Gateway Bronco Creates A Kaiju: a ’72 Ford F-350 with a ‘Godzilla’ 1000 HP Engine
The RacingJunk Editors
Click Here to Begin Slideshow
The people over at Gateway Bronco have been building custom Broncos and Fords for a while now, and they always bring the heat. Many of you probably remember the Five Questions interview with them a while back and we are happy to see them riding and thriving this custom Ford wave.
Check out the Five Questions piece HERE!
Boy oh boy are they bringing the heat this year, Gateway Bronco is set to unleash the behemoth, Godzilla-powered, V8 “reimagined” Ford F-350 on Las Vegas inside the Eaton booth (#23063) during the SEMA show beginning November 2. The sick individuals at Gateway Bronco wanted to scare small children with this build, by featuring the world's first Godzilla 7.3L engine with a Harrop USA Supercharger delivering over 1,000 horsepower, this 1972 Ford F350 4x4 Sport Crew Cab was commissioned by an enthusiast who challenged Gateway Bronco to handcraft the truck with the same quality and craftsmanship as the company’s legendary Bronco builds.
Gateway Bronco maintains a license from Ford Motor Company to be able to transform heritage “Built Ford Tough” F-Series trucks using modern supercharged drivetrains, suspensions, and amenities. Their top-notch reconditioned Ford Broncos boast cutting-edge engine layouts, transmissions, brakes, and suspensions engineered to make the classic SUV perform similar to a modern-day luxury one.
“When we announced our intention to reimagine classic Ford trucks in 2020, we immediately received a commission to push the envelope by using the all-new 7.3L Ford ‘Godzilla’ engine in the vehicle,” said Seth Burgett, CEO of Gateway Bronco. “Once that challenge was made, the choice of who to work with on the build of this historic truck was easy, Harrop USA. When it comes to delivering performance and horsepower, Harrop is at the top of the list.”
The team at Harrop USA more than embraced the challenge.
“Builds like this get us at Harrop USA up in the morning,” said Heath Moore, general manager of Harrop USA. “It’s exciting to have an opportunity to build something that’s never been done before. Being able to do that, along with challenging what people thought was possible in a vintage truck makes this opportunity even more special. We’re thrilled Harrop’s commitment to performance and innovation can be on full display in this beautiful truck.”
It really is a match made in Heaven, the power is still familiar though and battle-tested. The Harrop Supercharger on the new Ford 7.3-liter V8 engine leverages the same Eaton Twin Vortices Series (TVS) Supercharger technology in the current Shelby GT500 muscle car.
“While our Godzilla won’t breathe flames, it will lay them down,” said Burgett. “Featuring the world's first Godzilla 7.3L engine with a Harrop USA Supercharger, and delivering over 1000 horses, this first-of-its kind, handcrafted truck will have SEMA attendees looking over their shoulder for the beast in the building.”
Gateway Bronco paired the monstrous engine with Eaton’s ELocker performance differentials in both the front and rear to handle the tremendous torque in this one-off F-series Resto-Mod. Eaton Performance, a longtime supplier to Gateway Bronco and contributor to the Godzilla truck was so enamored with the project they invited Gateway Bronco to debut this first ever build in their SEMA exhibit
“We’re proud of our relationship with Gateway Bronco and appreciate that the company continually looks to Eaton Performance products to enhance their one-of-a-kind builds,” said Tim Bauer vice president, Aftermarket North America at Eaton. “Godzilla features our Eaton ELocker, which is an electronic, selectable differential designed for drivers that need traction on-demand. At the flip of a dash switch, drivers can go from open to 100-percent locked. Another flip of the switch deactivates it to resume normal driving.”
With its custom paint scheme featuring Porsche’s Miami Blue and Shelby’s Wimbledon White, the truck’s finish is as impressive as its stature. Paired with Gateway Bronco’s exclusive barnwood bed, the Godzilla truck sets a new standard for what’s possible for a 1972 Ford F-350.
Like the famous heritage SUVs from Gateway Bronco, the “Resto-Mod” Ford F-350 is a marvel of engineering and quality. Starting with an original 1972 truck, the Gateway Bronco team has integrated:
Godzilla 7.3L Ford V8 with Harrop TVS2650 Supercharger pumping out over 1,000 horsepower
An Eaton Performance differential package, featuring an Eaton ELocker front and rear differential for the ultimate traction performance
Push button 4x4 control, similar to a modern truck
Powder coated custom designed 4-link chassis
6 speed automatic transmission
Custom leather interior including distressed bench seats
Genuine 8’ barnwood bed
Every Gateway Bronco vehicle is backed by a 3, 5, or 7-year bumper-to-bumper warranty and the company’s industry-leading Field Service Program. The program, also introduced at the 2021 SEMA show, leverages Gateway Bronco’s relationship with automotive leader Hagerty. Hagerty’s Expert Repair Network will provide Gateway Bronco clients white glove service throughout North America and the UK and is the latest example of Gateway Bronco’s commitment to delivering both exceptional vehicles and service.
Leveraging Henry Ford’s revolutionary assembly line model, Gateway Bronco is producing between two and four vehicles a month and meets the Certified Reconditioned Vehicle standards established by Ford Motor Company. The company is currently celebrating its 100th build. That delivery, along with the introduction of the company’s first 300-mile range electric Bronco are just a few milestones accomplished in only the company’s fifth year of being in business.
For more information on Gateway Bronco’s F-Series truck program, or to begin building a custom F-Series truck of your dreams, contact Gateway Bronco at gatewaybronco.com.
Want to hear the builder talk about this truck? Check out the interview he did with RacingJunk at SEMA 2021:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=231ryBgymqs&w=560&h=315]
Click Here to Begin Slideshow
