G's Raptor

[Sca1pel]

Very Nice build!

 

[Tommysyko]

Awesome thread. Lots of great mods I want to add for my moderate setup. What lug nuts did you go with for the stock wheels?


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[M64D RAPTOR]

Ok. Wow. I've been on this forum for a little while. This should be a sticky on the main page. Just like Shelby and Roush have their Raptors why doesn't RPG have a custom Raptor. I would buy one Right now and I just bought a 13. It could be done.

 

[wanderfalk]

the shelby or roush raptors would not be even be in the same class as the E63's raptor offroad. Slapping on a blower and some decals are not going to tame the terrain the way a rpg tuned truck will. Hundreds of hours went into G's build . A labor of love kind of thing.
Best of all you can have your own customized build to suit your own needs. Take the extra money you would spend on either of those trucks and have rpg beef up your suspension and you will have a truck that will run right up the tailpipe of either of those trucks.

 

[E63]

Very Nice build!

Thank you

Awesome thread. Lots of great mods I want to add for my moderate setup. What lug nuts did you go with for the stock wheels?

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Gorrilla Spline - Black - got at ORW (Off Road Warehouse) off Clairmont Mesa Blvd, San Diego

Ok. Wow. I've been on this forum for a little while. This should be a sticky on the main page. Just like Shelby and Roush have their Raptors why doesn't RPG have a custom Raptor. I would buy one Right now and I just bought a 13. It could be done.

Great Idea, I always thought that Ford should offer some high performance upgrades available thru the Dealer as OEM offering. I heard rumors of some type of collaboration but have no idea if anything ever came of it.

the shelby or roush raptors would not be even be in the same class as the E63's raptor offroad. Slapping on a blower and some decals are not going to tame the terrain the way a rpg tuned truck will. Hundreds of hours went into G's build . A labor of love kind of thing.
Best of all you can have your own customized build to suit your own needs. Take the extra money you would spend on either of those trucks and have rpg beef up your suspension and you will have a truck that will run right up the tailpipe of either of those trucks.

Agreed on all points, Thank you, if you read thru this monster, you will see the "Journey" as my understanding of the sport, personal driving skills, desires, needs and wants have evolved. I have learned so much along the way from the many excursions and friends from the Raptor community: Corey, Jarrett, Brian, Matt, John P, GBrown to name a few. There is nothing like "Seat Time" to sharpen and define what you can do with a Raptor. Out of the gate a stock Raptor is more truck than the average driver. A "Built" Raptor obviously is at a whole different level, but until the driver's skills have progressed to the point of being able to properly utilize the additional capability the upgrades can provide, they are likely just for show.

I know, shit happens, and one day it may happen to me, but I do wish to shout out the need for moderation, staying within one's comfort zone, taking what the trail offers and not more. Live to enjoy your truck another day.

I got a chance to spend a couple days near Borrego Springs last week. A lot of fun with my son, his GF and another family. This is an area off "Pegleg" road East of the airport and south of Sheep's Canyon. On the fringe where the desert turns into the badlands near "Font's Point". By itself this piece of desert is unremarkable with pretty tame scrub, mild to wild whoops. What is cool is its proximity to an amazing selection of varied terrain. There is a dune section for floating in the soft sand, some steep pitches - 21 degrees should you desire. A couple of marked washes, “Beckman” and “Inspiration” that weave in and out of Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Both of these are extremely tight and twisty and a real hoot to do with some speed and familiarity. Trick with these big trucks is to keep the back end loose, revs high and modulate the throttle to slide the rear thru the turn without slamming into the walls. Had a blast, no mishaps, a couple close calls when the front refused to track. For the most part able to keep up with the Maverick – 110 HP toy buggy. The beginning of Inspiration Wash, like the beginning to the trail to Font's Point is wide open flat wash where it is possible to hit top end speed. We did not bring helmets this trip so we kept it under 70.

 

[jjraptr]

just read your entire post...wow. One question for you, your interior cage that RPG built for you, is that a one off? or do they sell this? Thanks again for your post really enjoy the watching your build.

 

[PropDr]

Always love to read, and re-read, your posts.
A wealth of knowledge and inspiration!


Thanks!

 

[E63]

just read your entire post...wow. One question for you, your interior cage that RPG built for you, is that a one off? or do they sell this? Thanks again for your post really enjoy the watching your build.

Thank you for your interest. I would say that the cage was inspired by what Jarrett had while with RPG. It was on my original wish list along with front and back bumpers and sliders. It was a collaborative effort of RPG and Jamie Campbell of RaceCo. 2 sets were made, the other for Chris Roth. I was never happy with the first design. There were a number of issues, very difficult product to fit right. I later had Jamie redo and moved the first hoop forward to the other side of the light. Actually went thru an additional prototype that I did not like that added additional cross bars along the roof. I felt they would be too dangerous for rear passengers without helmets. The final version, Jamie nailed it. By adding the dense padding I feel it is safe for DD transport. The bars work great for their primary mission which is to hold four sets of harnesses with stock seats. The added benefit of quick access to the rear with the fold down seat is phenomenal. I love it. As far as I know I am still the only one that has done it. The combination makes my truck very unique. A few weeks ago I did the night creature type run to vegas with about 13 well equipped Raptors. It was a lot of fun. My truck doesn't look as formidable as the others with 2 37" mud terrains stuffed under the F1 and bed frame. The partial cage was a hit. Its not for everyone but suits my needs for now.

Always love to read, and re-read, your posts.
A wealth of knowledge and inspiration!


Thanks!

Thanks

Completed a couple quick mods before the big game. Cut the key down so I can leave in place without worrying about it poking a passenger on a hard hit, or losing... Finally replaced the missing mud flap, hardly missed it really.

 

[FLYING BONES]

Subd

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[E63]

Recent events

Thought I would share a little from the recent Night Crawler adventure to vegas and back.
This was not an organized event, just a bunch of Raptors getting together for a run. Great group, lots of fun, very challenging visibility and terrain. Got the beast up to 106 in a posted 25 mph zone, lol, she performed great on the way out, no issues. After the run out, my son and I decided to go check out Red Rock, crossing the highway, truck just dies, brake and oil lights preceding, luckily I had enough momentum to get to the shoulder. Could not find any problems, oil good, brakes good, figure its just Ford throwing codes, it happens to us from time to time.





Anyway the problem did not reoccur until the next morning's run. Grant was driving and our rig shut down just 10 minutes into it. Happened a couple more times and then we had flat tire. Pulled off main run to find flat spot to change, changed flat in 5 minutes and we were back after it with me driving. She kept shutting down every once in a while. One of the trucks in our group went into a ditch and broke both front and rear leaf spring mounts and bent "welded/trussed" front knuckle. We helped him limp out of there to the main highway.

While waiting, Conner took me for a hot lap in RSV1. Best time ever on 4 wheels. He is amazing driver and his 4 linked rear, long travel front beast is the king of all Raptors that I have seen. If someone got a video of the big air I would like to see it.

After we took off for final leg my truck started to misbehave really bad, stopping every few seconds. So I pull off and Rob and Denny try to help me diagnose and fix. We feel and hear the #8 fuel pump relay clicking on and off. We swapped relays, pushed on all the fuses and limped home.

Big thanks to Rob and Denny for leaving the run and escorting us home.

Very scary when it would cut out on the freeway when there was no e-lanes. Took it in to dealer and they diagnosed as bad connector at fuse box.


It failed again and I had it towed in to save my time.


This time, after 4 days at dealer they found the problem was a loose fuse connector (fuel Pump Fuse). If I had known, I could have fixed with a pocket knife. Evidently a fairly common problem with the newer Ford fuse boxes.

All fixed now, re-installed tune, cleaned her up and she is none the worse for it. time to go out and tear it up again. It is interesting to note that all of the mods I have done have held up great, everything is performing to my complete satisfaction. It would be a huge step should I take it to the next level, one I am not going to do in the near term as I like using as daily driver. A fully caged truck is more dangerous if helmets are not used! Plus they are a much less comfortable ride, or so I am told.

Thanks for reading, Hope to share the trail with you soon.