BlueSVT
FRF Addict
Over the past year of owning my truck, I have logged 30,000 miles, a large percentage which has been off road. At the request of a few members, I figured it was time to share some tips and tricks I've learned from this truck, as well as other off road experience over the years.
Hopefully, this thread will help new owners get an idea of what they're in for, and some tips that may help fellow owners out down the road. A lot of people jump into this hobby with little knowledge of the truck, the sport, and at times the danger involved.
Basic Off-Road Preparation
There are MANY areas to cover when it comes to precautions to take before off-roading. Everything from truck preparation to "what-if" prediction is very important when planning your off road trip. I will cover a few key areas that are critical when planning any off road trip.
Route Preparation
Truck Preparation
Truck preparation is every bit as important as route preparation. Without a properly prepared vehicle, the likelihood of needing assistance or having trouble on the train increases dramatically.
It’s surprising the amount of things that can happen on the trail, but with basic tools and supplies, you can get yourself out of many situations! Before heading out, the following items are VERY important that you bring along with you, in your vehicle:
With the basic list of items above, you will be well prepared for your outing. I would say those are the MINIMUM items I would carry, and usually bring more than what’s listed above. This should be the first set of items any new Raptor owner purchases, if they actually intend to use the truck off road. Along with the items themselves, a proper storage method and safe mounting is also very important!
All items in-cab should be secured in some fashion. Most of my items in-cab are wedged under the rear SCAB seats, so tight that they can’t move even 1” when hard off-roading. A BETTER solution is an under-seat storage box like the Tuffy under-seat storage boxes, etc. Remember, anything not properly secured becomes a flying object if you have a serious accident or rollover! A proper bed storage solution is truly a must for any serious off roader. Ask anybody that has been on a Raptor run without one! A proper bed rack not only is safer, more efficient, and purpose-built… but it saves time and is much easier to organize your stuff!
Check your truck! Do a once-over on any nut/bolt you can easily get your hands on. Check lug nuts, A-Arm bolts, tie-rod connections, shock mounts, etc. Things find a way of loosening themselves on the trail! Check ALL fluids, ensure they’re topped off in the normal operating range. Ensure you have a clean air-filter, paper filters should be used as they are easy to “beat out” and clean on the trail, and are very robust! It’s a great idea to carry a spare air filter. Oiled filters tend to collect the dirt/dust easier and they cannot be easily cleaned on the trail.
Although not required, I carry a Spot GPS messenger with me. I do pre-run alone (with passenger) at times, and this device allows you to contact your friends or search and rescue if you have an issue. You can send a text from anywhere, even without cell reception. It’s great piece of mind, and also can be used to track your progress on the trail!
(continued)
---------- Post added at 12:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:29 PM ----------
Truck Add-ons and Set-Up
By now, many of us have learned as they say “The hard way” about what are now well-known weak points of this vehicle. The issue that comes into play, is the fact these trucks are perceived to be desert pre-runners capable of high speed jumps and bumps. While this is “sort of” true, the limitations of this vehicle off road can be quickly identified by those pushing the trucks beyond their designed limitations. When I say design limitations, I’m referring to 100% factory form. With a few modifications, these trucks can truly shine off road, and are far more capable then they are in stock form.
Rear Frame Support
o The Raptor has a factory adjustable front shock pre-load setting. This allows the user to change the Pre-Load (the amount the spring is compressed inside the shock), which in turn also changes the ride height of the vehicle. In addition, more pre-load increases the resistance of the shock, meaning less change of bottoming out on hard impacts. The downside to too much pre-load, is that the ride becomes stiffer and can even cause a “Pogo-Stick” effect if the shock is not valved properly.
o There are 3 adjustments on the shock from the factory. The truck comes in stock form on the lowest setting. This is the most comfortable on-road setting, and gives the truck a slight downward rake in the front. Downside to the lower setting is the fact it is VERY prone to bottoming out when off road, as the stock shocks are very soft and do not resist hard impacts well. The “Middle” setting is usually the most common setting owners change to. This setting gives the truck a fairly level stance. This setting is more resistant to bottoming out, and is well suited for on-road driving as well, as the smoothness of the suspension is mostly retained. The “Upper” setting gives the truck an upward rake in the nose, and can sometimes cause a bit of extra stiffness on the road. The extra pre-load can be helpful for hard off road impacts, with some owners reporting the “pogo” effect as the rebound valving is very loose in stock form. Also, a camber kit is required for this upper setting. My recommendation for most owners? Middle setting.
Other Mods
o There are a wide variety of modifications that will help these trucks perform well off road. Too many to list! While some are cosmetic only, others are not only cosmetic, but functional as well! It’s important to prioritize the mods you put on your truck, based on your level of off-roading to be performed.
o Bumpers. Many aftermarket bumpers not only look great, but provide additional protection as well. Many front bumpers have a much stronger skid plate than the factory, which is easy to bend! The rear bumpers can also add extra strength, and in some cases increase your rear approach angle, which can be very helpful.
Springs can be helpful to those who drive at high speeds off road, in many cases these springs reduce the amount of “donkey kick” these trucks experience when hitting a bump or obstacle at speed. I have a Deaver +3” pack installed in my truck, which allows the truck to sit mostly level when the rear is fully loaded, and also has prevented most of the donkey kick associated with the stock shocks and stock springs.
Hopefully, this thread will help new owners get an idea of what they're in for, and some tips that may help fellow owners out down the road. A lot of people jump into this hobby with little knowledge of the truck, the sport, and at times the danger involved.
Basic Off-Road Preparation
There are MANY areas to cover when it comes to precautions to take before off-roading. Everything from truck preparation to "what-if" prediction is very important when planning your off road trip. I will cover a few key areas that are critical when planning any off road trip.
Route Preparation
o Planning your route is one of the most important steps when planning an off road trip. Not only the planning of the route itself, but the knowledge of the terrain and hazards along the route are very important to know before-hand if possible.
o Where did you hear about this route? How old is the information? Has this been done in 1/2-ton trucks, or are these Jeep trails? All of these questions are important to ask, as you will come across many trails in your Raptor that you will NOT be able to crawl through, that many other 4x4 vehicles have likely passed through. This truck is NOT a rock crawler, although mild-moderate rock crawling IS possible with the proper precautions and a great spotter!
o How far to nearest gas? These trucks are NOT economical. Plan your gas stops at no longer than 150 miles for a Scab, and 200 miles for a Screw! I have averaged 6 MPG off road on many trips!
o Print hard-copies of trails when driving through unfamiliar territory! The factory navigation is great, and even includes many off road trails. However, electronics are NOT 100% reliable, and it’s a great idea to have a back-up GPS, or actual printed material of the area you’re riding in. Even a basic google map outline can be very helpful when the road on your navigation disappears (which happens quite often).
o TELL SOMEBODY WHERE YOU ARE GOING!!! This seems obvious, but it’s surprising how many people venture off into the wilderness without letting anybody know where they’re going. Even in a group of people, somebody OUTSIDE the group should always know your general whereabouts. Even if that means the “Starting” point of your trip, and eventual target “Finish” point, these are VERY helpful to would-be rescuers if you have unforeseen issues.
o When possible, always go with at least 2 vehicles! For obvious reasons, this is one of the best points to follow. I break this rule at times, but I also have the proper precautions in place, as I talk about below.
o Where did you hear about this route? How old is the information? Has this been done in 1/2-ton trucks, or are these Jeep trails? All of these questions are important to ask, as you will come across many trails in your Raptor that you will NOT be able to crawl through, that many other 4x4 vehicles have likely passed through. This truck is NOT a rock crawler, although mild-moderate rock crawling IS possible with the proper precautions and a great spotter!
o How far to nearest gas? These trucks are NOT economical. Plan your gas stops at no longer than 150 miles for a Scab, and 200 miles for a Screw! I have averaged 6 MPG off road on many trips!
o Print hard-copies of trails when driving through unfamiliar territory! The factory navigation is great, and even includes many off road trails. However, electronics are NOT 100% reliable, and it’s a great idea to have a back-up GPS, or actual printed material of the area you’re riding in. Even a basic google map outline can be very helpful when the road on your navigation disappears (which happens quite often).
o TELL SOMEBODY WHERE YOU ARE GOING!!! This seems obvious, but it’s surprising how many people venture off into the wilderness without letting anybody know where they’re going. Even in a group of people, somebody OUTSIDE the group should always know your general whereabouts. Even if that means the “Starting” point of your trip, and eventual target “Finish” point, these are VERY helpful to would-be rescuers if you have unforeseen issues.
o When possible, always go with at least 2 vehicles! For obvious reasons, this is one of the best points to follow. I break this rule at times, but I also have the proper precautions in place, as I talk about below.
Truck Preparation
Truck preparation is every bit as important as route preparation. Without a properly prepared vehicle, the likelihood of needing assistance or having trouble on the train increases dramatically.
It’s surprising the amount of things that can happen on the trail, but with basic tools and supplies, you can get yourself out of many situations! Before heading out, the following items are VERY important that you bring along with you, in your vehicle:
- Tools: Basic tool kit (socket set, crescents, screwdrivers, pliers, etc)
- Extra spare tire and Plug Kit (plugs have saved me more than once)
- 5-gallons of extra fuel
- Proper jack (factory jack nearly useless except on hard level ground)
- Tow Strap (20ft+)/Shackles for tow hooks
- Fire Extinguisher
- Ratchet Straps (handy for a variety of purposes)
- First Aid kit (I also carry a snake-bite kit, being in Southwest)
- Air Compressor or Power Tank (I love my Power Tank!!!)
- Water (I usually carry 5-gallons of fresh water in bed)
- Food – Energy Bars, Beef Jerky, etc (easy to pack, high in protein)
- Radio – Truck to truck communication is key in groups!
- Extra spare tire and Plug Kit (plugs have saved me more than once)
- 5-gallons of extra fuel
- Proper jack (factory jack nearly useless except on hard level ground)
- Tow Strap (20ft+)/Shackles for tow hooks
- Fire Extinguisher
- Ratchet Straps (handy for a variety of purposes)
- First Aid kit (I also carry a snake-bite kit, being in Southwest)
- Air Compressor or Power Tank (I love my Power Tank!!!)
- Water (I usually carry 5-gallons of fresh water in bed)
- Food – Energy Bars, Beef Jerky, etc (easy to pack, high in protein)
- Radio – Truck to truck communication is key in groups!
With the basic list of items above, you will be well prepared for your outing. I would say those are the MINIMUM items I would carry, and usually bring more than what’s listed above. This should be the first set of items any new Raptor owner purchases, if they actually intend to use the truck off road. Along with the items themselves, a proper storage method and safe mounting is also very important!
All items in-cab should be secured in some fashion. Most of my items in-cab are wedged under the rear SCAB seats, so tight that they can’t move even 1” when hard off-roading. A BETTER solution is an under-seat storage box like the Tuffy under-seat storage boxes, etc. Remember, anything not properly secured becomes a flying object if you have a serious accident or rollover! A proper bed storage solution is truly a must for any serious off roader. Ask anybody that has been on a Raptor run without one! A proper bed rack not only is safer, more efficient, and purpose-built… but it saves time and is much easier to organize your stuff!
Check your truck! Do a once-over on any nut/bolt you can easily get your hands on. Check lug nuts, A-Arm bolts, tie-rod connections, shock mounts, etc. Things find a way of loosening themselves on the trail! Check ALL fluids, ensure they’re topped off in the normal operating range. Ensure you have a clean air-filter, paper filters should be used as they are easy to “beat out” and clean on the trail, and are very robust! It’s a great idea to carry a spare air filter. Oiled filters tend to collect the dirt/dust easier and they cannot be easily cleaned on the trail.
Although not required, I carry a Spot GPS messenger with me. I do pre-run alone (with passenger) at times, and this device allows you to contact your friends or search and rescue if you have an issue. You can send a text from anywhere, even without cell reception. It’s great piece of mind, and also can be used to track your progress on the trail!
(continued)
---------- Post added at 12:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:29 PM ----------
Truck Add-ons and Set-Up
By now, many of us have learned as they say “The hard way” about what are now well-known weak points of this vehicle. The issue that comes into play, is the fact these trucks are perceived to be desert pre-runners capable of high speed jumps and bumps. While this is “sort of” true, the limitations of this vehicle off road can be quickly identified by those pushing the trucks beyond their designed limitations. When I say design limitations, I’m referring to 100% factory form. With a few modifications, these trucks can truly shine off road, and are far more capable then they are in stock form.
Rear Frame Support
o By now, we have all heard about the infamous rear frame issue, and how they can bend under stress. This is one of the biggest inherent issues from the factory. As we now know, high speed/high inertia impacts from the rear axle are absorbed into the factory bump stop (a small rubber puck), which is mounted under the frame. Once this energy is beyond the factory bump stop’s capability to absorb, that energy is transferred into the frame in this location, causing metal fatigue, and eventually a bend in the frame in this location.
o There are now a variety of companies who have created a rear-frame reinforcement kit that has virtually eliminated this issue from occurring. These kits relocate the “Bump Stop” from under the frame, and instead use a hydraulic bump stop to absorb these impacts, and disperse the energy elsewhere. These are well worth their money, and can be considered an investment for those that off road, as it will preserve the integrity of your frame!
o Does this need to be installed on every Raptor going Off Road? No. For those that will only drive low-speed on groomed trails, and some occasional off road exploring, this is NOT a necessity when setting up your Raptor. For drivers that will be more aggressive, drive at higher speeds (anything above 35-40 MPH), and push the trucks a bit harder, this is a must-have modification! On the last Raptor Expedition, only one truck did NOT have this kit installed, and there were signs of frame deformation by the end of the run. It’s unfortunate, but by now we should all know better!
Front shock “Perch” settingo There are now a variety of companies who have created a rear-frame reinforcement kit that has virtually eliminated this issue from occurring. These kits relocate the “Bump Stop” from under the frame, and instead use a hydraulic bump stop to absorb these impacts, and disperse the energy elsewhere. These are well worth their money, and can be considered an investment for those that off road, as it will preserve the integrity of your frame!
o Does this need to be installed on every Raptor going Off Road? No. For those that will only drive low-speed on groomed trails, and some occasional off road exploring, this is NOT a necessity when setting up your Raptor. For drivers that will be more aggressive, drive at higher speeds (anything above 35-40 MPH), and push the trucks a bit harder, this is a must-have modification! On the last Raptor Expedition, only one truck did NOT have this kit installed, and there were signs of frame deformation by the end of the run. It’s unfortunate, but by now we should all know better!
o The Raptor has a factory adjustable front shock pre-load setting. This allows the user to change the Pre-Load (the amount the spring is compressed inside the shock), which in turn also changes the ride height of the vehicle. In addition, more pre-load increases the resistance of the shock, meaning less change of bottoming out on hard impacts. The downside to too much pre-load, is that the ride becomes stiffer and can even cause a “Pogo-Stick” effect if the shock is not valved properly.
o There are 3 adjustments on the shock from the factory. The truck comes in stock form on the lowest setting. This is the most comfortable on-road setting, and gives the truck a slight downward rake in the front. Downside to the lower setting is the fact it is VERY prone to bottoming out when off road, as the stock shocks are very soft and do not resist hard impacts well. The “Middle” setting is usually the most common setting owners change to. This setting gives the truck a fairly level stance. This setting is more resistant to bottoming out, and is well suited for on-road driving as well, as the smoothness of the suspension is mostly retained. The “Upper” setting gives the truck an upward rake in the nose, and can sometimes cause a bit of extra stiffness on the road. The extra pre-load can be helpful for hard off road impacts, with some owners reporting the “pogo” effect as the rebound valving is very loose in stock form. Also, a camber kit is required for this upper setting. My recommendation for most owners? Middle setting.
o There are a wide variety of modifications that will help these trucks perform well off road. Too many to list! While some are cosmetic only, others are not only cosmetic, but functional as well! It’s important to prioritize the mods you put on your truck, based on your level of off-roading to be performed.
o Bumpers. Many aftermarket bumpers not only look great, but provide additional protection as well. Many front bumpers have a much stronger skid plate than the factory, which is easy to bend! The rear bumpers can also add extra strength, and in some cases increase your rear approach angle, which can be very helpful.
Springs can be helpful to those who drive at high speeds off road, in many cases these springs reduce the amount of “donkey kick” these trucks experience when hitting a bump or obstacle at speed. I have a Deaver +3” pack installed in my truck, which allows the truck to sit mostly level when the rear is fully loaded, and also has prevented most of the donkey kick associated with the stock shocks and stock springs.
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