Rumor: The Ford F-150 Raptor Is Getting the Mustang GT500's Supercharged V-8

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Truckzor

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Downplaying the TRX's off road capability "because Shelby" is a real stretch. Both the Ram Runner and the TRX concept had/have legit suspension that was/is every bit as capable as the Raptor's, if not more so. Putting more power to the ground isn't going to change that. It's just going to require more moderation with your right foot.
 

mezger

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Lol @ this crowd.

Doesn't bother me a bit if mine isn't the 'latest and greatest'; my '18 already isn't. I didn't buy a new Ford because I thought it'd be a good decision from an investment perspective.

Assuming a finite budget for both Ford R&D and for myself, I'd rather see more $$$ in suspension than in 700 hp. Doesn't mean I don't know how to control my right foot, doesn't mean I like the sound the EB makes. FWIW, I've had some severely traction limited cars, I don't often drive them off the road backwards...

For sure it'll be a badass vehicle on the street, and it'll probably still be great on the trail, but aside from throttle response and sound, I'm not immediately seeing the desert running benefit of 700 hp vs similar money in 550 hp & the rest in suspension. As stated before, it's easy to out drive the stock suspension and brakes at current power levels. In this respect, I do see it as bragging rights & street badassery vs. making a better desert runner. But probably most raptors aren't run as they should be run, so a lot of customers are going to like winning more stoplight drags.

Until a gen 3 makes me an offer I can't refuse, most likely the aftermarket will get my money, and most of it will be suspension.

And most likely Ford will sell every 5.2 blower truck they make + ridiculous ADM for the stealerships. If this rumor sees fruition, more power to Ford.
 

FastEddie

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I'd much rather see a more moderate NA engine that isn't pushed to the max with a bunch of hairdryers and that isn't priced like an endangered species. Something like the 7.3 would be just fine. Likely more reliable and offer room to build on if one wanted to.
 

Truckzor

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I'd much rather see a more moderate NA engine that isn't pushed to the max with a bunch of hairdryers and that isn't priced like an endangered species. Something like the 7.3 would be just fine. Likely more reliable and offer room to build on if one wanted to.

An aluminum blocked 7.3 would definitely be ideal. It also would have been great if they just offered the N/A 5.0, then the guys who wanted more power could have added a supercharger. Fortunately and unfortunately, the TRX seems to be forcing Ford's hand.

And I'm fine with that. All the extra power may not be needed off road but it sure is fun to have.

Take my word for it. ;)
 

jaz13

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The driving reason Dodge became Ram is because FCA was slowly going broke and the one division that was making money was their trucks. They split Ram off to protect it from bankruptcy if it came to that. Smart move on their part if you ask me.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Close, but the reason they split off Ram is because when the company was going broke, the only thing worth a shit was Ram and Jeep. They were looking at selling both to the Chinese for a huge chunk of change. The price they would have collected for these two pieces was greater than the FCA's market cap at the time. But then common sense prevailed when they realized nothing worthwhile would be left at FCA without Jeep and Ram.
 

Truckzor

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For the fearful ones among us who think a 700 horsepower Raptor truck only has an on/off switch for a throttle and will also automatically light on fire and kill all of its occupants:


Please specifically note this comment: "Honestly, my favorite part of this truck has been the throttle"

And while these guys admittedly didn't get a chance to take it off road, it's still a good read:

http://www.trucktrend.com/truck-reviews/1506-first-drive-2014-shelby-raptor-baja-700/

Please specifically note the following:

"The driving experience is surreal, in that the average human (ourselves included) doesn’t have any gauge as to what 700 hp feels like. The truck is fast, very fast, while at the same time being very drivable. The tires don’t spin leaving every stop light (unless you want them too) and merging into traffic isn’t a white-knuckled experience (like the Fast and Furious franchise would have you believe). So what did we do with a supercharged 6.2L V-8 in Los Angeles? Headed straight for the tunnels. The sound that the massive Whipple supercharger makes, in conjunction with the tuned Borla exhaust, when mashing the throttle is like the sound of angels singing. It’s heavenly. And ripping through a nice tunnel with the windows down is so amazing it should be illegal (we suppose at the speeds we were going it probably was -- oops). Thankfully, traction control is still fully functional, so keeping the beast in line is easy, even when showing off."

Don't be scared of change, fellas. The Gen 2 has always been a great truck... in need of a great engine.

By the way, my own 700+ horsepower Raptor has also neglected to kill me (to date). :shrug:

Side note: Last week I located a relatively local 2019 Platinum 5.0 optioned out exactly how I wanted it that I was planning to buy. I was going to add Fox shocks, UCAs, Deavers, wheels/tires, a Whipple, full exhaust, etc. It was going to be my street truck. But I'm definitely going to hold off now. I would love to add a Gen 2 to my stable.
 

EricM

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As much as it'd be a bad ass truck with that engine- I don't think there's a chance in hell Ford does this. It's one thing to source a trans and diff that can survive 750 HP in a 2WD, 4000 lb car with 26" tall tires and short 18" axle shafts. The drain train needed to support that same power with long axles, thousands of lbs more weight, 35" tires and 4WD is another step up IMO.

I'm just not seeing that level of HP coming in the Raptor. Maybe in a new Lightning- RCSB 4WD. Less weight, narrower axles, lighter tire package.
 
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