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Greetings, I conducted a bi-annual panoramic roof/sun-roof/convertible top maintenance on my 2018 Raptor—along with all of immediate family vehicles with panos/sunroofs, retractable hardtops, and motorized convertible tops. TEST VEHICLES. Some are very old but all are garaged (Raptor focused...

Greetings, I purchased the extended CarMax MaxCare warranty (5yrs/150k miles with $200 deductible) for my ‘18 Raptor—as it covered a lot of items post factory bumper-to-bumper warranty. Mostly I did it because we’d had positive experiences with MaxCare when getting past family vehicles...

Disclaimer(s): 1. As a fellow automotive/motorsports enthusiast, I mod my “garage queens”—but tend to NOT modify drivetrains in my wife’s/my daily drivers and family vehicles which rack up a lot of miles. My Raptor is my daily driver, pack mule, and toy for my adult kids who enjoy borrowing...

If you enjoy your Raptor, but would prefer to break something at lower cost—I’d suggest considering a remote controlled scale model truck. I purchased a Traxxas Unlimited Desert Racer (UDR)—roughly 1/7th scale. It has an independent front/solid rear axle setup with remote reservoir shocks in...

The quote in the header is from The Graduate (1967). Although it screened years before I was born, it is one of my favorite classics. Hopefully some understand that I’m not creating a great debate on oil pans—as I do understand that some Raptor owners are salty due to experiences—which is...

Greetings, My 2018 just crossed 50k miles and I thought to share an update—as I’ve been thoroughly impressed with every aspect of the vehicle during my ownership. I’m extremely diligent and critical when it comes to vehicles—and am in no form/fashion a Ford fanboy. I do believe in tipping my...

Greetings All, Informative and detailed perspective from KPMG regarding the used auto market—and when “normal” may return. https://advisory.kpmg.us/content/dam/advisory/en/pdfs/2021/car-crash-design-secured.pdf Of course this is the perspective of one analyst; however, given the interest by...

On Monday, 16 Aug 2021, between 2:45pm—3:30pm CDT on I-40E in the open space just east of Amarillo—to McLean TX our 2018 Raptor was hit hard by wind driven hail from the north (striking left side heavily and hood/roof diagonally—from drivers side vantage point). Hail was easily quarter sized...

Good evening all, PMCS (Preventive Maintenance Checks & Services) is important for every vehicle per OEM guidelines. After a great deal of analysis, there is no flaw in the Ford Raptor panoramic sunroof design (which I love and works as smooth as a well cared for Swiss watch). The failures...

V8 sounds good (hopefully that is an OEM exhaust) and looks far better than the TRX (as do all Raptors of course). It may be time for me to sell one of my kidneys on eBay and hit the blood bank to sell some plasma, lol...

After over a decade in my chosen post-military engineering career path progression, one tends to get to know quite a few folks across the industry who’ve risen through the ranks. Nerd brotherhood at its finest. Thought you might enjoy some of the recent “greatest hits” that were escalated to...

I live in TX where during the dry season the dust will tend to be rather powdery/fine vs. coarse. Coarse dust packs an air filter (imagine talcum powder) and the micron size (10 microns) My OEM did enough exhaustive testing of aftermarket air filters recently to shift me from an oiled to...

Within OEM Operations—I believe that my director report who quarterbacks warranty/claims discovery division is a true customer advocate with feedback from dealerships to back it up (she is extremely meticulous, honest, fair and perhaps one of the most objective/customer focused professionals...

I’ve been highly interested in and following connected technology for several years—as to me it has vast potential to provide very useful granular data, to best capture how different utilization patterns/inputs/variables over the life cycle of machinery may impact components, etc.—over time. If...

After reading the Ellsworth article, hmmm. I would prefer a well-engineered, bulletproof IRS for the Raptor with a further developed Ecoboost TT V6,..., vs. an existing live rear axle platform (leaf or coil) with a GT500 motor. IRS can be built to have as much durability as needed for a...

I was researching AWD systems and stumbled upon this nugget. The nerd in me enjoys knowing how this selectable system compares to full time systems in certain other SUVs. https://www.sae.org/news/2020/03/ford-raptor-unique-front-driveline

Perhaps it is just me, but if I were to spend $90k on a “Raptor style” truck—it would be something with the clean lines of the Mil-Spec and not a TRX, Shelby Raptor, Rocky Ridge, or highly accessorized variant. Nicely done exterior and relatively understated. Edit: Upon review of additional...

I agree with the below articles when it comes to luxury trucks—not as a criticism. This is good for consumers of specialty trucks & SUVs—if influential product managers can keep pushing higher-end niche trucks as viable “image/halo” vehicles. In reality our family Raptor will likely see little...

Interesting comparison in Four Wheeler of Raptor vs. TRX. I don’t believe the Ford 10spd is “better” than the ZF 8spd in the TRX, but I agree with pretty much everything else in the article. Of course, I’m a Raptor owner—so a bit biased...

Good afternoon, Given willingness to address poor service, I believe in balancing out with the positive experiences that businesses offer. Joe Cooper Ford, OKC/Edmond, did a synthetic LOF and 30k service when I purchased the ‘18 Raptor in OKC (previous owner sold/serviced by Joe Cooper Ford...

I ordered the billet plug for the VTA mod and installed it Wednesday morning. After 2 days, the whooshing sound novelty got old—so back to stock I went just a few minutes ago. Positives: 1. Easy to install: 15 minutes max as I’m slow and took time to zip tie the hose/doodad to keep it from...

Air compressors are not a sexy accessory—purely functional, but necessary if/when you want to fill big tires quickly, or run air tools in a pinch. As an early anniversary gift, my wife bought me an ARB Twin High Performance 12v portable compressor (for our Raptor, other vehicles, and air tools...

Good Afternoon, I’ve received several questions about the lower door panels on my Raptor. Being a second owner, I don’t know what it is—I can tell it is not wrap or paint. Fingernail cannot get under the edge and it has several mils of thickness—less than/similar to the Line X bedliner. My...

Gorilla has a locking lug net set (4 locking nuts and 1 key) for the ‘15-‘20 F-150. Has anyone installed these on a 2017-2020 Raptor Forged Beadlock Wheelset? See specs below and thank you in advance. Gorilla Guard Wheel Locks; 14mm x 1.5 (15-20 F-150) Item T544170

Happy Labor Day all, This may be useful for those running other than OEM tires (plus size, E vs. C, bigger rims, etc.). Toyo makes a good tire. It’s a lot to digest, but provides different tire pressures for weight...