Wonder if Jay's seen this...

[BigSwede]

Raptor bent frames:

http://jalopnik.com/5820104/are-ford...or-off+roading

Guessing he knows about it.

[JAMAS]

"When video finally emerged of the Nevada run showing the bump that bent the Raptors ...many owners sided with Ford's call — including one of the drivers in the group of 14 who didn't suffer a bent frame:"

http://www.raptorforumz.com/showpost...&postcount=325

[Jay Dunford]

"When video finally emerged of the Nevada run showing the bump that bent the Raptors ...many owners sided with Ford's call — including one of the drivers in the group of 14 who didn't suffer a bent frame:"

Yup, nailed it. Overdriving the truck and whining because Ford wouldn't cover the damage. I don't remember too many here asking Isuzu to fix damage from our Moab outings. I started reading the threads until people started coming clean on how the trucks were really run and lost interest after that. Gotta pay to play!!

[JAMAS]

Have you looked into any of the frame reinforcement options?

I am keeping an eye on anything Raptor as that is my next vehicle.....5-10 years from now (the wife is first for a newish car)

[WormGod]

Yup, nailed it. Overdriving the truck and whining because Ford wouldn't cover the damage. I don't remember too many here asking Isuzu to fix damage from our Moab outings. I started reading the threads until people started coming clean on how the trucks were really run and lost interest after that. Gotta pay to play!!

The difference being, no ISUZU frames have been bent, especially multiple in one outing. (that have been reported here anyways)

It's American.... just another urban mall crawling, curb hopper. Park it next to an Escalade and call it a day. I am just throwing a wrench into the gears cause I work with a guy who has one and thinks he is some sort of offroad elitist because of it. *poke poke*

[Buffy]

I read about this on another forum. My problem with this is go check out the Raptor SVT web site and you will see the truck driven much like you see in the video, screaming through the desert at high speeds, catching big air etc. So it should come as no surprise to Ford that people are driving their truck as depicted in their sales advertising. It sounds like there is a strength issue with the frame if all the trucks experienced the same failure point. Cudos to the guys who are willing to take their $40,000+ trucks and thrash them as advertised. I can't say I would do treat my truck that way and would LOVE to have one of these things. If you are going to advertise your truck as a desert racing truck don't be surprised when your customers take it out and treat it as advertised. I say examine the issue, fix the problem and stop blaming the customer.

Just my 2 cents.

[Bob Barker]

I've even heard about this as well, and have seen an in cab video of one of the trucks hauling ***** over the kicker in the middle of the desert. It sounds violent by the drivers reaction!

[Triathlete]

Ford is no differant than any other auto manufacturer. Take your jeep rubicon ("trail rated" on the rubicon trail ) off road and then attempt to get any warranty work done. A friend of mine had the infamous front suspension issue with his. Because his showed signs of of road use (scuffed paint on frame and skid plates...no dents ) he was not covered under warranty.

[circmand]

I read about this on another forum. My problem with this is go check out the Raptor SVT web site and you will see the truck driven much like you see in the video, screaming through the desert at high speeds, catching big air etc. So it should come as no surprise to Ford that people are driving their truck as depicted in their sales advertising. It sounds like there is a strength issue with the frame if all the trucks experienced the same failure point. Cudos to the guys who are willing to take their $40,000+ trucks and thrash them as advertised. I can't say I would do treat my truck that way and would LOVE to have one of these things. If you are going to advertise your truck as a desert racing truck don't be surprised when your customers take it out and treat it as advertised. I say examine the issue, fix the problem and stop blaming the customer.

Just my 2 cents.

But most I see say professional driver on closed course do not attempt

[Buffy]

But most I see say professional driver on closed course do not attempt

Yea, unfortunately they fail to read (or see) the fine print.

[Ldub]

But most I see say professional driver on closed course do not attempt

Yea, unfortunately they fail to read (or see) the fine print.

Can I say what I think about natural selection here...

And why that disclaimer should be unnecessary?...

[Jay Dunford]

The difference being, no ISUZU frames have been bent, especially multiple in one outing. (that have been reported here anyways)

The Isuzus aren't going 120+ MPH over roads that the drivers havent pre-run (aren't familiar with) and hitting whoops and washes at speeds only purpose built trucks (trophy trucks, etc.) should be attempting. There were other factors involed as well, cargo weight being one of the big ones. It's a street legal somewhat mass produced vehicle that has loads more capability than a regular F150 4x4, but it still has limits. Those commercials are driven by professionals and the terrain has been thoroughly scouted.

TimG who used to be on here has a great photo getting some air in the Moab sand dunes resulting in definite front fender/door tweaks and possibly a little frame adjustment as well. He didn't go looking for the factory to fix it. We've all done some high speed playing on the dirt roads around Moab, but at speeds MUCH lower than that.

[Jay Dunford]

Have you looked into any of the frame reinforcement options?

I am keeping an eye on anything Raptor as that is my next vehicle.....5-10 years from now (the wife is first for a newish car)

I've seen some of the solutions offered, but for the money and any likelyhood that I'll be doing anything that extreme without a fully prepped and built truck (including full cage!) it's not worth it. This is a huge truck to be throwing around like that. I'll stick to my moderate (wimpy 70-80 MPH) speed runs over dirt roads and terrain I'm familiar with. I still have to break loose the suction between butt and seat after that.

[ZEUS]

I jumped an S-10 over a table top on a motocross track - 40 feet! Also drove the complete track several times. When I 'cleared' the table top tho I did it at night and turned off the lights as I approached the base of the ramp. It was a beautiful thing - the stars floated in silence and then rushed upward past the windshield. SLAM!!! Caught the very edge of the exit ramp - needed about 1 foot more to land smooth. The frame bent, A-arm bent, shock broke, radiator leaked, and 4x4 went out. I still consider it the coolest thing I have ever done. Still drove the truck for a while too! So for less than $1000 and a brass set anyone can jump a truck in the desert. Had the same POS truck doing 80 when I caught air on an open dirt road. Smooth landing. If you want to spend $50000 to desert race - I say build or buy something that can take it!

[JAMAS]

this feels related......

http://jalopnik.com/5821242/proof-yo...airbag-deploys