I have an uncontrollable habit of developing an intense interest in a particular subject, then researching it like a man possessed until I know absolutely everything there is to know about it. It’s probably something I should go and see someone about, but that’s a topic for another day…

First published in the September 2026 issue of Street Machine

In any case, the current subject of my incessant YouTube rabbit-holing is what the Yanks have colloquially dubbed ‘Mexican GT-Rs’. I’m talking about single-cab, short-bed, Coyote-powered F-150 pick-ups with 10R80 10-speed transmissions and four-wheel drive.

These trucks (and let’s forgo the ‘ute’ versus ‘truck’ debate for today) have a relatively low entry price in the States, and are pretty sprightly straight out of the box, capable of 13-second quarters despite their 4400lb weight on account of the 400hp Coyote powerplant, close-ratio 10-speed auto, and four-wheel-drive grip.

Add some basic external breathing mods and a tune on E85 and you’re into the 12s, but we all know how much Coyotes love boost, and that’s when these F-150s really come alive.

There are myriad forced-induction options for these trucks, and positive-displacement blowers from companies like Ford Performance, Whipple and Roush are super popular thanks to the ease of installation and awesome off-idle shove they offer. I have a Harrop-blown V8 in my Torana, so I understand the appeal of this type of power-adder. 

This set-up, especially the ‘Stage 2’ Whipple kit with added boost, will make an easy 700-800hp with supporting mods and see you into the 10s and even beyond on an otherwise completely stock powertrain.

Centrifugal blower kits from ProCharger and ESS are also popular, but twin-turbo kits from mobs like Daylight Performance and Hellion provide the most scope for future growth. Twin-turbo F-150s with built engines and transmissions can make upwards of 1500hp at the hubs, and – coupled with some weight reduction, suspension mods and drag radials – will leave from a dig like an absolute bastard on any surface, then march through the gears while the 10-speed keeps the boosted ’Yote right where it needs to be.

A practical, streetable, 10-second blown F-150 that’ll still tow your boat or haul your dirt bike would make an epic daily driver, and the appeal of an all-out, eight-second, twin-turbo No-Prep or Drag Challenge F-truck is something I just can’t shake.

And with the Aussie new-car landscape looking pretty stark to those of us who love V8 muscle cars and utes, I can’t help but reason that a base-spec V8 short-bed F-150 would sell like hotcakes if it were offered Down Under, and I guarantee that the Aussie aftermarket would very quickly pick up the ball and run with it.

Sadly, such a truck isn’t offered by an OEM here, and – froth though I might – privately importing, converting, complying and registering one seems like a bridge too far, so I guess there’s not much I can do about it.

Well, I did think of one thing. In a moment of unbridled enthusiasm, I fired off an email to a mate and former colleague of mine, Ben Nightingale, who these days is the product communications manager at Ford Australia. I politely requested that he do whatever he could to land a sharply priced, right-hook, V8 4×4 F-150 at my local Ford dealer. 
“That’s you and me both who want one,” he said. “I’ll talk to the bosses.”
We can but dream!