What did u do to your raptor today?

[badm0t0rfinger]

Put the deposit down on the Icon Stage 4 kit; since I'm already in, is there anything else I should get alongside it besides shackles and tie rods?

 

[Jakenbake]

Put the deposit down on the Icon Stage 4 kit; since I'm already in, is there anything else I should get alongside it besides shackles and tie rods?

Shackles are a good idea. Two schools of thought on tie rods, using the factory style as a “fuse” so it doesn’t damage the rack if something happens to cause the tie rod to buckle/bend or beef it up so that the tie rod doesn’t fold up.

Maybe consider a fabricated or gusseted steering knuckle. Though two sides of that coin too. Another “fuse” removed and perhaps the welding to the cast knuckle.

 

[Keshka]

I am with JB.....what in "tarnation" would you have been doing to bend even the stock tie/steering rod? That sounds like "full race" and "OH, f*ck", "what did I just hit?". I feel like your on the right path in upgrading worn parts but stock is pretty darn tough. Do I personally need a stage four on my new? .....not yet. BDMOFGR .....you have the miles in so time for upgrade but keep your bucks on the tie/steering (unless also quite worn)

 

[Jakenbake]

I am with JB.....what in "tarnation" would you have been doing to bend even the stock tie/steering rod? That sounds like "full race" and "OH, f*ck", "what did I just hit?". I feel like your on the right path in upgrading worn parts but stock is pretty darn tough. Do I personally need a stage four on my new? .....not yet. BDMOFGR .....you have the miles in so time for upgrade but keep your bucks on the tie/steering (unless also quite worn)

The answer to what bends them is usually braking into an obstacle/hole or having the wheel turned when hitting an obstacle/hole

 

[Keshka]

The answer to what bends them is usually braking into an obstacle/hole or having the wheel turned when hitting an obstacle/hole

Agree that would prob do it. I am great at high speed road work in a truck but true off road I am Leary of (Baha 1000 class). I have raced top end dirt bikes cross country for yeas and do quite well at that but then I have only one track to plot at speeds up to 100 mph. I run about 12-14 lbs pressure in my front tire for traction which means you NEVER get to hit a rock or abrupt edge or you get a rim pinch flat 100 yards later. Trying to manage two tracks for a truck I can do but it requires speeds much lower than I can achieve on my CRF450RX. Still practicing and learning (never too old for that!).

 

[badm0t0rfinger]

@Jakenbake and @Keshka. I think you're both right. The fuse metaphor works with me. I am doing the RPG billet shackles since I hear the stock ones are noisy with the icon leafs.

Steering knuckles have crossed my mine but I think I'm good for now. Have considered CVs but those are probably more on the "stock is good enough until it breaks"

 

[CoronaRaptor]

Changed the oil and filter this morning. Usually I take the whole skid plate off but one of the bolts wouldn’t budge with the impact so instead of making a day worse, I took the little cover off for the first time. Oil was dirty, eeek! Lol.

 

[mprice1234]

Changed the oil and filter this morning. Usually I take the whole skid plate off but one of the bolts wouldn’t budge with the impact so instead of making a day worse, I took the little cover off for the first time. Oil was dirty, eeek! Lol.View attachment 346197
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I have never taken the whole skid plate off to do oil changes. With the oil pan plug being further back then the skid plate and the little oil filter plate making it easy to access the filter. I love the little oil filter drain pan as I never have a drip on my garage floor. You should see the mess my son makes every time he changes his oil filter on his 2017 Dodge Ram! Oil goes everywhere and no matter how much he wipes it down there will be a small drips of oil for a few days after.

 

[matrix243]

How often should engine bay be spray cleaned?
Once a year, 6 months, every month?

 

[Jakenbake]

How often should engine bay be spray cleaned?
Once a year, 6 months, every month?

I’m the wrong person to ask on that one.

Hello @CoronaRaptor