Ford Desert Defender F150 May DRAGG Kids In A New, Positive Direction

You know what a drag is, don’t you? For most people, it is doing something they would rather not be doing. Well, do you know what a DRAGG is? If you are into trucks, then it is probably something you would rather be doing. We would, anyway, but that’s another story. In this case, DRAGG stands for Drag Racing Against Gangs and Graffiti. It’s aims are laudable.

DRAGG Desert Defender The Product Of New Program

Specifically, DRAGG is a non-profit, youth-oriented, afterschool program that seeks to encourage young folks to focus on the auto industry as their future, as opposed to other things. DRAGG gives kids access to potential new lives, taking them far from the street life they may have lived. Using vehicles this way is a benefit. Let’s look at what DRAGG does.

Recently, DRAGG created its Desert Defender Ford F150. The DRAGG Desert Defender is a Ford F150 that started as a humble F150 Lariat Sport SuperCrew 4X4, but after lots of tweaking, the true nature of the pickup shown through. The process of creating the Desert Defender was much like that of the sculptor who famously said noted that each of his masterpieces was there in the marble waiting. He said he chipped away all of the unnecessary parts, and the masterpiece revealed itself. Likewise, the Ford F-250 Tremor model is just flexible as Ford's Other SEMA entries like Rangers and F250s.

Where Does It Come From?

Granted, the artist’s statement was more fanciful than not, but it did make its point. There is a form in everything; you have to find it. DRAGG did find it and more in the Desert Defender. Indeed, the DRAGG Desert Defender will be a featured conversion at this week's SEMA show in Las Vegas. Indeed, there are other vehicles that are also special SEMA models, like the number of Rangers that will be shown as SEMA Ranger concepts that show how flexible the mid-sized truck platform is.

Powered by Ford’s 5.0-liter Ford V-8, the developers dropped in a Ford Performance Supercharger with TVS technology to give the pickup go-power. And, the truck has a cold-air intake and cat-back exhaust with black chrome tips by Borla to improve performance.

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Six-Inch Lift Is No Small Matter

The Desert Defender Ford F150’s suspension features a six-inch lift kit by BDS. The development team also installed a set of Fox race series shocks. The Desert Defender has more than enough stopping power thanks to Wilwood Performance brakes, and DSM&T Co. harnesses and fasteners.

The DRAGG Desert Defender Ford F150 features 20-inch Fifteen52 TurboMac heavy-duty wheels shod in BFGoodrich all-terrain KO2 tires. The pickup also features a Ford Performance Recovery Kit by Warn Industries plus a chase rack, rock slider side steps, Ford Accessories Black Appearance Package components, and a body wrap designed by Ford Vehicle Personalization.

Some Of The Desert Defenders Tricky Bits

The DRAGG Desert Defender Ford F150 uses Addictive Desert Design stealth fighter bumpers, a honey badger rear spare tire rack by American Truck, Bushwacker fender flares, a Rigid LED light bar, rock lighting, and chase rack light bar.

A Federal Signal police lighting package by West Coast Lights & Sirens and Diablo bumper shackles by Mojave Parts are also parts of this unique Ford F150. And, inside the DRAGG Desert Defender Ford F150, you will find a Ford Accessories subwoofer and amp by Kicker Audio, body-color trim accents, and a police radio system.

The DRAGG Desert Defender Ford F150 had two very positive results:

1. It showed the potential of the DRAGG program
2. It resulted in one very cool truck

Source: Ford Motor Co.

About the author

Marc Stern has been an auto writer since 1971. It was a position that filled two boyhood dreams: One was that I would write, and two that I write about cars. When I took over as my newspaper’s auto editor, I began a 32-year career as an automotive columnist. There isn’t much on four wheels that I haven’t driven or reviewed. My work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Mechanix Illustrated, AutoWeek, SuperStock, Trailer Life, Old Cars Weekly, Special Interest Autos, and others. Today, I am the Ford F150 reporter for Torque News. I write how-to and help columns for online sites such as Fixya.com and others. You can follow me on Twitter or Facebook