XTF Test Mule

Ian Johnson gets his hands on a Factory Five Racing XTF test mule — a lightweight off-road platform with serious potential. The mission: transform it into a hardcore support rig for the Build for Off Road Adventure Ride.

He starts by breathing life into the engine, adding a supercharger for massive boost and horsepower. Then it’s all about strength and control — a race-spec roll cage, chassis reinforcement, upgraded differentials, and a full brake system built for punishing terrain.

By the end, this former test mule becomes a high-powered, race-ready machine, ready to crush rocks, blast across desert flats, and handle anything the wild throws its way.

Ready to catch the full episode?

New episodes of Build for Off Road premiere on MotorTrendTV and are available to stream on-demand on HBO Max and Discovery+

Build for Off Road concentrates on aggressive off-road builds that are not just for looks; they are purpose-built machines made with the extreme off-roader in mind. At the end of each build, host Ian Johnson tests its capabilities in the ultimate off-road environment. This series captures the off-road lifestyle, with projects ranging from slow-moving rock crawlers to high-horsepower hill-climbers and everything in between.

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Products Featured in this Episode

Because Build for Off Road focuses on custom fabrication, purpose-built vehicles, and the off-roading lifestyle, each episode showcases parts and products specifically for off-road and overlanding trucks, Jeeps, rock bouncers, and more. As a trusted influencer in the offroad community, Ian shares in each episode what kinds of tools, parts, accessories, and upgrades he uses around the shop.

You can click on the logos below to learn more about the products, parts, and tools Ian used in this episode to outfit the XTF test mule for the Build for Off Road Adventure Ride.