Houston we have a problem! (the bent frame thread)

[AZ SVT]

I have posted this before, but it's appropriate again

A few years ago I got to go out to Sparks NV and train with Josh Hall and Sam Edgar of the Rod Hall (then) Hummer Racing Team. They gave me these words of wisdom about speed:

Ask yourself:
1) Am I relaxed?
2) Am I physically comfortable
3) Can I put the truck exactly where want to?

If you can not say yes to all these questions, you are driving too fast.

#2 is the most important one in the "bent frame" situation because there is no way you can bend the frame without feeling a spine-crushing, tooth rattling, neck-stressing, sensation. If you are beating yourself, or your passengers, to death you are causing damage to your equipment. The only design flaw SVT may have made is building the suspension and axle too strong, making the frame is the weakest link! I'm pretty sure if a guy just broke an axle or a spring we would all be a little less alarmed. But it wouldn't matter anyway because if the axle would have broke we would all run out and buy something to reenforce it, then we would see bent frames.

 

[Truck Wolf]

Unlike nature obviously. Not having people pass a common sense exam to own one of these was obviously a major one. So how's that whole "I paid a shit load of money to voluntarily drive this mammoth heap of flawed design" workin' out for ya?

I was just commenting on the fact any time someone criticizes Ford there are throngs of Ford apologists who pile on and tell the person with the clunk/bent frame/leaky sunroof that it's somehow their fault.

I'm still on the fence about this frame situation; I sympathize with the "victims", but I also wonder if this is simply an indication of where the truck's limitations begin. I have little doubt that we will see more bent frames, though.

 

[Nv Guy]

I am on the fence along with Truck Wolf. I think there is some shared responsibility.

What I find distressing is that there is no early warning. As I have said before, the Raptor works great until you reach it's limits- then things get bent.
With ATV's if you start over driving the suspension you know it, things get rough & you either slow down or crash.
It doesnt seem that if you hit the bumpstops, your ass gets rattled enough so you slow down. The impression I am getting is that if you hit the bumpstops & the frame gets bent.
This is like a parachute that opens on impact.

 

[19-Kilo]

I am on the fence along with Truck Wolf. I think there is some shared responsibility.

What I find distressing is that there is no early warning. As I have said before, the Raptor works great until you reach it's limits- then things get bent.
With ATV's if you start over driving the suspension you know it, things get rough & you either slow down or crash.
It doesnt seem that if you hit the bumpstops, your ass gets rattled enough so you slow down. The impression I am getting is that if you hit the bumpstops & the frame gets bent.
This is like a parachute that opens on impact.

LOL, yea... I still think that the frame should not be the first thing to fail, it should be a cheaper more replaceable part (like a shock mount). But hey, these 14 guys found the limit for the truck and experienced a " parachute impact " with little to no warning.

 

[bstoner59]

I am on the fence along with Truck Wolf. I think there is some shared responsibility.

What I find distressing is that there is no early warning. As I have said before, the Raptor works great until you reach it's limits- then things get bent.
With ATV's if you start over driving the suspension you know it, things get rough & you either slow down or crash.
It doesnt seem that if you hit the bumpstops, your ass gets rattled enough so you slow down. The impression I am getting is that if you hit the bumpstops & the frame gets bent.
This is like a parachute that opens on impact.

If you blow through the bumpstops your frame gets bent....I've hit my bumpstops and pretty sure the frame more times than I can count. I will take an $800 repair to the frame over a crash, broken axle or busted shock/mount any day! Anyone ever stop to think that this was the purpose of the design? Out of those options the only one that gets you home is a frame bend. Anything else and you are stranded and paying at least $800 for a tow home.

 

[AZ SVT]

If you blow through the bumpstops your frame gets bent....I've hit my bumpstops and pretty sure the frame more times than I can count. I will take an $800 repair to the frame over a crash, broken axle or busted shock/mount any day! Anyone ever stop to think that this was the purpose of the design? Out of those options the only one that gets you home is a frame bend. Anything else and you are stranded and paying at least $800 for a tow home.

Good point!

 

[Truck Wolf]

I hate to sound selfish but I wonder how all this negative publicity is going to impact resale values?

 

[AZ SVT]

I hate to sound selfish but I wonder how all this negative publicity is going to impact resale values?

Can't help, but don't think it will hurt much. Most people don't want a Raptor and those that do are enthusiasts that will learn from this, just like us, and still want one. I know one thing for sure, if I ever am in the market for a used Raptor I'll be lookn' at the frame!

 

[pirate air]

I hate to sound selfish but I wonder how all this negative publicity is going to impact resale values?

Don't care, I'm keeping my flawed Raptor forever.

 

[SPRSNK]

Don't care, I'm keeping my flawed Raptor forever.

Going to total mine somewhere..then make it a trophy truck while buying a new Raptor to abuse the shit out of.