Crushed Skid Plate- Satnav- Bumper

[SDHQJASON]

Thanks for the shout out J-Train! Your bumper is looking great. We do offer a few different bumpers for the Raptors and the availability is normally a couple weeks instead of several months.

We have the HID bumper like J-Train has



SDHQ FORD RAPTOR BUMPER

The LED Bumper



SDHQ FORD RAPTOR LED BUMPER

And the Trophy Truck Bumper



SDHQ FORD RAPTOR TROPHY TRUCK FRONT BUMPER

 

[Rakimb17]

as far as i know, there is no map data available for other countries. the raptor was built as a north american vehicle and is not imported by ford, therefore there will not be any data available....... this is what a friend of mine from sony said...... however we could be wrong, but i have not seen or heard of someone getting map data for another country as of yet

I heard that the dealers out here can order a map update for the middle east. You're right about the 2010 being US only, but I think 11s and up come with a Middle East spec. (What changes? IDK) But every Raptor shipped here is fully equipped from what I see. The only option you have is color. With a asking price of $75,000 I quickly ran out of that place.

I also heard that the map update sux, sooooo...

 

[DirtNasty]

Welcome to the board.

I'm in Abu Dhabi and had a similar situation. My front bumper was gone after 2 outings. I went with the ADD stealth bumper with thicker skid plates and mid perch mod. Even with those mods my front skid plate on the ADD is bent but I don't mind it.


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If you are worried about angle of approach (which it sounds like) i would look into the RPG raceline front bumper. It will involve removing part of the framehorns to fit but it will give you the best angle of approach compared to other bolt on only bumpers.

Their pre-runner front bumper is also very nice and does not involve any cutting of the frame. If you were looking for straight bolt on bumpers i would say go RPG or ADD as they both are very solid. The ADD bumper sticks out a bit more then the RPG does but they appear to have close to similar angle of approaches (stupid frame getting in the way and what not!).

It really comes down to your appetite to have work done to your raptor. If you are ok with chopping up the front of your frame a few inches, i would say you cant go wrong with the raceline RPG bumper. If that makes you uneasy i would say the ADD or the RPG pre-runner are awesome options.

*im still deciding between the rpg pre-runner and the raceline bumper, will come down to what can fit a winch better. ADD if either cant fit a winch.

Totally forgot about SDHQ, they also have a solid front bumper... I must be getting old.

 

[AUH1]

Interesting about the RPG bumper that requires cutting the frame. I'd be reluctant to cut the frame especially since we have to do an annual inspection to renew registration and they are very strict about mods in general but especially any changes to the frame for safety reasons.

 

[DirtNasty]

Interesting about the RPG bumper that requires cutting the frame. I'd be reluctant to cut the frame especially since we have to do an annual inspection to renew registration and they are very strict about mods in general but especially any changes to the frame for safety reasons.

That is only the raceline bumper, which is in all honest WAY WAY more aggressive when it comes to angle of approach then any of the bolt on bumpers (including their pre-runner bumper which is bolt on). If you are going to be hitting the dunes a lot or doing any aggressive 4x4 and are continually smashing up your skidplate you will not get any solution better then a custom built bumper that requires trimming the frame horns or rpgs race-line (which in effect is a "custom" front bumper that you can order).

If you look at the frame horns where the stock bumper bolts up and look at what the maximum angle of approach is with something bolted to that and the bottom lip of plastic near the grill you can see what you are working with angle wise. You trim off a few inches and redo the angle from the bottom of the grill/plastic to where you could feasible trim from (forward of the mounting point) and you can see that difference in angles.

Chopping frame is not going to be for everyone, but if you absolutely need to get the best angle of approach that is the only way to do it (short of lifting the crap out of your truck and putting huge ass tires on it). But then you would have other problems to deal with, like how incredibly horrible it would drive and look.



I would say for most it comes down to the look of the bumper and how much of a "nose" you want on your truck. I prefer the streamlined look, my complaint about most of the bumpers ihave seen is that they stick out a good 4-7 inches in front. Which when going up a hill some punk jeep owner friend of mine just went up can present a bit of a problem.

 

[AUH1]

That is only the raceline bumper, which is in all honest WAY WAY more aggressive when it comes to angle of approach then any of the bolt on bumpers (including their pre-runner bumper which is bolt on). If you are going to be hitting the dunes a lot or doing any aggressive 4x4 and are continually smashing up your skidplate you will not get any solution better then a custom built bumper that requires trimming the frame horns or rpgs race-line (which in effect is a "custom" front bumper that you can order).

If you look at the frame horns where the stock bumper bolts up and look at what the maximum angle of approach is with something bolted to that and the bottom lip of plastic near the grill you can see what you are working with angle wise. You trim off a few inches and redo the angle from the bottom of the grill/plastic to where you could feasible trim from (forward of the mounting point) and you can see that difference in angles.

Chopping frame is not going to be for everyone, but if you absolutely need to get the best angle of approach that is the only way to do it (short of lifting the crap out of your truck and putting huge ass tires on it). But then you would have other problems to deal with, like how incredibly horrible it would drive and look.



I would say for most it comes down to the look of the bumper and how much of a "nose" you want on your truck. I prefer the streamlined look, my complaint about most of the bumpers ihave seen is that they stick out a good 4-7 inches in front. Which when going up a hill some punk jeep owner friend of mine just went up can present a bit of a problem.

Thanks for the explanation. Makes sense but I'll live with the banged up skid plates.

 

[DirtNasty]

Thanks for the explanation. Makes sense but I'll live with the banged up skid plates.

haha I am doing the same as well!

Until i figure out if i want the raceline or something else. (for where i am at a winch is very handy)

 

[Jevo]

I too am in Dubai and a have been a Raptor owner since 2010. Fitting a front bumper that is not stock will mean your car will not pass the RTA inspection. You will have to put the stock bumper back on to get it passed each year.

Frame modifications are a big no no with RTA inspection and should be avoided so don't go with any bumper that requires cutting of the front chassis.

If you go with an aftermarket front bumper I would recommend the SDHQ Trophy Truck style. I have seen this on an Abu Dhabi Raptor and it looks really good and also leaves a place for fixing the front plate so avoiding further fines.

I have mangled the stock skid plate and also a Ford Racing skid plate more times than I care to mention. All I do now is take it off and drive over it a few times with the front wheels to flatten it out! I've got the task down to about 10minutes and have a dedicated socket ready after my desert trips. If you go for an after market skid plate it would be a waste of money unless it has a tubular frame behind it to reinforce the sheet aluminium/steel.

I have tried like crazy with Al Tayer Motors to get the Middle East Maps CD and the SD card from them to update the nav system. I have the part numbers but they refuse to sell it to me because they do not have a price on their system and can therefore not sell it. Doh,

Make sure you buy the at the very least the SDHQ frame reinforcement kit (approx 100USD) or better still the bump stop kit. My frame is still straight but I fitted the reinforcement kit when it first came out. I find the front end takes the most punishment in the UAE dunes and have not really needed the bump stop kit.

My transmission temp has never got too high so don't bother with extra cooling. I have however cracked the factory exhaust manifolds and had to replace them with headers.

The BFG tires are crap in this heat and last no time at all. After going threw 2 sets in 2 years I've now changed to Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ's which are doing a great job both on and off road. Tire choices are VERY limited in the UAE for this car.

Hope my long term experience with this car in the UAE saves you a few bucks!

Cheers.

 

[DirtNasty]

I too am in Dubai and a have been a Raptor owner since 2010. Fitting a front bumper that is not stock will mean your car will not pass the RTA inspection. You will have to put the stock bumper back on to get it passed each year.

Frame modifications are a big no no with RTA inspection and should be avoided so don't go with any bumper that requires cutting of the front chassis.

If you go with an aftermarket front bumper I would recommend the SDHQ Trophy Truck style. I have seen this on an Abu Dhabi Raptor and it looks really good and also leaves a place for fixing the front plate so avoiding further fines.

I have mangled the stock skid plate and also a Ford Racing skid plate more times than I care to mention. All I do now is take it off and drive over it a few times with the front wheels to flatten it out! I've got the task down to about 10minutes and have a dedicated socket ready after my desert trips. If you go for an after market skid plate it would be a waste of money unless it has a tubular frame behind it to reinforce the sheet aluminium/steel.

I have tried like crazy with Al Tayer Motors to get the Middle East Maps CD and the SD card from them to update the nav system. I have the part numbers but they refuse to sell it to me because they do not have a price on their system and can therefore not sell it. Doh,

Make sure you buy the at the very least the SDHQ frame reinforcement kit (approx 100USD) or better still the bump stop kit. My frame is still straight but I fitted the reinforcement kit when it first came out. I find the front end takes the most punishment in the UAE dunes and have not really needed the bump stop kit.

My transmission temp has never got too high so don't bother with extra cooling. I have however cracked the factory exhaust manifolds and had to replace them with headers.

The BFG tires are crap in this heat and last no time at all. After going threw 2 sets in 2 years I've now changed to Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ's which are doing a great job both on and off road. Tire choices are VERY limited in the UAE for this car.

Hope my long term experience with this car in the UAE saves you a few bucks!

Cheers.

You are my new forum hero, love your bodywork techniques! Im sure the ME folks will really appreciate your input on the inspections and what not. It looks like the Raceline RPG bumpers are a HUGE NO. I wouldnt touch em with a long pole if i had to do inspections like you described (guaranteed fail it seems). The pre-runner style is a bolt on, just like the other bumpers mentioned in here.

 

[Jevo]

If you ever go to Abu Dhabi make sure you speak with Phil at Motortech. He has done a lot of work with SDHQ. There are normally some pretty sick modified Raptors outside.

When I was there last week he had a custom skid plate available for approx 1500AED but alas no frame behind it so it would probably end up bent but better than stock and less expensive also.

I know what you mean about the plastic bits on the front bumper. Mine are held on with Gripfill adhesive. I managed to pull out most of the kink in the lower bumper again bush style by attaching a hook and snatch strap to a willing friends car. You would be better finding someone with a slide hammer in my opinion but needs must!

I would recommend the Middle perch adjustment as the top perch adjustment shreds the CV joints after a while, again I found this out the hard way. Since my Raptor is also in import with no warranty I take my car to Mebar Auto in Al Quoz who do a great job and specialise in 4x4's and Offroad race cars. Much better value than the clueless dealer. Let me know if you want their contact details. They have a website with GPS coordinates and a map if you don't know Al Quoz industrial area well.