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

[SOCOMech]

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.

Take a look at the bump stops and see if they're at an angle. They more than likely would push forward in the case of a hard impact, although that won't necessarily result in the extreme frame bending we're seeing here. If your bed is misaligned with that dreaded "V", then you may have bent it a bit.

 

[SOCOMech]

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.

Unfortunately, there's a common misconception out there that it was a bone stock Raptor than ran Baja but as you can see, the Raptor R is far from a stock Raptor, lol. It actually didn't even start life as a Raptor but as a blue FX4. It only fuels the fire for those less educated on the truck (people from other random forums).

 

[Bar]

Thanks. I'll take a look. Seems counterintuitive that the bottom of the bed would push closer (or the top push away) if the bump stops get smacked like that. I don't understand the forces behind that. With the bed going convex, I would think the top of the bed would move toward the cab.

 

[SPRSNK]

Thanks. I'll take a look. Seems counterintuitive that the bottom of the bed would push closer (or the top push away) if the bump stops get smacked like that. I don't understand the forces behind that. With the bed going convex, I would think the top of the bed would move toward the cab.

It does. At least one person had the top part of the bed of their truck hit the cab and dent it. After that the frame flexes downwards creating the sag with upside down V shaped Raptors.

 

[debate]

Thanks. I'll take a look. Seems counterintuitive that the bottom of the bed would push closer (or the top push away) if the bump stops get smacked like that. I don't understand the forces behind that. With the bed going convex, I would think the top of the bed would move toward the cab.

The leaf springs are attached to different subsections of the frame. When the Raptors' rear suspension bottoms, the leaf springs arch the rear frame section away from the cab.

When the V'd Raptors acquired that feature the maximum gap at the top of the bed might have been over three inches before the frame rebounded.

 

[Bar]

Makes sense. Thanks for that. I can see that happening the way you described it.

I am still trying to figure out how mine bent...though it is a pretty minor bend. I can't see any bend/damage in the shock mounts, and that's why I asked for a picture. Who knows.

 

[RPG]

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

Gotta love race-dezert.

 

[debate]

I can't see any bend/damage in the shock mounts, and that's why I asked for a picture.

There's a snapshot at #66 (page 7) looking forward. Would a different angle of a particular part be useful?

Just thinkin', if your cab-to-bed V is minor the bed might only be in a bind and the frame isn't actually bent. Maybe you could carefully loosen the bolts in the bottom of the bed and drive around for a couple miles to see if the sheet metal repositions itself. There is probably a torque spec for those fastners.

 

[Bar]

Good call, debate. Thanks a lot. I did have it linex'd. Not sure if they reattached it poorly.

I appreciate your input.

Mark

 

[roadczar]

There's a snapshot at #66 (page 7) looking forward. Would a different angle of a particular part be useful?

Just thinkin', if your cab-to-bed V is minor the bed might only be in a bind and the frame isn't actually bent. Maybe you could carefully loosen the bolts in the bottom of the bed and drive around for a couple miles to see if the sheet metal repositions itself. There is probably a torque spec for those fastners.

The torque spec is 59 ft/lb. I also remember reading that if bolts are removed before spraying the liner the full torque cannot be applied without buckling the liner.