I think you're going out of your way to make this seem really hard and you're definitely not giving Ford enough credit. These are the same guys that put a 662 horsepower mustang on the market, after all.
I do agree Ford would need to make some other changes but a bigger radiator ain't exactly rocket science. Mine cost me $979. Imagine how much less it would cost Ford.
As for the rest of the driveline, it wouldn't need to be beefed up much if they put a soft tune in the truck.
And are you certain that crash testing is required for each engine offered in the same vehicle?
I'm not trying that hard... I just mentioned all the big stuff I could think of in 5 minutes that I'm pretty sure Ford would at least have to validate, if not outright redesign.
I have NO doubt that Ford can do ANYTHING if they see a market for it (check out the awesomeness that is the Ford GT!).
My point had to do with the Market... All the required changes would cost Ford a lot of money, and would barely effect sales. Your talking a special version of an already special truck. VERY few people could or would buy it for $80-$100k. There's just no money in it.
You might say that they are losing sales without offering a V8. Personally, I hated the 6.2 and I'm much more excited about the V6TT... I think Ford will gain more customers with the V6TT than they'll lose. But we'll all find out soon once they start selling these!
I'd also argue that if you have $80k and want a desert race truck, there are WAY better ways to do it. There are some great companies building gorgeous tube-frame prerunners that will leave ANY Raptor for dead in the desert... Hell, a Rally Fighter is about $80-$100k and will crush a Raptor all day.
If it's a dedicated toy for the desert than hell, run a blown 454 LSX on methanol, 30" of wheel travel with a proper full-cage, 4-link and so-on and so-on... The sky is the limit once it doesn't have to be factory built. $80k buys a LOT of good hardware...
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