1994 Ford F150 Super Cab – A Hi-Performance PreRunner
Gary Houston’s 1994 Ford F150 Super Cab-styled prerunner is not what it seems. It might look like an F150, but it’s actually a product of some extremely talented fabricators at Robby Gordon Motorsports. Headed by lead fabricator Donny Fair, who has since passed away, the truck was built in 1994 by what Robby Gordon says “are people who know a lot about how a truck should work.”
Houston’s truck uses a short section of Ford frame under the cab, and parts of the factory doors, but the rest is fabricated from scratch. If you look at the back of the cab, you will see the absence of drip rails, a squared off profile, and a small back window. That is your first clue that the truck was not born on the production line.
Those familiar with OBS fords will find more clues inside, as the truck has a full tubular steel chassis integrated into the cab, and does not follow the floor or door post profiles that you normally see. From front to back, the truck is filled with custom fabricated parts that allow it to comfortably attain remarkable speeds over daunting desert terrain.
The truck has a bit of history that goes with it as well. It was sold to a buyer in Mexico where it was eventually confiscated by the government. Current owner Gary Houston knew of the truck while it was owned by Robby Gordon, so he pursued it for years, before he was able to purchase it.
In a sad state when he got it, the truck was dropped off at SI Motorsports in 2016 where it received a complete rebuild, fresh paint by “Little Mike,” and a new leather interior with Ferrari red stitching. SI Motorsports added their trick custom built billet aluminum I-beams, radius arms, fabricated spindles and complete equal length steering system using a Lee Power steering box, pump and ram. The truck’s wheelbase measures 126”, and the track width is 90”. The suspension cycles 22” in front, and has 28” of wheel travel in the rear. Team Gordon 17x 8 Beadlock race wheels with 39 X 12.50-17 BF Goodrich “Project” tires are bolted to ID Designs front and rear 6 on 6.5 bolt circle hubs. The truck is damped by a single Team Gordon 4” internal bypass shock wrapped in an Eibach custom wound spring, and King 2.00 bump stops at each corner. AutoFab fiberglass front fenders and rear bed sides cover the BFG tires.
The “go juice” flows from a 70 gallon fuel cell outer can fabricated by ID Designs, and a Kevlar bladder crafted by Harmon Racing Cells. All that power goes through a Culhane Turbo 400 race transmission, and a Drivelines Incorporated custom driveline before twisting the 10” 4:88 Ring & Pinion and 36 spline 300M axles in the Chrisman 4” rear housing.
When it comes time to bring it all to a halt, dual Brembo master cylinders, Brembo 6 piston calipers, and 14” x 1.250 thick Coleman rotors are called into duty. Those are just the highlights.
Countless trick parts and custom features are found throughout the vehicle like the Aluminum tool boxes built by ID Designs, the Custom wiring harness by Sakata, and the tidy plumbing that contains all vital liquids. The innocent looking chrome front bumper actually took multiple attempts to get the perfect shape that Gary wanted. The truck looks striking, but the most compelling thing that it delivers is the controlled ride. All hell might be breaking loose outside, but the interior remains cool, quiet, and comfortable at any speed.
Gary’s determination to procure the truck was done with the knowledge of just how good it could be. It’s one amazing fabricated Ford that credits those who created it.
