In an odd way, our favorite options are actually connected to the truck's design philosophy. Saleen engineers didn't want to just offer another modified sport truck that can't tow or haul anything. Even going back to the original SRT-10 Ram or earlier GM SS products, pickup-truck capability was typically the first thing sacrificed when building performance credibility.
Not so with the S331. A base-model S331 is capable of its full payload rating (1300 pounds) and is able to tow a 5000-pound trailer, just like a stock F-150 SuperCab with the 5.4-liter V-8. But if you want more towing power, Saleen offers a few cool options. The first is an integrated rear bumper with a hidden Class-IV tow hitch. Combine this with the Firestone load-leveling airbag setup, a dual-core radiator, and high-flow cooling system, and the result is 9000 pounds of towing capacity. But that's not all. Saleen also offers a set of matched 15-inch front disc brakes (stock is 13 inches) with six-piston calipers. Other options include chrome wheels, a thumping Rockford Fosgate Punch sound system, HID headlights, spray-on or drop-in bedliner, retractable aluminum bed cover, aluminum induction hood, and an amazing color pallet to choose from. Saleen even has a $20,000 liquid-metal paint option that looks so fluid, it's like you could dip your hands right into the truck's body panels.
Non-supercharged Saleen S331 Sport Trucks start at $44,000, with S331 S/C models beginning at $54,000. Our test unit, with all the options except the crazy paint scheme, totaled just under $60,000. The vehicle comes with a full three-year/36,000-mile warranty from Saleen and Ford (coverage depends on which components you're talking about). Either way, the truck has style, monster power, and it'll still tow a trailer full of toys. Not a bad combination. Now how about that SuperCrew model, say, in a 2500 configuration?
Other Ford Playmates
Foose F-150
Car designer Chip Foose is riding the wave, too. At the New York auto show, Ford revealed a limited-edition Foose F-150 that Ford will sell, which includes 22-inch wheels, a supercharger, body cladding, and several Foose-designed interior upgrades. Reported power ratings have the Foose F-150 at 450 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque.
FX2 Sport
This truck was built to be a rolling billboard for what anyone could do with his own F-150 with help from Ford Racing Parts (www.fordracingparts.com). Assembled only from available parts, this runner has been clocked running sub-6.0-second 0-60 times. Figure the total bill to replicate this beast would be around $25,000, with all the body flash and paint.