For this newest F-150 Raptor, Ford revised the rear suspension, including a five-link setup with extra journey and longer trailing arms. Bigger 3.1-inch Fox Dwell Valve shocks are put in at every nook. These infants can deal with 1,000 kilos of damping power at every nook at excessive speeds and may change damping charges 500 instances per second. Drivers have their alternative of seven completely different terrain modes: Slippery, Tow/Haul, Sport, Regular, Off-Street, Baja and Rock Crawl. Every of those modify the Raptor’s stability management, shocks, throttle mapping, shift factors, steering really feel and extra.
Below the hood, the Raptor makes use of the identical 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 as earlier than. Some people bemoan the lack of a V8 engine, however don’t fret, the Raptor R is on its solution to make all of your gas-guzzling goals come true. Even so, the V6’s 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque are greater than enough, and I’ve at all times been a fan of Ford’s 10-speed automated transmission.
My check truck is supplied with 37-inch tires, a part of the $7,640 Raptor 37 Efficiency Package deal. With these bigger tires I get 13.1 inches of floor clearance, an strategy angle of 33.1 levels, a breakover angle of 24.Four levels and a departure angle of 24.9 levels. That is useful as I begin off in Rock Crawl mode and head out to Heartbreak Hill in Johnson Valley, California. This was a part of final yr’s notorious King of the Hammers race course and it is easy to see why. The hill climb is steep with free rocks on the backside, which flip into bigger rocks embedded into the hillside.
The Raptor’s low vary gearing is just 2.64:1, however with 4.10 axles and all that torque, the truck does not have any issues conquering Heartbreak Hill. I do have to observe my alternative of driving line, although, what with the truck’s 12-foot-long wheelbase. On my first move I exploit the one-pedal path drive operate so I can think about discovering the proper line and never fear about left-foot braking. After I elevate the throttle this tech applies the brakes proportionally. It is a neat trick and one thing that newbies will respect.
The rear locking differential helps right here, too, however I want there have been a entrance locker. Nonetheless, entrance wheel slip is fairly minimal because of the Torsen differential, however people who actually wish to rock crawl will doubtless wish to set up an aftermarket entrance locker. Not solely will it enable them to go additional afield, it retains the entrance tires from spinning, creating holes within the grime different automobiles won’t be capable of deal with.
If rock crawling is your jam, it’s best to positively go for the 37-inch tires. You get extra sidewall which suggests higher grip, elevated off-road geometry and extra floor clearance. Nevertheless, what you lose is suspension journey. These bigger footwear restrict general journey to 13 inches within the entrance and 14 inches within the rear. Swap these tires out for the usual 35-inchers and also you achieve an inch of journey each entrance and rear. Nevertheless, the 35s enable for “solely” 12 inches of floor clearance, an strategy angle of 31 levels, a breakover angle of 22.7 levels and a departure angle of 23.9 levels. These are nonetheless superb numbers.
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The optionally available 37-inch tires in query.
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The 37s’ lowered suspension journey makes me interested in how this truck will deal with high-speed desert whoops. The Raptor has at all times been the perfect truck for this type of terrain and the brand new rear suspension makes it even higher. After just a few warm-up passes, I can get the truck as much as 65 mph, and I can really feel that it is extra steady than ever, by no means wavering or doing what I name the hula dance, when the rear finish bounces aspect to aspect.
Nevertheless, regardless of solely dropping an inch of journey, the 37s restrict the aptitude. Carrying the 35-inch tires I may doubtless go only a bit quicker earlier than overwhelming the suspension, or journey by whoops which can be just a little bit deeper. Certain, the 37s are getting the job accomplished, but when high velocity is your objective, the 35s are what you need.
That is additionally true if you wish to lower your expenses on the pump. With the 35-inch tires, the F-150 Raptor has an EPA-estimated gas economic system score of 15 mpg metropolis, 18 mpg freeway and 16 mpg mixed. With the 37s you may see 15 metropolis, 16 freeway and 15 mixed, and through my time with my tester on 37s I solely averaged 13.7 mpg. Yikes.
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Ford’s Sync Four infotainment tech works nice.
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The 2022 F-150 Raptor is just obtainable in a SuperCrew physique model with a 5.5-foot mattress. Whereas I did not get to tow with this truck, Ford says it might pull 8,200 kilos. For Dwelling Depot runs you may load 1,400 kilos within the mattress.
Inside, the Efficiency Package deal provides a set of cool Recaro entrance seats in Rhapsody Blue which can be each heated and cooled. I additionally love that there are six auxiliary switches simply ready to be wired up with a winch or additional lights. The Raptor has some cool aluminum trim across the 12-inch touchscreen that runs Ford’s Sync Four infotainment software program, which is now able to receiving over-the-air updates.
In the event you’ll be utilizing your Raptor out within the desert, I extremely suggest springing for the Professional Energy Onboard bundle. This provides a 2-kilowatt generator that may run lights, energy instruments, a fridge filled with frosty drinks — you identify it. The Raptor additionally will get a slew of normal driver-assistance applied sciences like adaptive cruise management, forward-collision warning and blind-spot monitoring that may cowl the size of a trailer. In order for you the cool Professional Trailer Backup Help that helps with trailering, you may should pay additional.
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Irrespective of the tire dimension, the Raptor is a beast.
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Once you have a look at the bigger pickup truck class, there actually is not a lot that may contact the Raptor. Certain, you may go along with the Ram 1500 TRX, however with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 below the hood, that is likely to be extra energy than most individuals can deal with. The brand new Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 is a good journey, but it surely does not have the suspension journey to maintain up with the Raptor. And the Toyota Tundra TRD Professional? Neglect it. Not even shut.
After all, you may pay for the privilege. The 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor begins at $71,700 together with $1,795 for supply. My dream Raptor with the towing bundle, Professional Energy Onboard and the Raptor Excessive bundle with the Torsen entrance differential, heated second row seats and steering wheel, wi-fi cellphone charger, rain-sensing wipers and few different bibs and bobs involves $77,450. That is about $3,000 lower than the Ram TRX’s beginning value.
The most important choice you may have to make with the Raptor is tire dimension. If you realize you may spend lots of time crawling over rocks, the 37-inch tires will doubtless serve you higher. Nevertheless, if you wish to assault whoops within the desert and get higher gas economic system on pavement, the 35s are the way in which to go. Greater is not at all times higher, y’all.
