Raptor vs Raptor R… worth the upgrade?

Hey everyone, long-time reader here. I currently have a Bronco Wildtrak that I love, but the one truck that gives me a bit of buyer’s remorse is the Raptor R. Once I finish paying off the Bronco (still a little while away), I’m seriously considering getting a Raptor R.

However, with what I’ve been reading about crazy markups ($30k+ over MSRP), I’m starting to wonder if it’s better to just go for a fully loaded standard Raptor instead. For those of you who’ve driven or owned both, is the R worth the premium, or is the regular Raptor a better all-around choice?

I have a Gen 3 Raptor, and this question comes up a lot. Many R owners say the first 1,000 miles are amazing, but after that, the excitement wears off. They also mention the suspension isn’t really built for all that extra power, so it’s less comfortable off-road.

That said, if I could afford an R, I’d probably get one. But I’m perfectly happy with my 2021 Raptor with the 37 Package.

@Eli
That’s a really good explanation.

@Eli
I just got a 37 package Raptor with some Baja upgrades. I was debating selling my sports car to go for the R, but now I’m thinking the money might be better spent upgrading the regular Raptor with mid-travel suspension and fenders.

@Amari
If you’ve got the Shelby Baja Sport, you’re already sitting at 525 horsepower. It really comes down to whether you want the R for the badge and bragging rights or if you want to stick with your upgrades. What else are you thinking of adding?

The R is definitely better, but it’s not $50k better. A regular Raptor is still more capable off-road than most other trucks out there.

Branley said:
Alright, sounds like the consensus is to skip the R. What about adding the 37 Package to a standard Raptor?

I’ve got a 2024 with the 37 Package, and it’s the perfect all-around truck. Highly recommend it, especially since you can get them at or below MSRP.

My buddy has an Raptor R and absolutely loved it at first, but after two months, he said the 700hp novelty wore off. He even admitted he should’ve stuck with his Gen 3 V6. The V6 is no slouch, and if you add a Goosetune and some upgrades, it really transforms the truck.

The regular Raptor already has more power than its suspension can handle. Off-road, it’s always suspension first, power second. I’ve seen older trucks with 300hp but $60k suspensions destroy Raptors because they can handle rough terrain better.

If you want a fast truck for the street, then the R is great. But for off-road, the extra power is almost pointless unless you’re just spinning tires. For me, I’d rather save the $60k.

It really depends on what you’re after. If it’s for off-roading, the V6 Raptor is lighter, has plenty of power, and is more practical. The R’s extra power will mostly just spin the wheels off-road.

But if you want an R because it’s an R and you like the attention, then nothing else will do. Long-term costs could be interesting—R’s might hold their value better, similar to how Porsche models do in the resale market. Time will tell.

The first 500 miles in my R were incredible, but I will admit the extra power can be a handful off-road. I live on a dirt road, and while my Gen 2 was great for wild drifts, the R is much harder to control in those situations.

I got mine at MSRP, so I’m happy, but I wouldn’t pay $30k-$50k over sticker. If you can’t justify the price, the standard Raptor with upgrades is a great choice.

Alright, sounds like the consensus is to skip the R. What about adding the 37 Package to a standard Raptor?

I recently went to Raptor Assault with a friend who owns an R, and we both agreed the standard Raptor is better for the long run. The R is fun at first, but the extra weight makes it less enjoyable off-road. Put your money into the 37 Package instead.

I have a Gen 3 and still keep my Gen 1 in the garage. I’d love an R, but I just can’t justify spending $50k more for what I use my trucks for (family trips, skiing, mountain biking). Some reviewers I follow recommend against the 37 Package unless you’re doing serious off-roading. The 35s ride better on pavement, and the truck is faster and gets better gas mileage.

I just noticed the Ranger Raptor has 400hp, and my F-150 Raptor has 450hp. The gap between models is crazy!

Finley said:
I just noticed the Ranger Raptor has 400hp, and my F-150 Raptor has 450hp. The gap between models is crazy!

You can push over 600hp out of the 3.0 in the Ranger Raptor with bigger turbos, a tune, and some supporting mods. It’s insane.

@Corey
600hp in a Ranger? That’s wild. What mods do you need to get there?

Lennon said:
@Corey
600hp in a Ranger? That’s wild. What mods do you need to get there?

Bigger turbos, intercooler, downpipes, and a tune. Some people even go for high-flow injectors. There’s a guy pushing 700hp in an Explorer ST with the same engine.

A lot of R owners seem to regret it. If you get the R, plan on upgrading the brakes. The standard brakes on the V6 Raptor aren’t great, and they’re definitely not enough for the R’s 700hp.

If you care about 0-60 times on pavement, then the R makes sense. Otherwise, save your money and mod a standard Raptor.