Buying A Raptor vs Building An F-150: Is It Worth It?

[Frank N]

my goal is to have the check for my funeral bounce.

We share a common goal lol.

 

[RUFdriver]

There's nothing wrong with modding an F150, but don't try to clone a Raptor, never be worth the time and investment. At the end of the day it's a modded truck with a finite set of buyers if resale is in the cards, mods unless they are done really well usually decrease the value. Besides, to really clone a Raptor requires a lot more than just fender flares and wheels, it would take a significant amount of money to do it correctly. Think about the engine alone, totally different from the regular EB. I am certain you could buy a used gen 1 Raptor and be thousands ahead.

 

[trophycummins]

There's nothing wrong with modding an F150, but don't try to clone a Raptor, never be worth the time and investment. At the end of the day it's a modded truck with a finite set of buyers if resale is in the cards, mods unless they are done really well usually decrease the value. Besides, to really clone a Raptor requires a lot more than just fender flares and wheels, it would take a significant amount of money to do it correctly. Think about the engine alone, totally different from the regular EB. I am certain you could buy a used gen 1 Raptor and be thousands ahead.

The engine is not "totally different from the regular ecoboost."




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[Nv Guy]

I don't understand why someone would try to "make" a Raptor. If you are building something, just skip stock and go aftermarket, because if you are like the crowd I run with, you will be running beyond a stock Raptor very quickly. The backstory.....
I had a Gen 1 that was soon being outran by all the goons I run with, because their Gen 1's were modded, so it was time to decide if it was worth spending big money modding my Gen 1 or take advantage of someone elses build. I chose option 2, sell the Raptor and find a replacement. I found an '06 mid travel, linked rear, full cage,,,bla bla bla.
Down side is the 06 isn't as cushy as the Raptor on the road, upside is in the dirt it exceeds the Raptor by a lot. If I knew in 2010 what I know now, I would buy a nicely equipped year old F150, and mod it, as I found you can very quickly exceed the Raptor's ability. So you end up with a modified vehicle anyway.
Now if you don't have the need to run thru the desert like a maniac, then the Raptor makes sense, it's great...to a limit.
For what the Gen 2's are going for...I would definitely find a used F150 and mod it. But, understand you give up a lot of Gen 2 tech, so what is that worth? Depends on you.

 

[WhatExit?]

Thanks! My build is no way in imitation of a raptor. I chose the fiberwerx fenders specifically because it keeps the F150 look.

I will say, I did this because I have a XLT 302A 4x4 I purchased for $42,000 and to date, have $8700 into it. With similar travel numbers to a 17 raptor, with better shocks.

I've got less than 53k into my truck, and I love it. I drive 17 Raptors daily here at work. The only raptor I'd be interested in over my truck would be a SCAB, since you cant get that cab/bed config in an F150.



...Are required for the additional width of the arms and allow for the clearance of my 37" Toyo tires. My 37s do not rub anything except the headlight when I jump the truck.

I didn't know you were/are here Tim. Thanks for posting and sharing more info on your terrific build.

You work at a fun place and it's cool to see what you've built.

 

[jaz13]

The engine is not "totally different from the regular ecoboost."

The engine is substantially upgraded from stock. I'm pulling this from memory, but the turbos and intercooler are upsized. So are the cams and pistons. There is some kind of oil injection and the block might be different too. I seem to remeber the TFL Truck video in San Diego said half the parts in the eninge were upgraded over the standard 3.5 EB.

 

[Craigy]

That's the thing. A Raptor "clone" = cheesy, let alone costly if you try to replicate everything that makes a Raptor a Raptor.

But you can absolutely build a much more capable truck via aftermarket for less or even a lot less money. Even brand new, but definitely when you're starting with your own used truck.

 

[RUFdriver]

Different crankshaft too among other internals. Yes , same basic architecture but different components.

 

[Big-Foot]

The engine is substantially upgraded from stock. I'm pulling this from memory, but the turbos and intercooler are upsized. So are the cams and pistons. There is some kind of oil injection and the block might be different too. I seem to remeber the TFL Truck video in San Diego said half the parts in the eninge were upgraded over the standard 3.5 EB.

In one article I read, the Raptor EB engine has more in common with the engine in the new Ford GT than it does with the standard 3.5 EB G2 engine.
I'll try to find that on the WWW.. Or was it in Road & Track? Crud....
Anyway, not trying to take anything away from the EB family here at all - the Raptor is a special vehicle in many different ways.

Oh - and the resale values of Raptors is a LOT better than even the F150 Platinum trucks...

 

[hkguns]

The engine is not "totally different from the regular ecoboost."


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Ummm yes, it is.