Silliness on wheels: Ford Ranger Raptor

The Ranger Raptor is silliness on wheels – big wheels! It starts as a $45,000 Ford Ranger and $37,000 later, ends up as a two and one-half tonne super truck.

Practically everything in and under this truck is specific to the Raptor. Developed by a team of 100 engineers at Ford’s Performance division, the Ranger Raptor joins its F-150 and Bronco siblings.

One of the lasting memories of my life in this crazy business is sitting in the passenger seat as, first Parnelli Jones and, later Walker Evans displayed how properly-engineered trucks could deal with incredible punishment in the rugged desert, especially the ability to absorb the forces after a huge jump.

It was like landing on a giant pillow.

Ford’s super-engineered Ranger Raptor is state-of-the-art desert running

Designed specifically for high-speed desert running like that, the 2024 Ranger Raptor is the current state of the art. It uses a 405-horsepower twin-turbo V6 engine and an incredibly detailed suspension to meet those demands.

One look at this Raptor shows how this genre has developed. It’s tall – there is 23.5 centimetres of space between terra firma and the lowest point on the truck compared to other Rangers. It’s wide – there’s an extra 7.7 cm between the wheels and it’s heavy – 5,325 pounds, compared to 4,415 for a Ranger in Lariat trim with a 2.7 litre V6.

Accounting for that added weight and much of the extra $37,000 is the engineering that goes into ensuring survivability in extreme conditions.

The standard Ranger has a fully boxed high-strength steel frame. The Raptor takes that to the next level with additional reinforcement at the front frame rails and front and rear suspension mounting points. Add in skid plates, beefy tow hooks, and a wider cargo box.

Ranger Raptor: More weight requires more power

That is easily addressed by the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 producing 405 horsepower and 430 lb. ft. of torque.

Traction is provided by 33-in tall BFG KO3 All-Terrain tires wrapped around beadlock-capable alloy wheels. Between the 10-speed automatic transmission and rear wheels lies a modified transfer case, front locking differential and locking rear differential.

Behind each wheel is a 5.5-cm Fox Live Valve Internal ByPass electronically-controlled shock absorber. Those massive units are a visual delight but, more importantly, the internal bypass system allows them to adjust damping forces according to the drive mode selected.

Up front there are longer aluminum control arms, a steering rack and tie rods unique for the Ranger.

The rear suspension is also specific to this vehicle. It includes coil-over shocks and a live axle with Watts Linkage to prevent lateral movement in severe conditions.

All of this allows an additional 3.0 and 5.9 cm of additional suspension travel front and rear compared to lesser Rangers.

You don’t see all this high-tech stuff. But the design team ensured admirers will know this is a different Ranger.

The added width is evident up front with a unique matte black grille, containing great big F-O-R-D letters.

The real estate beneath the front bumper is abbreviated to improve the approach angle and prominent flares cover the big wheels and tires, accentuating the added width. The matte black rear bumper and lower valance are also unique to allow a higher departure angle.

OK, so what’s like it drive? It’s a ball!

There is enough power to more than deal with all that weight and the sophisticated suspension allows you to forget about it. Potholes? Broken pavement? Speed bumps? It’s as if there is an automatic delete button. The unique rear suspension does an excellent job of controlling the rear axle hop common in pickups with solid rear axles.

The steering is direct despite those massive sidewalls. I did not go dune bashing but expect this Ranger can cope with anything you want to tackle.

On the open road, this truck is quieter than it had any right to be, in ‘Comfort’ mode, and the exhaust in ‘Quiet’ setting. The aggressive tread on the big tires is the main noise component.

Beefy upgrades for the Ranger Raptor

All 2024 Rangers came in for upgrades. The Raptor takes that to another level.

There are numerous visual but tasteful reminders of the nature of this vehicle, from a beefy steering wheel and Raptor logos, to orange stitching and accents and a suede-like material on the dash and doors.

The seats, front and rear are heavily bolstered, comfy and supportive.

The driver faces a configurable 26-cm horizontal digital instrument cluster.

There is a row of six blank upfitter switches in the overhead console allowing use of aftermarket add-ons.

Standard equipment at this trim level is extensive: adaptive cruise control with sign recognition, 10-speaker Bang & Olufson audio system, power sliding rear window, power seats and leather-trimmed upholstery.

I am not a fan of the gear selector lever. Counterintuitive in operation, it is difficult to select the desired gear, especially reverse.

Standard features abound in the Ranger Raptor

Trailer backup assist is standard along with a dash-mounted trailer brake controller. Another knob operates the drive mode system. The choices are normal, tow/haul, sport, slippery, off-road, rock crawl, and Baja.

Each setting also adjusts throttle response, ABS calibration, shift points and the instrument cluster and touchscreen displays! You can also adjust the exhaust modes – normal, sport (not neighbour friendly) and Baja (off-road only).

Ford has a knack for listening to enthusiasts.

The Ranger Raptor is an expensive but well-thought-out combination of stand apart looks, class-leading off-road performance and all-round use. It can tackle dunes, carry drywall or go grocery shopping. But it is the looks that will garner the most attention.

FACTS & FIGURES – 2024 Ford Ranger SuperCrew 4X4 Raptor 128-in wheelbase

PRICE

Base: $80,240

As tested:  $84,040 plus freight

INFOTAINMENT

USB A & C ports, satellite radio, Sync 4, Ford Co-pilot 360, navigation, FordPass 4G connect, 10-speaker B&O audio system, 4G LTE WiFi hotspot connect up to 10 devices.

SAFETY

LED projector headlights with automatic high beams, blind spot assist with cross traffic alert, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking,

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

Heated power, folding mirrors with built-in signal lights, power sliding rear window, remote tailgate lock, 63-cm colour touchscreen, dual zone automatic climate control, heated steering wheel, power locks and windows, leather-trimmed power front seats, driver with memory, intelligent access with push-button start, remote keyless entry, 17-inaluminum wheels and all-terrain tires, locking front and rear axles,  Advanced Tow Package (trailer brake controller, Pro Trailer Backup assist, reverse parking aid with trailer guidance.

OPTIONS

Azure gray metallic tri-coat paint, $800; beadlock capable wheels, $2,000, Raptor decal, $1,000

MECHANICAL

Twin turbo 3.0-litre V6, 405-horsepower, 430-lb.ft. of torque, regular fuel; 10-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel-drive, NRCan rating (litres/100km city/highway): don’t ask!

DIMENSIONS

Length, 5,357-mm; wheelbase, 3,270-mm, width, 2,203-mm; weight, 2,415-kg

COMPETITION

Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, GMC Canyon AT4X, Jeep Gladiator Mojave, Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro