Just curious if anyone has added a custom air bag or a leaf/spring to give the Raptor more rear load capability. (and before I get slaughtered for even suggesting it, especically the air bag comment, take a pill, I'd never add a air bag to a baja capable rig like this) Just curious thats all. The Raptor with the custom truck camper got me thinking...

 

I'm sure Deaver and the likes could hook a person up with something along those lines... A little more payload, but still plush with lots of travel.

 

Nothing is gonna increase the payload. All airbags do is take some strain off the leaf springs and level the truck they will not increase the amount you can tow/haul.

 

Ok Mr. technical Lawyer man. I should have said real world payload. And it yes it will increase the amount I can tow or haul. Mine will "illeagal" just like yours.

 

Sorry to tell you it wont. Is it going to change what your tires are rated for? Is it going to change what your axles are rated for? Transmission maybe? Your GVWR is never going to change no matter what you do.

 

With the way the Raptor is built, do you really think that its tires, axles, or transmission are its limiting factors in payload or towing?

No.

I'd almost guarantee that Ford could increase the Raptor's payload/towing just by changing out the soft, long travel rear leaf springs. However, the Raptor's "offroad prowess" would suffer.

Deaver could build you a pack that would give you better payload (not squatting so bad from such a light load), yet still be fairly plush with all the travel. Now would this truely change your payload or tow ratings? On paper, no, but your truck would handle the weight much better than stock.

If you just simply want your Raptor to not squat so much while hauling or towing stuff, get bags.

 

Ok again... I KNOW.

It won't change anything. except my ability to have a level truck when I haul or tow something.

Take your 04. I have one too. With my LT tires, bed mat, cover, tool box, wife, kids and hitch and whatever I haul in the box (bbq, coolers etc) I have room left for @ 150 lbs before I exceed my GVWR. Yes before I hook up my rv. So before anyone says " you'll exceed your legal limit blah blah" save it as 95% of truck doing anything are over. Doesn't make it any less illegal I know. Just saying. (Even 4 plys weight limits are FAR higher than the trucks)

With the Raptors long lanky rear leafs... I woudl suspect it would squat alot and early and often with any weight in the bed or on the hitch. I was curious if someone had addressed that yet...

 

Guy down the street has a Raptor. He does not use it for work though.... his F-550 is for work.

 

I was looking at the same thing. I want to be able to tow 5-7k with it. I know the Engine/trans/rear end will take it. Its some of the most heavy duty components ford has to offer in the half ton.

Soft suspension is what kills this truck for towing. It was designed to have tons of travel and not tow.

But one could put air bags on, air them up when towing heavyier loads, and deflate them when wanting to play off road. Best of both worlds if you ask me.


And the brakes on this truck are better than the regular F-150 as well. Brakes are normally what limit the rated towing capability of a truck.

 

My issue with airbags is that they limit travel. Something the Raptor has lots of. I thinking in this case their may be better options. I have a Superspring on my 04 for the same reason. Doesn't limit travel. Works really well. I just don't want to be the test piliot on this project.

 

Maybe there is a air bag that allowes for more travel. But i do see what you mean.

How did the supersprings work to no stiffen up the suspension all the time?

 

They have "some" tension at all times so they are not loose and vibrate, but for the most part, they engage automatically the more you load it. I like them.

 

Power kid,

Your sig sas Soon: 2011 Screw with 6.2? Did you order one or are you waiting for one?

 

Sorry man, thats wishful thinking from a year or two ago when I had my fingers crossed they would offer the 6.2L in FX4 trim.

The dream is dead. Thats why I'm sniffing around the Raptor Screw. When the order guide for the 2011s is out I'll study it and make a decision. I'm not anti EB, wish I knew how they performed against each other.

 

Sounds like you and I are in the same boat. I was wanting pretty much exactly whats in your sig. So i had been looking at the new SCREW raptor with a 6.2 and air bags. Would make for a nice truck i think.