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Ford Raptor Uses Fox Suspension Parts For Better Off-Road Control

Ford’s Ranger Raptor has better off-road control and comfort.
Posted: December 7, 2023 - 12:59PM
Author: Marc Stern

If you have followed Ford trucks for any time, you know that one of the sought-after pickups isn’t part of the F-150 pickup series.

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Ford has entries in every pickup category: heavy-duty full-sized, full-sized standard models, intermediate models, and compact pickups.

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The automaker offers heavy-duty pickups as part of its Super Duty line: the standard model is the F-150 series, the intermediate offering is the Ranger series, and finally, the compact series is the super-popular compact Maverick.

In Ford’s extensive lineup of trucks, one of the sought-after versions is in its intermediate lineup, the Ranger series. Indeed, it is the Ranger Raptor. It is the most powerful, high-performance, off-road capable Ranger ever released by the Dearborn-based carmaker.

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The 2024 version has been designed and engineered to take off-road capability to the next level among midsized pickups.

Fox Live Valve Internal Bypass

Ford has used a Fox Live Valve Internal Bypass system to get to the next level, which changes the damping performance based on the Ranger Raptor’s drive modes.

The modes include:

  • Normal
  • Tow/Haul
  • Sport
  • Slippery
  • Off-Road
  • Rock Crawl
  • Baja

The drive modes have all been developed to provide better on-road comfort. Also, the Ranger Raptor were engineered for better off-road control and capability. Owners can also provide better ride quality at high and low speeds.

All Mounting Points Have Been Reinforced

The front frame rails, shock towers, rear shock brackets, suspension mounting points, and other vital areas have all been specially reinforced so that the Ranger Raptor can handle more punishing off-road conditions.

The all-new 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor is the most powerful, high-performance, off-road, capable Ranger ever. It’s designed and engineered to take off-road capability to the next level among midsize trucks.

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The heart of every Ford Raptor performance vehicle is the suspension. A video explains how Ranger Raptor’s class-exclusive 2.5-inch FOX Live Valve shocks work to help chase the horizon. It includes a cool X-ray view of how the internal bypass shocks actively manage damping across harsh terrain.

Shocks Are Coil-Overs

Ranger’s next-generation shocks are coil-overs at the front and piggyback reservoirs at the rear to reduce heat build-up for daily uninterrupted performance. 

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The FOX Live Valve Internal Bypass system changes damping performance based on Ranger Raptor’s Drive Modes. The modes include Normal, Tow/Haul, Sport, Slippery, Off-Road, Rock Crawl, and Baja, all developed to provide better on-road comfort, off-road control, capability, and ride quality at high and low speeds.

The front frame rails, front shock towers, rear shock brackets, suspension mounting points, and other vital areas have all been specially reinforced so the Ranger Raptor can handle more punishing off-road conditions.

Marc Stern has been an automotive writer since 1971. His automotive articles have appeared in venues including Popular Mechanics, Mechanix Illustrated, AutoWeek, SuperStock, Trailer Life, Old Cars Weekly, Special Interest Autos, and others. You can follow Marc on Twitter or Facebook.