Watch Ken Block Drift His Massive Ford F-450 Because He Can (Flashback Friday)
One of the head Hoonigan’s coolest hat tricks was making this Ford F-450 dance like a ballerina.
Sadly, Ken Block‘s partnership with Ford came to an end early last year after a decade of hilarious antics, thrilling rides, and some impressive motorsports results. But the memories of Block and the Blue Oval live on in the form of countless hours of cool videos, including this one from nearly two years ago, which is easily one of the most entertaining clips Block ever put out during his decade with FoMoCo. Because who doesn’t secretly wonder if they can drift a Ford F-450 or some other type of dually?
In this episode of “will it drift?” Block and his team are hanging out at Utah Motorsports Campus when this obvious question comes up, so the timing is indeed perfect. Though Block admits that it wasn’t easy, it certainly doesn’t take him long to unleash the massive torque of the Ford F-450 upon all four rear tires and break them loose, which allows him to kick that wide tail out rather easily. Controlling it, however, is a bit more difficult.
Of course, this gigantic dually wasn’t built to overpower its tires, so Block is working against both physics and electronics here. But with a little work and finesse, he manages to make this big truck dance like a ballerina. The F-450’s diesel powerplant makes things a bit difficult too, as Block points out, as when he lets off the throttle, it takes time to build the power back up. The secret sauce is apparently putting the truck in third gear and keeping the wheel speed up, he notes.
We wouldn’t expect anything less from a guy who’s a darn good race car driver, but one that also got famous for his less mature antics behind the wheel. But unlike seeing some mega-horsepower muscle car drift, there’s something inherently hilarious and entertaining about watching a big old truck do it. It makes us a bit misty eyed for the old days, when Block and Ford were a thing, but at least we have these memories to remind us of that fruitful relationship.
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