Stock Raptor BFG Tires: What makes them unique

[BigJ]

"Stock Raptor BFG Tires. What you need to know!"
written by MarkT.

Ford worked with BFG to create a unique tire for the Raptor. One reference to what they did is here:

"Those BFGs, while made in the same molds -- and carrying the same tread pattern -- as traditional BFGs, have a unique compound. ....they worked with BFG and changed the thickness, belt angle, and compound..."

The result is that there are two BFG tires available that to the naked eye look identical but are different in construction and rubber compound. The two versions of the tire should not be mixed on the same vehicle.

So how can you tell the difference? What do you look for if you need to replace one tire in a set or if you want to make sure you are getting the "Raptor spec" version of the BFG T/A KO?

Besides the obvious things such as size, brand, and model of tire... you need to check the speed rating on the side of the tire. The "Raptor spec" tire is rated "S" while the similar-looking tire is rated "R". See photo of what to look for below:




Speed Rating "S"= Raptor spec tire

P.S. If you are interested in more (general) information on the tire markings, the Ford F150 Owner's Manual has several pages on the topic.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Thanks to member Mark T for plowing through all the subterfuge to get us to the bottom of the BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO tire issue (also known as, "There are two BFG A-T T/A KO tires that will fit the Raptor; what's the difference, can I run either one and are the BFGs that come stock from the factory special?").

This is the kind of information that makes this forum so valuable to owners and enthusiasts.

 

[bradyh20]

So to me, there's an obvious question now.

Why did the Raptor need different shoes?

Both S and R rated tires are rated for speeds over 100 mph: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35

So what gives?

 

[SOCOMech]

I think the main reason was for the different compound. Other than that, a selling point maybe, lol.

 

[MarkT]

My opinion? I think the spec tires just underscore the commitment Ford put into making this truck.

Did Ford "need" to spend countless hours fine tuning the Fox Shox under real life off road conditions? Not really. But they did.

So why not fine tune the tires? Yes, the tires do have a different compound but reportedly the "thickness" and "belt angle" are changed as well...

Don't take what I'm saying the wrong way.. I'm not saying the "spec tire" is as important as the shock tuning. Not even close. All I'm saying is that Ford seems to have really put an effort into the details. And the results show.

 

[bradyh20]

I hear ya MarkT. I can tell that Ford paid close attention to details with this truck. I'm also sure the tires mattered at some level. I guess it may be a while (if ever) till we understand exactly what drove the need for different tires.

While we're speculating, though, my guess is braking and handling or impacts drove the change. With the softer suspension, Ford may have wanted a stiffer tire. The lateral G's on pavement are pretty low in this truck, and having a squishier tire would have made it even worse. The other explanation I could see is that the tires weren't holding up to the heavy hits they take at high speeds, thus the changes to thickness and belt angle.

Oh well, solid truck either way...can't wait to take it out again.

 

[MarkT]

I was actually thinking the opposite on the tires... I think the sidewalls might have been more "compliant" and the tires a little thinner to help suck up the little bumps and reduce the unsprung weight respectively... but your guess has just as much merit as mine.

My opinion is that this is a truck built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. I was semi-sponsored by BFG many years ago and back then they were very responsive to feedback... (I was running hand-grooved BFG's off road... they would adjust the grooving based on feedback/conditions)

Probably the best answer for why Ford had tires made to their specs? Because they could. That's what any enthusiast would do if they could.

 

[Raptor enroute]

Little more info

The wheels are 17-inches in diameter, and SVT didn't want to go any bigger because they wanted the tallest possible sidewalls for the 35-inch BF Goodrich All Terrain tires. Those BFGs, while made in the same molds — and carrying the same tread pattern — as traditional BFGs, have a unique compound. SVT found that the standard compound didn't work well in mud and snow, which would be a huge obstacle to Midwestern buyers (and the Michigan-based SVT workers themselves), so they worked with BFG and changed the thickness, belt angle, and compound to create a tire that could handle actual seasons and not make a lot of noise while doing it. With all that, the tires are just $200 each to replace.

 

[frogslinger]

Also if you go to the BFG site you will see that the Raptor and H2 tires have the same official size, they measure out differently.