Old Man Build

[Old-Raptor-guy]

Well here we go, after collecting parts for about 10 months here is how I started my weekend.

Sorry the truck is dirty, I had not had a chance to wash it since last run a few days prior. Headed to the shop is was 28 degrees in the morning so I was not stopping on the way.

I hit some snags pretty quick.

 

[Old-Raptor-guy]

A couple months ago I took some ride height measurements per the service manual procedure. Factory specs are
front 5.945" +/- .5"
rear 9.5" +/- .5"

My measurements were
front 5"
rear 7 1/2"

 

[Old-Raptor-guy]

 

[Nex]

 

[Old-Raptor-guy]

First Snag was the tie rods shipped with right hand thread outer heim joints instead of left hand thread so I could not install those at this time. I will contact RPG tomorrow. luckily I ended up having clearance between the Alcon rotor and the outer tie rod end.

 

[Old-Raptor-guy]

The next snag cost me $450 extra. So the Fox racing series live valve shocks do not come with new magnet coils / electric magnets (they are not solenoids), Well my caps are seized to the valve. The cap is plastic with a metal nut molded inside. at first I thought the plastic was spinning on the nut, nope, entire valve was spinning. here are pictures. I edited a couple. on the top of the valve is a number, could be build date code/ serial number I don't know. the second picture I rotated the cap about 30 degrees and the valve and the magnet rotated with it. The rears came apart fine. This valve system works exactly like a injector pressure regulator on a 7.3/6.0 PSD or any ABS valve.

 

[Old-Raptor-guy]

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[Old-Raptor-guy]

 

[Old-Raptor-guy]

So after figuring that out I checked the other front and it was the same. I use my Raptor for its intended purpose more than most and this is just part of the game. I called my Ford rep ASAP fearing that I would be told 6 month back order, but nope in stock will have Monday (tomorrow).

 

[Old-Raptor-guy]

I did the drivers side first and it took me twice as long as the passengers side. Everything went smooth after and I appear to have clearance on the hoses between control arm and the spring.