Meet the 760HP Ultra4 Bronco That Dominates Rocks and Desert at 130 MPH

When you think about the ultimate Ford Bronco, most people picture cruising down the highway or maybe tackling some weekend trails. But Loren Healy’s Bronco-inspired Ultra4 machine takes that concept and cranks it up to eleven with 760 HP and the ability to crawl over Volkswagen-sized boulders at half a mile per hour, then blast across desert flats at 130 mph.

This isn’t your typical Bronco project. Healy’s ride represents the cutting edge of Ultra4 racing, where the legendary King of the Hammers event pushes both machines and drivers to their absolute limits. The race demands a vehicle that can literally be three different trucks in one - a rock crawler, a desert runner, and everything in between.

What makes this build fascinating is how Healy approached the challenge. Starting with a proven Paul Herschel chassis that’s five years old, he transplanted a Ford D3 460 cubic inch motor built by Jeff Kenner at JGRE. The powerplant churns out 760 HP and 700 foot-pounds of torque, but it’s that low-end grunt that matters most when you’re picking your way through technical rock sections where precise throttle control can make or break your race.

The motor placement tells the whole story about Ultra4 priorities. Instead of centering the engine like a traditional two-seater, Healy offset it ten inches into what would normally be the passenger compartment. This single-seat configuration drops the center of gravity significantly, improving handling and stability when the truck gets sideways in the desert or needs to navigate off-camber rock faces.

That offset motor creates some interesting challenges though. The rear driveshaft runs at an angle, meaning drivers need constant awareness of their positioning to avoid high-centering on rocks. It’s a trade-off that perfectly illustrates Ultra4 racing - every advantage comes with a corresponding vulnerability that drivers must manage.

The suspension setup showcases the extreme engineering required for this type of racing. Up front, the independent front suspension uses a narrowed Ford 9" center section with beefier CV joints and a trophy truck rack-and-pinion steering system. This gives Healy the mechanical steering connection that solid axle trucks can’t match, providing superior control and feedback through technical sections.

Out back, the trailing arm suspension runs 26" of travel with a 2:1 coilover and 4" bypass shocks. The rear axle can articulate like a rock crawler but still plant power effectively when the truck hits triple digits in the open desert. Some newer builds are pushing 30" of rear travel, showing how the technology continues evolving.

The tire and wheel combination reflects the brutal reality of King of the Hammers. Those 40" Nitto K-Specs were developed specifically for this event, with thick sidewalls designed to survive impacts with sharp granite edges and high-speed desert runs. Healy’s testing 42" versions, always pushing for that extra edge that might make the difference between winning and watching someone else take the checkered flag.

Fuel strategy becomes critical when you’re burning 2.5 miles per gallon across 100 miles of the most demanding terrain in motorsports. The 45 gallon fuel cell gives just enough range to complete the race distance, assuming everything goes perfectly.

Healy’s approach to spares and repairs shows the calculated risks every Ultra4 driver faces. He carries rear driveshafts because they’re relatively quick to change solo, choosing to run a low-pinion differential that’s stronger but makes the driveshaft more vulnerable. Other drivers opt for high-pinion setups that protect the driveshaft but create a much more complex repair if the differential fails.

The single-seat configuration means Healy handles everything alone - tire changes, winching, navigation, and line selection. That 140 lb spare tire mounted on top of the fuel cell becomes a real workout when you’re already exhausted from racing. It’s another example of how Ultra4 racing rewards versatility and preparation over pure speed.

Healy’s track record speaks for itself - more King of the Hammers wins and championships than any other Ultra4 driver, all starting from zero racing experience in ‘09. His first attempt ended with the truck literally breaking in half and catching fire eight miles into the race. But something about that brutal introduction hooked him completely, leading to a second mortgage (that’s what it takes!!!) and a championship the following year.

The evolution from hobby rock crawler to championship-winning race machine mirrors the growth of Ultra4 racing itself. What started as a small group of hardcore wheelers has become a legitimate motorsport with multiple classes, professional teams, and manufacturer support. But the core challenge remains unchanged - build something that can survive the rocks and still be fast enough to win in the desert.

The 760-HP Bronco represents the current state of Ultra4 technology, but the sport keeps evolving. Teams are experimenting with sequential transmissions, pushing suspension travel limits, and developing specialized setups for different events.

Healy’s Bronco-inspired build proves that with the right approach, even the most extreme challenges become opportunities for those willing to push the boundaries of what’s possible.