How The Ford F-150 Raptor R’s Epic Off-Road Suspension Makes It Even Better On Road

Of the things that come to mind when you think of purpose-built off-road machines, ride comfort isn’t anywhere near the top of the list. Because of the need for rugged suspension and related components, off-roaders are usually more prone to shaking your spine loose, rather than glide down the road like a luxury car.

However, the relatively new Ford F-150 Raptor R takes a unique approach to its ride quality. Ford decided that, instead of taking the usual route when it comes to all-terrain suspensions, they’d build something capable of both off-road prowess and on-road comfort. In essence, they decided you could have your cake and eat it, too.

The Raptor R is an impressive vehicle all around, not just suspension-wise. The 5.2-liter supercharged V8 borrowed from the now-discontinued Shelby GT500 churns out 720 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque. That power culminates in a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds, and a top speed of 110 mph, which is electronically limited and reached in 11.1 seconds. The Raptor R is in a league of its own, now that the Ram 1500 TRX is done.

Our following CarBuzz write-up will examine the what and how of the Ford Raptor R’s suspension and how exactly Ford kept it from being just another off-roader with a jarring ride.

The Raptor’s Suspension Explained

Raptor R Suspension Key Points

• 13.0 inches of suspension travel at the front, 14.1 inches of travel at the rear.
• Independent double-wishbone front, five-link coil rear suspension configuration.
• Gas-pressurized Fox Racing Shox at all four corners.

While the Raptor and Raptor R are based on the standard Ford F-150, there isn’t much shared between them when it comes to suspension configuration. One of the most significant differences between these models is found at the rear. In the standard F-150, a leaf-spring/solid axle setup is present. While this doesn’t bode well for comfort, it is remarkably utilitarian and copes well with heavy hauling and towing.

The Raptor R’s rear suspension is much different. Ford designed a special five-link coil suspension setup equipped with a Panhard rod. A Panhard rod connects the rear axle to the truck’s frame, preventing potentially devastating lateral movement.

In addition to the difference in the rear suspension, the Raptor R is equipped with Fox Racing Shox, whereas the standard F-150 uses standard Motorcraft shock absorbers.

Aside from differences in equipment, the Raptor R also has over six more inches of track width on its front axle and over five inches on the rear axle. That gives it a much larger footprint, which means more stability. It boasts a 13.1-inch ground clearance, compared to the current standard F-150’s maximum of 9.8 inches. Approach, departure, and breakover angles are larger on the Raptor R as well.

Why It Makes It So Amazing Off-Road

All of these suspension upgrades add up to one thing: off-road domination. One of the most impressive aspects of the Raptor R’s suspension is the Fox shocks. The shocks allow for a supreme level of damping, meaning when the truck is taken over large bumps or even jumps, the shocks are able to take the brunt of the truck’s weight and absorb almost all of it, taking the sometimes-fierce level of discomfort out of off-roading while also protecting the truck from percussive damage.

A massive amount of ground clearance is also an important facet of any off-roader. Generally, the more ground clearance available, the more you can get away with without damaging the undercarriage or bottoming out.

A wide track is imperative to any off-roader’s formula. The wider the truck, generally, the more stable the vehicle. This is especially important when off-roading at a sideways angle, as a rollover is a devastating mistake. Along with this, the larger approach, departure, and breakover angles boasted by the Raptor R mean you can climb and descend steeper hills, and also crest steeper points without the worry of damaging your undercarriage.

Why The Suspension Also Makes It Better On The Road

• The damping makes it more comfortable.
• The suspension allows you to corner harder than the standard truck.
• There is no need to worry about potholes. The suspension can soak them up, and the tires have a reinforced sidewall.
• The truck’s massive footprint (front and rear track) makes it more stable at high speed.

Interestingly, Ford has managed to engineer the Raptor R’s suspension so that its off-road upgrades also improve its on-road ride and feel. The first and most prominent way this is achieved is with the Fox shock absorbers.

Because of the huge amount of damping these shocks can achieve, on-road bumps and bangs are easily absorbed without being felt in the cab. These same dampeners work together with the multi-link suspension and also allow for a more level-cornering truck, meaning the Raptor R can handle itself well on a twisty road. It’s not a track machine, but it’s exceptionally well-sorted for something so big.

City driving is improved as well, again thanks to the shock absorbers. Potholes and other road irregularities can make for a jarring ride in almost any modern car or truck. Inside the Raptor R, however, things remain calm and comfortable.

Finally, the Raptor R’s wide stance helps it remain much more poised and stable at high speeds. While the truck can only go 110 mph thanks to an electronic limiter, highway driving can sometimes get squirrely in any pickup, especially when high winds are present. The Raptor R’s wide track width makes it more stable in these conditions, which can lead to a more relaxed cruise during long freeway journeys.