Raptor Noob - Negotiating a 2019

[coolidge]

I'm in discussions with a local dealer on ordering a 2019 Raptor and have a few questions.

1. Are the Raptor seats pretty much the same as other current Fords? I own a 2017 loaded Lariat F350 CCLB 6.7L 4x4 (yeah I'd be trading one BEAST in on another BEAST). My seats are typical Ford flat bottom seats which are not that comfortable on long drives. I was hoping the Raptor seats would have more cushion, softer.

2. These new 2019 shocks, do you think the ride will be as comfy as 2018? In some Gen 2 reviews they claim the Raptor rides as good or better than current SUV's. Important to me because of recent hip replacement and spine surgery. If the Raptor blasts over the small to medium road bumps soaking those up like the reviewers are saying that's a big win for me.

3. Reading through the form posts I saw a number of transmission issues, some oil catch can stuff, and some build quality issues. My concern is many are quite recent, like Ford doesn't quite have its act together. My 2017 F350 is flawless so kind of surprised me.

 

[Simplejack]

best way to answer half of your questions is to go test drive a used 2018. also that 6.7 has been around a lot longer than the v6 raptor with a 10 speed transmission. Best thing I did was test drive a 2017 raptor at carmax then when ready bought a new 2018.

 

[mezger]

WRT the livevalve shocks, my speculation is that, if tuned correctly, they'll simultaneously ride better both on the road and offroad than a 2018 raptor. And have better body control on the street. Will do better when landing jumps. etc.

A lot of otherwise impossible shock tuning options are opened up to the engineers with this technology.

IMO, the risk is, outside of a McLaren, I haven't met a stability control system I liked, and it gives me some reservations about how the electronic shock control system will be implemented. And there is also whether or not they'll be reliable.

 

[Loufish]

The seats are Raptor exclusive...
If the Live Action system works like on the Polaris RZR's then it should be pretty cool...

On the RZR's the rear shocks will stiffen under heavy throttle to keep the rear from squatting, when you hit the brakes the fronts stiffen to keep the nose from diving, when corning the outside shocks stiffen to reduce body lean, and when you catch air all 4 shocks go to max stiff to keep from bottoming out...and when you get the back end hanging out and counter steer the shocks (the controller) know it and adjust for that.

 

[rtmozingo]

The Fox Live Valve should - if they work as advertised - improve ride quality in all domains. You're getting the same internal bypass system the Raptor has always had, with the added adjust-ability of an aftermarket shock except that a computer is doing it on the fly, much more rapidly.

The problem with stock shocks is they are balanced for on-road and offroad, so you don't get the best performance on either. The clicker adjustment shocks help with that, but still can only be adjusted for one thing at a time - soft for whoops, or firm for jumps, for example. The Fox Live valve seems to rectify this, allowing 100% tuning for whatever you are hitting, many times per second.

I have high hopes for them.

 

[coolidge]

I test drove a 2018 Raptor yesterday. Cab is virtually identical to my 2017 F350. Seats seemed to feel more like a pillow vs the F350 which I like. Of course felt small in comparison to the F350. Maybe they had it in grandpa mode or maybe I'm spoiled by the BEAST 6.7 440hp 925 ftlb torque but it didn't seem that powerful to me. Maybe you have to really spool up the Raptor's turbo's? It was raining so we really couldn't rip off like a bat out of hell with it.

Likes - Comfy seats. Just as easy to get in as my F350 with power steps they are about the same height, maybe a bit easier. Love the center console shifter which I had on my 2013 F150. Steering wheel seemed a bit smaller. I didn't notice any bed shake, my 2013 F150 short bed shook over bumps bad. I like that its shorter than my long bed F350.

What's the break rotor size on the Raptor? With the 17 inch wheels aren't they limited in that respect? How's the breaking?

Dislikes - Some joker obviously washed the truck with our crap water, there were hard water spots all over the windshield, you could see them every time the wipers swiped. No rear wheel well liners? I asked them they didn't know. $5k dealer mark up on the 2019, though being able to opt out of the moon roof and technology package puts a dent in that vs the 2018 they have on the lot so meh. That tailgate applique was 'okay' I guess. I'd be inclined to delete it in the 2019. Seems to lack power vs the 6.7 power stroke diesel but I guess that's to be expected.

QUESTION: Aluminum body vs driving on wet sand salt water beaches? My experience on each coast beaches is aluminum hates salt water, bubbling paint soon follows. Any of you guys fish on the east coast beaches with a Raptor? How are they holding up?

 

[coolidge]

The Fox Live Valve should - if they work as advertised - improve ride quality in all domains. You're getting the same internal bypass system the Raptor has always had, with the added adjust-ability of an aftermarket shock except that a computer is doing it on the fly, much more rapidly.

The problem with stock shocks is they are balanced for on-road and offroad, so you don't get the best performance on either. The clicker adjustment shocks help with that, but still can only be adjusted for one thing at a time - soft for whoops, or firm for jumps, for example. The Fox Live valve seems to rectify this, allowing 100% tuning for whatever you are hitting, many times per second.

I have high hopes for them.

I'll have my brother look into this, he designs shocks for road racing motorcycles. His head is full of dampening and rebound valving stuff. I'm guessing through just the valving on these new Raptor shocks is variable, not the fluid like magnetic ride suspensions?

 

[cain072567]

i too came from a 6.7 and love the raptor, hate the v-6 sound. Seats are awsome though.

 

[coolidge]

i too came from a 6.7 and love the raptor, hate the v-6 sound. Seats are awsome though.

How long have you had your Raptor, are the seats holding up or going flat? Yeah we hear the Raptors buzzing around town here, kind of like a F1 car with a blown motor.

 

[Jake17]

Own a '17 Lariat F350 CCLB 6.7L 4x4

keep it