[SoCalBluFlame]

S.C.B.F
This guy in was a fraud..He bent his truck over driving it off road then tried to get a warranty claim from Ford with a bogas story.
His 15 min. of fame has past.
Just to TRY and control the incredible amount of damage the frame bending issue has caused to the whole Raptor community. Please lets not speak of this again.
Thanks


Did I tell you I HATE the frame bending thread?

WIZ, I did not know that... That really relieves my brain... Thanks... and you know I am completely in agreement on the 'EVIL' Subject...

 

[E63]

Sorry Wiz I did see your response in it and was not trying to dredge up an issue, Just wanted to do right by my truck and take advantage of the great knowledge base we have here. I was confused weather a kit was necessary after reading the nearly 100 pages of that thread but will wait for now on the kit and work on items that will help in my environment. Time for some wheels and tires then headers and exhaust them maybe a bump stop. Thanks again guys and sorry for bringing back a bad memory Wiz, You are a great resource.

Hey Strafe, I have enjoyed watching your build and don't mean to be critical, but you did ask. I think you should move the frame support to the front of your list and I will briefly explain why. Ford did an amazing job with 80% of this unique vehicle. adding the frame support and air bump will give you the most bang for your bucks while protecting your investment. I am not an engineer or scientist, but think like one, and all of this has been hashed and thrashed before but the end result is that by moving the stop position to the outside of the leaf springs it just settles the rear - "Plants it" for better control. The frame was designed for crash protection in the same area they put the stop., On a regular F150 it is not an issue because of the heavier springs. The Raptor was built to fly and even if you don't plan on it, it still is built that way, that unseen pothole, or innocent looking speed bump can quickly use up the remaining travel while suspension is loaded. Since getting my kit, I reset the "O" ring on the bump often. Then after hitting some bumps I see how far the travel in the bump stop was. I have learned that it doesn't take much to engage it.

Nice thing about the RPG kits is that it is modular, so you can first do Frame support and then add the bump later.

Keep up the great work:smileup:

 

[wiz1500]

Sorry Wiz I did see your response in it and was not trying to dredge up an issue, Just wanted to do right by my truck and take advantage of the great knowledge base we have here. I was confused weather a kit was necessary after reading the nearly 100 pages of that thread but will wait for now on the kit and work on items that will help in my environment. Time for some wheels and tires then headers and exhaust them maybe a bump stop. Thanks again guys and sorry for bringing back a bad memory Wiz, You are a great resource.

No need to apologize my friend your concerns are very valid...:smiley_thumbs_up:

Hey Strafe, I have enjoyed watching your build and don't mean to be critical, but you did ask. I think you should move the frame support to the front of your list and I will briefly explain why. Ford did an amazing job with 80% of this unique vehicle. adding the frame support and air bump will give you the most bang for your bucks while protecting your investment. I am not an engineer or scientist, but think like one, and all of this has been hashed and thrashed before but the end result is that by moving the stop position to the outside of the leaf springs it just settles the rear - "Plants it" for better control. The frame was designed for crash protection in the same area they put the stop., On a regular F150 it is not an issue because of the heavier springs. The Raptor was built to fly and even if you don't plan on it, it still is built that way, that unseen pothole, or innocent looking speed bump can quickly use up the remaining travel while suspension is loaded. Since getting my kit, I reset the "O" ring on the bump often. Then after hitting some bumps I see how far the travel in the bump stop was. I have learned that it doesn't take much to engage it.

Nice thing about the RPG kits is that it is modular, so you can first do Frame support and then add the bump later.

Keep up the great work:smileup:

There it is...:smileup:

 

[strafe]

Perfect, Thank you both for the info. Maybe bump stop first then the other two. I have been vary blessed that my wife sees the truck as a hobby truck so she gives me a budget on a leash to keep the modification period extended and lets me look forward to each mod.

 

[strafe]

So got some new toys on the way. The wife took me off the leash for a bit so maybe went a little overboard. Got an RPG stage 2 with the 2.5" bumps on the way. Also went for the Purple Cranium spider and chrome cover with all the options. Having the cover powder coated orange to match the truck then the Spider will be white with an orange sticker. Was going to try and match what they had on their page.

Also Have a set of raptor Caliper covers coming. found them on a site my friend used to have his GT500's made. The look great and his have taken a beating with no sign of wear. site is Carid see the shot below.

So now playing the 4-6 week waiting game until everything shows up then can post about the installs.

 

[wiz1500]

Those covers are AWESOME!!!! I just wounder if i would rip them off with all the crap that gets in my wheels when the mud shows up????
Any thoughts on that?

 

[Fozzy]

Wiz, fyi I bought those caliper covers and they will not fit with the 17" Method Double standard wheels. The caliper is to close to the wheel. Not sure if the regular Method Standards are as close. They don't clear the stock wheels until you install the lug nuts and they are so close it's iffy if they would make it offroad. They do look good and if you had 18-20" wheels they would probably be ok.

 

[Fozzy]

Forgot to mention that is on the front wheels. They are held on with a clip and sets crew.

[/IMG]

 

[strafe]

Then at least I have them for when I do the tires and wheels. The just look so damn good I couldn't resist

 

[Fozzy]

I just read on your link to the covers that you need a 3mm spacer to make them work with the stock wheels. That makes more sense. I still do not think I would use them if you off road a lot or are in the mud unless you have big wheels.

 

[wiz1500]

I did go with the 18's when i bought my Methods because of the rock damage that was going on with the 17's and the calipers. Hmmmm.

 

[strafe]

Thanks for the heads up Fozzy. I have read about what spacers can do and maybe time to cancel that order.

 

[strafe]

Got some recent pictures well heading up to the Lake with the family.

My wife is obsessed with old run down farm buildings so we stop every time we see one

My Daughter wanting to get back in "Her Truck"

A great picture of Me and my Daughter

Finally got the temporary "Ford Decal" for the grill. I was going to use it to see if I really wanted to paint it and $20 is small change in the grand plan for the truck to test the waters.

Now Just waiting on the Stage 2, Diff cover and PC Spider

 

[djchoma]

i wouldnt waste money on painting it! the decal will last longer and is much easier to replace the lettering instead of repainting. your truck looks sharp. i wish i could keep mine half that clean. the chrome headlights are a different take on what you normally see. doesnt look to bad.

 

[wiz1500]

Truck is looking great...I love your daughters hat...

 

[dutchinnc]

Strafe,

Looking good! Nice to see the Molten Army out and about!

Cheers!

 

[E63]

I really like the Orange "F O R D" stickers on the front, looks fantastic. Anyone ever seen what it looks like on a White one?

 

[strafe]

I am a very happy camper today! The Purple Cranium Diff cover and spider came today. Was a very quick turn around and great service thanks guys.

Now time to change the fluids and mount them . Pics of the install to come.

 

[strafe]

Finally headed over to my cousins to change my fluids and mount the diff cover and spider. The Diff cover and spider were a piece of cake and was impressed how easily they want on. Yes we did clean up the gasket material around the edges. For you Canadians out there the diff takes 3.5L of fluid so make sure you buy enough. I was lucky and had 5L of 75W140 and additive.

We then proceeded to finally bring me up to middle perch which thanks to some of the great write ups by some of our outstanding members (djchoma) It went very smoothly. I was however shocked at what I saw was a giant flaw in the shock design. There is nothing stopping fluid and mud from building up in the lock ring slots. This is very evident around the ring itself and due to the metal of the lock ring being different than that of the shock housing wan cause serious battery like corrosion.

As you can see from the pictures after only 7 months there is already pitting due to the two metals and and the water that after time acts like acid in a battery. Ford needs to take a look at this and I have already sent the SVT team an E-mail about this. This is electrical engineering 101. Otherwise love the look of middle perch but cannot truly enjoy it after seeing the lower ring issue.

 

[mustangbesos]

Both the rings are pitted on mine as well. Did you get a response from SVT about this condition?