Ford Crown Victoria P71 High-Boy: The 4x4 Nobody Expected

When Joel McIntire scored an ex-law-enforcement 2011 Ford Crown Victoria P71, he aimed to build a rally car. But that plan escalated fast—into a massive, one-of-a-kind, big-block-powered 4×4. The arresting creation stopped crowds in their tracks at the 2025 Fall 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals in Danville, Indiana—and it warrants a closer look.

Crown Vic Meets Ford F-250 High Boy

“I love lifted cars,” Joel says—and this wild idea had been bouncing around in his head for a while. Eventually, he grafted the P71’s chassis and body onto that of a 1977 Ford F-250 High-Boy pickup. He found the old fleet truck rusting in a farmer’s field and, to recoup some cash, sold off the cab and bed—he didn’t need ’em anyway—to a buyer planning a project build.

Marrying the two chassis wasn’t simple. For example, Joel had to remove 26 inches out of the F-250’s frame. Fun fact: he reused some of the leftover steel to craft the car’s rear “bumper.” Other chassis modifications included notching out the Crown Vic’s frame to make room for the big-block engine. He says that the two chassis can be separated quickly should the need arise.

Big-Block Engine Nabbed From A Former Police Car

Somewhere along the line the F-250’s original engine had been swapped for a 460-cubic-inch big-block V8. Joel says this 460’s origins trace back to an Illinois State Police car from the 1970s. He dropped in a performance camshaft, new lifters and rocker arms, and an Edelbrock carburetor. He also installed a new dual exhaust system with an eBay-sourced electric exhaust cutout kit and remote control. When activated, the kit allows exhaust gases to exit before the mufflers, boosting engine power.

C6, Divorced NP205

Power runs through a C6 three-speed automatic with a 3,500-rpm stall converter. Out back, the High-Boy-spec divorced NP205 two-speed transfer case remains in its factory position.

Modified Factory Axles

Up front, the High-Boy’s stock axle still spins with manual locking hubs. Joel ditched the power-assist steering for a full-power ’78 setup, complete with a new pitman arm. He also bolted on a Skyjacker dual steering stabilizer kit with 9000-series shocks. Out back, the factory Dana 60 now packs a locker for extra bite.

The rig rides on factory leaf springs, but Joel added Skyjacker shocks at each corner. Joel scored a set of used wheels and tires, and the Interco Super Swamper TSLs are meaty 44×18.5/16.5LTs.

LED Lights Galore

The rig’s exterior bristles with lighting. Up front, a Nilight LED light bar and twin LED pods cut through the darkness. Another pair of rear-facing Nilight pods are attached to the back fenders. Overhead, an Amazon-sourced roof rack adds trail-ready storage and carries five clearance lights plus a powerful searchlight.

And yes—that’s a camera on the front bumper. It’s an in-process feature that Joel is working on to provide improved forward visibility for the driver while on the trail.

Custom Console And A Variety Of Gauges

Inside the Ford Crown Victoria P71, Joel keeps tabs on engine rpm with an aftermarket tach. A dash-mounted triple-gauge pod displays oil pressure, water temperature, and voltage, while a GPS unit tracks vehicle speed.

He built the center console back in high school welding class. It houses controls for the PA/siren setup and a bank of switches that control the car’s exterior lights.