Months before the all-new 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor hits showrooms, Ford Performance is entering a race-ready version into the 2016 Best in the Desert off-road racing series. The truck will compete in the Factory-Stock class, thanks to only a minor handful of modifications past the standard Raptor.
“The all-new Raptor has the DNA of a Baja race truck, with a purpose-built engine, chassis, and suspension that enables it to travel fast over challenging desert landscapes or crawl over rocky terrain,” said Jamal Hameedi, chief engineer at Ford Performance.
Despite Hameedi’s accolades, this specially prepared Raptor utilizes the same 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, 10-speed automatic transmission, transfer case, and Torsen differentials. Even this race version of the Raptor rides on the same frame as the production version. This speaks volumes about the 2017 Raptor’s ruggedness right from the factory.
Modifications do exist, of course, but mostly deal with safety. A full roll cage and racing seats with harnesses line the interior, while LED light bars light the way at night. A fuel cell, Lowrance GPS, Racepak digital dash, and data logger allow the truck to pass inspection.
Ford Performance did upgrade the suspension, though not heavily. Race-optimized front and rear springs raise the ride height for extra ground clearance and increased suspension compression. The Raptor’s new Fox Racing shocks were swapped for Fox Racing’s race-specific three-inch diameter shocks with external bypasses, both up front and out back.
“This is the most stock truck I’ve ever seen in my time building Ford race trucks,” said Greg Foutz, owner of Foutz Motorsports, Ford’s truck builder and primary race truck driver. “Without custom technology or other modifications, this all-new Raptor is ready to prove the toughness and performance in the Best in the Desert series.”
Keep reading for the full rundown.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor Race Truck.
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