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

[robmax72]

Agreed and I addressed your concerns with warranty issues in an earlier post in this thread. I thought the dealer ended up telling you that they would fix your shock mount under warranty?

The FORD tech said no to it, but the SVT Engineer said yes, so they replaced the axle. that was after 3 dealerships and a lot of phone calls and waiting. They keep these guys under wraps so it's hard to find them.

 

[bstoner59]

There are numerous stories, mine included, of Ford standing behind the Raptor and repairing damage done off-road under warranty. I had a guy in our group snap his axle and limp to the road where he was taken to the nearest dealer given a rental car and had his truck done in 48hrs. No hassle. My truck has scratches all up and down the sides, underneath, bashed skid plates and a few signs of off-road fun and I have had things fixed under warranty...no problem.

Now if we want to talk about my stupid microphone for the SYNC that they can't seem to ever have fixed properly that's a different story. I'm sure I can drum up enough support for a class action to fix those stupid things!!

 

[SVTRay]

Now if we want to talk about my stupid microphone for the SYNC that they can't seem to ever have fixed properly that's a different story. I'm sure I can drum up enough support for a class action to fix those stupid things!!

Never tried using the thing my self.

 

[Nv Guy]

Maybe Ford should install an idiot light that comes on every time the bumpstop is bottomed out. That way it's obvious to anybody that they're overdriving the truck.

I think its crystal clear at this point that it was a combination of factors that ultimately led to the frame damage for some trucks. The wrong combination of any one of these (or too many) factors resulted in the damage: 1) simply overdriving the truck into a hard impact, especially the kickers 2) overheated shocks from hours of hard running 3) extra payload in the bed 4) softer aftermarket springs

I put those in the most likely order of importance.

Yeah, an idiot light, it comes on & you buy a new frame.

What I meant was that there appears to be no margin for error, you hit one kicker & you get big damage. It seems that the most expensive part is the one that gets damaged.
I would rather have a bent axle housing than a bent frame. If you got carried away with a early Jeep Rubicon, you bent the axle(s). Cheaper than a frame section replacement.
I can drive it with bent axle, shock mount or no shocks, wont be fast, but it also wont cost as much as a bent frame. A bent frame is an awfully expensive "safety valve".

I agree with your list of whys & hows & I think these guys experienced the "perfect storm" of conditions.

 

[Aaron]

OH GOOD GOD, are you kidding me? the location of the bump-stop is ridiculous on this truck. to me it's more of a safety concern over anything else. I can't believe anyone would put anything that is "designed" to take an impact of any means in the middle of a crumple zone. that's just retarded in my opinion. and screw the warranty it's a lawsuit waiting to happen. I can just imagine this nice family riding down the road with their camper on the hitch and then they hit a bump in the road which bends the frame and then on their way back through colorado the frame then twist because it's been damaged already and it has a catastrophic failure. Family goes off the cliff and die's. Now THAT is not a driver problem that's a ford new about a problem and didn't fix it or let anyone know problem. Result = Millions paid out to grieving family, and a recall.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that that crumple zone is probably designed to crumple upwards anyway hence why it will do just that when you smash the shit out of the bumpstop with an axle traveling at high speeds upward.

The Raptor has limits. People found them. It's a stock F150 frame and it's got nicer suspension put under it. You want rigidity you're going to have to brace and tube it. If you want to take hits like the one that bent those frames, you're going to have to add more travel, plain and simple. Bad Company went over that in great depth.

The issue here is that Ford had to make a pre-runner that also passed all the safety standards for various types of impacts. Yes they could have thrown some Deavers back there along with some nice hydraulic bumps, but that cost would have just been passed on to you, the consumer and it probably would have run you more than just buying the Deavers and bumps yourself.

With the stock shocks, you most likely aren't going to be able to "find" more travel in them. if you allow more up-travel, you're going to find the limit of the shock quickly. All the advertised travel is actually there, check the droop travel on it and you should see it.

If you want more travel, it's going to cost you, there's really no free lunch in that department.

 

[Raptizzle]

I would love to see one of the proponents for having Ford replace their frame due to a design flaw post up their entire experience and point of view on a real offroading forum like race-dezert.com. Let's see what some of the pro's tell them... might be a reality check for those who think their "f-150" raptor should be indestructible.

 

[SOCOMech]

I would love to see one of the proponents for having Ford replace their frame due to a design flaw post up their entire experience and point of view on a real offroading forum like race-dezert.com. Let's see what some of the pro's tell them... might be a reality check for those who think their "f-150" raptor should be indestructible.

There's already a thread on it there, lol. Though it's nowhere near the 40 some pages as it is here and other places. But yes, your right.

 

[KaiserM715]

Well, have a look:
Does the raptor have a major design flaw?

 

[SVTRay]

Well, have a look:
Does the raptor have a major design flaw?

Interesting read,

The Baja Raptor was fair from stock for sure. Ford caged the truck, swapped shocks and the rear end. I'm sure they addressed the crush points as well as did a few other things...not to mention cams for the motor. Now Ford did use production Raptors but only as chase and support trucks.

 

[Bar]

Does anyone have a pics of both a damaged bump stop and a normal one? My bed does not line up perfectly (slightly smaller gap at the bottom and larger at top on both sides). The bed is at a slight angle (doesn't line up, but it isn't drastic). My album might have a few shots of it.

I've been off road, but havent hit kickers like what we saw on that run. just normal whoops and dirt.

If anyone has pics of good and bad ones, please post!

Thanks.