2nd Time’s the Charm Proud Performance Blue with Recaros Owner

[MDJAK]

 

[MDJAK]

 

[MDJAK]

My wife and I went to Florida in January,

My Raptor returned from a 2600 mile journey to and from Nova Scotia. My son borrowed it to go winter camping/hiking. He took a few pics while there.

You can see the Baja Design lights I installed in my bumper cutouts. Super bright. Love them.


Of course, it wasn't until he returned to his apartment in NJ and parked in his small garage that he rubbed the passenger side running board against a concrete bollard leaving yellow paint down the edge of it and rubbing off the black finish in some spots. Looked on Ebay and they sell the pair for around 400 and up, but am seriously considering the Amp Research autofolding boards like I had and liked on my Platinum. I then looked closer and he bent a bracket and the board and it's down about 1-1/2" lower than the driver's side.

 

[MDJAK]

BTW, this is my 3 season vehicle which is hibernating in its man cave during the winter. I did take it out the other day for a quick spin. it's got summer tires on it so it's gotta be dry if it's cold. And I only take it out if it's above 40 degrees in the winter.

 

[MDJAK]

BTW, my avatar, which I just uploaded in spite of being technically challenged, is my daughter hanging off my 2017 Shadow Black Raptor on Hunter Mtn, NY when we attended an off road "class."

 

[RapAtak]

MDJAK - thank you for the write up, you’ve honestly changed my opinion on the performance blue; looks very nice.

I was wondering if you could help me understand some of the suspension differences between your earlier model second gen Raptor and the current with the Live Valve and if it’s worth it to spring for a 2019.

Believe it or not I too am a huge Porsche Fan and drive a Cayenne S now (I lust for a 997.2 GTS but that will have to wait)...I actually even considered the Macan Turbo as an alternative to the Raptor but maintenance is Lofty and the prices seem unrealistic.

In any event, how do you find this raptor handles? Is it a shock coming from the Porsche which feels so planted? I assume from your writing that you find the New Suspension to be worth the upgrade? I’ve found some lead foot 18’s trading at heavy discounts and I’ve always liked that color, but from a history of modding cars I’ve been convincing myself that the Live Valve is worth the upgrade for the on road handling.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated with helping me make my decision on model year. Thanks in advance!

 

[Truckzor]

BTW, my avatar, which I just uploaded in spite of being technically challenged, is my daughter hanging off my 2017 Shadow Black Raptor on Hunter Mtn, NY when we attended an off road "class."

How did you like that class?

 

[MDJAK]

How did you like that class?

I had never been off roading before so I did learn some very basic things. Unfortunately, it was such slow going that it got really boring by day's end. At the summit they went on one final trail but they said it was too narrow for my Raptor. It was mostly Jeeps and a Taco. I caught a quick nap waiting for them (could've jumped in someone's vehicle but chose not to) and then we drove down. And it's relatively expensive. If you've never done it, it's worthwhile I guess.

 

[MDJAK]

MDJAK - thank you for the write up, you’ve honestly changed my opinion on the performance blue; looks very nice.

I was wondering if you could help me understand some of the suspension differences between your earlier model second gen Raptor and the current with the Live Valve and if it’s worth it to spring for a 2019.

Believe it or not I too am a huge Porsche Fan and drive a Cayenne S now (I lust for a 997.2 GTS but that will have to wait)...I actually even considered the Macan Turbo as an alternative to the Raptor but maintenance is Lofty and the prices seem unrealistic.

In any event, how do you find this raptor handles? Is it a shock coming from the Porsche which feels so planted? I assume from your writing that you find the New Suspension to be worth the upgrade? I’ve found some lead foot 18’s trading at heavy discounts and I’ve always liked that color, but from a history of modding cars I’ve been convincing myself that the Live Valve is worth the upgrade for the on road handling.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated with helping me make my decision on model year. Thanks in advance!

Let's first get this out of the way. I'm a bit demented. I've gone through 3 Macans, an S and two Turbos. I trade cars like people change their underwear. It's nothing to be proud of and I'm not wealthy. I've lost a ton of money trading in relatively new vehicles, except the Raptor which retained value very well. I've also gone through, as I state above, a 2018 Panamera, but what I didn't say was I've been through 2 911s also, now on the second and this one I finally like. So I am a bit picky.

On to the suspension. Realize, I never before owned a truck, and I'm now 62 years young. My 2017 raptor was my first truck. I traded my third Macan (second Turbo) for it. I owned the Macan outright so financed only 10k on the 2017. That was nice. I was immediately unimpressed by the way the back of the truck would jump out on highway curves if there were bumps. It was both disconcerting and surprising, also unwelcome. I was told on another forum it's because trucks are so light in the rear. Okay. Coming from a super planted Macan, with incredible braking, the brakes left a lot to be desired in semi-panic stops. I did it twice at a light where I decided to stop instead of going through a yellow-red. Probably a lot to do with the tires, but it squirmed and just didn't feel good.

It was my only vehicle. I had finally fulfilled my desire to have my Tonka toy that I played with as a kid. I loved the look. Always did, always have. But after 10 months, when the '18 Panamera came out, refreshed, nice interior, I had enough and traded it. I also never liked the seat cushion, deeming it to be too short and not supporting my thighs.

I'm a 34" length in pants, 6' tall, and was ultra spoiled by the extending thigh support on the Porsches.

When I learned the 2019 would have Recaros, my main question was whether the seat cushion was longer. Turns out I had a great salesman who understood how nutso I am, and he measured an 18 against my 19. His dealership was 100 miles away so I wasn't going to go unless he did that and it turned out longer. My Platinum felt longer to me and was more comfortable. He reported the seat length in the 19 over the 18/17 was almost an inch longer. I was set.

I drove down there and traded my '18 Platinum same day and drove it home. (I think my fav color is still white for a Raptor though). I was immediately impressed with the suspension upgrade. In a word, the truck feels as one piece instead of a cab and bed. It is every so slightly firmer on the road, but it no longer hops out on curves, the ability of the suspension to curb brake dive also makes hard braking feel much better.

I think it makes a big difference. I'm signed up for RaptorAssault in August. We are again driving there and this time I will drive through Canyonlands, and Moab and anything else I can find to test the off road feel.

People I"m working with (doing a deposition just came back in so I gotta run.)

Hope that helps.

 

[RapAtak]

MD - I think we have a similar disease being a love for cars. They’re an awful investment and I am certain I will squander small fortunes trading around in my liftine, I’m hoping a raptor could be the one I settle down with for a long time and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to maintain.

I found your response immensely helpful (and fast!). I had previously owned and driven stiffer suspension cars like the new WRX and I found it at times to be too rough of a ride for doing anything other than hot-rodding. Stiff to the point that the car jumped and skipped during turning as well so I know exactly what you’re referring to on the older model truck. It seemed especially prominent on Highway turns when you’d encounter a bump in a long curved stretch, I’d swear the car jumped a few inches laterally while doing so, and at great speed no less. It was less than desirable.

I’m very excited to read and hear that Live Valve seems to bridge the gap of soft to the point of it still feeling like a rally truck, but stiff to the point that it’s doesnt feel like it’s getting crazy brake dive or body roll in the corners. Thank you my friend, All the best!