Obviously the Raptor is king when it comes to off-roading, but what are the main differences between Raptor and F-150?
From my research all I’ve seen is better shocks and a more powerful engine.
If I were to upgrade the shocks and tune the engine of a regular F-150, would it be comparable to the Raptor?
The Raptor’s frame stands out with its distinctive shocks, control arms, and mounting points. Its electronics for drive modes, stability, and other systems operate on a different level. The AWD mode, featuring a specialized front differential, makes it a beast in snowy conditions, and its rear articulation off-road is exceptional for a pickup truck.
“Based on my research, all I’ve noticed is upgraded shocks and a stronger engine.”
You should dive deeper and read more because the Raptor offers much more than just better shocks and a more powerful engine.
I’ve owned a 2012 F-150 4x4 and now a 2022 37 Raptor, and I grew up around racing and muscle cars. The 2022 Raptor seems to defy physics. Off-road, it’s like driving in cheat mode. On-road, I’ve taken it up and down winding mountain roads, and the suspension feels capable of more than I’m willing to push. It feels like the tires would come off the rims before the suspension reaches its limit. I’ve pushed it well beyond what anyone in my family is comfortable with, and it just handles everything with ease.
I’ve put 42k miles on mine this year, with about 80% of that being off-road in the desert for work. I push this truck hard every day in the Permian and haven’t had a single issue. For context, I broke the tie rod on my 250 three times in one month last year, which led to the switch. Get a Raptor—you won’t regret it.
You’d need to start with a frame upgrade, as the Raptor’s frame is more robust than a standard F-150.