9 Rare Ford Special Edition Trucks

2016 Ford F-150 with Special Edition Appearance Package

Ford sell more F-series trucks than any other company sells any other anything. Toyota Camry? Please, Ford sells nearly twice as many trucks as those (66k trucks vs 38k Camrys in 2015). Still, even among the estimated millions of F-150 trucks still on the road, there are some stand out special editions that will set you apart from the crowd. For every 10k plain white, fleet spec, F-150 single cab long bed out there, there is only one Raptor or Harley-Davidson, and even less of some of the more obscure ones. For 2016 there is actually a "Special Edition Appearance Package" (pictured) but even that isn't as special as some that have been offered over the years. Click through and maybe you'll find the next truck you stay up late at night searching Craigslist and eBay for.

1. 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor

If you are like me, and prefer your pickup trucks with a regular cab and short bed, the 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor (in 2 or 4-wheel drive) made your ears prick up. While not quite a reborn Lightning, it was one of the lightest Ford trucks you could buy, with the most powerful 3.5 liter EcoBoost turbo under the hood. Magazine tests managed to get from 0-60 mph in just 6 seconds, and the 1/4 mile in 12.9 seconds. That's not far off a Mustang GT times, but you can also literally put the Mustang on a trailer and tow it home with the F-150, because the Tremor retained the full 8,000lb tow rating. These were expensive when new, and loaded with all the options, but you will likely never find a better equipped regular cab truck.

2. 2014 Ford F-150 Raptor

With the all new aluminum F-150 for 2015, Ford took a break from turning out special edition trucks, they were all special for 2015. The off-road ready Raptor will be back for 2017, but if you want the sound of a big 6.2 liter V8, you need to shop used for a 2014. No one could have guessed that the tall and thirsty, dirt focused Raptor would have been the sales success it has been, but then expensive trucks seem to have supplanted sports cars like the Viper as the vehicle of choice for midlife crisis shoppers. That being said, there is no denying the abilities of this tough 4x4, and it will be back for 2017 with an EcoBoost V6.

3. 2011 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson

From 2000 to 2012, Ford and Harley-Davidson teamed up to produce special addition F-150 trucks featuring lots of chrome and black leather, and from 2004 to 2011, they made F-250 versions too. The heavier payload trucks were just an appearance package, but on the F-150 from 2000 to 2003, you also got the supercharged 5.4 liter V8 from the Lightning (though slightly detuned). Depending on the year, some of these trucks were crew cabs with a 5' bed, and some were extended cabs with a longer bed that could actually hold a motorcycle. If you are looking for a truck with a luxury car interior, and extra stand out trim and custom paint job, the Harley-Davidson is the way to go.

4. 2001 Ford F-150 Lightning

There are actually 2 very different Lightning special editions. The first generation Lightning (1993-95) is based on the boxy 9th generation F-series truck and powered by a 5.8 liter V8 (the old 351 Windsor) with 240hp and 340lb-ft of torque. It also got a special lowered, sporty suspension, special wheels, special interior and a heavy duty transmission. Pictured here is the second generation Lightning (1999-2003), which was powered by a supercharged 5.4 liter modular motor, for 360-380hp and 450lb-ft of torque. 0-60 mph took just 5.2 seconds according to magazine tests, and the 1/4 mile was run in the high 13 second range. Unfortunately for those of use that prefer pavement, SVT turned their attention to the Raptor off-road truck, and the Tremor is the best you can do these days for on road sporty trucks.

5. 1998 Ford F-150 NASCAR

In 1996 NASCAR started racing full-sized pickup trucks around their oval tracks, and in 1998 (the 50th anniversary of both NASCAR and the Ford F-series) Ford and NASCAR released a special edition F-150. The 3000 black F-150 regular cab trucks were made, all with the 5.4 liter modular V8, though some had manual and some had automatic transmissions. Besides the NASCAR decals, these trucks also got a front air dam from Roush, a NASCAR supplier/racer, and twin side exit exhaust pipes like the racers had. Lowered, sport tuned suspension, and raised yellow letter tires on black 16' wheels completed the package. This turned out to be a one year only collaboration, and you almost never see these trucks on the road anymore, though the 2nd generation Lightning was similar and more powerful.

6. 1992 Ford F-150 Nite

Ford's 1991 and the 1992 offered a special appearance package that was about as 90s as can be, with a multi-colored magenta to blue stripe down the side of it. At first this was just a sporty regular cab, short bed model, but later it became more widely available, including on Broncos, 4x4s and even the Flair Side (which is as rare as a unicorn these days). All of them came with V8 motors, and polished alloy wheels standard, plus typically pretty nicely equipped interiors. The 1st generation Lightning seems to have taken the Nite and run with monochrome sport truck theme. The Ford-Trucks.com site has a special section just for owners of these trucks, the aforementioned NASCAR edition, and other rarities, which you can find here: Nite, Nascar & Other Limited Edition Ford Trucks. 

7. 1987 Ford F-150 Bigfoot Cruiser

The Bigfoot Cruiser was a package offered on Ranger, F-150 and F-1250 trucks, tying into the sponsorship of the popular Bigfoot monster truck. The package included over-sized wheels and tires, light bar with KC light, and front bumper with winch, plus, of course, the graphics. Shortly after the launch of this special edition they were involved in several fires, and they were all recalled as Ford blamed the aftermarket parts, though it turned out to be the cruise control. It is estimated that all together less than 1,000 of these trucks survived, including the Ranger and F-250 versions.

8. 1979 Ford F-150 Indy Pace Truck

In 1979 Ford was having a good year with the introduction of the new Fox body Mustang, and its use as the pace car for the Indy 500. There are always safety trucks at the track, but they do not always have a corresponding production truck to go with them, however in 1979 Ford offered one. The pace truck package was really just a decal and paint package installed on top of a V8 powered truck in F-100, F-150 or F-250 sizes. There are supposed to have been just a few more than 4,000 of them produced.

9. 1978 Ford F-150 Free Wheeling Edition

Ford did not make a real special truck like the Dodge Lil' Red Express, instead it offered a very 70s paint and stripe package on each of the trucks and vans made that year. The Free Wheeling Styleside truck came with blacked out trim and bumpers, as well as special rainbow striped decals on the side. The Free Wheeling Shorty stepside truck had specially applied pinstripes outlining the fenders, doors, and bed panels. Good luck if you are trying to find one today, as it is impossible to find the decals and no one is making new ones. For the right price, a body shop should be able to paint it, or check out this thread on Ford-Tucks.com about getting custom reproductions made: 1979 Free Wheeling Stripe Kits.

For information on DIY modifications, maintenance and repairs, check out our how-to section here in Ford Trucks Enthusiasts.