DriveTech

Saleen transforms a 2007 F-150 into something special

So you need a pickup truck for work but refuse to drive a truck that looks like everyone else's. I have an answer for your problem - a 2007 Saleen Ford S331 Supercharged F-150 from Ken Grody Ford in Car Country Carlsbad. Ken Grody Ford specializes in horsepower and the 2007 F-150 I tested had just arrived from Steve Saleen's headquarters in Irvine.

Saleen is rich with racing history and the future is even brighter. Thanks to out-of-the-box thinking, Ken Grody carries the full line of Saleen vehicles.
That's how this 2007 Ford F-150 transformed into a Saleen S331 Supercharged pickup.

The base truck is a four-door model with a ton of Saleen features that have all been track tested. For instance, the Ford 5.4-liter V8 Saleen adds a supercharger that has a smooth power ban just about anyone can handle. The stock Ford 5.4-liter V8 produces 300 horsepower but Saleen has upped the horsepower to 450 by adding a Saleen Series VI integrated screw type supercharger, a Saleen dual-stage water to air intercooler system, a set of Saleen 39-pound fuel injectors and a Saleen design hi-flow inlet tube. Then Saleen uses a Powerflash performance calibration to bring it all together.

The engine is backed by a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Plus, Saleen added a set of 3.73:1 rear gear ratio so the power and fuel mileage work together. You also can tow with this baby.

You may think that this is just an F-150 with a lot of bolt-ons, but you would be mistaken. All the parts and pieces added are specially designed for this truck, from under the hood to the exterior. It has redesigned body parts to help ventilate and improve coefficiency of drag, plus make it look cool as well. The exhaust has been upgraded to a 2 Ľ-inch dual high performance exhaust that exits out of the side of a custom skirt system. Boy, does this truck sound mean!

Other body treatments include a Saleen designed hood with heat ventilation, injected mold fascia, molded cab and bed skirts, molded rear fascia with diffuser as well as a specially designed Saleen grill and rear center body panels. Saleen designed a tailgate spoiler that isn't obtrusive and doesn't block your rear vision, plus it has a set of Saleen fender vents.

Having all this go-power doesn't work if the vehicle doesn't have upgraded suspension and brakes. Saleen took care of that by adding Racecraft Suspension that consists of Saleen specific rate front coil springs on shocks, Saleen specific rear leaf springs, a set of Saleen rear shocks and upgraded brakes. Then it added a set of BF Goodrich 305/40VR23 tires mounted on 23-inch X10-inch Saleen seven-spoke alloy wheels. For added safety, a tire monitoring system is included.

As far as the interior, Saleen does a stellar job inside by changing the gauges, adding two-tone leather seating with Saleen logos on the headrests, an overhead console, all-new driving pedals, plus your Saleen S331 is numbered for when it becomes a classic. So you're not buying a custom truck - you're buying a collector vehicle. I'm telling you this now because how many times did we buy cars and trucks in the '60s and didn't realize they would become collectors vehicles today?

That's what the Saleen collection is all about and you can find a great selection at Ken Grody Ford in Car Country Carlsbad. Plus, the service department has specially-trained technicians that work on all the Saleen vehicles.

Looking for price? Depends on the model you choose, as there are many different variations. As for fuel mileage, it gets 12 MPG in the city and 16 MPG on the highway.

There's a lot more to see in this truck, so you need to see it to enjoy it. Want to meet a great example of a Ken Grody Ford employee? Stop by and ask receptionist Debbie Lusignan. She can direct you to the right sales consultant or point you to my test truck, if it's still there. Taking a ride to Carlsbad will be well worth the trip.

Next week, I will test drive a Chevy from Poway Chevrolet.