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2021 F-150 RAPTOR CAN JUMP SO WELL THAT FORD HAS TO REDESIGN ITS RAMPS

Durability Testing For The Gen 3 Raptor Had The Development Team Exploring The Outer Reaches Of Possibility

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor Jumps Better than the Ram 1500 TRX
Screenshot Via Ford.

Over the years, the Ford F-150 Raptor has been the center of a few viral videos. Often involving the truck being launched too far by its overzealous driver, with damaging results. Bent frames, collapsed suspension, and deployed airbags could often be seen centered in the commotion of a calamitous crowd. There’s no real stopping that behavior, but when it comes to the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor, the engineering and validation team has gone to great lengths to make sure that the Baja-ready bruiser will survive the next viral moment. And it even has led to Ford stretching what was thought possible in its durability testing.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor production deliveries ordering
Image via Ford

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor Can (Almost) Fly

“We definitely push the truck pretty hard, to its limits and sometimes past the limits. We gotta tune the truck in that environment, and know how far we can go,” explained Adam Stroup, Ford Performance Vehicle Dynamics Engineer for the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor, in an interview with MC&T.

“One cool story is we have a tabletop jump that run the truck on for development,” he said. “And after this program, we’re going to have to redesign this jump because we can’t go any faster, or we’ll miss the landing on jump… I don’t want to give you exact speeds or dimensions, but we run that jump significantly faster with the Gen 3 truck.”

A tabletop jump setup involves an incline ramp, followed by a flat landing, and then a decline ramp. It’s often an obstacle found in off-road truck races and motocross.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor
Image via Ford.

Baja Blaster

“On the durability side, we put the truck through a 1000-mile durability cycle to simulate the Baja 1000,” said Stroup. “During those 1000 miles, we push the truck as hard as we can. It’s with a full cage, fire suppression, and full safety team support with spotters and radio communication. We run the truck ourselves, and then the truck is inspected throught the test. Any component that breaks during the test has to be redesigned to make sure it’ll pass before it goes into production.”

The 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor launches this July, with orders expected to take place as soon as this month. The 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor will start at a base MSRP of $64,145, nearly $11,000 more than the Gen 2 Raptor, but decently below the $70,325 MSRP of the Ram TRX. The 37-inch Tire Performance Package, which carries an MSRP of $7,500. The package may include goodies such as a reworked chassis, beefier suspension components and beadlock-capable wheels, but it remains pricey regardless. Beadlock-capable wheels are a $1,895 standalone option. Should you want the Carbon Fiber Package for your 2021 F-150 Raptor, that’ll be another $995. Toss in other extras like the Exterior Graphics Package ($1,075), the Power Tech Package ($1,995), the Raptor Convenience Package ($795), or a 4.10 front axle with a Torsen LSD ($500).

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor Pickup Truck
Image via Ford.

Written by Manoli Katakis

Muscle Cars & Trucks was founded by Manoli Katakis - an automotive media veteran that has been covering the latest car news since 2009. His journalism has uncovered dozens of major product changes, updates, plans, and cancellations long before automakers were ready to make things official.

Some highlights over the years of his reporting include the uncovering of the Zora trademark before anybody else reported on the coming of a mid-engine Corvette, as well as the dead-accurate reporting of the coming of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, two years before it hit the market, and even before the debut of the concept vehicle. This type of reporting has immediately continued here, with reports of the original seventh-generation Camaro plans being shelved, as well as what's in store for the Chevrolet Silverado.

Some of his work can be found on massive automotive media outlets, such as Motor1. He also has been a guest on the 910AM Radio Station with Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne, as well as the enthusiast-oriented Camaro Show podcast.

Over the years, Manoli has interviewed various automotive industry titans, leaders, and people that make things happen otherwise. These include figureheads such as GM CEO Mary Barra, GM President Mark Reuss, automotive aftermarket icon Ken Lingenfelter, Dodge firebrand Tim Kuniskis, along with various chief engineers of vehicles such as the Ford F-150 & Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro & Corvette, and many more.

At MC&T, Manoli is taking his journalism expertise, deeply planted sources, driving abilities, and automotive industry knowledge to new levels, covering more vehicles and brands than ever before. This is the place where you will continue to read groundbreaking stories about American performance vehicles, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Here is where you’ll also read insights and quotes from various automotive subject matter experts on the latest relevant products, as well as some of the latest official news from their manufacturers.

Fun facts: he also once beat Corvette Racing driver Tommy Milner in an autocross with a Chevrolet Bolt EV. The biggest vehicle he’s ever driven is a John Deere mining truck. Besides a go-kart, the smallest vehicle he’s driven has been a Hyundai i10. He’s also spent time in the cockpit of various American performance vehicle icons, including the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, Dodge Challenger Demon, and Ford Mustang GT350R. He has reviewed dozens of trucks, SUVs, and performance vehicles over the years.

One of his favorite new vehicles on the market today happens to be the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison. He is also a card carrying member of the Sports Car Club of America, and regularly participates in Detroit Region autocross events.

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