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

[SVTRay]

To me this is an obvious "flaw" I have 13 inches of travel on the rear suspension and approx 4" of clearance between the bump-stop and the axle bracket. that math does NOT make sense to me. Hell I would be interested, and will most likely test, what would happen if the bump-stop where removed, allowing approx. 8" of travel instead of the factory 4" I would guess that the suspension system would actually work better. it's just a thought, but if it were to work wouldn't that hand evidence as to a design flaw in the system that should be addressed?

I believe the 13" comes from drooping...the wheels hanging down while in flight. The rest of the time we only have 3-4" of travel on the ground which doesn't offer much when ramming something like a 12" kicker.

 

[robmax72]

Thanks for posting,

Although I believe a lot of the damage being reported is due to people pushing their Raptors beyond it's limits. I also believe the frame or bump stop is a design flaw. This area is designed by Ford to give or absorb energy during a crash. We can argue all we want about aggressive driving but that is a fact. So why install a device designed to take the impact of a crash in the same area? In simple, it was either over looked or ignored by Ford. Ford or SVT should have put a little more thought into this area in my opinion.

We can argue and analyze this issue till we're blue in the face but I see this ruining things for the rest of us Raptor owners as well as the Raptor project. Why would a person buy a Raptor now knowing Ford will deny warrantee work if the vehicle is damaged while off roading...something in which the vehicle was designed and advertised to do.

Very good post SVTRay. I agree. I will look at and test out some things on mine, because that is what I have to do. I learned months ago that when you break the truck then you have to fix it, so I started looking for weak spots and beefing them up.

 

[robmax72]

I believe the 13" comes from drooping...the wheels hanging down while in flight. The rest of the time we only have 3-4" of travel on the ground which doesn't offer much when ramming something like a 12" kicker.

Actually I would disagree, i know after pulling the bump-stop on it, and having 700 lbs in the bed if you jack it up it will compress more than the 4" of factory travel. I know on the fron it definitely is more as well.

 

[Highroller]

Ok, I'm thinking that is an idiot idea, i'm not even complaining about the bent frame on mine, and am not going to. But answer me this with you obvious expertise in the frame arena.
If you have a frame with a crumple zone in it, which this obviously has, and the crumple zone is supposed to be enacted from an impact from the front or rear of the vehicle, which would be a horizontal impact to the vehicle. Then why would I expect the same crumple zone to be enacted because of vertical forces?

To me this is an obvious "flaw" I have 13 inches of travel on the rear suspension and approx 4" of clearance between the bump-stop and the axle bracket. that math does NOT make sense to me. Hell I would be interested, and will most likely test, what would happen if the bump-stop where removed, allowing approx. 8" of travel instead of the factory 4" I would guess that the suspension system would actually work better. it's just a thought, but if it were to work wouldn't that hand evidence as to a design flaw in the system that should be addressed?

I would think you would end up with 2 other issues, 1. raming the tire into the fender well and cutting it. 2. over extending your springs.

 

[SVTRay]

Actually I would disagree, i know after pulling the bump-stop on it, and having 700 lbs in the bed if you jack it up it will compress more than the 4" of factory travel. I know on the fron it definitely is more as well.

Ya, i'm just guessing and haven't measured to be honest.

 

[SVTRay]

Very good post SVTRay. I agree. I will look at and test out some things on mine, because that is what I have to do. I learned months ago that when you break the truck then you have to fix it, so I started looking for weak spots and beefing them up.

Thanks,

I normally do the same with my vehicles but I just haven't had time. But I've been able to learn from people like your self what to expect and what needs beefing up.

 

[robmax72]

I would think you would end up with 2 other issues, 1. raming the tire into the fender well and cutting it. 2. over extending your springs.

That may be the case

 

[pirate air]

Your shocks will end up being the new bump stops if you pull the actual bump stops. In that case your just going to move the damage to other areas.



And welcome back robmax

 

[19-Kilo]

and don't forget that the bump stop serves a specific purpose... cushioning the axel from causing damage to the frame on impacts. If you need more cushion (i.e. pushing the suspnsion hard at high speed...) then get better bump stops...

 

[SOCOMech]

Ok, I know I haven't posted in a while, basically since I tore the shock mount from the axle. But this thread has brought me out of the shadows. As most of you know, I run my Raptor hard. I always have and always will. It's why I bought the truck in the first place. For any of you that have NOT purchased the truck and are planning on doing so, BE AWARE, the warranty nor the extended warranty will fix anything you do to the truck off-roading with exception of the motor and transmission and sometimes the drive shaft! This is really important to know, since the dealer will tell you that the extended protection plan WILL cover these things! IT WILL NOT!!

Now with that being said, if you are going to ride your new raptor hard, then please reach out to us that have done so and learned the lessons. There are parts you can buy from our sponsors! Or do have I and some others have done, and make your own. I have a local welder that has done some things for me, until I bought my own welding machine and have been doing them my self. IT WILL TAKE MONEY to run these trucks off road with ANY sort of agressive driving. Things will break, bend, etc. It's just part of the REAL raptor experience.

Now that being said, I LOVE my truck, and would think of getting another type. FORD DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THE OFF-ROADING of your raptor. I know the dealer says they will, but they don't. If you have ANY scratches ANY where under your truck, they are not going to cover the damage you went in for. Frames, Axles, shock mounts, etc.

If you remember this and can accept it, then you will have a blast in your new raptor. Otherwise, don't spend the money, and expect FORD to cover your ASS. They won't!

Now that being said, if you want to have fun, Look me up, i'm always out and about showing the world what this truck can do!!

Your view of this whole thing is unfortunately due in part to a bad experience at a bad dealer. Not every dealership is the same nor will every dealership deny you on the warranty work due to some scratches and stuff. If anyone is having a hard time getting things covered, then I suggest just trying another dealer and explaining what you've done with the vehicle. How do I know this? Because I worked for a dealer that was very helpful and I was always very helpful to people in this situation. I've done work on modded Cobra's and Lightning's without question. When going to a dealer, YOU ARE NOT DEALING DIRECTLY WITH FORD. There are salesman, manager's and service advisor's who don't know squat about the very product they deal with, you'll find them at any dealer for any manufacturer. The gm at the dealer hired these guys, not Ford. The warranty will absolutely cover almost everything on the vehicle.....should it be a flaw in the part. If it's determined to be due to abuse, then it's only fair and common sense that it's in the customer's hands. If you brought your vehicle to me, I would not use the fact that your truck had scratches underneath to deny warranty work on say, your axle or transmission. Now bring the vehicle in with something broke due to driving into a ditch at high speed, then that's on you. Ford warranty covers faulty parts, not driving style's. Not trying to sound like a **** but, people have to remember that those they talk so much shit about make up some of the member base on the forums. We're here to give you help in the best way we know how, by using our experience from dealing with this stuff everyday. Sorry your dealer is not working with you but please do not spread word around that every Raptor owner is screwed in their warranty. It is written right in the owner's manual that driver's need to be aware that things can break while off-road and to be careful. Incase some have a hard time figuring out what that means, that's Ford saying that nothing on this truck is indestructible and use sound judgement when out playing. To bad I'm not at the dealer anymore as I would definitely tell you guys to bring your truck to me.......While I would be more than helpful in getting things done, I would not just replace something for the hell of it, I'm a huge fan of common sense.