. The current owner reported that the suspension is all original and that they have the original front sway bar.

The rear suspension is a quarter elliptical leaf spring suspension system that features a built-in ride height adjuster on the top of the leaf pack.

The interior is all original, from the seats and harnesses to the switches and Parker pumper. Interesting features can be seen throughout the interior, such as the built-in door pockets and the hand parking brake next to the steering column.

This truck is in great running condition and the seller has stated that he has put over 3000 miles prerunning and driving off-road in this truck. Overall this is an excellent truck, we think it could be a great NORRA race car, or it should be preserved and put in a museum somewhere. It is a time capsule highlighting the pinnacle of OEM involvement in desert racing through the 90s. It served as a reminder of when Class 8 reigned supreme through the deserts of Baja.