SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1529580
SHARPENING THE TALONS Taking The F-150 Ford Raptor To The Next Level By Mike Vieira Since the 2010 model year, the F-150 Raptor has brought developments from Ford’s numerous successes in Baja races over the years directly to the consumer. The Raptor, through all its generations, has been designed to provide the ultimate in desert racing capability right off the showroom floor, while still being a comfortable, well-thought-out vehicle for the street. That limited focus has created a very loyal, very enthusiastic customer base, and to say that it has succeeded in its mission is quite an understatement. That said, it does not mean that buyers still don’t want more from their Raptors. In many cases, owners might spend six figures to acquire their trucks, then spend a similar amount modifying them. We spoke with Raptor category specialisst that are in the business of providing the upgrades people are looking for in these already very impressive vehicles to find out what drives that desire for continuous improvement. All agreed that the strong sense of community among Raptor owners is an important factor in the desire to make additional modifications. Mike Levine at Ford Performance said, “Raptor customers are very passionate about getting the most performance from their trucks and doing so in a way that best meets their unique needs. They also appreciate sharing their modifications and knowledge with other Raptor customers to help strengthen community relationships around the ultimate high-performance off-road truck.” Greg Foutz of Foutz Motorsports tells us, “While the stock Ford Raptor is a very capable truck, and for sure the best thing on the market to begin with, many of the guys that are involved with off-road racing demand even more performance than the stock F-150 Raptor will provide.” Dominick Sandri from Addictive Desert Designs says, “Most customers are making modifications to have fun. That could mean running their own dirt trails or attending local Raptor Run events with a group of local enthusiasts. Either way, these are daily driven trucks that are built to withstand some desert days.” Jarrett Valenti at SVC Offroad finds, “Most guys come in and, if they’re new to off-roading, they buy the Raptor and they believe it’s the ultimate end all, be all. Then they get it, they use it, and a lot of them will start going to these Raptor events all around the country that have become really popular, and they meet someone that has more mods than them, and eventually, they ride in that truck, and they’ll see how much more capable that’s working, and then the ‘slippery slope effect’ happens.” What Owners Are Looking For Ford is the Official Truck and SUV of SCORE International and Ford Performance has raced a variety of Raptor vehicles in the SCORE Baja 1000. Learning from Baja racing, Ford Performance offers an array of aftermarket products for the F-150 Raptors, from engine upgrades to cosmetic enhancements. Mike Levine tells us that most Raptor owners are interested in upgrading a variety of particular areas. “Raptor owners appreciate more power, so we offer upgrades like the new software calibration from Ford Performance Parts that still maintains the powertrain warranty,” he says. “Lighting to enhance night off-roading is also a popular upgrade. Some owners also pursue bead-lock wheels, tire upgrades, and additional suspension modifications to meet their needs. Cool styling items are also popular upgrades.” The Ford Performance Calibration Unit for 2021- 2023 models retails for $825.00 and provides up to 55 additional horsepower and 100 lb.- ft. of torque. A Ford Performance High-flow Air Filter retails for $115.00, features multiple cotton gauze layer construction, and is washable and reusable. Ford’s Bead Lock Ring Set retails for $895.00 and includes 24 fasteners per ring to improve the looks of the factory beadlocks. Suspension upgrades top the list for Foutz Motorsport’s customers who want greater wheel travel and greater off-road capabilities. Greg Foutz says, “Spring and shock upgrades are very common. The addition of front and rear bump stop kits is very common these days, too. Many want to add a second bypass shock to the front suspension and bump stop kit to help handle the rough terrain.” Larger or second shocks for the rear are also popular. He also points out that underbody protection kits are important for many owners, looking to protect vital suspension components. Foutz has learned the specific vulnerabilities of each generation of Raptors through their own extensive testing in Baja. The Foutz Long Travel Rear Suspension Kit for $8,999.99 that provides 19 inches of travel. Foutz also has a Mid Travel Front Suspension Kit for $4,199.99 that features optimized geometry for maximum performance. The company’s experience in Baja has also led to the development of sturdy bed organizers to hold all the necessities securely for chase trucks, such as tires, fuel, and air tanks, jacks, etc., like their Quick Release Dual Tire Carrier for $1,499.99. Addictive Desert Designs specializes in bumpers, and Dominick Sandri says, “We look to give that aggressive pre-runner look and gain clearance on the front end. Our bumpers are all tight-fitting, so you don’t add any bulk to your vehicle. It seems a lot of Raptor owners are looking to add the extra utility of winch mounts, additional lighting, or storage for oversized tires.” ADD’s Phantom Front Bumper with an MSRP of $2,498.98 for the 2021-2024 models features an aluminum skid plate, mounting areas for lighting, and plate steel construction. Other popular ADD products include an In-Bed Tire Carrier for $669.98 that holds individual tires of 33 to 40-inch diameter and 14-inch width. Light brackets are an easy way to add LEDs to the Raptor, and ADD has its Ditch Light Brackets at $429.93 per pair to accommodate any make of 3-inch to 6-inch pod lights. Over at SVC Offroad, Jarrett Valenti says, “Our bread and butter is always going to be the full line of bumpers, and then we have direct factory bolt-on aftermarket suspension parts, control arms, tie roads, rear bump stop kits, and so on, then we move up to our mid-travel setup, which is about 17 inches of travel up front, and 17 or 18 inches in the rear.” SVC’s Mojave Frame Cut Bumper for third-generation Raptors retails for $2,499.00 and is designed to provide maximum approach angles. It features tight contours, and precision welded and formed construction, along with a powder-coated skid plate. A direct bolt-on installation, SVC’s Billet Upper and Lower Links sell for $3,499.00 per set, and feature Duraflex lower bushings and Uniball upper mountings for a tighter driving feel and improved strength. The SVC Full 4 Link Rear Suspension Kit at $17,484.12 provides up to 20 inches of rear travel and is designed to provide maximum performance for the serious off-roader, while still retaining a usable bed. Although the Ford F-150 Raptor is arguably the most capable factory-produced, off-road truck around, these aftermarket companies learn the specific areas and components that they believe can be improved upon for more performance, more durability, or more utility than the stock Raptor provides. Extensive amounts of hands-on, real-world experience, and pushing these trucks to their limits, give them the knowledge needed to continually improve the vehicle. Conclusion Based on our conversations with these aftermarket insiders, it seems that Ford F-150 Raptors which are used by racers for either pre-running or as service vehicles, are most often left nearly stock. Aside from the exceptions of wheel and tire upgrades being the most common changes, along with utilitarian additions, such as lighting and carrier racks, it seems that Raptor owners making additional, serious performance upgrades are those who are using their trucks for recreation and want to get the most fun out of them in their off-road adventures. The Ford Raptor has certainly cultivated a special following over the years, and Jarrett Valenti says, “They’re a lot like Jeep guys, they’re passionate. For them it’s not just a truck, I think I’d call it a way of life, like a Harley guy, or whatnot. It’s their mission, it’s their passion, and they love modding them and using them. Obviously, there’s still a massive group that won’t touch them, and leave them stock, but for the guys that do mod, they get the bug, and their wallet dictates how big they go.” Greg Foutz probably sums up the Ford Raptor’s appeal best, with high praise for a unique vehicle that holds such a special place in owners’ hearts. He says, “The F-150 Raptor is by far the most capable truck you can get directly from a dealership and provides a great platform for our sport of off-road racing, for sure. It’s become a staple for race support vehicles and pre-running for many of the teams. Watching first-hand the birth of the F-150 Raptor, and seeing it grow into what it is today has been an amazing journey. We have put these trucks through their paces and explored countless miles in Baja and in the States. With some common sense and good maintenance, these trucks are really unbeatable for the cost and capability you get. Everyone needs to understand they are not SCORE Trophy Trucks and drive them with some common sense, but in my opinion, the F-150 Raptor is the best tool for what we do and love.”