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Indeed, nothing can stop the Ford Raptor. Nothing, except doing pickup things. It’s true! I love pickups because I can throw random things in the bed such as tree branches, wood planks and all kinds of other stuff. Although the SuperCrew cab configuration allows for limo-like interior room, the 5”5’ bed is agonizing due to its lack of bulge. No, the Raptor is not the only one to suffer from small-box syndrome but most other trims permit matching the big cabin with a 6”5’ box.
And that’s it, that’s all that is wrong with the Raptor. This mountain goat of a truck cannot be stopped save perhaps by a Tsunami. The strength of this beast comes from every conceivable element starting with its fully boxed steel frame. To it is tied components that will keep off-roading enthusiasts up for weeks on end. The most important ones are the rear locking differential with 4.10 gearing, 4.10 front axle with TORSEN differential, an off-road FOX Racing Shox suspension and the Terrain Management System.
The beast’s heart is the EcoBoost, emphasis on Boost here, twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 that develops 450 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque. Mated to the impressive 10-speed automatic transmission, they make the 5,000+ lbs. move with determination. Stomping on the throttle creates of cacophony of whistling turbos and exhaust growl while the gears fly by. The ride is actually good if slightly squirrely due to the massive P315/70R17 BFGoodrich KO2 tires (on bead-lock wheels) which are principally designed for everything but tarmac.
It’s difficult to say that the Raptor in fun to drive… From behind the wheel, the Raptor is an EgoBoost more than anything else. All other cars on the road are pathetic by comparison and this can lead to recklessness, like driving over cement medians (how else am I supposed to evaluate the Raptor’s near 12” of ground clearance?). Anyhow, my risible attempt at off-roading, I can only imagine, annoyed the truck as it got dirty for no good reason.
The Raptor is an epic hyper-specialized truck that is not for everyone, or their budgets. Base price is just shy of $70k while my tester hovered around the $86 mark.
