There probably isn’t a Suspension Deep Dive vehicle I’ve anticipated more than the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor. But I tend to say that every time I get my hands on an all-new vehicle. It was true before I laid hands on the 2022 Ford Bronco I looked at recently, and I had the same thought when the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX paid a visit about a year ago.
The main reason for the third-gen Raptor’s newfound depth and breadth of suspension performance is in fact that fantastic five-link coil rear suspension. Ford has also fitted Fox internal bypass Live-Valve adaptive dampers and optimized them for the new suspension. Now that I’ve driven it, it’s time to pull the wheels off for a closer look I’ve just been dying to take.
Below, the lower shock attachment is a large double-shear through-bolt. This is similar to the last Raptor, but quite different from the regular F-150, which uses a tie-bar held to the top surface of the lower wishbone with two smaller bolts.The Raptor’s aluminum lower wishbone is strengthened by an integrated crossmember that spans between its two legs. Further outboard, the lower wishbone and the steering knuckle feature prominent nubs that work together to act as a steering stop.
Lost among all this is the height sensor that tracks the suspension’s position constantly and feeds it into the Live-Valve adaptive damping computer.Inside, the front bump stop is plain to see. This one is particularly long to the point where it needs a stiffening ring, because Raptors shod with 37-inch tires get longer bump stops to restrict the front travel to 13 inches. The 35-inch version should have a shorter stop that enables the full 14 inches of travel.
Also of note is the axle breather tube that runs from here up to a point near the left-rear shock’s upper mount. The end features a 90-degree fitting that actually terminates a little higher than the bottom surface of the bed. Nearby there’s a control wire for the electronically lockable rear differential.It is indeed a tight fit with a 37-inch spare tire back here, so much so that the Panhard bar is squeezed flat in the middle for a little extra breathing room.
Multi link rear suspension is cool.
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