Bent Frame
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,001
Likes: 8
From: In the garage
That's just part of the vid from the run that day. Here's the video showing the two obstacles they (the group) hit going way too fast. This is what happens when you're too dumb to pre run your route...
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This space for rent...
Joined: Apr 2009
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Likes: 8
From: In the garage
One more...
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From what I've read:
1. Guys were carrying loads in their beds
2. They were running hard with little to no breaks
3. Shocks were overheating and they began to notice they were getting "softer"
4. Guys were running lower spring rate leaf springs in the rear (Deavers)
5. None had pre-run the course other than the person who picked the route
6. No CB communication, I would hope someone would radio back "Slow down" on a run to warn those behind
7. Too fast of speeds for conditions (road you've never been down before)
8. Notice in the video above this post, the driver never let off the gas or made any attempt to slow down.
10 out of 14 guys in one run mess up their frames and it's Fords fault they fail at driving.
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From what I've read:
1. Guys were carrying loads in their beds
2. They were running hard with little to no breaks
3. Shocks were overheating and they began to notice they were getting "softer"
4. Guys were running lower spring rate leaf springs in the rear (Deavers)
5. None had pre-run the course other than the person who picked the route
6. No CB communication, I would hope someone would radio back "Slow down" on a run to warn those behind
7. Too fast of speeds for conditions (road you've never been down before)
8. Notice in the video above this post, the driver never let off the gas or made any attempt to slow down.
10 out of 14 guys in one run mess up their frames and it's Fords fault they fail at driving.
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This space for rent...
Joined: Apr 2009
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Likes: 8
From: In the garage
That first video was meant to show how hard they were pushing their trucks all day (the event covered some 200 miles in the first day). The blue truck was behind the red truck (second vid) and there was no radio communication (though I doubt the blue truck could of heard over his radio blasting as shown in the first vid when they had no idea what was said over the CB). They pushed their Raptors to the limits and broke 'em and now they want Ford to carry the burden of their stupidity. Does ANYONE have ANY personal responsibility lift?
Waaaa, I spilled coffee in my lap and it's their fault for not telling me my hot coffee was hot...
Waaaa, I ate McDonald's and it's their fault I'm fat now...
Waaaa, I drove my truck like a moron till it broke and it's the car companies fault cause in their videos they were doing the same thing I was (though not hitting 12" high kickers going 60+)....
Waaaaaaa....
Waaaa, I spilled coffee in my lap and it's their fault for not telling me my hot coffee was hot...
Waaaa, I ate McDonald's and it's their fault I'm fat now...
Waaaa, I drove my truck like a moron till it broke and it's the car companies fault cause in their videos they were doing the same thing I was (though not hitting 12" high kickers going 60+)....
Waaaaaaa....
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,503
Likes: 2,820
Well, it's hard to tell from a chair over the internet, but neither the cattle crossing nor the "kicker" looked like something that should have bent a frame. The spindle bender...well, he is stopped and you can hear the door or the seat belt about 3 seconds after the hit. Can't have been going that fast.
HOWEVER, it is noted they had softer rear springs, and it is 6000 lbs---
I do think Ford has oversold the truck. All the Ford promo stuff I've seen would lead me to believe at least the cattle crossing and kicker could be soaked up. Obviously not with the softer springs.
HOWEVER, it is noted they had softer rear springs, and it is 6000 lbs---
I do think Ford has oversold the truck. All the Ford promo stuff I've seen would lead me to believe at least the cattle crossing and kicker could be soaked up. Obviously not with the softer springs.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 21,113
Likes: 3,939
From: Ohio
Yea Ford really screwed these guys...
No where do I see the arguement on Fords video about the Raptor that they beat the living snot out of it like these guys did. Stop the video at 15 seconds in and you can see the frame is already bent from looking at the bed alignment.
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No where do I see the arguement on Fords video about the Raptor that they beat the living snot out of it like these guys did. Stop the video at 15 seconds in and you can see the frame is already bent from looking at the bed alignment.<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/D293JE35vPE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Rockwall TX
what year trucks have this happened to. have they fixed it for 2011 or 2012. that is total horse ship but they have had to know of the problem from there testing i mean from what i hear of how it happened it seams they would of had the same thing happen in testing. i would like to think ford is a half way honest company. they told me id get 40 mpgs in my wifes new focus and you can get 45 on the highway.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,503
Likes: 2,820
Yup, I see the gap between the bed and cab on that one. The first jump is similar to one in the other video--a bad landing with a lot of bouncing. The second landing probably wouldn't hurt anything.
But, how many people can make a smooth landing like that the first time? Miss it once and your frame is bent.
Better take it easy and enjoy the smooth(er) ride. Leave the jumping to purpose-built race truck.
But, how many people can make a smooth landing like that the first time? Miss it once and your frame is bent.
Better take it easy and enjoy the smooth(er) ride. Leave the jumping to purpose-built race truck.
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Here is a quote from one of the guys who went on this run:
"...I was Truck #1 on the Raptor Run. I did NOT bend my frame. I believe I am the only person who didn't. If Ford fixes these, I will be surprised. Why? The trucks were driven past what they are capable of. You do not buy a GT500 and expect it to drive like a race car, why would you buy a Raptor and expect it to handle and take the abuse of a trophy truck? A few jumps and high speed runs does not mean you put the truck through what we did. While it was not a challenging route we took, we caught quite a bit of air, jumped the road, hit numerous G Outs at faster than anything sensible, hit speeds off road in excess of 125mph (I did) and had a **** load of fun doing so. How were most of the bent frames caused? Inherent weakness in the frame and over driving the truck. Is there mods to fix this for those of you who are scared? Yes. Drive slower in the desert and know the road you are driving. I have had my Raptor rock crawling and off roading in Big Bend National Park, Terlingua and outside of Austin. It performs like a dream. Slow down through the "whoops" and the rest of you will be fine...."
Post can be found here
"...I was Truck #1 on the Raptor Run. I did NOT bend my frame. I believe I am the only person who didn't. If Ford fixes these, I will be surprised. Why? The trucks were driven past what they are capable of. You do not buy a GT500 and expect it to drive like a race car, why would you buy a Raptor and expect it to handle and take the abuse of a trophy truck? A few jumps and high speed runs does not mean you put the truck through what we did. While it was not a challenging route we took, we caught quite a bit of air, jumped the road, hit numerous G Outs at faster than anything sensible, hit speeds off road in excess of 125mph (I did) and had a **** load of fun doing so. How were most of the bent frames caused? Inherent weakness in the frame and over driving the truck. Is there mods to fix this for those of you who are scared? Yes. Drive slower in the desert and know the road you are driving. I have had my Raptor rock crawling and off roading in Big Bend National Park, Terlingua and outside of Austin. It performs like a dream. Slow down through the "whoops" and the rest of you will be fine...."
Post can be found here