SEMA Bound Luxury Performance Raptor Will Make You Jealous

Custom SVT Raptor Build: 2011 SEMA Stunner
by Jason Giacchino

Let’s face it, when it comes to the world of performance trucks the Ford SVT Raptor is considered crème de le crème territory, even in stock trim.  However when it comes to the SEMA Show (November 1-4, 2011, at the Las Vegas Convention Center), even a machine as lust-worthy as the SVT Raptor can find itself as merely a starting point. Such is the beginning of the journey for the Luxury Performance Raptor, a custom build unlike any other.

The Addictive Desert Design/JPM Coachworks Luxury Performance Raptor is an undertaking that actually began life as a 2011 Ford Raptor SuperCrew in luscious black on black.  From such “modest” beginnings it was then shipped off to Hennessey Performance, where it received the VelociRaptor 600 SC package: a supercharging mod good for 605 horses at 5,600 rpm.

From there it was off to Temple Georgia’s JPM Coachworks in Temple GA for a complete overhaul of the interior of the truck with Royal Hides from Edelman Leather and Alcantara.  As any enthusiast will attest, a beautiful interior absolutely demands the finest in acoustic accompaniment.  The next destination was Albuquerque NM, where High Desert Mobile electronics was given the nod to install a fully custom sound system to accompany Illusion Audio’s speakers.  Mosconi amplifiers, Blackhole sound deadening materials, and Tsunami wiring harnesses and connectors round out the audio-wave detail. Believe me, you need a serious stereo to be heard over the 605 horses.

NAV-TV is on board with a system that will integrate front and rear view live feeds with the factory navigation system. A Chasecam 3 camera is coupled to a JPM Coachwork custom built control panel in the center console armrest.  The end result is the ability to view live feeds both fore and aft of the vehicle’s exterior, with an accelerometer and GPS tracking built into the recording, all while controlling the whole process from the cab of the truck.

Audio goodies and visual controls are only part of the overall vision here. Additionally, Vizualogic was called upon to custom fabricate a rear seat entertainment package for the headrest that is tied in to both the NAV System as well as the cameras.

From there it was off to Addictive Desert Designs in Arizona for a wide assortment of truck pieces and bits to further separate this project from the crowd.  Among these: a Stealth front and rear bumper, Rigid LED lighting, rock guards, aftermarket front and rear suspension (King Shocks 3? coil-over shocks in the front and a 3? triple bypass piggyback setup in the rear with 14 inches of travel) and Fuel Hostage wheels wrapped in Goodyear MTR Kevlar tires. A complete set of powder-coated aluminum skid plates and a BakFlip F1 round out the goodies.  Marsh Racing Wheels is even installing bead-locks on the Fuel Hostage Wheels.

In keeping with the “you are only as fast as you can stop” line of reasoning, Baer Brakes was called upon to provide Extreme Plus Calipers and 15? rotors.

While most builders may have called it a night by this time, the Luxury Performance Raptor is no ordinary build. The truck next headed to Costa Mesa for Hi Tech Collision to provide some custom touches while Spintech Muffler hammered out a custom true dual exhaust that dumps downward just in front of the rear axle. Then Line-X coated the bed, wheel-wells, undercoat area and about 12? down the side of the truck.

Finally, toping off the project is Renny Doyle of Detailing Success through a prep-job worthy of SEMA.  Part of this includes a 12-step process to get the factory paint completely flat.  And when it comes to paint given this type of attention, protection is an absolute must.  XPEL STEALTH Protection Film employs the excellent conformability of other films, making it much easier to install than vinyl, yet it can easily withstand rock and debris impacts that would normally destroy the paint underneath.

Of course all of this custom bad-ass-ness wouldn’t be complete without a name, a forthcoming contest with Affliction Clothing to give the truck a name is in the works for creative readers looking for a chance to score some cool prizes.

The best way to keep up with the build and the contest is to visit the official builder page or on Facebook.

Or head over to the forum thread to check out a photographic journey from start to finish!