Ford Planning Raptor F-150?
According to the off-roaders at Four Wheeler Magazine and the truck gurus at PickupTruck.com, Ford has a skunk works project that’s inspired by the Baja 1000. Supposedly codenamed Raptor, the F-150 sits lower and wider and on top of a long-travel suspension with reservoir shocks. Tires up to 35-inches could be used to cross difficult terrain rather rapidly and a high-output engine is said to motivate the beast. There aren’t many more details right now, but such a truck could reach production in a year and a half, if approval is given.
There’s no official word from Ford at this point, but let us know what you think of such a project in comments.
+ Four Wheeler: Ford Secretly Works On Production Long Travel F-150 (via PickupTruck.com)
Comments
Gary
Sign me up for one - in black please.
chartguy
I absolutely adore the concept. If you can get a normal cab (not extended or "Super") and short bed, it would be perfect. Something like this should have a wide track and short wheelbase.
The picture at Four Wheeler is for a short-bed Super Cab (so same wheelbase as a normal cab normal bed). While I'd prefer shorter, that's still VERY attractive.
Fordfan
this would sell like crazy in my area.
wow!
Cicero
This would be great for Ford, expand the best selling line up and get more buyers of off orad vehicles
chartguy
The image in Four Wheeler has
Bad Photoshop ;)
for its alternate text, and if you click it, the image itself is bad-photoshop-.jpg.
I hope that's not a comment on whether the rumors are fake.
Paul In Jersey
Craptor?
Ducati Minor
How about a good stripped-down and off-road mid-sizer? Add a small diesel engine and a 5 spd., and you could have yourself a little hit.
Cicero
I wish they built the Bronco concept from a few years ago with the diesel engine
Scratch
Why would you want it lower? Isn't that a no-no for off-roading?
chartguy
Scratch,
The truck sits lower on its suspension, but the suspension is "longer travel". The idea is that you aren't affecting ground clearance, but you are lowering the center of gravity. The larger tire size (33-35") increases the ground clearance. Think WRC on steroids.
seanpholman
I am the guy at Four Wheeler, and yes, it is a bad photoshop. I am the Tech Editor, not a graphic artist, so I did my best. I know it is a bad photoshop job (but I wanted some sort of picture to go with it), so I thought i would name the photo that. :) However, my horrible photoshopping skills should not reflect on the accuracy of the information.
Also, low is good in certain types of off-roading, including desert racing and high speed trails because it lowers the center of gravity for high speed wheeling.
--Sean
Four Wheeler Magazine
chartguy
Thanks for clearing that up Sean!
I'm someone who'd love a truck like that, living on a dirt road on top of a mountain.
chartguy
Ducati Minor,
/body-stylesmarket-segment/truckspickups/mahindra-scorpio-and-pik-up-to-be-built-in-brazil/
I believe the Indians are planning just that.
94 taurus owner
Ford said it was coming in 2010.
Adam
Wasn't there a Ford Raptor concept before? Either F150 or Ranger makeover.
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