2013 Bullrun Rally - 2012 Raptor SCrew Build

[SVTRay]

Just gotta check the laws to make sure there are no issues with carrying that amount of fuel..

-Greg (aka squatting dog)

I realized you recently opted out of this in favor of a 50 gal tank but wanted to comment anyhow.

Federal Motor Carrier Regs (FMCSA) regaurding fuel, requires Hazmat Placards on any bulk capacity greater than 119 gallons. Your factory fuel tank is not factored in since it's an independent unit. So 110 gallon bulk tank would put you under the limit. Now there is exceptions for farm equipment but that is another story.

One thing that would have concerned me more would be fuel slosh. I've haul bulk fuel (4,500 gallos) using baffled tanks and still had to contend with fuel slosh. Hauling liquids is an experience for sure. Grab a coke or water bottle and only fill/empty it half way. Then shake it around and set or on the ground. The liquid is going slosh back and forth or sideways. That is a micro example of how it feels haulin bulk fuel...even with baffles. It's tricky. The fuel sloshing forward during hard breaking could cause you to slide into an intersection. So we learn to catch the fuel and gradually slow down...wait for the fuel to hit forward and start down shifting. Curved roads is always fun too, you have to enter them under power, abruptly slowing down before or during a curve will send the fuel in a frenzy an possibly causing you to loose control of the vehicle. I tried this in my rookie days and thankfully made it out okay...minus a few extra grey hairs. Lol The fun part is when fuel starts sloshing sideways or diagonal. I used to tell new drivers that you could get Sea sick hauling fuel lol You could feel the truck rocking sideways a little while you're driving straight.

Anyhow, good luck with the race.

 

[Squatting Dog]

I realized you recently opted out of this in favor of a 50 gal tank but wanted to comment anyhow.

Federal Motor Carrier Regs (FMCSA) regaurding fuel, requires Hazmat Placards on any bulk capacity greater than 119 gallons. Your factory fuel tank is not factored in since it's an independent unit. So 110 gallon bulk tank would put you under the limit. Now there is exceptions for farm equipment but that is another story.

One thing that would have concerned me more would be fuel slosh. I've haul bulk fuel (4,500 gallos) using baffled tanks and still had to contend with fuel slosh. Hauling liquids is an experience for sure. Grab a coke or water bottle and only fill/empty it half way. Then shake it around and set or on the ground. The liquid is going slosh back and forth or sideways. That is a micro example of how it feels haulin bulk fuel...even with baffles. It's tricky. The fuel sloshing forward during hard breaking could cause you to slide into an intersection. So we learn to catch the fuel and gradually slow down...wait for the fuel to hit forward and start down shifting. Curved roads is always fun too, you have to enter them under power, abruptly slowing down before or during a curve will send the fuel in a frenzy an possibly causing you to loose control of the vehicle. I tried this in my rookie days and thankfully made it out okay...minus a few extra grey hairs. Lol The fun part is when fuel starts sloshing sideways or diagonal. I used to tell new drivers that you could get Sea sick hauling fuel lol You could feel the truck rocking sideways a little while you're driving straight.

Anyhow, good luck with the race.

All I have to say is "transfer tank" not "aux tank" is a pain in the butt! All the rules vary in every single stinking state! This one item has been the biggest headache so far... At the point of saying screw it and not mess with it..


-Greg (aka squatting dog)

 

[Squatting Dog]

Here it is Hellwig 7705 rear sway bar for the Ford Raptor...

View attachment 18312

It is a beefy bar but like most Hellwig bars the swaybar links leave something to be desired. They are bigger than stock front links but puny compared to the bar.. And yes, they screwed up and sent me the standard hammered grey finish instead of black one that I specifically requested. Their "sponsorship" logo is gonna be on the underside of my bumper... *******!

-Greg (aka squatting dog)

 

[Squatting Dog]

Not the greatest pictures and not done ran out of daylight... Not installing until the Raptor pays a visit to WSI to have new leaf packs installed and re-level the front...

View attachment 18313

View attachment 18314

View attachment 18315

View attachment 18316

Yes, I know the leaf spring are upside down.. Lol



-Greg (aka squatting dog)

 

[Yukon Joe]

Black rustoleum

Yukon Joe
Buffalo Run Support Raptor
http://www.fordraptorforum.com/showthread.php?p=364119

 

[Yukon Joe]

Greg did you run the rear sway bar at TRR? If so, do you have anything to report?

Also, what's next for getting ready for the run??

Yukon Joe
Buffalo Run Support Raptor
http://www.fordraptorforum.com/showthread.php?p=364119

 

[Squatting Dog]

Here is the long over due follow up...

Swaybars (front and rear) are installed.. For this event they are going to work great.. Offroading no so much, i attempted to climb up the stump in my front yard.. Of course no problem what so ever.. Until i put her in park and noticed the rear wheel was off the ground. When I attempted to push open the driverside door, it wobbled. So, I decided to back off the stump, quickly..

So, rear swaybar limits articulation even more (duh! I was surprised how much). The front swaybar on I was able to climb the stump and have all 4 tires firmly planted.

Positive, it makes the Raptor handle great! I took it to a low traffic 30 mph cloverleaf.. I am very familiar with this interchange and able to take a motorcycle around it at 80mph. The Raptor around the same interchange 60-70mph without squealing the tires or feeling out of control. Very balanced and planted..

I tried some quick lane changes/evasive type maneuvers (again on a empty highway with no other vehicles around) .. Expecting it to still wallow around like a 3 ton pig.. It didn't, it quickly accepted the steering input with no drama!

I am overall happy with this set up.. Even hard acceleration around a corner from a stop normally would result in the inside tire lifting and spinning. Not now, the rear swaybar took care of that issue.. So i tried several hard launches from a stop and rolling.. That was also improved (slightly), it is still not a muscle car and it is still a 3 ton pig..

The bearcat bcd996xt is fully programmed and ready to be installed. I am going to mount it in the glove box (i think). This way it is accessible to the passenger without lifting the center console lid. The gps antenna for the scanner will be mounted on the dash next to the 9500ci gps antenna. I know the hammers hate through the glass antennas, I actually have had very good luck with them. Plus in keeping as low profile as possible this was the best solution..

I have a Cobra 75wxst (remote mounted) cb that will be mounted next to icom vhf radio and replacing my factory antenna (don't listen to conventional radio) with a cb antenna (again for stealth).

Decided against aux tank at this point, even though it would given us a considerable edge. messing with fuel tank is something I don't want to guess on. Plus, with all the different rules and laws regarding aux/transfer tanks in every state.. Maybe next time..

No supercharger, z rated tires, or anything else like that.. This is a purpose built offroad truck, and by going to the extreme defeats everything this Raptor stands for. Even adding the rear swaybar starts to cross the line, but it does not totally defeat it offroad ability like low profile street tires.

No wrap or anything like that, just good old fashion detail and wax job.. Tux black looks amazing when cleaned up. After getting several samples of retroreflective black vinyl.. I was not really happy with the color, in daylight it looked dirty/brownish.

Will be hooking up ****** live to the 9500ci. To give a little bit more situational awareness. The zr4 shifters are not the greatest compared to blinder hp, but since i am not driving a sportscar or exotic it should be fine.

I think that is all for now...


-Greg (aka squatting dog)

 

[Dv8tor]

Sounds like the entire best buy store is installed in your truck. Lol. Have fun man. If I rode with ya, I bet you could run that extra tank. Just having a Hazmat licensed person in the vehicle means you could have done it. Well at least, in Michigan supposedly that's true. I got my license in case I pick up a tanker. O well. I'm still a stranger. Like you said, next time.

 

[Squatting Dog]

I am already planning for next years rally.

-Greg (aka squatting dog)

 

[Squatting Dog]

I did reposition laser shifters to make sure they cover as much as the front end as possible..

What I did is find the center of the shifters and used a string 18" long. This way I could make sure the end of the strings reached headlight and license plate. There is about a one inch gap that is not covered on the front plate..

I figure that is good enough..

-Greg (aka squatting dog)