Quick Facts:
- Vehicle: 1985 Ford F-250 SEMA build by Matt Johnson of Doc Johnson Restorations.
- Engine: Ford Racing Heritage small block, 460 cubic inches, rated at 575 hp and 575 lb-ft.
- Front suspension: Reengineered Twin Traction-Beam from Carrick Customs.
- Tires: 37-inch Mickey Thompson Baja tires.
- Donor truck: An abandoned ranch truck bought for $800.
- Availability: Ford says the truck is not for sale.
5 min read
In This Article
Overview
Want a classic Ford truck with modern power? The 1985 Ford F-250 built by Matt Johnson for the 2026 SEMA Show shows one path. Ford Racing supplied a 575 hp crate engine. A suspension shop reworked the front end, and the original chassis stayed in place.
Johnson runs Doc Johnson Restorations in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and is a mechanical engineer. According to Ford’s own account of the build, he first planned to put an EcoBoost engine in a Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser. Then Ford Racing Parts suggested a bigger engine, and Johnson answered with a bigger truck.
Ford published the story on Nov. 2, and the truck sits in Ford’s booth at the SEMA Show this week. Motor1, FordMuscle and Hagerty also covered the reveal, so the specs below come from Ford and three trade outlets. Like Nissan’s SEMA concepts, this build gives owners ideas they might use at home.
Planning something similar with an older Ford pickup? A printed reference such as the Haynes Ford Pick-Ups and Bronco 1980-96 repair manual covers the stock systems you keep.
Ford Pick-Ups & Bronco, 1980-96 (Includes 1997 F-250HD & F-350)
A Haynes reference for the stock systems you keep when you swap an engine.
- Covers Ford pickups from 1980 to 1996
- Includes 1997 F-250HD and F-350 models
- Printed reference stays usable in a greasy garage
- Covers a wide range of trucks, so you still need to check part numbers for your exact build
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Builder | Matt Johnson, Klamath Falls, Oregon |
| Engine output | 575 hp and 575 lb-ft from a 460-cubic-inch engine |
| Donor truck | Abandoned ranch truck bought for $800 |
| Suspension shop | Carrick Customs (John Carrick) |
| Tires | 37-inch Mickey Thompson Baja |
| Availability | Not for sale, according to Ford |
| Showing | SEMA Show, Las Vegas, Nov. 3 to 6 |
How the 1985 Ford F-250 Went From Abandoned Ranch Truck to SEMA
Johnson bought the truck for $800. It was an abandoned ranch rig left sitting in a field for years. He planned to use it as a shop truck. However, the original engine overheated and blew the radiator, so the truck sat behind his shop for a few months.
The bullnose F-Series also meant something to him. He drove one daily for a few years, and his $500 truck took him to college and to work. As a result, he wanted another one with the same look.
Ford reached out about 11 or 12 days into the project. Johnson says he had 40 days until the Carlisle Ford Nationals, where the build was first slated to appear. Ford then asked him to turn the project into a real SEMA contender. The schedule stretched well past 40 days.
Johnson says the truck keeps its original chassis, so the build needed little fabrication. Instead, he combined aftermarket parts with a drop-in Ford engine. He also says he mostly works alone in his home shop, though many friends have helped, and a friend who paints as a hobby handled the paint and bodywork.
The Ford Racing 460 Small Block
The centerpiece is the Ford Racing 460, a 460-cubic-inch Heritage small block. Ford rates it at 575 hp and 575 lb-ft. FordMuscle reports it is built on the 351 Windsor architecture and assembled from all new parts.
Michael Goodwin, a Ford Racing product manager, told FordMuscle the engine fits vehicles originally built around the same architecture. He also said Ford builds its engines only from new components. For a builder, this means the crate engine suits a truck with the same factory architecture.
Ford links the engine on its performance parts site as part number M-6007-Z460FFT. Check Ford’s listing for current price and availability, because Ford has not published a price in the story.
Twin Traction-Beam Front End and 37-Inch Tires
A 575 hp engine needs a front end to match. Johnson called John Carrick of Carrick Customs. The shop specializes in a heavily reengineered version of the truck’s Twin Traction-Beam front suspension. Hagerty also reports long-travel suspension on the finished truck.
Motor1 notes Carrick kept the Twin Traction-Beam geometry instead of swapping to a solid axle or an independent setup. The layout stays, but the parts handle much more articulation than the factory version did.
Johnson’s truck also rolls on 37-inch Mickey Thompson Baja tires, according to Motor1, FordMuscle and Hagerty. Motor1 credits the suspension work for letting the truck wear 37s without looking like a parts-counter lift.
What the 1985 Ford F-250 Means for You
First, treat the $800 as an entry price, not a project total. The finished truck adds a crate engine, a reengineered front suspension, 37-inch tires, and paint and bodywork. Ford’s story gives no total build cost, so plan your own numbers before you buy a donor truck.
Next, match the engine to the chassis of your classic Ford truck. Since Goodwin ties the 460 to the 351 Windsor architecture, check your truck’s factory engine before you order anything. The Ford Maverick V8 SEMA build takes a modern Coyote route instead.
Plan the front end too, because tires this tall ask more of the suspension. Motor1 ties the 37s directly to Carrick’s work.
Finally, check the law. Ford adds a disclaimer to its story. It says the truck includes third-party components and modifications, and these might affect compliance with federal safety standards and other federal, state or local laws. Emissions rules deserve a close look on an older engine swap, so read the California smog exemption rules for classic 4x4s to see how one state treats older vehicles.
Once the paperwork and parts are sorted, the engine still has to go in. A load leveler such as the Torin BIG RED 1500 lb engine load leveler tilts a hoisted engine. The tilt helps you line it up with the engine bay.
Big RED 1500LBS Engine Load Leveler, Engine Hoist Shop Crane Accessory | Steel 3 Position Engine Leveler with Adjustable Handle, 3/4 Ton Capacity
A steel leveler for a hoisted engine, built for garage swaps.
- Three-position leveler tilts the engine as you lower it
- Adjustable handle sets the angle
- Rated for 1,500 lb loads
- Needs a shop crane or hoist, which you buy separately
Final Thoughts
If you love a classic Ford truck, this build is easy to like. Hagerty said it is not SEMA’s flashiest build and found beauty in its restraint. The original chassis and body stay, and the story starts with an $800 truck in a field.
Still, this is a one-off show truck. Ford says it is a specialty modified concept and will not offer it for sale. Ford’s story and the coverage we read give no road-test numbers, so treat the 575 hp rating as a spec sheet figure, not a performance result.
The value for you is the roadmap. Pick a truck, match a crate engine to its chassis, hire a suspension specialist and respect the legal limits. While the numbers will differ on your build, the first three steps follow how Johnson’s truck came together.
Prefer a factory-backed route? Land Rover’s Defender V8 conversion shows how one maker handles a V8 swap. Otherwise, pick a donor truck and start your parts list, since Johnson’s $800 covered only the truck.
FAQ
How much horsepower does the 1985 Ford F-250 SEMA build make?
Ford rates the Ford Racing 460 at 575 hp and 575 lb-ft of torque. Ford’s story and the coverage we read include no dyno or road-test results for the truck.
What did Matt Johnson pay for the 1985 Ford F-250?
He paid $800 for an abandoned ranch truck. Initially, he planned to use it as a shop truck, but the original engine overheated and blew the radiator.
What suspension does the 1985 Ford F-250 build use?
The build uses a reengineered Twin Traction-Beam front suspension from John Carrick of Carrick Customs. Hagerty also reports long-travel suspension.
Is the SEMA F-250 for sale?
No. Ford calls the truck a specialty modified concept and says it will not offer it for sale. The truck also includes third-party components and modifications, and these might affect legal compliance.
Does Ford sell the 460 crate engine?
Yes. Ford lists the engine as part number M-6007-Z460FFT on its performance parts site. Check the listing for price and availability.