Has anyone else considered the fact that the Raptor is a very good selling vehicle for Ford, its a lucrative vehicle too w/ the lofty MSRP. Sure they could sell a "super raptor" V8 w/ crazy HP for more $$$$ but how much more MARGIN relative to a HO3.5 Raptor? Not sure it would pad their wallets much more after factoring in the cost of R&D on the new engine to offset, it would probably have to be @ least $20k more to make any sense. And IMHO Ford would probably like to sell 10k $65k raptors than 3k $85k Raptors - not to mention, there are still CAFE standards in place, and there are people (like myself) who DD the Raptor all the time - while I can swallow low gas mileage in a Truck, I think a blown V8 in this truck would be an unreal gas guzzler - probably worse than a gen1 & that would dissuade some buyers regardless of the price premium + it would put a dent in Ford's overall mpg average especially if it were to be the ONLY Raptor version available. You take a vehicle that's already not super practical & make it even more so. You'll be getting worse mileage than a diesel w/ 1/4 the capability (payload/tow wise) & @ the same price point & then some. It'd be like a Ford GT really, like a halo type vehicle if it ever does get made.
Fairly convinced at this point we won't see a V8 Raptor in this bodystyle if ever.
Not sure why all the desire anyhow, I went to the Raptor to try something different & get AWAY from a traditional V8......especially when (hope this doesn't offend the Ford fanboys) I would place Ford's V8 engines somewhere in the lower tier of competitors like Toyota/Hyundai/Nissan.......GM & Dodge V8>>>>>>>>>> all day long & been that way for a long time. The 5.0 coyote motor was their best attempt in a LONG time even so from a quality/reliability/durability standpoint it sure as shit aint no LS1