The Ford F-150 Raptor grows longer legs for 2017, and it knows how to use them. (Apologies to ZZ Top.)
For the next generation model, due out this fall, the automaker teamed up with FOX to give the beastly all-terrain pickup better on- and off-road manners. That means beefier shocker for better cushioning and greater suspension travel.
The new suspension setup blends civility with capability. The Raptor’s purpose-built shock absorbers grow half an inch in diameter (to three inches), offering 44 percent more volume. They also feature a lower gas pressure to smooth out the on-road experience. All shocks feature an internal bypass with nine zones designed to progressively damped shock forces.
“The final zones act like hydraulic bump stops to send fluid through the top of the piston while the shock is fully compressed, preventing Raptor from bottoming out,” the automaker said in a statement.
Thanks to the new shocks, the Raptor’s front suspension travel grows from 11.2 inches to 13 inches. In the rear, travel grows from 12 inches to 13.9 inches. 2017 Raptors benefit from Ford’s newfound love of aluminum, shedding about 500 pounds compared to past models.
Specifications haven’t been announced, but we know the Raptor will gain a 10-speed automatic transmission and the upgraded 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. For 2017, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost gains 10 horsepower and 50 pounds-feet of torque, for a total of 375 hp and 470 lb-ft.
Ford is very pleased with itself, so much so that it released a video of the model’s suspension prowess:
I wonder how MR dampers would work in an application like this? I wonder if anybody has tried them on an off-road vehicle before ( I could certainly see a premium brand using them where the buyer could likely swallow a three or more thousand dollar damper system )
@raph – Would magnetic dampers get too hot in off-road conditions? Cost and complexity are another issue. Eventually shocks need to be serviced. I would suspect that a Fox shock can be rebuilt or at least have the oil changed at the fraction of the cost of a new one or that of a magnetic shock.
The other aspect is based upon the premise that most vehicle buyers don’t have the driving skill to be able to properly tune a shock. Magnetic shocks are good for ease of tuning but that just means hundreds of wrong settings and only one optimal one. I saw that problem all of the time with fully adjustable suspensions on dirt bikes and sport bikes. Ford is taking a liability risk with the Raptor and any tuning outside of their control just makes that risk much worse.
Heat management was one of the things that crossed my mind Lou as a pitfall in this application since the dampers are worked,pretty hard in spirited off road driving.
I would have been fairly surprised if a manufacturer had tried MR dampers on an off-road vehicle but reading the article it’s a tantalizing one since one could tailor the damper to the driving environment.
Should tackle drive-thru speed bumps OK.
Edit: Come to think of it the drive-thru microphone might be too low to comfortably order without yelling, so Ford might want to consider offering an optional air suspension.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LDFWm4z3As
Call me when it can actually jump 30 feet in the air.
Call me when any factory vehicle can do that without significant damage.
I mean besides 1970s Chargers, they could do it all day long evidently (joke).
Thank you for not disappointing; I came to post that video but you beat me to it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LDFWm4z3As
Call me when it jumps 30 feet in the air.
I wonder how this has affected body roll in the corners…
RHD,
I’d say Ford has had many complaints regarding the on road performance of the Raptor. It would handle worse than a 1500 Ram.
So, from what I can see adding more wheel articulation and wheel travel, using a more progressive damper setup will give better off road and on road performance. I do believe the complexity that is becoming the norm in 4x4s will make them less reliable off road. In many instance simplicity off road can mean you keep on moving forward or not. When all of the whiz bang tech works it’s great. When it doesn’t it becomes very expensive.
I personally have kept my shocks as simple as possible. The biggest problem with shock absorbers off roading is heat and the foaming of the hydraulic fluid. The heat is generated by the oil passing through the metering valves and the fluid pressures inside the shock. These valves are what gives you your ride. The larger volume of fluid helps maintain fluid temp, as does the pressure inside the shock, ie piston diameter.
Remember, as many comments will support the Raptor (they are a great pickup), not many Raptors see the dirt, let alone the sands in the desert.
‘I personally have kept my shocks as simple as possible.’
That would explain your commentary.
Our Mustang 2056 skid loader has the simplest suspension of all, and I wouldn’t be too eager to take a jump with it.
“… not many Raptors see the dirt, let alone the sands in the desert.”
So, Google Earth must be much more advanced for those Down Under for you to be able to see every Ford Raptor everywhere, and know where it has been and where it goes. Or are you just making things up again?
“I saw pictures of a Raptor in downtown San Francisco, so therefore every Raptor owner must be a city dweller who has never used the 4wd.”
Its as tired as the “big pick up truck = tiny penis” lines from some others.
Well, I wasn’t going to say it, but given that you did, yes, penis size and truck size are inversely proportional.
Of course, I drive a Suzuki Carry… http://indianautosblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2014-Suzuki-Carry-front.jpg
I want that engine in my SuperDuty.
Sigivald,
With it’s most probable 8mpg.
Yep and they won’t sell because NOBODY wants a turbo V-6 in a pickup and they all get 8 mpg except none do because nobody buys them and that’s why Ford’s reputation is destroyed and they are in bankruptcy and why they no longer have the best selling vehicle because Aluminum + EcoBoost = 8 mpg and required rebuilds every 10k miles and can’t pull a push lawnmower on a 5′ trailer and doom and gloom and ignore sales reports and glowing reviews and millions of satisfied customers its all a big lie to keep midsize trucks off the top where everyone knows they belong.
Bout sums up every post you’ve made on the subject. Did I forget any doom or gloom?
For a minute there I thought Johnny had been out in the sun too long. LOL
I want. I want.
@RHD – good question. I suspect that the sway bars will be beefed up to help keep that under control.
Longer suspension travel will add to the ride height affecting sway but those extra 2 inches of travel might not translate directly to an extra 2 inches of height. It all depends on the amount of static sag.
The Raptor is as wide as a F350 dually so I doubt it will be much of an issue when compared to any other pickup.
Lou_BC,
As you pointed out it’s the size of a F-350. This is a massive handicap in most off road situations and limits the pickup to a more specialised use, open road desert driving, a quad will off road better than this normally used shopping trolley.
The reality is most any 4×4 can drive on open desert tracks …….. very easily.
I do think a Wrangler is a better option if you want a 4×4. Even though it’s a FCA product the Wrangler will go anywhere a Raptor can, plus much more. As for pickups, this doesn’t have a leg to stand on for versatility in comparison to a 76 Series pickup.
Oh, I’m not a Toyota or FCA/Jeep fan.
@BAFO – I did not say it was the size of a F350. The previous Raptor’s track width was 73.6 inches. A F350 dually is 74.7. A Raptor’s mirror width is the exact same as an F150.
There are advantages and disadvantages to width.
The only massive handicap is one of your own creation. One buys a vehicle based on what and where they plan to use it. You don’t buy a Raptor to snake though trees or boulders. Just because that is a problem for you doesn’t make it a bad off-roader.
“The only massive handicap is one of your own creation.”
The only place full size trucks, and the F-150 in particular, fail is in a fantasy world he creates for himself.
Can it fit where a Suzuki Samuri can? No. Can a Samuri bounce across terrain at 70 mph perfectly stable and with minimal intrusion? Um… They can’t even back out of the driveway without dumping your coffee/soda on your lap.
“Its a big truck and can’t fit where small trucks can.”
No $#¡Г Sherlock. It can also do things small trucks can’t. Different vehicles = different priorities, purposes, strengths and weaknesses.
Its like a Smart owner comparing his car to a Panther. Um, just because they’re both cars does not mean each can do exactly what the other can. A Crown Vic can’t get 40 mpg and be parked two-to-a-spot, but a Smart can’t seat six and could’nt do a Rockford turn to save its life. Different vehicles, different missions in life.
It’s not as wide as a dually, but it is wider than 80″ (anticipating around 86″), which is why it needs clearance lights in the grille and marker lights on the fenders.
I do believe it’s good that the volume has increased along with the wheel travel and articulation.
As for the metering of the shocks, you’ll need to drive one to see how much better on road the Raptor is. I don’t doubt that it will be better on road.
The on road improvement isn’t a shock as well, most of these fantastic, even if overly large and fuel hungry 4x4s are just a shopping trolley and I’d say the most any Raptor ever sees an off road situation is when pulling over on the shoulder.
What is needed is a Raptorised Ranger and a diesel Raptor.
As for the horsepower, I do consider this a bit of a joke, similar to these mega powered, Camaros, Mustangs and Challengers.
How many can actually use this power, or better still how many actually have the prowess to use the power, especially off road.
It’s a pity this nice vehicle is a virtual wank wagon with little or no payload and speed limited to 98mph.
“What is needed is a Raptorised Ranger and a diesel Raptor.”
I agree with the Ranger comment but a diesel might just put too much weight over the snout. That isn’t too good for a truck advertised as a jumper.
There is a reason the General Lee used a 340 for jumps and a 440 for drifting and show and shine.
How can you comment on payload when those numbers have not been released?
I don’t see you whining and sniveling about the crappy payload ratings for those FCA 1500 diesel pickups.
Oh and that wet dream diesel engine would add weight dropping payload.
“How many can actually use this power, or better still how many actually have the prowess to use the power, especially off road. [sic]”
Why does it bother you what other people use their vehicles for?
“It’s a pity this nice vehicle is a virtual wank wagon with little or no payload and speed limited to 98mph.”
TIL 1200 lbs. (assuming until actual figures are released) is the same as “little or no payload.”
Drzhivago138 – it is made from aluminium and doesn’t have a diesel. Oh and it is built by Ford.
That just happens to be a certain Aussie’s Axis of Evil Triad.
And the reason it is speed limited to 98mph?? Why that is because no one makes tires of the size and type used that are rated for a higher speed. Ford is going to set the speed limiter no higher than the tire’s rated speed because lawyers.
Scoutdude – why add logic to the conversation ;)
We seem to have H rated tyres in Australia. Remember, what is the vehicle most likely to do, off road or highway? You buy a tyre to suit your need.
Why would you buy and off road tyre if you drive on the highway all of the time? Look at the low payload of the Raptor as well. I do believe if you buy an off road tyre for a highway driven Raptor you are quite silly. I suppose most will for the wank factor, they’d put mud tyres on a Raptor to drive around suburbia.
V8 Patrols and Landcruiser do go quite fast compared to the speed limited Raptor. There are tyres to suit these. There are tyres to suit most any applicaton.
Even my BT50 will hit 118mph before the diesel becomes breathless.
Big Al from Oz – different laws and regulations on different continents. You only remember that when it comes to that chicken implanted in your Oz.
Now on to your low payload comment.
Do you have the payload specs on the 2017 model?
The last year the Raptor was made is 2014. Lets look at a few off-roaders from 2014.
Raptor SuperCrew – 1,170 lbs
2014 Tacoma double – 1,215 lbs
2014 Unlimited Rubicon – 892 lbs
There you have it. A cross section of typical 4×4’s of that era.
Is that… a half-a-ton? In a “half-ton” truck? How terrible! That used to be enough for the most plebian pickups to go camping and other things BAFO says just aren’t possible with this.
Seriously, though; the payload for the 3.5EB F150 now, 2650 lbs, rates it higher than an F350 from 20 years ago.
Patrols and Land Cruisers don’t use a 315/70/17 tire. Looks like the Cruiser uses a 285/60R18. There is a significant difference in sidewall height there. I think light truck tires are generally 112mph rated.
Flipper,
I don’t know what you are stating regarding wheel sizes.
We can have any size rim we basically want, so long as it fits over the brakes.
I’m think of dropping down to 16s on my vehicle.
@BAFO – I’m sure you know (by now), pickups modified or upgraded for off-road hijinks, conversely lose payload and towing. Comparing the Raptor’s payload to normal 4X4 pickups is pointless.
Going over 90 mph in a pickup is pointless too. Except the Raptor is good for 98 mph on washboard roads, riverbeds and open desert.
I wouldn’t expect much hardcore off-road adventures from Raptor original owners, same as Rubicon Wranglers. Still there’s plenty videos of numbskulls destroying Raptors.
I’m not sure what kind of mileage you expect from the Raptor, but it’s clearly just you being BAFO.
But when can we expect Robert R to take over for you, taking swings at the Raptor?
I have a rather obese buddy named Alphonse who is a supplier to the Detroit 3 pickups. They all use a specific tack to seal the factory blinker fluid, which is actually derived from the discarded beaks of poultry. The Ram, F150 and Silverado would not function without these tacks that my friend distributes.
In summary, you could say that Big Al knows that the American pickup market is completely dependent on the chicken tacks.
Nice!
I do like the Raptor, it would make for a nice quad replacement in the thrill department. It is very similar to a quad in many ways, limited payload, short range and expensive for what it is, especially as Ford keeps on adding more and more to the vehicle.
*rimshot*
VoGo – LOL.
I thought you were going to say like a Fox platform!
Curious how some manufacturers try to improve crude suspensions with sophisticated shocks.
Forgot, because it’s cheap to do so.
Now I wanna see one of those wonky eighth-gen Fox-body T-birds with a jacked-up off-road suspension setup. (Man, that’s a lot of dashes.)
Dan R,
Suspensions are and always will be crude. They are made of levers and springs and dampers. Its what biases how the suspensions react to loads that’s important.
Suspensions are like the motor vehicle, they are a compromise with much asked from them.
Take this Raptor that is marketed as a tough desert runner and yet 90% drive to Lowes and the hairdressers. What can Ford do to maintain it’s off road credibility and what the consumer wants as a road going wank mobile?
Once again: Why does it bother you so much if 90% do drive to “Lowes and the hairdressers” [sic]? 90% of sports cars never see an environment where they can be pushed to the limit either.
Drzhivago138,
I will go and defend the MX5, Toyota 86, WRX, etc drivers.
I’d say more of these guys test the limits of these vehicles than most who drive a Raptor. This sort of blows you comment away.
Oh, thanks for you concerns on what bothers me, very touching.
So, why does what is bothering me bothers you?
I do believe, my comments, which are accurate is bothering you. These vehicles are useless as a pickup, limited off road use in comparison to many more versatile options is the truth.
As I stated these are nice, but most wouldn’t know how to off road and use a 4×4 let alone drive this vehicle to its max.
It’s a pose, an accessory to impress to most who own them.
Way to not answer my question. I’ll ask again: Why do you care if a Raptor is bought by those who’ll never use it to full capacity?
“I’d say more of these guys test the limits of these vehicles than most who drive a Raptor. This sort of blows you [sic] comment away.”
How do you know, though? Do you have any observations that can be backed up with data?
“So, why does what is bothering me bothers you?”
What only bothers me is that you’re always making these kinds of remarks whenever Raptors or F-150s in general are brought up, and they add nothing to the conversation.
“I do believe, my comments, which are accurate is bothering you. These vehicles are useless as a pickup, limited off road use in comparison to many more versatile options is the truth.”
After we’ve sorted out that grammatical mess, what proof do you have of the accuracy of your comments? Do you have firsthand experience with the Raptor?
“As I stated these are nice, but most wouldn’t know how to off road and use a 4×4 let alone drive this vehicle to its max. It’s a pose, an accessory to impress to most who own them.”
And what’s wrong with that?
DRZ
Again, So, why does “what is bothering me bothers you?”
Why your interest?
Oh, don’t confuse opinion with “bothering”.
Try again, and ask my opinion, oh, don’t make an ambiguous comment with inferences. You might not get the response you want;)
Dodge sold quite a few Ram SRT-10s as well and some of them *gasp* even used them as work trucks! Oh the huge manatee!
@BAFo – why do you continue to tr0ll?
The Raptor sells to “wankers” because it is a credible off-road machine. You can sell a performance machine to a poser but you can’t sell a poser machine to anyone.
You can substitute any performance vehicle for the word Raptor and the comment is the same. . Most don’t get used as intended. Does that mean car companies should stop making performance products?
Lou_BC,
I do believe my comments are relatively accurate.
I do enjoy looking at people and what they drive and why they drive.
You have the know it alls, such as yourself who are brand fans who pass judgement on vehicles biased to suit your views or the views you are paid to submit in these types of forums.
I pass on my judgements on how I view the world, which is very human and economically biased.
I don’t really care what people drive, but, I’m amazed at the justification people use for what they do drive.
I do consider the full size pickup person quite insecure in many cases for the justifications they seem to come up with to own one of these vehicles.
They will tell you the biggest lines of crap, from tow and load even the speed they need to drive onto an on ramp on a freeway to justify their choice
Why not just state they want one because it suit the image they want to present.
Don’t get me wrong here, but most people could get away with a vehicle the size of a Toyota Corolla for 99% of what they need a vehicle for.
I bought a pickup because I can. And my pickup is most likely to go to Bunnings (Aussie version of Home Depot/Lowes) and the Bot’lo, not off road.
My vehicle places in a position to be around my kind with a similar outlook on life.
Most people who want the Raptor are generally wanna be’s who want to fit into my kind of group, the genuine off road frat.
We have similar groups in Australia. People who spend massive amounts to give their 4×4 the wank appearance, but yet couldn’t drive down a dirt road because the paint might chip on their pickup/SUV.
Ford is selling these vehicles to the wank group. Yes they can off road fantastically, but this isn’t Fords target audience. It’s target audience is the wanna be’s.
“I pass on my judgements on how I view the world”
That about sums up your hippo on prunes commentary.
Perhaps we could set up a data bank to alert the public when some drivers are testing the limits of their performance vehicle.
Why is that in literally every article about pickup trucks, BAFO insists on swooping in and littering the commentary with his massive global-midsize-inferiority complex?
It’s gotten to the point that I think we all preemptively cringe when we see articles about trucks because we already know what we’re all in for. Why not just ban him already? I honestly would rather listen to BTSR’s all caps rants about superchargers and hellcats than BAFO’s incessant moaning.
gtemnykh,
Why ban me?
I have my views and I do explain why I hold those views.
I have not actually stated anything that I view as incorrect against the Raptor. I did state several times this is a good off road vehicle, but it has it’s limitations. That is my view as is the target consumer for this product.
It has a job to do for Ford. Yes is is a good desert runner, but who do Ford target with these vehicles?
As for the changes to the suspension ………….. there are many changes to vehicles that are not reported on TTAC that are probably more significant than the increase in suspension travel and new shock absorbers on a pickup.
This is not a huge piece of news, unless you are one of the few thousand in the US who actually drive a Raptor with its secondary use of desert running in mind.
“Why ban me?”
You add little in value to any truck thread.
Lou_BC,
I add what I deem of value, what you deem of value is up to you. I really don’t think it is appropriate for you to dictate what I submit.
You do seem to respond to many of my comments, even then, many are of little value other than a slur.
In Summary,
1. The Raptor is a fantastic desert runner (I’ve stated this numerous times).
2. I do believe Ford markets these to the wanna be’s who can afford one. If you are serious about off roading you will not buy a Raptor. That is my view. A twin turbo V8 diesel Landcruiser wagon is a far better option than a Raptor. Again, that is my view.
Why? Because of the limitations the Raptor offers off road outweigh the positives with the Raptor. This means these are very focused on doing well in a small envelop of performance. Even cars that are performance orientated become more and more limited in their versatility as they move further in the direction of increased performance ….. until you end up with the ultimate performance car, the F1.
You can wind back from the F1 race car until you reach the station wagon, CUV. These are more versatile for day to day living than a F1 race car. The Raptor is similar, but not to the same extent.
The average off roader does more than just desert running. Camping, fishing, hunting, etc come to mind. This leaves the Raptor wanting in the payload department for these activities, as doe it’s FE.
Remember this is a high performance off roader, so, how long will a tank of gas last? I do realise you will state you the throttle lightly, but then why would you buy a Raptor? For wank reasons?
This is why I place them in the same category as owning a quad, yet the quad is far cheaper.
3. Most Raptors would never see the dirt, even a well maintained dirt road.
4. So, in essence I do view many who buy these as wank wagon owners. I can hold that view. This view also transcends into the pickup psych of some who own and operate a pickup, even midsize. We own these because we can, yes they are great lifestyle enhancers. But are they a necessity? No.
This brings me to the reason why the justification for owning these vehicles comes to mind. The reality is and similar to a performance car the pickup is an overkill in so many ways.
At least performance car owners are sincere in why they own their vehicles, unlike the average pickup owner. That is my view again.
We own the vehicles we can afford, or in some cases as the above article alludes to vehicles some can not afford.
So, again, my view/opinion is the Raptor is a wank wagon to MOST who want and own them. This Ford’s prime market for the Raptor.
People can dream of owning one, but if you bought one would you drive it to the max? No. So why own it? For wank reasons.
As for the suspension changes, a couple of inches of travel and new bigger shockies.
“Camping, fishing, hunting, etc come to mind. This leaves the Raptor wanting in the payload department for these activities”
Just how much payload do you need to haul some tents, packs, or fishing rods?
No doubt the Raptor is made more for play than for work compared to something seriously utilitarian like a Land Cruiser 70 series.
But it reeks of inadequacy (jealousy?) when you come into a thread and sneer about how in the US market everyone just uses their ‘lifestyle’ vehicles as fashion statements and that somehow inherently takes away from the actual technical specs and capabilities of a given truck or 4×4. You then proceed to look down at the ‘plebs’ here in the States from your wondrous diesel midsize soapbox.
It’s beyond annoying. Normally, it’s really cool to hear input and info from TTAC commenters about foreign car markets, but to sit there and pontificate (in every single article) about how stupid and backwards everything is here in the US and how backwards we are compared to good old Australia is not in the least interesting or informative. Go pester someone else, or better yet just stick to Aussie sites where you can all sit around and pat each other on the back about how great your access is to different trucks.
I’m a regular at the two big Ozzie car sites, and there’s never a BAFO. That’s partly why I go there. There’s an occasional Robert R, and he’s ridiculed there too. But no one that even resembles a BAFO.
Except BAFO isn’t a truck or car enthusiast. Not by a long shot.
His motivation/hatred for slamming this site and other US based/centric car and truck sites with his World Class and relentless BS storms is unclear. But it can’t allow a regular job, with the amount of time he spends ruining this site alone.
@BAFO – You can post your opinions in a manner that does not annoy or p!ss people off. That is the point you do not get UNLESS you understand that fact fully and completely. IF that is the case then that makes you a tr0ll.
I believe that tariffs and technical barriers i.e. differing safety and emissions regulations shape the market. I’ve debated it a long time ago here and most don’t care or disagree. Time to move on or continue to argue. Which is better for building a positive blog community?
I am in favour of developing small trucks and also am supportive of diesel powered trucks. There are those that disagree and most don’t care. Time to move on or continue to ague. Which is better for building a positive blog community?
Pointing out the end use of a product ANY PRODUCT as inappropriate or stup!d or posing et cetera. We ALL know that most ENTHUSIAST and/or PERFORMANCE vehicles RARELY EVER get used fully and completely as designed. Does everyone here have Jack Baruth’s driving skills? “Poser” sales are what keep performance vehicle sales alive. How many Jeeps would sell if only hardcore off-roaders purchased them?
Time to move on or continue to ague. Which is better for building a positive blog community?
Have you noticed that more and more of the bloggers here are calling you out?
You already got banned from PUTC and that site has some very low standards.
gtemnykh,
So, how do you go out camping?
Even with my diesel if I go out I’ll need at least four jerry cans of fuel. Add to that rations, camping gear, etc.
By the time you add your 5 people in the cab as well your 1170lb payload is diminishing rapidly.
So, you arrive at your campsite …… overloaded and only have enough fuel for a one hour spin ……… if you are lucky.
Because you are overloaded you leave you fishing gear at home.
Lets be real.
The Raptor is first and foremost a money spinner for Ford. A toy for those who can afford one. They are fast on a dirt track, but I’ve seen some WRX’s that are good on the dirt.
These are perception wagons.
Lou_BC,
Whatever.
@BAFO – Do you have the payload specs on the 2017 model?
The last year the Raptor was made is 2014. Lets look at a few off-roaders from 2014.
Raptor SuperCrew – 1,170 lbs
2014 Tacoma double – 1,215 lbs
2014 Unlimited Rubicon – 892 lbs
There you have it. A cross section of typical 4×4’s of that era.
If you are going to slag the Raptor for a paltry payload then you need to slag every other off-road spec vehicle on the market.
Al for most folks in the US, packing jerry cans of fuel for a camping or fishing trip is not a necessity.
For me, the trips are either my fiance and me and our two dogs, or the two of us and two friends. And maybe a canoe on top or bikes on a hitch rack out back. Inside is a tent, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, 60 quart cooler, cooking utensils, backpacks with clothes. Most of it ends up being volume rather than a lot of weight. But for typical US car/tent camping a payload of about 1000ish works just fine. Having a whole truck bed of space solves the bulky items issue nicely. I have adjustable air shocks on the back of my 4Runner to level it out, I’m confident that a leaf sprung pickup would be less affected.
gtemnykh – The only times I’ve ever packed spare fuel for my truck was to avoid having to purchase fuel in more remote little villages due to added expense. I’ve always had spare fuel for dirt bikes, quads and boat.
My truck is rated for 1540 lbs and with my family and dogs on board I’m at that envelope. Occasionally I’m over it by a couple of hundred lbs due to extra stuff the wife or kids want.
BAFO is as egocentric as it gets and can only see things through his eyes.
gtemnykh, you can haul your hunting stuff in, but you will be overloaded when you try to haul your deer out of the pasture. (Where is the sarcasm button?)
For 83% of the cars out there 92% never get driven to the limit 60% of the time on Tuesdays.
When I got into snowmobiling in the early 1990’s “Fox” gas shocks were the big thing. My first brand new snowmobile, a 1995 Polaris XCR 440 had 4 rebuildable “Fox” gas shocks
For what I need out of my PU, a Raptor is a completely a useless truck to me. But I can certainly appreciate the engineering Ford has put into these trucks and their capability off-road is amazing. Isn’t the border patrol running these? Perfect truck for that job.
Carlson Fan – I’d rather spend my money on mountain bikes, quads, dirt bikes or sleds than on a truck since those machines will get much further off the beaten path. With that being said, as I age and my body can no longer cash the cheques my brain writes. Stuff that is fun to operate and easier on the carcass start to become more interesting. The vast majority of people I know use trucks to get their toys out to the trail head. That is why I’ve always owned a truck.
I appreciate the technology that has gone into the Raptor and I also like the fact that most likely Ford’s legal department and warranty department had fits over its creation.
I’d consider one if my pockets were deeper.
Carlson,
Yes and it was even reviewed on TTAC! Perfect ‘non-poser’ application in which it excels. And this isn’t just high speed desert running where it works well.
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2015/02/capsule-review-ford-svt-raptor-united-states-border-patrol-edition/
It was practically invented for the Border Patrol, since they can’t run unlimited class 1 sand buggies. It’s the next best thing that’s street legal, normal production, cold AC, 5 Star crash rating, etc.
Border… Patrol? That can’t possibly be right as those words don’t sound like they go together.
@28 – They patrol the border. The effectiveness of those patrols is an entirely different story.
Ironically a couple of children from southern Alberta crossed the border into the USA while playing Pokemon Go and they were swarmed by US Customs.
Canadians must be way more dangerous than those criminal drug dealing sex offender Mexicans.
So the JC Whitney special gets even more unnecessary shocks to handle the harsh reality of mall parking lots.
Neat.
They’re just understaffed for the job of sealing a border some stay is impossible to seal, but a fast interceptor has to help. But when it comes down to it, we really need the narcotics and cheap labour. And we need more corrupt BP agents.
Wait, Ford is partnering with a television network?