Image Credit: Drivetribe/YouTubeAs Jeremy Clarkson once joked on BBC Top Gear, Richard Hammond is a secret American. He loves muscle cars and pickup trucks, and over on the Drivetribe YouTube channel, Hammond has recently been showing off one of his latest acquisitions, his Ford Raptor pickup truck.Hammond has always loved trucks, hence his decision to get his hands on this particular Ford. Recently, he decided to let his team modify the Raptor to inject a bit more flair into the Ford and make it feel even more American.Typically, a pickup truck isn't a vehicle you'd see on a British road. They are usually too big and cumbersome, but they do have their uses. With Hammond running a business, a pickup truck makes perfect sense as a practical vehicle for moving things around and getting around in his daily life.AdvertisementAdvertisementIn a video on the Drivetribe channel, Hammond recently got to look at his finished and modified pickup truck. During the video, and in the thumbnail, he asked the question of whether the modifications had ruined it, or if it was now much enhanced compared to its stock form.What Had Been Changed on Hammond's Truck?One of the biggest changes was the new lights. Laserlamps, a British LED driving lights company, gave the Raptor two new lightbars. "Oh, for crying out loud, I could cook on them," Hammond exclaimed when the lights were turned on, due to how bright they were. The truck had also been tuned, referenced by a new intercooler visible below the vehicle.A massive air intake under the hood was a big hint at extra power, allowing the truck to suck in much more air. Across the side, there are new OZ Racing wheels, which Hammond admitted "are quite cool." Right at the back was a brand new exhaust system, meaning it now produced a very different soundtrack. But, despite the changes, the tuners mapped it so that when it fired up, it did so nicely and quietly.Hammond was shown this when he stepped inside the truck for his first drive. It really did start quietly, and when the former Top Gear host first moved off, the truck was very quiet. It could still act as a calm, civilized vehicle. However, it was when Hammond put his foot down that he realized this was no longer a standard Ford Raptor.This Is What Hammond Thought About His Modified FordImage Credit: Drivetribe/YouTubeHammond put his foot down after pressing the R button twice, and the roar from the engine was incredible. A quick flashback to the dyno shows the truck now produces a good chunk of power. In fact, the truck produces 530hp, which is only 20hp less than Hammond's Subaru rally car from 'The Grand Tour.'AdvertisementAdvertisementThe truck still maintains its practicality. It can still tow, for example, as they deliberately ensured it could still do so with the mapping. Hammond admitted he was worried that his team might 'ruin' the truck by making it way too powerful, or modifying it in such a way that it was no longer practical to use. But that is not the case, and he can enjoy his slightly spicier truck in all its glory.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.
