Written by Nicole Ellan James
LOT #727.1 – 2021 Ford Bronco Custom 6×6 SUV “Apocalypse Dark Horse” is selling with No Reserve at the 2022 Palm Beach Auction.
When the proverbial zombie apocalypse goes down, you will need a vehicle designed to traverse the roughest terrain and carry necessary supplies to remote and otherwise unapproachable areas. When faced with the havoc of such an event, a 6×6 vehicle will come in handy.
Luckily, Apocalypse Manufacturing has you covered. The team sought to create innovative 6×6 vehicles that could survive the test of time through countless hours of engineering, performance adjustment and off-road testing. The result is a “truck where looks and function dance with the devil in the pale moonlight.”
Apocalypse Manufacturing has put more than 140 vehicles on the road in countries worldwide. Three of its recently built 6×6 vehicles will cross the block with No Reserve at the 2022 Palm Beach Auction, held April 7-9 at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
Among the offerings is Lot #727.1, a 2021 Ford Bronco 6X6 named “Dark Horse.”
Most notably, what sets Dark Horse apart from other Broncos is the addition of a middle tandem axle, which delivers power to all six wheels.
The build’s base started with a 4-wheel-drive 2021 Ford Bronco powered by a 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine, equipped with the Black Diamond trim package.
Apocalypse Manufacturing promptly removed the back of the Bronco and extended the body with steel and fiberglass to create a 5-foot-long functional bed. Bumper to bumper, it measures 225 inches. For more context, that’s 3 feet longer than the Bronco’s factory 189-inch length.
Next, the team ditched the Bronco’s convertible roof and created a removable fiberglass hardtop that’s been elongated and comes with a slant back.
Inside, Dark Horse is adorned with dark brown and black durable marine-grade leather on the seats and doors, resembling the “King Ranch” pattern. The material is weather-resistant and protects against rain and snow.
Under the hood, the EcoBoost received larger fuel injectors and a tune that bumped the power output to approximately 400hp. The distinctive snarl of Dark Horse comes from a complete exhaust upgrade.
Dark Horse and other 6×6 models from Apocalypse Manufacturing — such as “Warlord II” and “HellFire,” all offered with No Reserve — feature handmade custom tandem handmade middle axles that power all wheels. However, Dark Horse’s back end is entirely different from the other models due to its coilover suspension, which supports each individual wheel. The setup provides a stiffer, more comfortable driving experience.
When “auto mode” is activated, Dark Horse operates as a full-time 6-wheel-drive vehicle sending power to both rear axles, but the truck’s internal computer will engage the front axle when needed.
Lastly, Dark Horse features a 4-inch lift with a steering stabilizer to ensure complete control at high speeds and off-road scenarios. The look is finished with a front steel bumper coated in Kevlar and steel side steps. It sits on 20-inch alloy SJF wheels wrapped in 37-inch Patagonia tires.
In addition to Dark Horse, Apocalypse Manufacturing built Lot #728, a 2022 Dodge Ram 1500 TRX 6×6 named “Warlord II.”
With the signature three axles, Warlord II receives power from a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 engine rated at 702 horsepower and 650 ft/lbs of torque, backed by a 6-speed automatic transmission.
This machine features six 37-inch all-terrain tires mounted on 18-inch wheels, and a seventh spare tire is set atop the pickup bed to round out its look.
The final offering built by Apocalypse Manufacturing is Lot #728.1, a 2022 Jeep Gladiator Custom 6×6 pickup named “HellFire.”
HellFire is equipped with a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 engine factory rated at 717hp. A high-performance 8-speed automatic transmission backs the tuned SRT Hellcat engine.
In addition to the signature third axle, HellFire features an active suspension to deliver maximum articulation and handling while power is sent to all six wheels. The driver can choose between 4-wheel or 6-wheel drive.
Like the Dark Horse Bronco, the HellFire Jeep was lengthened to make room for the third axle. As a result, it comes with an 8-foot truck bed. The roof and doors are also removable.
Additionally, HellFire has a locking metal roll-down enclosure ideal for safeguarding valuable possessions and a 9,500-pound winch enclosed in the 0.25-inch-thick full steel face bumper complemented by a 0.25-inch-thick full steel rear bumper and hitch that allows for up to 12,000 pounds of towing.
Other custom features include LED headlights with a color-changing halo ring — controlled inside with a 6-switch high-output LED light control cluster — fiber-molded hood, windshield armor, power running boards activated by the door and three-part Kevlar protective coating.
Interior refinements include marine-grade leather and modern creature comforts such as a push-button start, a full-time rearview camera mirror display, backup camera, Bluetooth, navigation system, premium audio system and Apple Carplay.
Be prepared for a zombie apocalypse or whatever life throws at you with one of these 6×6 trucks. These innovative vehicles will cross the block with No Reserve at the 2022 Palm Beach Auction, held April 7-9.