Raptors... frames too weak for offroading?

[Hurley]

haah this thread's going to morph into an epic- street-truck ECORS A-Class call-out/shootout/extravaganza before too long

(also, where's dude at that wanted to race his raptor in b-class?)

 

[jds97Wrangler]

This...miles from the truth. The Raptor does a great job off road, it's just not a trophy truck pre-runner like some geniuses think it is. The desert is relentless, harsh and eats parts like candy. The Raptor is a kick ass off road truck. It rides great, turns on a dime, digs strong in corners, launched and lands well, powers out of corners and over rough terrain.

I'm sure the PW is a nice truck but since I've never spent time in one behind the wheel I'm not going to comment on it's abilities or disabilities. I have been in a 6.2 powered Raptor, 22k miles worth, and been in the desert with it. Just like all vehicles it has limitations. Good drivers find those limitations and stay just inside them, not ass a truck up and blame the builder.

I've never been in a better purpose built factory truck but I will gladly welcome the challenge of a PW owner letting me climb behind the wheel of their truck to see what it can and will conquer. Who knows, I might dump my Raptor in favor of a Dodge???

I did not mean it as the truck isn't a major improvement over a regular F150. However Ford marketed it as a factory sand dune racer and this proves it just isn't.

As for jumping pond dams or jumping at all with a Dodge PW I just don't thing that would be a good idea. But then again dodge doesn't market as that they market it as a extreme Off-road 4x4. Which all the reviews I read of it says it is.

Now I only have a regular Dodge 4x4 and I have owned a Ford 150 4x4 and there is no comparison in my mind. I would never get rid of my dodge for Ford. But again that is my opinion and opinions are like ass holes everyone has one.

 

[shawn]

However Ford marketed it as a factory sand dune racer and this proves it just isn't.

You need to watch the video. This is not how it went down.

BTW -- All the 03+ solid front Rams recalled again. For tie rods. Again.

The press release says the tie rod might break in half during low speed turning maneuvers, like in a parking lot.

I'm serious. It actually says that it might break off while you're trying to park at teh mall.

 

[RHSCTJ]

It looks like he hits a road culvert at 60. I bet the 4 guys whose trucks didnt bend were at the back of the pack and slowed down

 

[Jason W.]

where is said vid?

 

[RHSCTJ]

1:30 mark

 

[crawlin85cj]

I did not mean it as the truck isn't a major improvement over a regular F150. However Ford marketed it as a factory sand dune racer and this proves it just isn't.

I would like to see this. I don't recall Ford ever advertising a Raptor or any SVT vehicle as a "racer". The video I saw had Greg Biffle beating it in a woods trail. The mud was black and the trees had leaves. I'd like to see it because my truck sucked in the whoops, I want to see just how bad a driver I am compared to the Ford ringer.

Admittedly, IF the cattle crossing is what bent all the frames I would not be happy either. I guarantee my truck has taken harder hits. Kinda makes me wonder if thats the whole story??

 

[GoneMuddin1]

I would like to see this. I don't recall Ford ever advertising a Raptor or any SVT vehicle as a "racer". The video I saw had Greg Biffle beating it in a woods trail. The mud was black and the trees had leaves. I'd like to see it because my truck sucked in the whoops, I want to see just how bad a driver I am compared to the Ford ringer.

Admittedly, IF the cattle crossing is what bent all the frames I would not be happy either. I guarantee my truck has taken harder hits. Kinda makes me wonder if thats the whole story??

Check out the intro vid on the "Official Site": http://www.ford.com/f150raptor/

 

[jds97Wrangler]

You need to watch the video. This is not how it went down.

BTW -- All the 03+ solid front Rams recalled again. For tie rods. Again.

The press release says the tie rod might break in half during low speed turning maneuvers, like in a parking lot.

I'm serious. It actually says that it might break off while you're trying to park at teh mall.

Seriously! You don't think Ford has ever had recalls. As I said it is my opinion I like dodges better then Ford. I predicated that with Opinions are like assholes everyone has one.

Every one of the manufactures have had problems in the past and will again in the future.

Here’s a website that will give all the recalls on the 2003 F150 there is nine on that year model alone. I really like the one that is for the potential for the steering pitman arm to fall off.

http://www.automotive.com/2003/12/ford/f-150/recalls/

 

[iluv_mud]

That didn't look like that big of a hit, I've definitely taken bigger hits in cars.

 

[shawn]

It packed up the rear suspension and kicked it 2ft into the air. At 70mph.

 

[The Tank]

haah this thread's going to morph into an epic- street-truck ECORS A-Class call-out/shootout/extravaganza before too long
(also, where's dude at that wanted to race his raptor in b-class?)

Thats me.

It looks like he hits a road culvert at 60. I bet the 4 guys whose trucks didnt bend were at the back of the pack and slowed down

One of those guys has been very vocal as to how fast they were running and that he wanted no part in that.

It packed up the rear suspension and kicked it 2ft into the air. At 70mph.

They were going over 100mph.

 

[Hurley]

100mph, offroad, in a street vehicle with factory seats & belts? wowo

 

[250krawler]

I was going to say it definetly looke a hell of alot faster than 70 when the part of the video started with the kicker.


I still don't see how there bending that way though...

 

[iluv_mud]

It packed up the rear suspension and kicked it 2ft into the air. At 70mph.

Ahh I see... From reading a couple of pages of the thread it really reminded me of what happened to all the evo guys & they're warranty denials.

 

[The Tank]

I still don't see how there bending that way though...

At those speeds these trucks bottom out real quick especially when they have Deaver Springs in the rear. Also the bump stops are in a crumble zone in the frame.

sent from ...... I don't know where I am.

 

[RatLabGuy]

I still don't see how there bending that way though...

Deaver spring hits the bump stop. Bump stop presses up into teh frame - which is reall thin there - so frame bends upwards.

 

[fishgutz]

Raptor would be a nice truck to tow my Jeep.

 

[WHITEY]

comparing a raptor to the power wagon again?! Seems to be a consistant theme on the net. At least for power wagon owners. As for the Raptor owner wanting to drive a power wagon. I don't think so. You can ride bitch in my truck anytime on the trail though. I will say the power wagon has worked as advertised. No actually better than advertised. It has had weaknesses but I was never diluted into thinking that it wouldn't have them. I'll also say that dodge gave numbers in the owners manual that told me exactly how deep I could go in water and actually had directions about rock crawling. So I had a starting point when pushing the truck on all terrains. I would hope ford was smart enough to give some estimate of what the truck could do in the owners manual and possibly add optional shock valving etc.
Here is some video of me around kodak rock at URE and Daniel trail last year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqwVlQ1g0jE

Car crushing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofmBW9L-dH4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfzQprL_aFw&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7diNZGN6lk&NR=1

Anyhow this is not what a raptor was built for period!

 

[The Tank]

Anyhow this is not what a raptor was built for period!

No but it can do it. I've done every trail at URE but Daniel and actually hitting Kodak rock.

 

[WHITEY]

When I say kodak rock I think only of the big ledge at the bottom. Otherwise I categorize, I went up the 2 boulders, the line up the right that used to be a bypass a few years back or the line up the left. You're saying The kodak rock?

 

[WHITEY]

Your saying you do this rock with only one locker in the rear, IFS, no skid plates and no rock rails?

 

[The Tank]

Your saying you do this rock with only one locker in the rear, IFS, no skid plates and no rock rails?

No I said I don't go up it. I go around. Because of the factory stink bug stance and the radiator skid plate is at a stupid angle and hangs kind of low the approach angle on Raptors is horrible. Why does IFS matter? I have 12in of travel. You know Shannon Campbell's KOH rig has IFS and he's won it twice.

 

[Spence]

Yeah, because all IFS is created equal.....

 

[Hurley]

Sounds like we need a performance test at the DPG ecors race!