Do you prefer lifted or stock Gen2 Raptor?

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Badgertits

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Leveling or lifting? Each has drawbacks and subjective advantages. Leveling doesn't look any better imho and will effect how it sits if you tow. Lifting is a whole other ballpark. You can't lift it without doing a lot of work unless you don't care about preserving off road capability. To properly lift a Raptor and be able to keep/improve off road capability you'll be into it 10-20k.maybe less if you do all the work yourself. Running larger tiresincreases unsprung weight and places additional strain on components unless set up specifically for the increased size. Mall crawlers are a completely different story...you can get away with a lot of you don't care about your suspension or the ability to off road....or looks for that matter...lol

level vs lift can be a tricky word game, especially w/ the Raptor


I’m planning on adding deaver +3 HD leafs & eibach springs - By most “truck guy” standards I’m not lifting it by any means, but by definition- I’m certainly not leveling it. I don’t understand leveling a truck- it’s no worse than a cheap lift IMO- why purposely neuter the suspension geometry of the stock setup & sacrifice clearance purely for aesthetics w/ zero performance enhancement whatsoever on THE performance pickup?

so yeah- I’m gonna LIFT my raptor- I prefer the factory raked stance, I want it sitting ass high as designed, & the deaver springs help offset the axle hop these things are prone to- so win win in my book. Gain a little front end clearance too- I rarely offroad for the sake of it, live in the northeast, but have scraped the front skid plate already a few times & although this year we had nothing much for snow typically a lil extra front end clearance in a 4x4 truck can be helpful if you really get dumped on.
 

pbtjrlmrt

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level vs lift can be a tricky word game, especially w/ the Raptor


I’m planning on adding deaver +3 HD leafs & eibach springs - By most “truck guy” standards I’m not lifting it by any means, but by definition- I’m certainly not leveling it. I don’t understand leveling a truck- it’s no worse than a cheap lift IMO- why purposely neuter the suspension geometry of the stock setup & sacrifice clearance purely for aesthetics w/ zero performance enhancement whatsoever on THE performance pickup?

so yeah- I’m gonna LIFT my raptor- I prefer the factory raked stance, I want it sitting ass high as designed, & the deaver springs help offset the axle hop these things are prone to- so win win in my book. Gain a little front end clearance too- I rarely offroad for the sake of it, live in the northeast, but have scraped the front skid plate already a few times & although this year we had nothing much for snow typically a lil extra front end clearance in a 4x4 truck can be helpful if you really get dumped on.

Fair point on terminology. The deaver/Geiser combo is a good mod generally speaking. I don't think of it as a lift but technically you're adding an inch or two to the ride height so technically it's a lift. I was thinking of the guys that install an actual lift kit that throws the suspension geometry off then put wheels on with offsets that don't allow fender clearance or worse...install 37" tires that changes the whole equation.

 

TurboTJ

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My guess people looking for attention just jack those trucks up and some of them spend good amount of cash on these upgrades. Yes to each his own but man why would you destroy a very capable off-road -on road truck and turn it into a very uncomfortable stiff ride on road and off-road just to show it off and get that thumbs up.

The most irritating part is when I come across a lifted 4 inch raptor with a 4K likes on IG and people really dig it.

Makes me wonder why?

My short answer: Ignorance


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Sadly, this is how the world works. Most people don’t understand proper engineering. They just want flashy/bigger/taller. Now that I think about it, dodge caters exclusively to these types of people.
 

K223

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I’d agree with proper engineering. The factory normally does a good job for what the vehicle is intended to be used for. But they also still have to make it a one for all within the segment they designed it for. Then there is always costs associated with it.

So if you want to do a mod to a vehicle, that you feel is necessary for better performance or looks for that matter. It’s always best, to take the time and educate yourself and research what will work and what does not. Sure many will degrade a vehicles performance for a certain look. Some think an upgrade will help performance, while it might hurt or make the vehicle less reliable.

It’s personal choice and we all may use the vehicle somewhat differently, but still always best to do the research.
 

Badgertits

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Agree completely and went with Eibachs to level.

what I don’t get about the guys using leveling springs (forget collars when quality springs are available @ similar price point) for looks as top priority - you say “you hate the factory raked look” - I say, that’s how a truck should sit & function/performance aside, while riding slightly nose high empty (which even if its 1/4” looks awful IMHO) & seems like many Raptors end up w/ this effect- hence why I haven’t installed mine yet til I get deavers- CERTAINLY riding nose high ass sagging carrying a time 500-800 lbs in the bed or a utility trailer is a worse look than a raked stance from the factory. I would add “IMHO” - but, I’m fairly certain this would be considered fact.

So unless you never tow or haul anything of any kind of substance whatsoever- I don’t get just “leveling” the truck when many come out nose high empty w/ springs & ALL sag ass & point to the sky when pulling hauling anything.

Question/observation more than a criticism, the Raptor is unique amongst 1/2 tons as pretty much any other make/model can be leveled by a number of ways w/o riding nose high empty & especially not sagging when hauling, so makes a lil more sense to me since a)not getting a big trade-off aesthetically like raptor nose high in place of raked, & b) most 1/2 tons already riding lower than a stock raptor to begin with
 

K223

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I personally think most people bought this truck for use as a an off road sport truck. Many never even take it off road, but many do. Many just like the looks and the power of it. I don’t even think for those who have to haul or tow a lot, this is anywhere near the best suited truck. But it can be for most of the average Joe’s out there based on its specs. I personally would have bought a Super Duty if I did lot of towing and hauling and this my priority.

Most leveling jobs get the truck level. I did my share of research on it. I certainly don’t like the nose high look while not carrying any load. If I had to carry a load for a short run, and the nose was a little high then that’s ok. I would say something like adding Deavers are the way to go if increased capacity is needed. Or if I needed to do a lot of towing and hauling. No doubt about that.
 

FILRaptor

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I appreciate each person’s preferences. This is my third Raptor, and I’ve done different mods to each. Would hope folks would have enough respect for other’s choices.
 
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