New member, prospective owner

[CruiserClass]

No decisions yet, still in test driving phase and cross shopping some different (and some wildly different) options. I'll not really need a truck until next year, but am giving mine to my son at that point.

I drove a 2018 and I think it wasn't in great shape despite being at roughly the 50k mark. 4 owners, and neither of the last two kept it beyond 6 months. The sunroof wouldn't open, it moved a little then got stuck. The ride seemed pretty bouncy/skittish in the rear over potholes, but it's the first Raptor I've driven so nothing to compare it to.

My main concern with the F-150 Raptor is just the sheer size of it and trying to fit it on certain trails, as well as in town use. My concern with the Gladiator is it's soooo slow. My concern with the Bronco is you can't actually buy one. On paper, the Ranger Raptor seems like it'd be a good fit for me, but I suspect it'll be another Bronco situation. I'd also considered an F-150 Tremor but haven't found one to drive yet.

I've been reading quite a bit here and figured I'd sign up. I doubt I'll be a prolific poster, as I don't have much to contribute. I'm here to learn.

 

[K223]

Welcome! Lots to learn and research for sure. If the rear was jumpy over potholes chances are the tires were overinflated. Sure a Gen 3 would handle that better or adding aftermarket leafs to a Gen 2. But stock springs can work very well with proper tire inflation levels.

Tremors are definitely the new kid in town and probably hard to find many of them. I think they come in a bit over priced for what they are. But everything is priced higher today.

 

[CoronaRaptor]

Welcome to the place. Sounds like your current Raptor needs the shocks rebuilt or you have too much air in the tires, etc. The rangers are a bit on the small size, but it's all in what you want in a new truck I guess. Have a look around, you will learn a lot about Raptors here.

 

[CruiserClass]

Welcome to the place. Sounds like your current Raptor needs the shocks rebuilt or you have too much air in the tires, etc. The rangers are a bit on the small size, but it's all in what you want in a new truck I guess. Have a look around, you will learn a lot about Raptors here.

My current Raptor is strictly hypothetical. That was a dealer's Raptor on a test drive.

I don't do much 'truck stuff' these days, so I've stepped down from a 3/4 ton to a 1/2 ton last truck anyway so a bit on the small side would be fine with me. Trucks have grown so much over the years a 2023 Ranger is slightly larger than a 1970's full size and I never felt cramped in those. Smaller equals easier to get into some of the tighter trails and tighter parking spaces. I'm looking for "road-trip ability" and "off-road ability" in more or less equal measure.

 

[smurfslayer]

The sunroof wouldn't open, it moved a little then got stuck. The ride seemed pretty bouncy/skittish in the rear over potholes

That moonroof almost certainly has a broken track assembly. The repair can be a bit on the pricey side. doable, but also not for the faint of heart.

the bounciness over pot holes is common to all the leaf sprung trucks. Raised manhole covers are worse IMO but I get your point. The thing with the Raptor is that it deals with the deflection just fine, but it’s transmitted throughout the chassis. So you know it happened. Otherwise it’s fine.

good luck in the search.

 

[CruiserClass]

That moonroof almost certainly has a broken track assembly. The repair can be a bit on the pricey side. doable, but also not for the faint of heart.

the bounciness over pot holes is common to all the leaf sprung trucks. Raised manhole covers are worse IMO but I get your point. The thing with the Raptor is that it deals with the deflection just fine, but it’s transmitted throughout the chassis. So you know it happened. Otherwise it’s fine.

good luck in the search.

Good info on the roof, thanks.

I'm used to the "normal" unladen bounce, this just felt different. It could easily just be me not knowing the difference between the Raptor suspension and an F-250 suspension and my butt being calibrated for a stiffer bounce without the floaty feel.

I just get the feeling that particular one was, if not exactly abused, then at least not properly maintained. There has to be a reason the last two owners ejected in less than 6 months each. I just figure there's a pricey maintenance issue hiding in there somewhere. That roof issue may be it, but I can't shake the feeling there's more and I've learned to listen to me on this sort of thing.

The good news is I'm in no rush.

 

[Wilbur]

Try to find a 2019/20 Raptor to test drive. IMO the live-valve shocks are worth the added cost and drive much better then a 17/18. Tire pressures also make a big difference as well.

Ranger Raptor and Bronco Raptor isn't out so I don't know how they feel, but I've driven a Bronco badlands and I wasn't blown away like I thought (based on all the hype).

Or if you can swing it, find a Gen 3!

 

[Blu Bug]

You are right about the size of the trucks. My Raptor fits into my garage but it isn’t a fit for my garage. I park it out back and my wife’s Camry gets the prime parking spot.

 

[CruiserClass]

Or if you can swing it, find a Gen 3!

I probably could next year if I sold my car, but if I stick with a fairly recent used Raptor I can keep the car and pay cash, depending on if the interest rates make sense to do so or not. I want to know what the Ranger is going to price in at. I can probably swing it out the door cash if projections are correct and I'm starting to really jump on that hype train.

 

[CruiserClass]

Try to find a 2019/20 Raptor to test drive. IMO the live-valve shocks are worth the added cost and drive much better then a 17/18. Tire pressures also make a big difference as well.

Driving a 2020 Blue Oval Certified used one tomorrow. Allegedly.