Raptor Frames-The Weakest Link?
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Joined: April 4, 2007
Posts: 20,164
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From: Just outside the middle of nowhere
Raptor Frames-The Weakest Link?
I thought this was supposed to be an off-road truck, not a mall crawler. 
http://www.raptorforumz.com/showthread.php?t=14208
Good thing Gary drives his like a woman.
http://www.raptorforumz.com/showthread.php?t=14208
Good thing Gary drives his like a woman.
Bullitt Member
Joined: September 11, 2009
Posts: 274
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From: Southern California
That's interesting. However, the frame isn't bending due to the bumpstops, as it's a leaf spring solid axle design, last I remember. The weakest would be in the frame itself. There's apparantly a good amount of flex near the center of the frame, which is probably aggrivated by heavy weight at the ends and the large jumps those owners encounter. Ford will probably look into this.
Bullitt Member
Joined: February 9, 2011
Posts: 332
Likes: 1
From: Houston
Man that sucks. I'm glad I don't have to worry about jumping my mustang. If it could I would...that's the scary thing. Although I can say I have gotten My 83 Toyota sr5 4x4 around a foot or so off the ground and landed very hard and haven't had this problem. It is lighter but wasn't built specifically for that like the raptor. Either way I'd be pissed until it gets resolved
NTTAWWT
Joined: January 27, 2007
Posts: 14,456
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From: That town you drive through to get to Myrtle Beach
I dont think it is. There's a difference between using a manufacturer provided launch control, which should be fully capable of handling the engines power versus launching a 5000 pound vehicle over jumps at 85mph. Its entirely possible they came down off the jumps really nose heavy and dug in and the frame gave way. That's just what's going to happen.
GT Member
Joined: September 8, 2009
Posts: 197
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From: Tampa, FL
I disagree. Ford has proven that the Raptor can compete in the Baja races without issue, but that's if you know what you're doing. They don't just go out there and drive flat out over terrain they didn't pre-scout. There HAS to be a limit to what the truck can do. Just because it can go 100mph over terrain that most vehicles can't, that doesn't mean it can go 100mph over ANY terrain you can find! I can't find the video now, but I just watched one from that same trip in question where the guy goes nose-first into the far side of a dip in the road. They're peeling body panels off the front of the truck and such. How is that any different than hitting another car, which I'm guessing isn't covered under factory warranty?
The truck can take an incredible amount of abuse, but there is a limit. The problem is that it's hard to say where the limit is. Also, while someone who knows what they're doing may be able to drive the tough sections without damage, other people might not. It's the chance you take when you drive 100mph through the desert.
The truck can take an incredible amount of abuse, but there is a limit. The problem is that it's hard to say where the limit is. Also, while someone who knows what they're doing may be able to drive the tough sections without damage, other people might not. It's the chance you take when you drive 100mph through the desert.
Shelby GT500 Member
Joined: July 21, 2004
Posts: 2,924
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From: New Jersey
It'll be interesting to see how they handle this since the what it can handle and what it can't debate is pretty subjective. Ultimately Ford did take a bit of a risk doing a truck like this because there are of course uninformed customers (idiots) who will take this thing and do whatever with it and expect the truck to just keep on going. Once you market a "purpose built off road vehicle" there has to be a certain amount of oweness on the customers part with regard to how the vehicle is used. This has lawsuit written all over it. Should be interesting.
Bullitt Member
Joined: May 3, 2010
Posts: 430
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From: So Cal
If you dig through the thread, you will see the video as well as accounts from other owners.
1. They were hauling *** when they hit the wash in the video. Way too fast.
2. The route was prerun by the sponsor, and they bent their truck. No warnings issued.
3. One of the owners said they hit it too hard too fast. He didn't break his truck.
They are built to handle a lot of stuff, but you still need a brain behind the wheel.
1. They were hauling *** when they hit the wash in the video. Way too fast.
2. The route was prerun by the sponsor, and they bent their truck. No warnings issued.
3. One of the owners said they hit it too hard too fast. He didn't break his truck.
They are built to handle a lot of stuff, but you still need a brain behind the wheel.
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
Joined: January 4, 2006
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 32
Idiot Owners
I drove off road vehicles decades before all these fancy suspensions came into being. I've never bent a frame.
"We are talking about 10 trucks that all hit the same kicker at anywhere from 85 mph – 100 mph."
If you want to drive off road at high speeds you will break things.
If they had stayed below 50mph, I seriously doubt anything would have happened.
Even at 50mph you are assuming that no animal or surprise hole will cause a serious accident that could result in more than just truck damage. It could result in bodily injury or death.
It is lot of fun to play, but if you damage something or yourself don't go blaming somebody else.
"We are talking about 10 trucks that all hit the same kicker at anywhere from 85 mph – 100 mph."
If you want to drive off road at high speeds you will break things.
If they had stayed below 50mph, I seriously doubt anything would have happened.
Even at 50mph you are assuming that no animal or surprise hole will cause a serious accident that could result in more than just truck damage. It could result in bodily injury or death.
It is lot of fun to play, but if you damage something or yourself don't go blaming somebody else.
