4-Link the Rear

[The Tank]

What's your beef with Ford getting involved to evaluate the frame's current design?

Because the P2 Chassis has been in use since 04 to current F-150. There is nothing wrong with the current F-150.

 

[bradyh20]

BRADYH20: Where did you have you frame "event" occur?

I bent my frame in a campground parking lot at Gorman OHV. Long story short, it was overcast and I didn't see three huge whoops. I hit them at just the right speed and the back end slammed down pretty hard.

 

[bradyh20]

Because the P2 Chassis has been in use since 04 to current F-150. There is nothing wrong with the current F-150.

I didn't know the F-150s had bump stops back in 2004.

You must feel awfully confident to say there's nothing wrong with the current F-150. You should see if there's an opening on the F-150 PR team.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

I'm willing to say there's nothing wrong with the Raptor's frame. Could it be better? Yes, of course.

I've already speculated that I believe the thinner frame section abover the rear axle was designed to enable crumple in a rear-end accident. Putting the bump stop there was necessary (based on minimizing additional costs) and since there haven't been any issues except with Raptors driven very hard offroad that may not be a design flaw on Ford's part. The bump stop and thinner frame work together to let Ford know how the Raptor has been driven. :mrgreen:

Now whether or not we think the Raptor could be driven hard(er) if the frame was thicker there and/or the bump stop was moved, that's a different issue. And yes, I would like to see the bump stop moved or installed a different way (a separate cross member just for the bump stop might work).

 

[bradyh20]

I'm willing to say there's nothing wrong with the Raptor's frame. Could it be better? Yes, of course.

I've already speculated that I believe the thinner frame section abover the rear axle was designed to enable crumple in a rear-end accident. Putting the bump stop there was necessary (based on minimizing additional costs) and since there haven't been any issues except with Raptors driven very hard offroad that may not be a design flaw on Ford's part. The bump stop and thinner frame work together to let Ford know how the Raptor has been driven. :mrgreen:

Now whether or not we think the Raptor could be driven hard(er) if the frame was thicker there and/or the bump stop was moved, that's a different issue. And yes, I would like to see the bump stop moved or installed a different way (a separate cross member just for the bump stop might work).

Spot on. This is a more reasonable analysis than citing how long a certain part of the truck has been in use.

 

[GRT4DRT]

I bent my frame in a campground parking lot at Gorman OHV. Long story short, it was overcast and I didn't see three huge whoops. I hit them at just the right speed and the back end slammed down pretty hard.

I think I crossed that same parking lot (just north of Alikalik) at high speed and slowed down before the building only to get pretty damned rattled around. Fortunately that "event" only took it out of alignment, but I definitely got out and checked the truck thoroughly. In comparison, and oddly, my frame "event" was not nearly as rough as hitting those huge whoops at Gorman.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Spot on. This is a more reasonable analysis than citing how long a certain part of the truck has been in use.

So who is that SoCal douchenozzle Super Moderator on the Raptor BannemZ forum crying about Ford's design flaw frame while giving out infractions to members who don't agree with him? :mrgreen: He was on the Framebending Run

 

[bradyh20]

I think I crossed that same parking lot (just north of Alikalik) at high speed and slowed down before the building only to get pretty damned rattled around. Fortunately that "event" only took it out of alignment, but I definitely got out and checked the truck thoroughly. In comparison, and oddly, my frame "event" was not nearly as rough as hitting those huge whoops at Gorman.

Yup, that's the spot. Glad you made it out without damage.

So you bent your frame? Where at? Have you had it fixed yet? I'm interested to see what other people are doing.

 

[MarkT]

Yeah, the issue isn't the Deavers. Deavers are great.

The issue is that if you DO bottom out (and how easy that is will change with different spring and damping rates), the bump stop is mounted to the frame where it's not fully boxed.

SNIP (IMO)

I believe the Deavers certainly contribute to the "issue". The Deavers for the Raptor are much softer rate than the stock springs and I simply don't think they are "progressive rate"... at least not significantly... unless you count the friction between all those leafs. If you want to go softer on the rate and still absorb the large hits, you need more wheel travel. Simple math.

And I consider the Raptor frame is "fully boxed". However, it does look like the frame in the area of the bump stop is designed to bend in a collision.

(but unlike MMD, I don't believe Ford did this intentionally to see how hard someone is using the truck... Nor do I believe Ford is not interested in looking at the issue and possibly improving the product... I think they do genuinely care.)

I still don't consider this a flaw... bottom the suspension hard and somethings going to give.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

(but unlike MMD, I don't believe Ford did this intentionally to see how hard someone is using the truck... Nor do I believe Ford is not interested in looking at the issue and possibly improving the product... I think they do genuinely care.)

I still don't consider this a flaw... bottom the suspension hard and somethings going to give.

What I was trying to say was that Ford did it intentionally in regard to designing it for rear end collision crumple-ness. A by-product of that design is it SHOWS the owner, friends and Ford dealers that the truck's been driven hard and put away wet when the frame is bent there.

Could the frame be stronger there? Sure it could but it could also be a serious issue in a rear-ender. Look at the old race cars built like brick ****houses but watch videos of them in accidents.