Although it’s named after a dinosaur, Ford could just as well have called the off-road version of its midsize pickup the Unicorn for its elusiveness – at least in this part of the world.
While other markets basked in the glory of a Ranger built to blast across desert expanses and bash through sand dunes, we were left to do little more than look on with envy. Well, it was either that or simply opt for the larger F-150 with the same treatment. But then there’s something about the sweetness of forbidden fruit that’s hard to resist, which is why the arrival of the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor is so downright delectable.
A Special Suspension
There’s so much about this truck that’s worth getting excited about, so let’s start with the basics. It builds on the bones of the new Ranger but adds an entirely unique suspension setup built to withstand whatever comes its way. This isn’t simply a case of Ford sticking upgraded shocks and springs underneath and calling it a day, though. The entire suspension geometry has been reengineered and optimized, including totally different shock towers than the standard truck.
Not only have the upper and lower control arms been swapped for lightweight aluminum units, but the rear end features a Watt’s link that helps to maximize suspension travel while limiting horizontal motion. For the shocks, Ford once again turned to its friends at Fox, with predictably impressive results.
The so-called Live Valve shocks use dedicated computer modules and various sensors at each corner of the truck to monitor what’s happening in real time, adjusting the suspension damping to react accordingly. All that electronic trickery works with an internal bypass system that allows the hydraulic fluid inside each shock to flow to where it’s put to best use – either compression or rebound.
Bucking the Base Mechanicals
Beyond the suspension, the rest of the mechanical components have been replaced with stuff intent on making this truck more intense than the one it’s based on. That’s why this version of the Ranger gets its own engine – the same twin-turbocharged V6 that’s stuffed under the hood of the Raptor version of the Ford Bronco. The 3.0L has been tuned to make a little less output in this application, although the 405 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque it spins up is hardly anything to scoff at.
Getting all that output to the surface below is a 10-speed automatic transmission and dual-range four-wheel drive system, while both the front and rear ends feature locking differentials to ensure torque goes to the wheels that need it most. And, of course, there’s more electronic wizardry by way of the various drive modes that optimize all the systems for specific conditions. That includes a baja setting that, among other changes, locks the torque distribution into a 50/50 split between the front and rear wheels.
Baja-ja-ja!
Plenty of fun can be had behind the wheel of the Ranger Raptor, including on narrow trails its larger F-150 sibling simply can’t traverse. That’s the beauty of a midsize truck like this compared to a full-size one, with an inherent nimbleness that’s handy when heading off the beaten path. Even its wider track compared to the regular Ranger – it measures 1,709 mm (67.3 in) versus 1,621 mm (63.8 in) – is short of that of the Bronco Raptor, putting this pickup at an advantage over that off-road SUV.
Of course, any Raptor worth its salt is supposed to be able to take to desert conditions with equal parts ease and excitement. Should such spaces beckon, this Ranger is ready to answer the call. It’s here that the Live Valve shocks do their best work, skipping across changing surfaces with the sort of precision only an electronically-controlled system offers, adjusting on the fly to maximize fun and functionality.
Taking to a short dirt track carved into the sand and soil at the Ford Performance Racing School in Utah’s Tooele Valley, the multiple personalities of this pickup were on full display. From surprisingly docile to downright playful, the different drive modes do wonders to change the way this truck behaves.
Unsurprisingly, it’s the baja setting that really allows the Ranger Raptor to come alive, with the rear end wagging like an excited dog’s when powering out of loose corners. With the electronic nannies receding into the background, this pickup feels like it’s in its element when getting sideways. It’s here, too, that the engine’s lag reduction system is put to excellent use, with the turbos spinning even after the throttle pedal is released so it’s easier to get back into the good part of the torque curve on corner exit.
More Than a Toy
While this truck was quite obviously designed and engineered for off-highway hijinx, it can certainly hold its own in everyday driving scenarios. That’s no accident – the team behind the Ranger Raptor drove a race-prepped unit with a stock powertrain to California after competing in last year’s Baja 1000 race in Mexico, while the truck’s development program manager, Justin Capicchiano, drove his own stock demo during a scouting lap at last year’s Finke Desert Race in Australia.
Sure, the tires get a little noisy on the pavement – but that’s not unique to this Ranger, nor is a surprise given the 33-inch all-terrain rubber it rides on. What’s more noteworthy is just how mild-mannered it is on the open road, with none of the wandering that’s common in rugged rigs like this one. Credit the long wheelbase and independent front suspension, sure, but also the outstanding steering system that features a fast ratio for the fun times while tracking well on the road. In fact, with its wider track and tires, the Ranger Raptor might well manage such situations better than the standard truck.
In keeping with its abilities as an everyday truck, this off-roader comes with everything from a heated steering wheel and front seats to a 10-speaker stereo, subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Hell, there’s even a full suite of advanced safety and driver-assistance features that includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, and even a self-parking system.
Final Thoughts
All that stuff adds yet another dimension of duality to the Ranger Raptor, which makes its long-awaited arrival on these shores riding a wave of go-anywhere hype. Graciously, this truck lives up to every bit of it, with outstanding off-road abilities to go with good on-road manners.
For all its fancy technology – from the massive touchscreen inside to the driver aids and the sophisticated suspension it rides on – this is hardly a delicate flower that should be handled with care. No, this is a hardcore machine meant to make easy work of whatever obstacles it encounters, whether rocks and roots or ruts and dunes. The Ranger Raptor is finally here, and it’s every bit as good as we all hoped it would be. But don’t just take it from us; there’s plenty of terrain out there waiting to be explored.
The 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor is on sale now, with a starting MSRP of $77,945.
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