HoustonRider
Full Access Member
Month or so ago I decided I wanted a Raptor. Did some lurking on the forums and got a little educated on the truck. Did some looking locally and couldn't find anyone who would either call me back (even after my second call to them), or give me a straight price.
Found a few stories about Randy hooking up a few members on Raptors and decided to shoot him an email a few Sundays ago, during the SuperBowl. I figured he would respond Monday or Tuesday. but NOOOOO, this guy calls me DURING THE 4th QTR!.. lol... we talked a few times that night and found what I wanted that night. A day or so later, we got a VIN and I did all my preliminary paperwork and got all that taken care of.
We anticipated it landing where he could touch it last Wednesday, but it turned out to land Friday afternoon. There were a few days (due to weather) that we just weren't sure when it would land.
Although he was more than willing to carry that Raptor another 250 or so miles towards me (I live in South Texas), I opted to fly up and drive that bitch home from Kansas City, MO. I booked a one-way trip for my son (8 years old) and myself to leave South Texas Monday afternoon at 6:15 pm.
We arrived in Kansas City, MO about 11:30pm or so, and Randy was there to meet us outside the door!....we drove 10-12 miles to the Hotel, where the new truck was washed, PDI'd, filled-up and ready to rock and roll... OH, and my NAV had my home address already loaded, to make the trip that much easier.
We sat in it for about 20 minutes, signed a few docs then locked it up for the night. Randy was willing to visit with me again for the truck if I needed it in the am, but I knew he needed to pick up another vehicle 250 miles south the next day, so we headed to the rooms for the night (1am).
4:45am Tuesday morning, I drag my 8 year old to the truck so we can get started on our 985 mile trip back home. he slept till about 9am, and helped navigate the rest of the trip. We made it back to our house at 8pm.... long drive, long day.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
First of all, I swapped this for my 2009 F250 CrewCab King Ranch. I have other vehicles as well. I didn't have alot of time to find all the buttons and controls at 5am, so I kinda winged it in the dark. It took me 300 miles to get my seat/pedals right, but once I did it was pretty comfortable.
Ride is good, this wheelbase is a bit shorter and the truck alot lighter than my F250. Sometimes it bounced a bit too much on the highway, I discount that to the "new" everything, the 3 ply sidewalls and the short wheelbase. Still smoother than my F250. In some instances, it felt a bit light, or unstable over some highway bridges, etc...
Turn signal is kinda loud, like someone tapping the windshield with a baseball bat. Trust me, after a few hundred miles straight, its gets on your nerves. I finally figured I couldn't pair my iPhone without pulling over, so I pulled over and paired it, back on the road in about 3 minutes. I do notice that for some reason the truck will just "disconnect" the phone even while I'm playing something from my phone.... not sure about that one.
I did realize a few other issues.... no Home Link (unless its in the Sync system somewhere).... no rear seat center arm rest. Who the freak designed the extra large 1990 Mustang headrests for the rear seats? lol.... when close any of the doors in the right light, you can see the massive "ripple effect" along the door panel.... can't beat the American built truck, huh? Rear Camera isn't as clear as the one in the mirror, guess thats due to the enlarged image size on the NAV.
Highway driving was great, good visibility, nice rumble for the OEM exhaust, very distinctive stance and appearance. Every time we stopped, we were approached by "what kind of truck was that?" kind of questions. Also, with the 4.10 rear, the acceleration is not there.. when it kicks back UP gear it will start gaining, but kinda nervous trying to pass on occassion, compared to my F250. hopefully that will be a bit better after its broken in
After my long, 1000 mile day, I wasn't fatigued as much as I have been in other vehicles. Very quiet, smooth (on good roads). So far a great truck! and Randy called me yesterday about 9am just to follow up!
Found a few stories about Randy hooking up a few members on Raptors and decided to shoot him an email a few Sundays ago, during the SuperBowl. I figured he would respond Monday or Tuesday. but NOOOOO, this guy calls me DURING THE 4th QTR!.. lol... we talked a few times that night and found what I wanted that night. A day or so later, we got a VIN and I did all my preliminary paperwork and got all that taken care of.
We anticipated it landing where he could touch it last Wednesday, but it turned out to land Friday afternoon. There were a few days (due to weather) that we just weren't sure when it would land.
Although he was more than willing to carry that Raptor another 250 or so miles towards me (I live in South Texas), I opted to fly up and drive that bitch home from Kansas City, MO. I booked a one-way trip for my son (8 years old) and myself to leave South Texas Monday afternoon at 6:15 pm.
We arrived in Kansas City, MO about 11:30pm or so, and Randy was there to meet us outside the door!....we drove 10-12 miles to the Hotel, where the new truck was washed, PDI'd, filled-up and ready to rock and roll... OH, and my NAV had my home address already loaded, to make the trip that much easier.
We sat in it for about 20 minutes, signed a few docs then locked it up for the night. Randy was willing to visit with me again for the truck if I needed it in the am, but I knew he needed to pick up another vehicle 250 miles south the next day, so we headed to the rooms for the night (1am).
4:45am Tuesday morning, I drag my 8 year old to the truck so we can get started on our 985 mile trip back home. he slept till about 9am, and helped navigate the rest of the trip. We made it back to our house at 8pm.... long drive, long day.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
First of all, I swapped this for my 2009 F250 CrewCab King Ranch. I have other vehicles as well. I didn't have alot of time to find all the buttons and controls at 5am, so I kinda winged it in the dark. It took me 300 miles to get my seat/pedals right, but once I did it was pretty comfortable.
Ride is good, this wheelbase is a bit shorter and the truck alot lighter than my F250. Sometimes it bounced a bit too much on the highway, I discount that to the "new" everything, the 3 ply sidewalls and the short wheelbase. Still smoother than my F250. In some instances, it felt a bit light, or unstable over some highway bridges, etc...
Turn signal is kinda loud, like someone tapping the windshield with a baseball bat. Trust me, after a few hundred miles straight, its gets on your nerves. I finally figured I couldn't pair my iPhone without pulling over, so I pulled over and paired it, back on the road in about 3 minutes. I do notice that for some reason the truck will just "disconnect" the phone even while I'm playing something from my phone.... not sure about that one.
I did realize a few other issues.... no Home Link (unless its in the Sync system somewhere).... no rear seat center arm rest. Who the freak designed the extra large 1990 Mustang headrests for the rear seats? lol.... when close any of the doors in the right light, you can see the massive "ripple effect" along the door panel.... can't beat the American built truck, huh? Rear Camera isn't as clear as the one in the mirror, guess thats due to the enlarged image size on the NAV.
Highway driving was great, good visibility, nice rumble for the OEM exhaust, very distinctive stance and appearance. Every time we stopped, we were approached by "what kind of truck was that?" kind of questions. Also, with the 4.10 rear, the acceleration is not there.. when it kicks back UP gear it will start gaining, but kinda nervous trying to pass on occassion, compared to my F250. hopefully that will be a bit better after its broken in
After my long, 1000 mile day, I wasn't fatigued as much as I have been in other vehicles. Very quiet, smooth (on good roads). So far a great truck! and Randy called me yesterday about 9am just to follow up!
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