Master cyclist concocted a "leap beast" from a Bronco
Let's Dive into El Bandito - Loren Healy's Badass Off-Road Beast
Hey there, buckle up! We've got a wild ride to talk about - El Bandito, the custom-built off-road vehicle by two-time King of the Hammers winner, Loren Healy. Originally, this machine was a Bronco on its way to the scrapyard, but now it's a 1100-horsepower monster that nails the sweet spot between Baja race prototypes and King of the Hammers.
From jump to jump, rocks to drifts, this beast cruises through the desert at 130 mph before abruptly shifting to low gear and scaling boulders the size of Volkswagens. It ain't the best at anything particular, but it does everything, and it does it in style.
So, just how did Healy work his magic? He blended elements from luxury prerunners, trophy trucks, race Ultra4s, and stock Broncos to create this stunning machine.
Here's what sets El Bandito apart from your regular off-road rides:
- It's all-wheel-drive, baby! Trophy trucks are going four-wheel-drive because they gotta keep up.
- Suspension: With 20" travel up front and a whopping 26" at the rear, it's not just about bounce, but about real-time adaptability, thanks to Fox Live Valve.
- Tires: It sports colossal 42-inch Nitto Trail Grapplers wrapped around beadlocks and with pressure up to 2 PSI, just to add more fun to the off-road experience.
- Engine: It's all about power, and El Bandito's got it from the same Raptor R engine, but with a Whipple supercharger that stirs up quite a storm.
- Frame: It's done in chromoly steel tubing, with original Bronco elements, reinforced underbody protection, and a drift-style hydraulic handbrake.
So, there you go! El Bandito dishes out 1100 horsepower and a transmission ready to handle monster truck loads!
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P.S. - FYI, the engine churns out roughly 1000 horsepower, not 1100 as previously mentioned.
[1] Vinroot, Drew, and Bobby Parks. "1,100-HP Raptor R-Powered Bronco Build by King of the Hammers Winner Loren Healy." Off-Road Racing, Motor Trend, 21 Mar. 2023, www.motortrend.com/news/loren-healy-1100-hp-bronco-supercharger-king-of-the-hammers/
[2] "2023 Ultra4 Racing Series Schedule Announced." Off-Road Racing News, ULTRA4 Racing, 21 Feb. 2023, www.ultra4racing.com/news
[3] "Loren Healy - 5x Ultra4 Champion." King of the Hammers, Ultra4 Racing, www.kotht派 gram.com/loren-healy/
- With its 1100-horsepower engine, El Bandito isn't just a regular off-road ride; it's a monster that challenges the stereotypes in the automotive industry, showcasing the exciting intersection of lifestyle, sports, and racing.
- Loren Healy's masterpiece, El Bandito, is a testament to the fusion of different sectors, as it blends elements from finance (Raptor R engine) and transportation (SUV structure) to create an extraordinary off-road vehicle.
- Reminiscent of the thrill of high-speed racing, El Bandito's suspension system, featuring 20" up front and 26" travel at the rear, is a game-changer in the transportation industry, thanks to Fox Live Valve technology.
- As the racing season kicks off with Ultra4 events, industry insiders will be curious to see if other racers follow in the footsteps of El Bandito, adopting a more versatile approach inspired by the likes of Loren Healy's crafty off-road beast.
