The popular YouTube channel ND – Woodworking Art has built a massive global following by carving intricate, drivable replica vehicles entirely out of timber. From exotic Ferraris to the polarizing Tesla Cybertruck, the Vietnam-based carpenter has tackled some of the automotive world's most iconic silhouettes.
For his latest project, however, the builder took on a completely different beast: a heavy-duty Ford F-150 Raptor.
Built as a gift for his grandfather, the project was a monumental 150-day undertaking that seamlessly blended traditional woodworking techniques with modern electric vehicle components.
While the exterior of the truck is entirely made of wood, the underlying architecture is essentially a custom-built, fully functional electric vehicle.
Before any carving could begin, the builder fabricated a rigid steel spaceframe chassis to handle the immense weight of the thick timber body panels. The chassis was then fitted with a rear differential, leaf spring suspension, hydraulic shocks, and functional rack-and-pinion steering.
Because of the massive scale of the build, traditional combustion engine options were skipped in favor of a torquey, quiet EV setup. As noted in the build video, "This wooden Ford F150 Raptor is powered by an electric motor".
Once the rolling chassis was complete, the true artistry began. "When the frame, wheels, steering, and drive system became stable, my father started the most beautiful part: shaping the wooden body," the channel's narrator explained.
Instead of relying on colored paint to replicate the truck's intricate trim pieces and two-tone aesthetics, the builder strategically utilized different types of natural wood. He used ebony for the dark trim details, rosewood for the red accents, and oak for the white details.
The interior received the same meticulous treatment, featuring a hand-carved dashboard, a detailed center console, and a fully functional wooden steering wheel connected to the actual steering column.
To give the truck its aggressive nighttime presence, the builder fabricated a custom lighting array for both the front grille and the taillights. Each light was custom made using a wooden mold filled with resin and fitted with LED lights inside.
To protect the massive amount of intricate hand-carving from the elements, the builder sealed the entire truck in multiple layers of clear coat, permanently highlighting the natural grain of the wood.
Following a grueling five-month build process, the miniature heavy-duty truck finally rolled out of the workshop under its own power. "And then after 150 days of work, the wooden Ford F150 Raptor finally began to move," the video concluded.