NAIAS: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is The Bulldozer for Your Sandcastle

by Aaron Cole

Updated: November 13th, 2020 Published: January 11th, 2016

naias 2017 ford f 150 raptor is the bulldozer for your sandcastle

Ford unveiled Monday its 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCrew complete with four doors, a 3.5-liter turbocharged V-6 and 10-speed transmission because more numbers always wins, all the time — except for when that number is power output, because apparently we still don’t know that yet.

The supersized truck with a supersized engine shaved 500 pounds by shedding two cylinders and aluminum body parts, according to Ford. The SuperCrew’s 145-inch wheelbase is fully a foot longer than the SuperCab’s footprint, and six inches wider than the current F-150, but still, really, no power figures.

But if you’re really into shaking up four friends in the rear seats, the Raptor SuperCrew sports an available Torsen front differential.

The off-road bits are tougher, according to Ford. In addition to 17-inch BFG KO2 all-terrain rubber at the corners, the Raptor sports bigger Fox Racing shock absorbers with nearly an inch more suspension travel than the last model, and a new terrain management system with Street and Baja settings because why not race truck?

Under the hood, Ford stuffed a 3.5-liter EcoBoosted V-6 that makes more power than the 6.2-liter V-8. We’ll wait for details on output, which should be coming soon because the truck is slated to hit dealerships this year.

According to Ford, the 2017 Raptor sports a new transfer case that is electronically controlled, but still mechanically locking.

Ford didn’t say how much the Raptor will cost when it hits dealerships later this year.

#2017 #2017FordF-150Raptor #F-150 #Ford #NorthAmericanInternationalAutoShow #Raptor

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20 of 86 comments

Dan on Jan 11, 2016

So much want. Even the V6 can't take that away. Blown Coyote, where are you?

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Big Al from Oz on Jan 11, 2016

The Raptor has done well for Ford and you can see why. It is designed as an accessory for those who can afford to own and operate one. It has some incredible off road creed, but that is quite limited to quite open country. If Ford really want to make a good off road pickup, then I suggest Ford make a Ranger Mini Me Raptor, off course with a diesel so you have some endurance and better low down torque. If I was after one of these "hairdresser" type pickups I would like to see the Titan Warrior built so I could buy one of them. I'd say the Titan will carry a lot more weight, have better and more usable traction off road with the diesel than this Raptor.

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- See 17 previous
- Hubcap on Jan 11, 2016
  
  Big Al Why the need to denigrate something you disagree with? The Raptor might not be your kind of off-road truck but it is indeed an off road truck and it performs the role it was designed for well. Would you take it on a multi-day/week/month overland excursion? I don't know but if that was your usage, I'd figure you'd pick something more appropriate from jump.that aligns with the type of activities you want to perform. Take a SXS (side by side), a Wrangler, a Power Wagon, an Earth Roamer and an HEMTT. All designed to go off-road. All have their strengths and weaknesses. The Raptor and other off-road vehicles are no different.
  
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- DenverMike on Jan 11, 2016
  
  @hubcap Simply disregard the BAFO. He thinks every off road situation, adventure or weekend activity is exactly like his. Yes trekking 1000's of miles across The Outback's forest, jungle, bushwhack, rock crawl.
  
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- Lou_BC on Jan 11, 2016
  
  @BigAl - “I’d say the Titan will carry a lot more weight, have better and more usable traction off road with the diesel than this Raptor.” The previous crew Raptor was around 1100-1200 lbs cargo IIRC. Titan XD is 1500-2000lbs. The Titan XD is too heavy as the foundation for an off-road long distance tool. It has a 3/4 or 1 ton tare weight with none of the cargo capacity. It doesn't even have full floating axles. Every truck has strong and weak points. The Raptor isn't meant to carry heavy but then again, neither is the Titan XD. The Titan Warrior is a concept. If it is built it will compete directly with the Power Wagon. Both have similar capacities. The Power Wagon cries out for a light weight diesel.
  
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- Add Lightness on Jan 12, 2016
  
  These Rapters are bought by posers that somehow have a good credit rating in spite of obviously poor judgement.
  
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- Drzhivago138 on Jan 12, 2016
  
  @Add Lightness Sweeping unsourceable generalizations accomplish nothing.
  
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- Lou_BC on Jan 12, 2016
  
  Drzhivago138 - But hey, "unsourceable generalizations" are the bread and butter of any discussion about pickups and their operators.
  
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- Big Al from Oz on Jan 12, 2016
  
  hubcap, I do believe if you read my comment it states (cut and paste) "The Raptor has done well for Ford and you can see why. It is designed as an accessory for those who can afford to own and operate one. It has some incredible off road creed, but that is quite limited to quite open country." That to me is a really good comment, so I don't know how you can state I denigrate the Raptor. I do make mention of the types who buy the Raptor. Yes I do believe they are mainly people with little clue on what vehicle to drive on the hardtop. A Raptor is not a vehicle I would buy for a pose at Lowes or taking the kids to school in. At least with the low payload Ram you will have a better ride and handling. The Raptor on the hardtop would be quite a terrible drive.
  
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- DenverMike on Jan 12, 2016
  
  @Lou_BC The Raptor has also done well for itself selling to the Border Patrol, some of the biggest posers on earth.
  
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- IHateCars on Jan 12, 2016
  
  @Big Al from Oz "At least with the low payload Ram you will have a better ride and handling. The Raptor on the hardtop would be quite a terrible drive." This statement alone proves that you've never driven one. It actually handles quite well on-road. Yes, there's body roll in tight corners but what do you expect from a high performance pick-up with a long travel suspension. I'm on my second Raptor since 2010 and it's my DD. I haul dirt bikes in the Summer and snowblowers and ski-doos in the Winter. We take it from Eastern Ontario Canada to Cape Cod/Boston every Summer....it's comfortable and smooth on the highway and gobbles up a lot of cargo and people. It's a very versatile vehicle on top of being a blast to drive on and off road. I'm going to take a look at the '17s when come out but I'm still smitten with my V8 in my '12 SCrew. So bite me.
  
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- IHateCars on Jan 12, 2016
  
  @Add Lightness "These Rapters are bought by posers that somehow have a good credit rating in spite of obviously poor judgement." At least we can spell...
  
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- VoGo on Jan 12, 2016
  
  @IHateCars Rapter, be pure Take a tour, through the sewer Don't strain your brain, paint a train You'll be singin' in the rain I said don't stop, to punk rock
  
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- IHateCars on Jan 12, 2016
  
  @VoGo She's so dull, rip her to shreds!
  
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- Big Al from Oz on Jan 12, 2016
  
  IHateCars, A vehicles we purchase are a compromise. The Raptor is a massive compromise vehicle so most who buy them can look cool. As I've mentioned the Raptor does well in open, fast operation. But the drawbacks this vehicle has far outweighs it's positive attributes; 1. Poor on road manners, 2. Poor payload, 3. Limited off road attributes, ie, the Raptor is quite narrow in where it shines off road, 4. Poor FE, 5. Poor long distance touring, restricted range of independent operation. 6. Expensive due to the compromises required. The largest benefit for those who buy them is the facade it created for themselves. The Raptor is sells on image and percieved off road prowess. A 70 odd Series Landcruiser V8 diesel pickup is a far better vehicle for off roading and versatility. It is even far more durable than a Raptor, and I'm not even a Toyota phan.
  
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- Mason on Jan 12, 2016
  
  IHateCars, don't bother with the haters. Jealousy is an ugly and mostly incurable disease.
  
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- Lou_BC on Jan 12, 2016
  
  IHateCars - nice to hear from a guy who actually owns a Raptor. Wizard of oz - did you actually read his comments?
  
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- Lou_BC on Jan 12, 2016
  
  @IHateCars Spelling must be important to get those good credit ratings :) LOL
  
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- Carilloskis on Jan 13, 2016
  
  @IHateCars I plan on getting a 17 but more likely an 18 or 19 for finacial reasons the only decision is whether or not to stay extended cab or go up to the crew cab. Every time I'm off roading in the mountains or driving in a city I'm glad that I don't have the longer truck, but whenever I'm at the grocery store and find that someone has parked in a way that i cannot get the rear suicide doors opened and access the shopping cart at the same time or when i have people and have to let the rear passenger get out come towards the front as they become trapped between the doors.
  
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- IHateCars on Jan 13, 2016
  
  @Lou_BC Yeah, it helps! But up here in Canuckistan they just give it away....right? Lol! Seriously though, I think thelaine's comment earlier in the thread stated it best, trucks like this just bring out the puritans and whiners. Meh, whatever...
  
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