MegaRexx MegaRaptor (motorautorithy.com)
A Review of the $150,000 Behemoth that dominates the road
In a world of luxury SUVs, supercars, and big trucks, where do you turn when you want to outshine them all? The answer: the MegaRexx MegaRaptor. This colossal truck, tipping the scales at around 9,200 pounds, is designed to command attention and tow massive loads while doing so.
At a price point of about $150,000, depending on the configuration, the MegaRaptor stands proudly alongside luxury SUVs and high-end supercars. However, the experience it offers is entirely unique.
A truck that commands attention
Aaron Richardet, the CEO of MegaRexx Trucks, is no stranger to the spotlight. He thrives on owning things that are far from ordinary. While his wife drives a Tesla Model S P100D, he prefers to stand out in a crowd. The MegaRaptor fulfills that desire, and then some.
The MegaRaptor begins life as a standard Ford F-250 Super Duty, but it undergoes a radical transformation. The body panels in front of the A-pillars and the rear bed panels are removed, making way for custom modifications.
A distinctive clamshell hood, reminiscent of a super-sized F-150 Raptor hood, is installed and secured with latches from a Freightliner semi-truck. This massive hood, constructed from thick fiberglass, adds significant weight, requiring some effort to lift. Once raised, gas shocks take over to keep it in position. Lowering it back down and releasing the gas shocks requires similar effort.
The body transformation continues with custom fiberglass rear fenders that extend the MegaRaptor’s width to 97 inches. This width exceeds that of a stock F-150 Raptor by over 12 inches and a stock F-250 by 17 inches. The result is a truck that exudes presence, akin to the transformation of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson from his WWE days to his current status as a Hollywood actor.
The width is a necessity to accommodate the colossal 46-inch Michelin X tires with 18-ply construction and three-piece aluminum 20-inch wheels—both used on the military’s Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. These wheels and tires each weigh around 450 pounds.
With massive tires and a 4.5-inch suspension lift, the MegaRaptor sits 9.0 inches higher than a stock F-250. Custom MegaRexx front radius arms, paired with machined aluminum adapter plates, ensure the MRAP wheels bolt directly to the Super Duty hubs.
Upgraded Icon dual steering stabilizers and an adjustable track bar help maintain control. Although some modifications to the frame are necessary, the tires still have slight rubbing issues at full steering lock.
The truck features Anzo USA headlights, Amber running lights in the custom MegaRexx grille, and high and tight steel bumpers with aluminum trim plates. These, along with the bed-mounted sport bar, set the tone for this imposing vehicle. The sport bar also serves as the mounting point for auxiliary lights, offering various styles for customers to choose from.
Richardet views MegaRaptors as functional rolling art. These trucks are not just massive; they can also tow loads of up to 18,500 pounds, albeit with a substantial drop hitch. For those with heavy towing needs, the team is prepared to add rear airbags to prevent rear-end sag.
Not an off-roader
Despite its off-road aesthetics, the MegaRaptor isn’t designed for off-roading adventures like the Ford F-150 Raptor. Instead, its primary function is to tow heavy loads and make a bold statement. Richardet sees the MegaRaptor as a blend of form and function—perfect for pulling a BobCat or a big trailer while looking incredibly cool. It’s designed to be a rolling statement.
The massive size and additional weight from the oversized wheels and tires, totaling about 1,800 pounds, make the MegaRaptor less fuel-efficient. Around town, you can expect roughly 12 mpg, which improves to about 14.5 mpg on the highway. In mixed driving conditions, the MegaRaptor averaged 12.3 mpg. By comparison, a stock Super Duty pickup with a turbodiesel engine should typically achieve mid-teens in the city and 19 to 20 mpg on the highway.
Bigger and better speed wise
Driving the MegaRaptor offers a unique experience. The increased ride height could pose a challenge when entering or exiting the truck, but power-deploying Amp XL running boards help make this process more manageable. Once inside, it’s surprisingly similar to driving a standard F-250, albeit with a commanding view of the road.
However, the factory tailgate-mounted step falls short in providing easy access to the bed, which requires a significant step up. A portable step might be a valuable addition for bed loading and unloading.
Under the hood, the MegaRaptor retains the stock powertrain, except for new 4.88 rear gearing to accommodate the larger tires. In the test vehicle, this meant a 6.7-liter turbodiesel V-8 with 475 hp and a substantial 1,050 lb-ft of torque. The 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive system remain untouched, with the only modification being the installation of a Pedal Commander to minimize turbo lag.
Pressing the accelerator unleashes an impressive surge of power, thanks to the remapped throttle, tremendous torque, and the regeared rear end. The accelerator exhibits noticeably more aggressiveness, and the turbo lag is less prominent compared to a stock setup.
At low speeds, the knobby MRAP tires introduce vibrations into the cabin, making them noticeable through both the steering and ride. However, these vibrations dissipate as the MegaRaptor gains speed. The faster you go, the better it handles, and the tires move smoothly along the pavement. Steering, though, can be somewhat challenging due to the tires’ characteristics, with some play on center. Richardet suggests lower tire pressure for improved grip and ride comfort.
On the highway, the MegaRaptor adheres to the legal width limit but is noticeably wide. The vehicle easily caught the attention of onlookers, and it appeared to make a fellow driver feel threatened, prompting an aggressive maneuver to pass. The MegaRaptor also encountered lane width issues on the road, with both tires riding the painted lines on either side.
Parking the MegaRaptor can be cumbersome, especially in tight spaces. The width, extending from the front to the rear, is comparable to a dually. Maneuvering through drive-thrus or narrow neighborhood streets is a challenging endeavor—this truck prefers open spaces.
Pricing and options
On average, MegaRexx builds at least two MegaRaptors per month, with production increasing to four to five trucks when the team isn’t occupied with the construction of 9-passenger MegaRexx SVNs.
Customers can either provide a used F-250, acquire a new truck with the help of MegaRexx, or purchase a conversion for a used truck. Ordering a new truck with a conversion typically costs around $150,000, including the base vehicle. A conversion for a used truck is priced at approximately $65,000. Occasionally, MegaRexx offers trucks for immediate purchase, but they come at a premium of roughly $20,000.
While the MegaRaptor doesn’t come with a warranty, the stock powertrain, which remains untouched, is covered by Ford’s warranty. Richardet has supported customers when dealing with dealerships for any warranty-related matters, provided that the issues don’t result from reckless driving.
In conclusion, those who invest in a MegaRaptor spend supercar or luxury vehicle money to garner attention wherever they go. The reaction to this unique truck is subjective and depends on the eye of the beholder. In the eyes of a 7-year-old, it’s simply “the coolest.”