SEMA 2019: Blood Type Racing Transforms Explorer into Off-Road Menace
Hybrid Explorer SEMA concept offers off-road capability with good looks and entertainment for the whole family.
For the most part, we don’t typically think of the Ford Explorer as an off-road vehicle. After all, nearly all of them spend their entire lives on pavement, hauling kids and groceries. But that certainly doesn’t mean that the Explorer isn’t capable of transporting you over rugged terrain. Ford obviously wanted to remind us of that little fact. And they did so quite convincingly with this concept, built by Blood Type Racing, that was revealed at SEMA 2019.
Blood Type Racing builds all sorts of project cars and SEMA concepts for customers, so this seems like a natural fit. The finished product certainly speaks for itself, transforming a family hauler into a rugged looking ‘ute. The team started with an Explorer Limited Hybrid 4×4, then worked some serious magic to make it show worthy. Most of which took place on the exterior, as you might imagine.
The Explorer isn’t lifted, but did receive a level to even things out. Next, an attractive set of Ace Alloy chrome 20×9″ wheels wrapped in 285/55 Toyo Open Country tires were installed. These simple mods alone make a world of different in the visual department. Ford Performance supplied the roof rack crossbars and splash guards. Up top, a pair of Yakima snowboard carriers hold custom boards from BTR.
Of course, no off-road build is complete without a Rigid LED light bar, so this one’s got a curved piece on the roof. To accent the white Explorer, a dark tint was applied to the windows, headlights, and fog lights. All of the chrome was then blacked out, and Lacks Trim Systems supplied a new black front grille and rear bumper accent. The result is one seriously cool looking Explorer, in our opinion at least.
Underneath, you’ll find Borla/Ford Performance exhaust tips, a prototype skid plate, and white gel coated brake calipers. And on the inside, there are plenty of cool Ford accessories. They include a rear seat entertainment system for the kiddies, floor liners, a cargo mat, an XBox One, and a SoCal Garage Works carbon fiber steering wheel.
The goal here was to create an Explorer that was capable of going off-road while also looking great and providing entertainment for the whole family. And we’d say that Blood Type Racing nailed it. Personally, we’d be happy to have this multi-functional Explorer in our own garage!
Photos for Ford Truck Enthusiasts by Derin Richardson
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