SCREW v. SCAB: Please give me *your* "legal opinion" on this important case.

Hey, all. If anyone out there might be able to help me weigh the pros/cons for/against screws/scabs, I'd really appreciate ya.

Here's how *I* see it; your mileage may vary:


SCREW MINUSES (---)

• Larger turning radius
  
• More expensive
  
• Frame *more* prone to suffer structural compromise during spirited airborne maneuvers (?)

SCREW PLUSES (+++)

• Greater towing/hauling capacity
  
• Better suited for hauling groceries, given the "non-suicide" door configuration
  
• More room in the rear cab area for passengers/stuff
  
• Better suits my needs

SCAB MINUSES (---)

• When performing domestic duties because my better half (Pebbles) sends me out on a heavy-duty grocery run, where I'd be much better served were she to be in that good kitchen (and where she truly belongs) makin' me a damn' san'wich… , I'm gonna hafta park somewheres where ain't nobody can haphazardly beach their wide-assed-door-swingin', non-tag-havin' rust-bucket right next to me in an adjacent stall, I reckon.
  
• Less room in the rear cab area for oversized, polluted male drinkin' buddies/uninhibited female cheerleading squad members

SCAB PLUSES (+++)

• Greater effective ground clearance
  
• Slightly easier to park
  
• Lower mass
  
• Looks a tad better, due to its lack of distinct third & fourth doors
  
• Frame *less* prone to suffer structural compromise during spirited airborne maneuvers (?)
  
• Better suits my wants

I realize it's a lot to ask, but if you guys & gals could chime-in here, I'm truly interested in what you all think. Since I'm almost borderline cereally considering dropping damned-near a year's salary on this rig, it's kind-of a big deal, at least as far as this-here kid's concerned.

Anyway… thanks in advance for any input/advice/counsel/commentary/ridicule/hate mail.

the price difference for 12 extra inches is pretty high. Almost $3000. I agree with you 100% that the Scab looks better. The suicide door can be irritating when shopping, but nothing unbearable. With my driver seat adjusted for me, I can sit in the back and my knees still have room from the seat, and I'm 6'. If you have kids, I would highly consider the Screw though. The ease of access is much nicer. If no kids, my vote is Scab.

George Carlin always said " if you have to many needs get rid of some"

whtrapta said:

the price difference for 12 extra inches is pretty high. Almost $3000. I agree with you 100% that the Scab looks better. The suicide door can be irritating when shopping, but nothing unbearable. With my driver seat adjusted for me, I can sit in the back and my knees still have room from the seat, and I'm 6'. If you have kids, I would highly consider the Screw though. The ease of access is much nicer. If no kids, my vote is Scab.

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that's what i tell the ladies, hasn't worked yet.

I swear, you can find the dirty in most any post Bird

I vote scab. The looks are much better IMO. The rear seat actually has quite a bit of room. The screw is easier to access but i don't mind. The only plus i would add to your list for screw is longer fuel range do to the larger tank.

I thought about the frame bit too. Common sense suggests longer is weaker, but you can't really conclude that. The crew might have another crossmember or more structure and actually be stronger...or not. The cab on the crew ought to be more rigid (three pillars vs. two). And then of course one or the other might fall victim to some particular load path moreso than the other (see the bent frame thread for example of fun with load paths)..heck additional spring in the frame could even prevent exceeding the ultimate strength. Basically what I concluded was that unless you're really doing a thorough analysis of the two frame designs, you can't make that call.

I was on the fence of scab v. screw forever. My decision was largely based on availability. If mine got hit by a meteor tonight I'd once again have to deal with this dilemma and having owned a screw probably wouldn't make it any easier.

Do recommend driving both (though even this didn't solve it for me). The good news is that whichever you choose, it'll be awesome.

Droid said:

I thought about the frame bit too. Common sense suggests longer is weaker, but you can't really conclude that. The crew might have another crossmember or more structure and actually be stronger...or not. The cab on the crew ought to be more rigid (three pillars vs. two). And then of course one or the other might fall victim to some particular load path moreso than the other (see the bent frame thread for example of fun with load paths)..heck additional spring in the frame could even prevent exceeding the ultimate strength. Basically what I concluded was that unless you're really doing a thorough analysis of the two frame designs, you can't make that call.

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Where the extra 12" is "added" on the frame of the crew is in a stronger section of the frame. It isn't REALLY added but in the place where it is longer than the scab.

From the trucks on the Barstow to Vegas run, I didn't see any real difference in damage. There were some crews there that took some pretty good licks and survived. I think it is a non-issue when it comes to frame strength. Now if they made a standard or long bed version I'd avoid that thing like the plague.

Can you really go wrong with either choice...bottom line, its still a Raptor. You'll enjoy driving it, you'll look for excuses to drive it and you'll have a perma-grin.

P.S. Your post are funny...lol...can't wait until you have a Raptor and tell us about your adventures...