First generation (SVT Raptor; 2010) For the 2010 model year, Ford
SVT introduced the F-150 SVT Raptor, its second vehicle derived from the Ford F-150. In notable contrast to the on-road capability of the 1993–2004
SVT Lightning, the SVT Raptor was optimized for off-road performance, similar to a desert racing vehicle. "Raptor" was initially the vehicle's placeholder nickname during development, with Ford having to come to an arrangement with
Mosler for the
Raptor name rights. The first production Raptor, molten orange with the digital mud graphic, sold at auction for $130,000 with all proceeds above the MSRP going to charity. The race version, the F-150 SVT Raptor R, was built for the
Baja 1000 races. It uses a 6.2 L V8 engine rated at .
Chassis upgrades SVT fitted the Raptor with
Fox Racing internal bypass shocks with external reservoirs, allowing for 11.2 inches of front suspension travel, and 12.1 inches in the rear. To accommodate the long-travel suspension design, the rear leaf springs and the front upper and lower A-arms were redesigned, with SVT widening the track by seven inches and raising the ride height by two inches. The rear axle had a
locking differential with a 4.10:1 gear ratio, with an open-differential front axle. For 2012, the open front axle was replaced by a Torsen
helical gear limited slip differential. In place of the all-season tires of the F-150, the Raptor was fitted with 315/70/17"
BFGoodrich KO tires. Towing capacity is up to with a payload (SuperCrew only). File:Raptor Top.JPG|Top of body, showing hood extractors File:Skid Plating.JPG|Front skid plate File:RaptorFront Underbody.JPG|Front underbody, showing independent front suspension File:Rear Underbody.JPG|Rear underbody, showing rear suspension (and spare tire)
Powertrain For 2010, the standard engine was a 5.4L V8 with 320 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, while an optional 6.2L V8 (shared with the Super Duty) output 411 hp and 434 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The first Ford with
hill descent control, the SVT Raptor was designed to use ABS to minimize driver modulation of the brakes (to increase control of the steering). Largely equipped between the F-150 XLT and Lariat, the SVT Raptor is fitted with several interior features specific to the model line, serving as functional upgrades. Alongside high-bolstered seats, an orange stripe was added to the leather wrap of the steering wheel (serving as a visual centering reference). As with its predecessor, the second-generation Raptor is a pickup truck derived from the F-150, optimized for off-road capability. As with the standard F-150, the Raptor is an aluminum-intensive vehicle, using steel primarily for the frame rails; compared to the SVT Raptor, curb weight was reduced by over 500 pounds.
Chassis specifications As with the previous generation, the Raptor retained Fox Racing internal-bypass shocks with external reservoirs. As before, 35-inch all-terrain tires were fitted to 17-inch wheels; as a rare option for a mass-produced vehicle, Ford offered
beadlock wheels to prevent tire bead separation from the wheel at low pressures.
Powertrain In a significant departure from its predecessor, the second-generation Raptor was not offered with a V8 engine, instead using a high-output second-generation 3.5L
EcoBoost gasoline V6. Ford also confirmed the return of a V8 powered Raptor, the Raptor R, utilizing a
5.2L Carnivore supercharged V8 engine which produces and , based on the
5.2L Predator in the Mustang Shelby GT500, to compete against the new
Ram 1500 TRX. The rear suspension of the Raptor no longer uses leaf springs, opting instead to have coil springs and a five link setup with Panhard bar. The 2022 Raptor R's 5.2-liter Carnivore supercharged V8 produced and . For 2023, the Raptor R's torque was increased to . The 2024 Raptor R's engine output was increased to , and its torque inched back down to 640 lb ft, but in a wider torque curve than what the 2023 Raptor R offered.
2024 Refresh and Raptor R Updates For the 2024 model year, Ford introduced a mid-cycle refresh for the third-generation F-150 Raptor, focusing on suspension technology and increased performance for the Raptor R.
Mechanical and Suspension The most significant mechanical update is the introduction of new
FOX Dual Live Valve shocks. Building on the previous Live Valve technology, the dual-valve system adds position-sensitive compression control and continuously variable rebound control. This allows the suspension to adapt more precisely to high-speed desert running and low-speed crawling by adjusting damping at both the compression and rebound stages. The
Raptor R received a power increase for its 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine. Through optimized air intake and revised calibration, the output was raised to and , an increase of over the previous model. This update officially made the Raptor R the most powerful gas-powered production pickup in its class at the time of release.
Exterior and Utility Visually, the 2024 refresh features a revised front end with new "C-clamp" LED headlamps and a modular front bumper. The modular bumper is designed to be more durable and allows for the easier addition of off-road lighting accessories or a winch. It also exposes more of the front tires, improving the truck's approach angle for technical terrain. Other new utility features include: •
Pro Access Tailgate: A new multi-function tailgate design that incorporates a side-swinging door, allowing users to access the bed even when a trailer is attached. •
Shelter Green: A new Raptor-exclusive exterior paint color. •
Standard 37-inch Tires: The Raptor R now comes standard with 37-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires, which were previously an optional package on the standard V6 Raptor.
Interior and Technology The 2024 refresh introduced a
Head-Up Display (HUD) to the Raptor for the first time, featuring specialized off-road drive modes that project real-time pitch, roll, and drivetrain status onto the windshield. The infotainment system continues to utilize Ford's
SYNC 4 on a 12-inch touchscreen, but with enhanced software for
Trail Control and
Trail 1-Pedal Drive, which simplifies off-roading by allowing the driver to control the vehicle's speed using only the accelerator pedal. == Ranger Raptor ==