A custom-built Ford Ranger has just completed nine-second quarter-mile runs with an engine that would make most performance enthusiasts do a double-take. The truck, built by Ben Strader and piloted by his daughter Ally Strader on the drag strip, features a heavily modified version of Ford’s 7.3-liter Godzilla V8 engine, bored out to 511 cubic inches and producing 800 horsepower and 721 pound-feet of torque without any forced induction.

For shoppers interested in understanding what modern engine technology can achieve, this build offers a fascinating real-world example. The original 2001 Ford Ranger arrived with a maximum 4.0-liter V6, making this transformation remarkable in scope and execution. This milestone represents a turning point in aftermarket performance culture, showing how components originally designed for heavy-duty trucks can be radically reimagined for drag racing applications.

The Engine at the Heart of the Build

The Godzilla V8, which debuted in 2020 Ford Super Duty pickups, has become a favorite platform for performance enthusiasts. However, Strader’s version goes far beyond a simple bolt-in swap. The engine features a 4.5-inch crankshaft combined with a .030-inch overbore, custom CNC-ported cylinder heads with precision valve springs from Strader’s own company, 10K Technology, and a distinctive set of 59-millimeter individual throttle bodies manufactured by NXTGEN Engineering from Australia.

The naturally aspirated engine revs to approximately 7,300 rpm, which is substantial for a displacement-focused design. Every component was selected for reliability and sustained high-rpm performance, reflecting the precision engineering required to push this engine to nine-second quarter-mile speeds.

Suspension and Chassis Modifications

drag racing truck launch
Photo by Heber Davis

Achieving consistent drag racing performance at this power level required extensive suspension work. Kinetic Engineering installed valved Penske 7500 shocks on the front axle and incorporated extended ball joints that provide approximately five inches of travel. During launches, the truck’s front wheels lift slightly off the ground, but the suspension geometry keeps the vehicle under control as it accelerates down the strip.

The complete truck weighs around 3,000 pounds with a carbon fiber front bumper, positioning it as a lightweight platform for this engine’s output. This weight-to-power ratio explains the truck’s ability to consistently run nine-second times without turbocharging or supercharging.

Transmission and Driveline Strategy

Strader chose a Powerglide automatic transmission paired with a Gear Vendors under/overdrive unit, programmed to function as a four-speed. An electric Motion Raceworks shifter manages the launch sequence, beginning in low gear before shifting into overdrive, then high gear with overdrive disengaged, and finally re-engaging overdrive for top speed. Similar performance upgrades in the truck market demonstrate how the aftermarket continues pushing the boundaries of what light-duty vehicles can accomplish.

Interestingly, Ally Strader has expressed interest in converting to a manual transmission in the future, suggesting the team continues refining and optimizing the setup based on real-world performance data.

What This Means for Ranger Enthusiasts

truck suspension components
Photo by Esteban Zapata

The Ranger has a long history as a platform for engine swaps and modifications. Countless examples have received small-block Chevrolet 302 engines, but this Godzilla stroker represents a new frontier in Ranger performance potential. The achievement demonstrates that modern engine technology, combined with careful engineering and quality components, can transform a twenty-year-old pickup into a legitimate drag racing competitor.

As the truck market continues evolving, builds like this showcase the aftermarket’s ability to extract performance far beyond original factory specifications. For shoppers considering a used Ranger as a project vehicle, this build illustrates the platform’s structural capability and potential when paired with quality engineering.

The Strader family’s truck also highlights the importance of proper engineering when undertaking extreme modifications. From custom-ported heads to precision suspension work, every component was selected for reliability and performance. Competition in the performance truck segment continues driving innovation in both factory offerings and the aftermarket.

Key Takeaways for Buyers

While few shoppers will pursue modifications at this level, this Ranger serves as proof of the platform’s durability and the sophisticated engineering available in today’s aftermarket. The truck demonstrates that with proper planning, quality components, and expert execution, even older truck chassis can achieve modern performance standards.

For enthusiasts considering their own projects, the importance of working with experienced builders and using purpose-built components cannot be overstated. This Ranger’s consistent nine-second performance validates the engineering approach and component selection made by the Strader team.