On June 29th of 2021, we were taken aback, when Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Loren Healy’s “Fun-Haver Off-Road” crew sent us some images of their all-new Ultra4 Racing 4400 Ford Bronco trucks. Courtesy of Driving Line Magazine, you can read their article here.

Heralded as vehicular representations of the team’s “constant strive to push the envelope of engineering and technology,” the gnarly duo of Blue Oval based beasts you see today are precisely why we get all antsy in our pantsy over 4×4 racing over here at Off Road Xtreme.

Some of the off-road lighting on the Fun-Haver Ford Broncos. Photo Credit: Driving Line

This collaboration came to fruition when Fun-Haver Off-Road teamed-up with Triton Engineering to create mechanically identical platforms for both Gittin Jr. and Healy, a first for both drivers. While Triton Engineering handled all of the chassis work, including the one-off bumpers and rockers, as well as the installation of the FOX Racing Shox.

Fox Racing Shox is a new addition to the Fun-Haver team’s build roster. Photo Credit: Driving Line

The use of these suspension goods is a new endeavor for the Fun-Haver Off-Road team, who has never worked with FOX Racing Shox before. With 2.5-inch coilovers both front and rear, and 3.5-inch bypasses out front, while 2.5-inch units tackle rear travel, we get the feeling that everyone involved is going to be impressed with the suspension specialist’s products and performance.

Fun-Haver Ford Broncos Rear Profile Look Race Ready!

However, don’t be fooled by either of these vehicles’ resemblance to the trucks that debuted at King of the Hammers earlier in 2021. These are two entirely new installments in the “Built Wild Ford Bronco” saga, and they are definitely a bit more extreme.

A naturally aspirated, 460 cubic-inch V8 features 800-horsepower. Photo Credit: Driving Line

Featuring Ford 460 cubic-inch engines, and generating around 800-horsepower, that have been enhanced with Holley, Mahle, and K&N parts (to name but just a few), both machines send power to Gearworks Turbo 400 transmission. These modified gearboxes churn a set of RTR Tech 6 beadlocks on Gittin Jr.’s build, while Healy rolls atop Center Line Hammer alloys, with both sets of wheels grabbing terrain via a set of Nitto Trail Grappler KOH spec tires.

I cannot express how excited I am to hit the track with Loren and our new Ultra4 Bronco! The result of a collaboration of Triton Engineering and Fun-Haver Off-Road’s collective experience and dreams will be nothing short of a game-changer for us. -Vaughn Gittin Jr.

Close Up Details of the Fun-Haver Ford Broncos

Both Fun-Haver Ford Broncos will make their racing debut later this year at Ultra4’s Crandon, Wisconsin race, which is currently slated to be held on September 3rd, 2021.

So until race day arrives, here’s a handful of additional snaps from the Driving Line shoot, along with a little insider info we were able to obtain from the team that is manufacturing these Frankenstein machines…

• All of the body panels on these Bronco race truck were CAD modeled and designed.
• FiberwerX utilized these plans and shaped the panel plugs with their 3-axis CNC and then produced the fiberglass body.
• RTR conducted all of the finishing work in order to make both trucks photo shoot and race ready.

Ultra4 Racing will be extra entertaining with the addition of these new Broncos. Photo Credit: Driving Line

As for the nuts and bolts of the matter, here’s an abbreviated version of the extremely lengthy build list.

Fun-Haver Ford Broncos Were Spec Built for Ultra4 Racing 4400 Class

Year/Make/Model

• 2021 Ford Bronco Triton Engineering Ultra 4 4400 Class

Engine & Transmission

• Ford 460 cubic-inch motor, 800-horsepower (naturally aspirated)
• Gearworks Turbo 400 transmission
• NGK spark plugs
• NTK sensors
• Mahle pistons
• Holley Throttle Bodies
• K&N Air Filters

Chassis

• Triton Engineering

Wheels

• Center Line Hammer Beadlocks (Healy)
• RTR Tech 6 Beadlocks (Gittin Jr.)

Tires

• Nitto Tire Trail Grappler KOH Spec, 40-inch/42-inch options

Lighting

• Project X Off-Road

Brakes

• Wilwood calipers and rotors
• Jamar pedals and reservoirs
• Tilton master cylinders

Safety

• Recaro ProRacer ORV Seats
• Schroth Racing Harnesses
• Lifeline fire suppression system

Fuel System

• Aeromotive fuel system w/A1000 brushless pumps

Battery

• Optima Yellowtop battery

Transfer Case

• Atlas 2, 3.0 ratio 2-speed

Driveline

• Spidertrax Off-Road custom 1 3/16” w/934 RCV performance CV axles
• J.E. Reel 1480 rear driveshafts

Front Suspension

• 21-inches travel
• Triton Engineering IFS 4-gear portal by 74 Weldz w/1.63 gear ratio
• Kibbetech upper A-arms
• Fox Racing Shox, 2.5-inch coilovers w/ 3.5-inch bypasses
• Spidertrax Off-Road swaybars

Rear Suspension

• 28-inches travel
• Triton Engineering reverse 4-link trailing arms
• Fox Racing Shox, 2.5-inch coilovers w/ 4-inch bypasses

Front Axle

• Spidertrax Off-Road narrow IFS w/934 RCV Performance CV axles
• Gearworks 10-inch 5.83 w/ ARB 35-spline locker

Rear Axle

• Spidertrax Off-Road 4-inch Pro Series w/45-spline gun-drilled axle shafts
• Gearworks 10-inch 5.83 differential 45 spline spool

Steering

• Power Steering Solutions 6-inch 3.0 rack and pinion

Front Bumper, Rear Bumper, Rocker Panels

• Triton Engineering

Body

• Fun-Haver CAD designed 2021 Ford Bronco body
• FiberwerX fiberglass work

Radiator and Cooling

• CBR Performance

Communications and GPS

• Rugged Radios

Interior

• Fun-Haver carbon fiber Bronco dash
• Fun-Haver steering wheel

ECU and Electronics

• MOTEC ECU
• Jarold King wiring and electrical

Plumbing and Sensors

• Holley

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Fun-Haver Off-Road, this is the off-road racing division of the Fun-Haver lifestyle brand, which is led by team owners and drivers Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Loren Healy, the latter of whom is the veteran 4×4 specialist of the lot. The five-time Ultra4 Racing Champion, and two-time King of the Hammers Champion is forever hungry for prime podium time, especially when it’s atop the 4400 class stage.

As for Vaughn Gittin Jr., the pro drifter continues to swing for the fences in true Formula Drift Championship fashion, with a total of two wins to his name. To date he is the first driver to crossover to Ultra4 Racing, and subsequently secure a Top 10 finish during his first foray at King of the Hammers.  Impressive results followed this debut, with multiple podium appearances gracing Gittin Jr.’s resume. For both drivers, one thing is for certain, the Fun Haver Ford Bronco will position them for great success in their off-road racing endeavors.