Ranger “1447” vs F-100 “Vivian”: Two Desert Trucks, One Dirt Drag

Hoonigan lined up two very different desert trucks for a dirt drag race: Darren Parsons’ championship-winning Ford Ranger “1447” and Eric Connor’s 1974 F-100 “Vivian.” Along the way they trace the history of Four Wheel Parts, the sponsor tying it together.

Featured in “Dentside F-100 Prerunner ‘Vivian’ vs KOH-Champion Ranger ‘1447’ in DIRT DRAG RACING!” by Hoonigan.

Four Wheel Parts’ roots

The company traces back to 1961, when George Adler joined Trans Amer Parts and bought it for $5,000. By 1964 he’d launched his own off-road parts business, growing from two storefronts to five locations by 1980, and later going nationwide online.

Darren Parsons’ Ranger “1447”

Parsons started 13 years ago by selling his dirt bike and taking a $4,000 loan for the chassis, then taught himself welding and tube bending. The truck now has 20-plus race wins and multiple championships.

• Engine: fresh Texas Speed 427 making 424 hp to the rear wheels
• Front suspension: I-beam with Kenworth-size knuckles and King bypass shocks
• Rear: 95-gallon fuel cell with a heavy rear weight bias for the desert

Eric Connor’s 1974 F-100 “Vivian”

Connor, out of San Diego, built his F-100 around a mid-mounted engine for balance and travel.

• Engine: 454 LSX (461 cubic inches) behind the firewall, 750 hp at the crank
• Front suspension: J-arm setup with 24 inches of front travel
• Wheels/tires: KMC forged wheels on BFG tires
• Rear: 77-gallon fuel cell, quick-release jacks