If you’re like me, you are a sucker for special edition trims and collaboration projects between manufacturers and secondary designers. Yes, the old Eddie Bauer and Harley Davidson limited editions were okay, but those were little more than company names slapped onto a Ford with a special paint job and company names stitched into chair headrests. What I’m talking about are the collaborations that add new performance features and design looks to the vehicles. In recent years Ford hasn’t offered as many of these special edition products, which is what makes the releases that do come out even more exciting. And two of those special collaborations for Ford trucks are the Roush SC and Roush Nitemare offerings.
More About Roush
Most collaborations come from special modifiers who focus on adding specific boosts to what the factory design already offers. Roush Performance is no different. This is a company you can order parts from in order to mod your current Ford F-150, but there are times where you just don’t want to install the modification yourself. This is especially the case if you don’t have the necessary tools to perform the modification. Sometimes the tools alone cost more than the mod equipment.
Roush has been in the upgrade game for some time now. Jack Roush, the founder of Roush Performance, started as an engineer working at Ford Motor Company back in 1964. During this time, he loved drag racing and, by 1970, had started his own Wayne Gapp racing team. As Roush worked for Ford, he saw the ability to take vehicles such as the F-150 and Mustang and upgrade the performance specs, which is why he founded Roush Performance Engineering in 1976. While his designs were initially for drag racing purposes, you can now purchase upgraded modifications that are both street legal and designed for your exact make and model. Roush works almost exclusively with Ford to ensure the highest quality in modifying parts.
Roush Nitemare
No, you’re not the one who’s having nightmares if you end up behind the wheel of this special edition. It will be anyone who tries to go head to head with you and your new performance package. What kind of performance numbers are we talking about? Well, it takes its supercharged 5.0L V8 and boosts the specs to 650 horsepower and 610 lb-ft of torque. This blows any other model, including the F-150 Raptor, out of the water. In fact, the 4×4 trim is able to go from 0 to 60 in just 3.9 seconds. With these kinds of numbers, you’ll be able to take not only any truck but also almost any street-legal car out of the gate on. When going with the Nitemare upgrade, you will boost total performance numbers by over 250 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque more than the stock offering from Ford.
Of course, you need to let people know what kind of pickup modifications you’re driving, which is why it does come with a red and black custom paint design, as well as satin black 22-inch seven-spoke wheels.
This pickup is lowered, as it helps maintain stability and reduces body roll when hitting top speeds or trying for that 0 to 60 mark. The Nitemare will come with the signature Roush grille on the front bumper. It won’t impact any of the adaptive cruise control or safety features of the stock truck, so you don’t need to worry about a reduction in stock safety equipment. The special package will include puddle lamps that toss light down by the doors whenever the doors are unlocked or opened.
If you’re interested, you can tack on the Premium Nitemare Leather package, which brings racing leather to your seats. These seats are a black and red combination that matches the exterior color of your pickup (red is the default color, but there are other main color options, including silver, blue, black, and gray).
Roush F-150 SC
While the Nitemare is all about track performance, the SC package is all about off-road performance. It does receive the same engine spec upgrade with its 5.0L V8 that produces 650 horsepower and 610 lb-ft of torque. However, it uses the Fox 2.0 off-road suspension system as well as the Roush cat-back performance exhaust system. The modification features custom wheels with larger 33-inch off-road tires. You can even include optional premium leather and a Chase Rack that includes 10-inch light bars.
If you’ve never used the Dual Tip Cat-back Performance Exhaust before you’re in for a real treat, this configuration allows you to edit and tinker how your truck sounds when you drive. In general, it is going to give you a more aggressive sound than the stock design. However, when used in conjunction with the Dual Tip Active Exhaust System, you can actually choose between four different sound settings. These settings are off-road, touring, sport, and custom. By using the built-in console, you can open and close different valve positions to fully control how your truck sounds. After all, the sound of a truck really can be music to your ears. So you might as well take control of how that music comes across.
Roush even has a mobile exhaust app you can use to make adjustments when away from the truck, although currently, the app is only iOS friendly.
In terms of exterior looks, the special edition mod features a Roush grille and integrated signature lighting. It will also feature new puddle lamps that throw light on the ground when the door is unlocked or opened.
Price Points
So how much more will you need to spend in order to add these customizations to your Ford F-150? It depends on which of the two mods you decide to go with. The Nitemare modification begins at $19,150 above the base price you pay for the truck, while the F-150 SC modification begins at $24,000 over the base truck price.
No matter the modification, it comes with a three year/36,000 mile warranty.
Additional Truck Modifications
The Nitemare and the SC are just two of the latest modification packages from Roush. However, there are other performance upgrades packages you can consider from the company, including a Raptor, 5.11 Tactical design, a Sport design, plus several general overhauls for the F-150 and Super Duty. The individual packages allow you to further customize your pickup without going all the way as you might with the SC or Nitemare.
Rousch also produces several modification designs for the 2020 Ford Mustang.
What Kind Of Special Edition Do You like?
So, what kind of special edition really gets your motor running? Are you even a fan of them? Sure, there are some that offer nothing more than a fancy paint job and maybe alternative rims, but what about collaborations and limited edition packages that completely overhaul the performance numbers such as these two from Roush? If you were to spring for one, which would you choose? Let us know all of your thoughts on the Ford F-150 special editions and what it would take for you to spend extra money on such a feature? Few of us actually end up buying these tech boost designs, but it’s always fun to talk about it.
