Raptor Overland

[CFIT]

So my Black truck got built last week and is due at the dealership in a couple of weeks. same dealership just got this LF today, and I think it looks great. They'll let me swap into it if I want it. It has a sunroof that I'm not crazy about and I'd unsticker it, but neither is a deal breaker. Trying to figure out what color I like better and will go better with all the bumpers, racks, light, etc..

Thoughts?

I’d hold out for the truck you ordered. No sense in paying for a moonroof that you’ll always be worried about cracking and stickers that you’ll be removing. I don’t have anything against the leadfoot color, I think it’s great, but I’m assuming you prefer black since that’s what you originally ordered.


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[smurfslayer]

So my Black truck got built last week and is due at the dealership in a couple of weeks. same dealership just got this LF today, and I think it looks great. They'll let me swap into it if I want it. It has a sunroof that I'm not crazy about and I'd unsticker it, but neither is a deal breaker. Trying to figure out what color I like better and will go better with all the bumpers, racks, light, etc..

Thoughts?

That’s crazy talk.
#BlackRaptorsMatter

 

[troverman]

I think the Raptor is really not a great choice for overlanding or as a bug-out vehicle. Not meaning to offend anyone, but personally I think all the add-on crap looks totally .

Like it or not, these trucks are meant to be high-speed desert runners. That is how they are purpose-built...long travel, soft suspension...high power engine, short bed. That means limited payload, limited bed space, and possibly less durable than other types of overland or b.o.v.'s.

That said, the Raptor does have good off-road capability if you have room for its size. Fuel economy fully loaded and working off-road is pretty awful. Payload is the biggest drawback. On the outside, it looks like this awesome tough truck but in reality it barely has more payload than your average family sedan. That's the truth! If you buy a fully loaded 802 model, particularly with the sunroof, payload suffers even more. S-Cabs are the most capable off-road, yet have the least payload capacity.

If you start adding winches, racks, extra spare tires, lighting, larger fuel tanks, etc...you'll be overloaded just carrying a couple of people in the cab.

What's more, when you are at full payload, the suspension sags. This decreases off-road capability. Some people talk about installing air bags or helper springs...and doing this greatly reduces the Raptor's off-road capability by limiting suspension travel. It also makes the ride quality worse.

I have years of off-road driving experience...all of it in Land Rovers up until taking my new Raptor for a couple of modest off-road drives. The Land Rovers were better overlanders in many ways...but not all.

Not trying to convince you not to do this build...just think carefully. The Raptor is undoubtedly the coolest pickup truck out there right now...but for true overlanding an F-250 or F-350 would be a better choice. Much more payload capacity, a more durable diesel engine that also gets better fuel economy when heavily leaden...and solid front and rear axles which also flex very well.

 

[soulsea]

I’d hold out for the truck you ordered. No sense in paying for a moonroof that you’ll always be worried about cracking and stickers that you’ll be removing. I don’t have anything against the leadfoot color, I think it’s great, but I’m assuming you prefer black since that’s what you originally ordered.


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That’s crazy talk.
#BlackRaptorsMatter

Went to check out the lead Foot one today ... didn't love it in person, so sticking with black.

 

[gwpfan]

I think the Raptor is really not a great choice for overlanding or as a bug-out vehicle. Not meaning to offend anyone, but personally I think all the add-on crap looks totally .

Like it or not, these trucks are meant to be high-speed desert runners. That is how they are purpose-built...long travel, soft suspension...high power engine, short bed. That means limited payload, limited bed space, and possibly less durable than other types of overland or b.o.v.'s.

That said, the Raptor does have good off-road capability if you have room for its size. Fuel economy fully loaded and working off-road is pretty awful. Payload is the biggest drawback. On the outside, it looks like this awesome tough truck but in reality it barely has more payload than your average family sedan. That's the truth! If you buy a fully loaded 802 model, particularly with the sunroof, payload suffers even more. S-Cabs are the most capable off-road, yet have the least payload capacity.

If you start adding winches, racks, extra spare tires, lighting, larger fuel tanks, etc...you'll be overloaded just carrying a couple of people in the cab.

What's more, when you are at full payload, the suspension sags. This decreases off-road capability. Some people talk about installing air bags or helper springs...and doing this greatly reduces the Raptor's off-road capability by limiting suspension travel. It also makes the ride quality worse.

I have years of off-road driving experience...all of it in Land Rovers up until taking my new Raptor for a couple of modest off-road drives. The Land Rovers were better overlanders in many ways...but not all.

Not trying to convince you not to do this build...just think carefully. The Raptor is undoubtedly the coolest pickup truck out there right now...but for true overlanding an F-250 or F-350 would be a better choice. Much more payload capacity, a more durable diesel engine that also gets better fuel economy when heavily leaden...and solid front and rear axles which also flex very well.

Good points, plan carefully. Here's a few issues - not a Range Rover/Overlander type
1. While payload is lower than I like I really don't think this truck was just meant to be a high speed desert runner. Yes initial design concepts and there are a few flaws with mud even on the latest version. Granted some of the features have been common to other vehicles, but hill descent is a huge help...granted now offered on newer F250's. It just handles off road situations at various speeds so well and effortlessly compared to other 4x4's I've been in. Sure some of that inherited from the desert runner concept, but it fits well both in on/off road.
2. The engine weight difference is significant, like double between the Eco and the diesel. I recall going down and steep incline and my buddy, an F250 driver freaking out just as we got to the bottom, 'we're gonna hit! We're gonna hit!', we didn't. He was shocked, said his lifted F250 with oversized tires and such would've for sure.
3. The options on the truck for off road modes really have simplified off roading...granted can now be applied in the F250 if it hasn't been already.

As to payload concerns, I will restate - Feel sorry for the Ram PowerWagon owners. That payload is pathetic, would've never imagined it to be that low on a 3/4 rated truck. It should be rated as a heavy half, not 3/4, IMO.

Now for a deluxe overlander:
Think the Standard Ford Raptor is Insane? Check Out the F-250 MegaRaptor - Motor Trend
https://www.f250r.com/

Now I wonder cost wise what it would take to increase payload on a standard Raptor, say 500 to 1000 lbs?

 

[troverman]

Good points, plan carefully. Here's a few issues - not a Range Rover/Overlander type
1. While payload is lower than I like I really don't think this truck was just meant to be a high speed desert runner. Yes initial design concepts and there are a few flaws with mud even on the latest version. Granted some of the features have been common to other vehicles, but hill descent is a huge help...granted now offered on newer F250's. It just handles off road situations at various speeds so well and effortlessly compared to other 4x4's I've been in. Sure some of that inherited from the desert runner concept, but it fits well both in on/off road.
2. The engine weight difference is significant, like double between the Eco and the diesel. I recall going down and steep incline and my buddy, an F250 driver freaking out just as we got to the bottom, 'we're gonna hit! We're gonna hit!', we didn't. He was shocked, said his lifted F250 with oversized tires and such would've for sure.
3. The options on the truck for off road modes really have simplified off roading...granted can now be applied in the F250 if it hasn't been already.

As to payload concerns, I will restate - Feel sorry for the Ram PowerWagon owners. That payload is pathetic, would've never imagined it to be that low on a 3/4 rated truck. It should be rated as a heavy half, not 3/4, IMO.

Now for a deluxe overlander:
Think the Standard Ford Raptor is Insane? Check Out the F-250 MegaRaptor - Motor Trend
https://www.f250r.com/

Now I wonder cost wise what it would take to increase payload on a standard Raptor, say 500 to 1000 lbs?

I agree the Raptor is very good off-road, if you have the trail room. That would apply to a Super Duty as well. What is your concern with the weight of the diesel engine? There is no problem with weight - keep in mind those trucks are designed to hang a heavy snowplow off the front.

Yeah, off-roading in a Super Duty is a rough ride experience. If you load it with weight, it rides better...kind of the opposite with the Raptor.

Increasing payload capacity in the Raptor is tough...its a fine line between ride quality and payload. More payload...worse ride. I'm sure there are ways, but I like the Raptor's simple rear suspension.

 

[soulsea]

So my truck is on a train somewhere in TN and is scheduled to get to my dealer in SC sometime early next week.

Spoke to Cole at ADD earlier today and decided to dial back the mods a smidgen. Having never owned one of these trucks I think it's wise to build the truck up slowly as I discover what I may need, and how its driving performance changes as I incrementally add things, rather than throw a whole bunch of stuff blindly and hope that it's what I will eventually want.

That said, what one might refer as stage 1 includes the following:

- Matte PPF
- HB front bumper with BD lights
- Winch
- Intercooler relocate (black).
- BD light bar behind grille
- HB rear bumper with BD lights
- Foutz Skid Plate kit
- Decked bed system
- Lowrance GPS (model tbd)
- RPG 1.5" level collars (depending on how the truck sits when all the mods are on)

I'm going to ship the truck to ADD sometime on the back end of Nov. and it will be done in time by the second week of January when I plan to spend a month in Sedona, so I'll just pick it up when I land in Phoenix and will have plenty of time to test it out in its natural environment. Then I will decide if I want to do the rear Deaver leaf springs, or maybe do a full suspension and wheels, and if I want to add the spare chase rack ... all that would be stage 2.

How does that plan sound to you guys?

I do have a specific question in regards to the Decked system if anyone happens to know. I would like to figure out if there is a way to get an organizational system on top of the Decked platform. Basically I would like to know if there is a way to secure water/fuel canisters, an air compressor, and general boxes of supplies. They do have trax rails to secure cargo https://decked.com/collections/accessories, but I'm looking for something more rigid than straps. From what I understand anything that is made to work on a truck bed can be also used on a Decked bed, so perhaps you guys can point me to something that might work.

Thanks.

 

[whan]

I do have a specific question in regards to the Decked system if anyone happens to know. I would like to figure out if there is a way to get an organizational system on top of the Decked platform. Basically I would like to know if there is a way to secure water/fuel canisters, an air compressor, and general boxes of supplies. They do have trax rails to secure cargo https://decked.com/collections/accessories, but I'm looking for something more rigid than straps. From what I understand anything that is made to work on a truck bed can be also used on a Decked bed, so perhaps you guys can point me to something that might work.

Thanks.

I think a popular combo with the Decked system would be the Leitner ACS rack. Pretty expensive but both seem to be pretty complimentary to each other. They have mounting points you can buy for fuel/water and maxtraxs, as well as cargo boxes available

 

[$nake Eater]

So my truck is on a train somewhere in TN and is scheduled to get to my dealer in SC sometime early next week.



Spoke to Cole at ADD earlier today and decided to dial back the mods a smidgen. Having never owned one of these trucks I think it's wise to build the truck up slowly as I discover what I may need, and how its driving performance changes as I incrementally add things, rather than throw a whole bunch of stuff blindly and hope that it's what I will eventually want.



That said, what one might refer as stage 1 includes the following:



- Matte PPF

- HB front bumper with BD lights

- Winch

- Intercooler relocate (black).

- BD light bar behind grille

- HB rear bumper with BD lights

- Foutz Skid Plate kit

- Decked bed system

- Lowrance GPS (model tbd)

- RPG 1.5" level collars (depending on how the truck sits when all the mods are on)



I'm going to ship the truck to ADD sometime on the back end of Nov. and it will be done in time by the second week of January when I plan to spend a month in Sedona, so I'll just pick it up when I land in Phoenix and will have plenty of time to test it out in its natural environment. Then I will decide if I want to do the rear Deaver leaf springs, or maybe do a full suspension and wheels, and if I want to add the spare chase rack ... all that would be stage 2.



How does that plan sound to you guys?



I do have a specific question in regards to the Decked system if anyone happens to know. I would like to figure out if there is a way to get an organizational system on top of the Decked platform. Basically I would like to know if there is a way to secure water/fuel canisters, an air compressor, and general boxes of supplies. They do have trax rails to secure cargo https://decked.com/collections/accessories, but I'm looking for something more rigid than straps. From what I understand anything that is made to work on a truck bed can be also used on a Decked bed, so perhaps you guys can point me to something that might work.



Thanks.

I’m going a similar route with my truck. You may want to consider the SVC CAS for the front over the RPG. Down the line if you end up adjusting the rear suspension to accommodate extra weight etc, you have the ability to adjust the front end to match the change in height of the rear.
You’ll love the decked system and the install was pretty painless.

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[gwpfan]

Not sure how much weight you'll be adding but gut feel is I would add the Deaver's back in.

As to the Decked and securing stuff on top, I just typically strap it to my roof rack side pillars. Had link in an earlier post. There's bed rail tie down adds, but your truck should have the cargo management system which would set up above the Decked system so you could use the Decked tie down points along with the stock cargo management and lock it in.
Depending on the footing of the air compressor I would seriously consider adding a large piece of marine grade plywood/plastic plate mounted to all the feet to better distribute the weight. It'd suck to have a wrong bounce and have one of the compressor feet punch a hole in the top of the Decked.

The Leitner rack doesn't seem like a bad idea at all. Truck Bed Rack: Active Cargo System for Trucks With 5.5-Foot Bed It would give you added storage though with the accessories.
As to packing fuel and such, at 36 gallon tank and unless your packing a generator, what's the additional fuel do for you? Even the Leitner accessory tanks are only 3 gallons.