Of the issues that come to thoughts whenever you consider purpose-built off-road machines, trip consolation is not wherever close to the highest of the checklist. Due to the necessity for rugged suspension and associated parts, off-roaders are normally extra vulnerable to shaking your backbone unfastened, slightly than glide down the highway like a luxurious automobile.
Nonetheless, the comparatively new Ford F-150 Raptor R takes a novel method to its trip high quality. Ford determined that, as an alternative of taking the standard route with regards to all-terrain suspensions, they’d construct one thing able to each off-road prowess and on-road consolation. In essence, they determined you could possibly have your cake and eat it, too.
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This is the reason the love for this six-figure truck is justified.
The Raptor R is a formidable car throughout, not simply suspension-wise. The 5.2-liter supercharged V8 borrowed from the now-discontinued Shelby GT500 churns out 720 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque. That energy culminates in a 0-60 mph time of three.9 seconds, and a prime pace of 110 mph, which is electronically restricted and reached in 11.1 seconds. The Raptor R is in a league of its personal, now that the Ram 1500 TRX is completed.
Our following CarBuzz write-up will study the what and the way of the Ford Raptor R’s suspension and the way precisely Ford saved it from being simply one other off-roader with a jarring trip.
The Raptor’s Suspension Defined
Raptor R Suspension Key Factors
13.0 inches of suspension journey on the entrance, 14.1 inches of journey on the rear. Unbiased double-wishbone entrance, five-link coil rear suspension configuration. Gasoline-pressurized Fox Racing Shox in any respect 4 corners.
Whereas the Raptor and Raptor R are based mostly on the usual Ford F-150, there is not a lot shared between them with regards to suspension configuration. One of the vital vital variations between these fashions is discovered on the rear. In the usual F-150, a leaf-spring/stable axle setup is current. Whereas this does not bode effectively for consolation, it’s remarkably utilitarian and copes effectively with heavy hauling and towing.
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Are you aware how your automobile’s suspension system works?
The Raptor R’s rear suspension is far completely different. Ford designed a particular five-link coil suspension setup geared up with a Panhard rod. A Panhard rod connects the rear axle to the truck’s body, stopping doubtlessly devastating lateral motion.
Along with the distinction within the rear suspension, the Raptor R is supplied with Fox Racing Shox, whereas the usual F-150 makes use of commonplace Motorcraft shock absorbers.
Apart from variations in gear, the Raptor R additionally has over six extra inches of monitor width on its entrance axle and over 5 inches on the rear axle. That provides it a a lot bigger footprint, which implies extra stability. It boasts a 13.1-inch floor clearance, in comparison with the present commonplace F-150’s most of 9.8 inches. Strategy, departure, and breakover angles are bigger on the Raptor R as effectively.
Why It Makes It So Superb Off-Highway
All of those suspension upgrades add as much as one factor: off-road domination. One of the vital spectacular facets of the Raptor R’s suspension is the Fox shocks. The shocks permit for a supreme stage of damping, that means when the truck is taken over giant bumps and even jumps, the shocks are in a position to take the brunt of the truck’s weight and take up nearly all of it, taking the sometimes-fierce stage of discomfort out of off-roading whereas additionally defending the truck from percussive injury.
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A information to maximizing your off-road efficiency
A large quantity of floor clearance can be an essential aspect of any off-roader. Usually, the extra floor clearance obtainable, the extra you may get away with with out damaging the undercarriage or bottoming out.
A large monitor is crucial to any off-roader’s formulation. The broader the truck, typically, the extra secure the car. That is particularly essential when off-roading at a sideways angle, as a rollover is a devastating mistake. Together with this, the bigger method, departure, and breakover angles boasted by the Raptor R imply you may climb and descend steeper hills, and likewise crest steeper factors with out the fear of damaging your undercarriage.
Why The Suspension Additionally Makes It Higher On The Highway
The damping makes it extra snug. The suspension permits you to nook tougher than the usual truck. There is no such thing as a want to fret about potholes. The suspension can soak them up, and the tires have a strengthened sidewall. The truck’s large footprint (entrance and rear monitor) makes it extra secure at excessive pace.
Curiously, Ford has managed to engineer the Raptor R’s suspension in order that its off-road upgrades additionally enhance its on-road trip and really feel. The primary and most distinguished manner that is achieved is with the Fox shock absorbers.
Due to the massive quantity of damping these shocks can obtain, on-road bumps and bangs are simply absorbed with out being felt within the cab. These identical dampeners work along with the multi-link suspension and likewise permit for a extra level-cornering truck, that means the Raptor R can deal with itself effectively on a twisty highway. It is not a monitor machine, nevertheless it’s exceptionally well-sorted for one thing so huge.
Metropolis driving is improved as effectively, once more because of the shock absorbers. Potholes and different highway irregularities could make for a jarring trip in nearly any fashionable automobile or truck. Contained in the Raptor R, nevertheless, issues stay calm and comfy.
Lastly, the Raptor R’s huge stance helps it stay rather more poised and secure at excessive speeds. Whereas the truck can solely go 110 mph because of an digital limiter, freeway driving can typically get squirrely in any pickup, particularly when excessive winds are current. The Raptor R’s huge monitor width makes it extra secure in these situations, which might result in a extra relaxed cruise throughout lengthy freeway journeys.
