When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I wouldn't pay to have someone tig strike plates on the lower arms, they are solid cast vs plates welded together. The truck will be much more capable than a stock raptor, but if you are planning to jump it I would just be in a place where you can get a trailer back to tow your truck.
Stock trucks get jumped and survive, same goes for raptors...but the dinky tie rods can snap, the lower ball joint, uprights have been known to bend/break, airbags can go off etc...**** happens.
I can tell you most the numbers off the top of my head. Brenthal's "Baja Kits" is around 14-15" once strapped, SDHQ's is around 16", Camburg's 13-14", BMS/OutlawOffroad/HnM straps at 18"~, RPG has a bolt-on LT kit now that is around 14-16".
The issues these guys run into are the CV angles, so they have to make the kits super wide to pull those numbers. On a 2WD truck they could pull more travel. HnM is the top dog for IFS on the Ford. You'll get around 18", but the truck will be 93-94" wide.
I've read that a lot of companies advertised travel numbers are not "useable" travel which is one of the reasons I was asking. It seems like a lot of the kits come in 4.5 - 5.0 inches wider and have about 14" of useable travel.
I know there's a huge price difference between something like HnM and VDF, Brenthel, etc.
You seem super knowledgeable about this stuff so let me ask you something - what are the 18" guys doing different than the 14" guys to achieve those numbers. Also, I have to say that the last vid you posted of the Raptor/Icon seemed like it handled F'n amazing.
I've read that a lot of companies advertised travel numbers are not "useable" travel which is one of the reasons I was asking. It seems like a lot of the kits come in 4.5 - 5.0 inches wider and have about 14" of useable travel.
I know there's a huge price difference between something like HnM and VDF, Brenthel, etc.
You seem super knowledgeable about this stuff so let me ask you something - what are the 18" guys doing different than the 14" guys to achieve those numbers. Also, I have to say that the last vid you posted of the Raptor/Icon seemed like it handled F'n amazing.
Out of the companies I listed, Brenthal is the only one I have heard of multiple times not coming anywhere near their claimed travel numbers, and that is across multiple different truck brands. I also wouldn't consider VDF in the same category as the others i mentioned as far as the sophistication of their kits.
The way HnM/Outlaw gets their numbers is with the relocation of their upper arms, their upper sideways mounted uniball, but most importantly how wide the kit is. Raptors are 7" wider than a stock f150, the HnM/Outlaw kit is 7" even wider than a raptor.
These kits are around $5-7k, but then you have to consider the cost of installation ($2k~), coilovers, bypass shocks, bumpstops, limit straps, fiberglass, paint, engine cage, and finally RCV axles($2k). I could see a bare bones outlaw kit installed even without bypass shocks and bumps for $11k.
You have no idea how many people I've asked on different forums that couldn't come up with an answer. It makes nothing but sense. I'd rather pay more upfront for something that isn't limiting than get a 6k kit that doesn't perform.
Do you say that about VDF because of stock spindle and use of a single coil over vs coil over + bypass or?
If Baja Kits really came in at their advertised number it would be a no brainer. It confuses me how they advertise 17" of travel on the 09+ F150 4WD (okay okay mr sigma) but 16" on the raptor.
You have no idea how many people I've asked on different forums that couldn't come up with an answer. It makes nothing but sense. I'd rather pay more upfront for something that isn't limiting than get a 6k kit that doesn't perform.
Do you say that about VDF because of stock spindle and use of a single coil over vs coil over + bypass or?
If Baja Kits really came in at their advertised number it would be a no brainer. It confuses me how they advertise 17" of travel on the 09+ F150 4WD (okay okay mr sigma) but 16" on the raptor.
VDF does quality work, but there are just better kits. We can leave it at that.
RPG has a bolt on kit that does 14.5" strapped. It comes with upper arms, knuckles, and lower arms. The frame doesn't have to be cut, mounts moved, stock coil buckets are intact. This also gives you the option to sell the kit and return the truck back to stock if you like. You can also install this yourself or have anyone install it, versus having to have a suspension fabricator install it.
If money was no option and you are okay with not being able to fit in drive throughs and only be able to back into parking spots, the HnM/outlaw/bms kit is the way to go. I just sold my raptor and I can only imagine driving a truck that is 7" wider around town. I would do it, but its too much for most.
I wouldn't pay to have someone tig strike plates on the lower arms, they are solid cast vs plates welded together. The truck will be much more capable than a stock raptor, but if you are planning to jump it I would just be in a place where you can get a trailer back to tow your truck.
Stock trucks get jumped and survive, same goes for raptors...but the dinky tie rods can snap, the lower ball joint, uprights have been known to bend/break, airbags can go off etc...**** happens.
I wouldn't pay to have someone tig strike plates on the lower arms, they are solid cast vs plates welded together. The truck will be much more capable than a stock raptor, but if you are planning to jump it I would just be in a place where you can get a trailer back to tow your truck.
Stock trucks get jumped and survive, same goes for raptors...but the dinky tie rods can snap, the lower ball joint, uprights have been known to bend/break, airbags can go off etc...**** happens.
Im not looking to jump it, it's not a trophy truck. I just want to go to the desert and drive fast around there and slide it around a bit.
06-02-2015, 05:26 PM
