4-Link the Rear

[bradyh20]

Thanks Mark -- I asked the shop to look at it again. =)

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Do you mean hard facing the frame?

I'm not familiar with that term but if that is this (pic below), then yes, that's what I was referring to.

They look similar.



Description of below: Even the strongest frames need reinforcing when rock crawling and rock racing are your hobbies, that is why Trail Gear is now offering our Rock Defense Front Frame Support Kits for 79-85 Trucks, and 86-95 ½ trucks and 4runners. These Rock Defense™ Front Frame Reinforcement Kits are precision laser cut from 3/16” thick steel and can easily be welded onto the outside of each side of the frame to provide extra strength to a frame that has been torched, welded, and hammered on over and over. Each kit includes two frame plates, one for each side. Kit is shipped unpainted and lightly oiled.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Are any of you following the thread on the other forum regarding "bed alignment issues?"

In that thread the complainer demands Ford admit it has a faulty frame design and wants Ford to fix all Raptors with bent frames under warranty. He takes no responsibility for how he and others drove their Raptors. And he states that of the 14 Raptors on the run 10 of them (70%) have this "bed alignment issue" (bent frames)!

 

[FordFanStan]

Did you guys see what SDHQ posted on their Facebook today? I don't keep up on other forums so I don't know if this is a re-post or not, sorry if so:

SDHQ Ford Raptor Rear Frame Reinforcement Kit

I like the idea that is a easy bolt on, but I'm wondering how well it would hold up (the frame) in the same circumstances these other ones bent.

FFS

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Thanks FFS.

They (SDHQ) put together a "kit" and installed it (requires bed removal) on one of the guys who bent his frame on the run. They have it up on their website and it consists of:

* Bolt-on frame gussets
* Removing the factory bump stops and replacing them with aftermarket units mounted to a new, custom cross member mounted on top of the frame
* Removing the rear factory Fox shocks and replacing them with larger shocks
* Deavers

The customer posted that the price was about $5,000


I too wonder how effective the frame gussets are but if they work they are bolt-on which is less permanent than welded gussets.

Here's the pic from SDHQ's site:

 

[FordFanStan]

Sure enough Dan, and that's a lot more than what I am looking to do to mine. Yesterday I asked and verified that the gussets alone bolt-on even on a stock non-modded Raptor and they confirmed. They said th longer piece slides in on the hole on the inside of the frame and bolt-through the two outside frames holes. Then I asked and confirmed the shorter gussets stand up right in the frame vertically, so they are a semi-tight fit from top to bottom. I would have liked to seen the longer gussets, a lot longer, but don't know if that would be possible as bolt on. If it does work, it is cheap insurance for $100. my .02 cents, FFS

 

[The Tank]

Are any of you following the thread on the other forum regarding "bed alignment issues?"

In that thread the complainer demands Ford admit it has a faulty frame design and wants Ford to fix all Raptors with bent frames under warranty. He takes no responsibility for how he and others drove their Raptors. And he states that of the 14 Raptors on the run 10 of them (70%) have this "bed alignment issue" (bent frames)!

He's clearly an idiot. Does anyone know how many of those 10 trucks still had 100% factory suspension and tires?

 

[MarkT]

He's clearly an idiot. Does anyone know how many of those 10 trucks still had 100% factory suspension and tires?

If you hit hard enough... a 100% factory stock Raptor will bend. I've seen it happen to one and heard of another. But I'm talking bottoming out HARD. Others of us have literally thousands of miles of high and low speed runs off road without any issues at all. In my opinion it's not a "flaw" in the design.

It's more like taking a corner too fast in your brand new Mustang and hitting the guard rail... Flaw? Or did you simply exceed the limits of the vehicle? Yes, you can jump a Raptor a little... but 90 mph, tons of air, and landing uphill? Not a good idea.

 

[The Tank]

This is the strongest F-150 ever built. The rumors are starting up again that the 2012 is finally going to get the 4.4LR diesel and be able to tow over 12,000 LB. If the frame had a weak point it wouldn't be able to do that. At URE National Forest they have 3-4FT fire berms to control peoples speed on some of the easier trails. I jump most of them so I don't drag my transfer case on them. They aren't even spaced apart and some of the take off angles are fairly steep. I have to flat land most of them and I get about 2FT of air. Is this good for the truck probably not but if I damage the truck its my fault.

 

[bradyh20]

This is the strongest F-150 ever built. The rumors are starting up again that the 2012 is finally going to get the 4.4LR diesel and be able to tow over 12,000 LB. If the frame had a weak point it wouldn't be able to do that. At URE National Forest they have 3-4FT fire berms to control peoples speed on some of the easier trails. I jump most of them so I don't drag my transfer case on them. They aren't even spaced apart and some of the take off angles are fairly steep. I have to flat land most of them and I get about 2FT of air. Is this good for the truck probably not but if I damage the truck its my fault.

I don't think anyone's complaining about bending their frame while towing. Are they? Certainly not in this thread.