Buying A Raptor vs Building An F-150: Is It Worth It?

Aaron said:

I don't blame him for not being able to see through the countless **** pop-ups and the 6 virtual-girls dancing on his desktop, I blame him for being unimaginative.

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No wonder car sex is so fascinating.

Obviously building a fake raptor is cheesy.

But you could definitely build an incredible offroading F150 for a lot less money than a Raptor.

No getting around it, the gen 2 Raptor is expensive, most at least $65k. Sure you can special order one for like $54k if you don't mind the you-cheaped-out screen on the dash.

If you started with an STX 4x4 package truck at ~$38k less ~8k-10k typical F150 discount = under $30k for a nicer equipped truck than an 800A Raptor, plus $25k-$35k to build it how you want goes a really long way. It'll never be a Raptor but to you it might be better than a Raptor since it's exactly what you want.

Craigy said:

Obviously building a fake raptor is cheesy.

But you could definitely build an incredible offroading F150 for a lot less money than a Raptor.

No getting around it, the gen 2 Raptor is expensive, most at least $65k. Sure you can special order one for like $54k if you don't mind the you-cheaped-out screen on the dash.

If you started with an STX 4x4 package truck at ~$38k less ~8k-10k typical F150 discount = under $30k for a nicer equipped truck than an 800A Raptor, plus $25k-$35k to build it how you want goes a really long way. It'll never be a Raptor but to you it might be better than a Raptor since it's exactly what you want.

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gonna have to respectfully disagree with the less expensive part. i was looking into turning my 14 lariat hd into a something with similar capability of the gen 2 raptor. note i didn't say a raptor clone.

for my 14 hd $50k brand new.
icon stage 5 is $5k
bds 4" lift is $1800
new rims and 35" tires $5k
other stuff it may need ?????
install on all the above ??????

i went to look and came home with a raptor. got a warranty and purpose built truck from the factory.

dlbb said:

gonna have to respectfully disagree with the less expensive part. i was looking into turning my 14 lariat hd into a something with similar capability of the gen 2 raptor. note i didn't say a raptor clone.

for my 14 hd $50k brand new.
icon stage 5 is $5k
bds 4" lift is $1800
new rims and 35" tires $5k
other stuff it may need ?????
install on all the above ??????

i went to look and came home with a raptor. got a warranty and purpose built truck from the factory.

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I don't know what MSRP was on your 2014, but $50k for a Lariat sounds like you overpaid by quite a bit. I am not an aftermarket expert, but those sound like full retail prices too. Install of suspension and wheels etc. is generally bolt-on and pretty inexpensive, even DIY. All of those things considered, your running total is $61,800, still a lot cheaper than your typical Raptor.

Granted, I'd still personally opt for an OEM Raptor over a custom job, but the gen 2 Raptor is not at all a bargain that many made it out to be, even though the gen 1 was. For Act II, Ford is squeezing us for every penny they think they can extract from this truck.

lol you may have missed the hd part of my 14. it was a special ordered lariat 501 with heavy duty and max tow. the msrp was 50. i paid 45k though costco +taxes and fees. and just so u can see what it is here is a pic. i am guessing i was looking at 15-25k in upgrade/install just to make it as nice offroad as the raptor. also my raptor msrp is 61500 or so. and i only parted with 2k up front. yes the total cost of the raptor may be 10k more then just upgrading my old truck. but convenience, and joy of having a real raptor is well worth the 10k.

Well, this guy is doing it/did it...Tim at Galpin Auto Sports built an F-150 into a "Raptor-like" pickup. Check it out here:

Southwest '17 F150 build. Going faster than your average rig. - Expedition Portal

With Kings:


And fiberglass fenders:


And suspension bits:


And more:

Those fenders...

WhatExit? said:

Well, this guy is doing it/did it...Tim at Galpin Auto Sports built an F-150 into a "Raptor-like" pickup. Check it out here:

Southwest '17 F150 build. Going faster than your average rig. - Expedition Portal

With Kings:


And fiberglass fenders:


And suspension bits:


And more:

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Thanks! My build is no way in imitation of a raptor. I chose the fiberwerx fenders specifically because it keeps the F150 look.

I will say, I did this because I have a XLT 302A 4x4 I purchased for $42,000 and to date, have $8700 into it. With similar travel numbers to a 17 raptor, with better shocks.

I've got less than 53k into my truck, and I love it. I drive 17 Raptors daily here at work. The only raptor I'd be interested in over my truck would be a SCAB, since you cant get that cab/bed config in an F150.

bayarearaptornut said:

Those fenders...

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...Are required for the additional width of the arms and allow for the clearance of my 37" Toyo tires. My 37s do not rub anything except the headlight when I jump the truck.

I could use an XL 4x4 for my needs, drive the beach fishing and runs to Depot and the dump...no fun in that.

I debated putting $15k into my paid-off 2007 F150 Lariat vs. spending $73k (out the door) on my 2017 Raptor. I regret the decision for a minute... The technology on this truck (get the 802A) is un-real and really accent's the suspension with the different drive modes. Raptor Assault is a cool perk that only Raptor Owner's can attend and helps ease the pain of buying such an expensive truck.

It all comes down to where you want to spend money... Since I don't have kids or a wife (also why I can afford a Raptor) my goal is to have the check for my funeral bounce.