2017 F-150 Raptor

I'm considering trading my 2014 2.7 4x4 SR5 for a full size which would be better suited to towing a trailer with a car or a medium sized camper, but can match or exceed the off-road capability of my Tacoma. I do not need a 3/4 ton truck, nor do I need a crew cab/4 door truck as I would like to minimize vehicle footprint. Right now, I am gravitating towards the upcoming Raptor in SuperCab configuration.

Some considerations:

• Reliability - My Tacoma has been absolutely bulletproof with its 2TR, 4 speed, and relative simplicity. I realize this may not hold true to the same degree with the Raptor and its new twin turbo 3.5 V6 + 10 speed transmission. Ford electronics have a reputation to die prematurely as well.
• Cost - I have read many reports of the aluminum body being more expensive to replace, and 25% more expensive to insure.
• Actual off road capability - The beauty of the Tacoma is that it fits on OHV trails easily, due to its smaller stance. This might not be true with the Raptor, plus the vehicle weighs 2.5 tons.

Feel welcome to add any constructive thoughts.

probably will end up with a tundra instead...

 

How about a Tundra?
I made the jump from Tacomas to a Tundra when my needs warranted it, love my Tundra. Still have that Toyota reliability!

 

I think the Raptors are awesome trucks, no doubt about that, but when it comes to actual offroading down trails in my area I can't see how they would fit (or any full size 4x4 for that matter). Most of the OHV parks in Southern California are pretty wide open on the easy trails, but if you really want to test out your capabilities you have to venture down the offshoots which are barely wide enough for a mid size Tacoma; some are even barely wide enough for my first gen '04 Taco.

I guess my point here is that if it were me, and recreational off-roading was one of my main factors in buying a new truck, I'd steer clear of the full-size market.

All that said, again, I think the Raptor is an awesome truck. Expensive, but awesome nonetheless. I'd take a pristine first gen or well-equipped 2nd gen Tacoma over one though any day, for my purposes.

 

I agree... I'll probably end up with a TRD/TRD Pro Tundra but I have wanted the 2017 Raptor ever since I experienced it in person at the 2015 LA auto show.

 

I like the Raptor but, man talk about system shock. A 4 banger Taco vs the Raptor...they seem almost opposite ends of the spectrum while accomplishing some of the same task. I'm with OP tho over reliability concerns especially having owned F150s & F250s.

 

Yeah I should add, if my towing needs weren't met with a mid-size like a Tacoma and I had to go full-size, I'd go with a Tundra. I know they're considered full-size, but are they as wide/long as the F-150/Raptor? I know the newer ones are a lot beefier than earlier generations, for that reason I'd probably go with an earlier model myself. But like @Joe D says, you get to retain Toyota reliability

 

A Raptor would be pretty awesome.

 

Does the 2017 have the V8 option? If so, opt for that, run away from Ecoboosts, they're mechanical nightmares. From what I understand, Ford is dropping all their V8 options in 2018 to meet the new fuel economy standards. That means no more V8 Mustang, Raptor, or F150, the top performing engine option will be that nightmare 3.5 Ecoboost. Why they are doing this is beyond me, the Ecoboost gets like 1 mpg better than the 5.0 V8 in the F150, but the 5.0 is actually solid and reliable unlike the Ecoboost.

 

The 2017 Raptor I believe will not be available with any V8 option. I've heard many bad things about the 3.5, including carbon buildup, rattles on cold starts, and very minimal fuel economy improvements. Looking at the 5.0 F-150 and 5.7 Tundra, and even perhaps a work-truck trim 2500 Ram w/ Cummins...

 

Where you get this info? Second hand? I owned an EB F150 .. the drivetrain was bullet proof .. the small electronics on the other hand (heated / cooled seats, rear camera & window defroster) all took a shit within 20k miles.

 

I recommend you drive a 1st gen Raptor to understand how wide it is. The 2nd gen will be the same width.

I have wanted a Raptor for years now, almost bought one in 2014 since they were "going away". Once I drove it I realized I wouldnt be able to take it on any of the trails I had taken my FJ on without doing a number on the paint and possibly losing a fender and mirror in the process.

Asides from the width I loved everything about the 1st gen. I imagine the 2nd gen would be better. Towing is better than the Tacoma, but payload on the 1st gen was only like ~900 to 1000 lbs.

I do not feel like the Raptor should be a consideration for someone looking to off road on trails or in wooded areas. It was made for open spaces.

 

get used to striped paint,

raptor is a clown mobile too fat to fit in trails
that are not trimmed every Thursday

 

Tacoma owners might feel at home in the new '17 raptor? They sound just like a Tacoma with flowmaster exhaust

 

A construction company we do maintenance for on their trucks and a few other owners that have them. A good friend is a tech at the Ford garage and warns me about their issues as well. You must've got lucky and had a good one is all I can say. These direct injected gas engines are showing to be a flop for most manufacturers big time. Although, I think Toyota might have got it down with this new Atkinson cycle technology that runs off both port injection and direct injection depending on driving situation to minimize carbon buildup and excessive blow-by in direct injection engines.

Nailed it on the head. Raptor is basically a factory built trophy truck. Made to haul ass through wide open deserts is where they shine, something where width and stability are crucial. Tacoma's can't do this without a lot of money thrown at them first! But, they are great multipurpose vehicles for varying terrain and driving conditions. Nothing beats a first gen Taco or an old Toyota Pickup for exploring old forest roads that haven't been maintained in awhile! I've taken mine on a couple of ATV trails by accident and still came out the other side with little pin-striping haha.

When I get my '79 Toyota 4x4 done, I won't be shy at all about running through the brush, trees, whatever! That truck will be my mountain beater and mess off rig with no worries. Something I can take out and push to the limit to see if they really are as bulletproof as Top Gear showed!

 

From what I read from many sources, the new 3.5L Ecoboost will have direct injection and port injection also. That should remedy the carbon build up on all the engines that have been running direct injection only. Also the new 3.5L Ecoboost will be in the regular F150 and a souped up version for the Raptor. Both will have the 10 spd auto so it should be interesting to see what the numbers and specs will be like this fall when the Raptor comes out

 

I'd get the Tundra if it didn't get 9-13 mpg. A boosted truck or car will always have a soft spot in my heart. Just the sound of the turbo or turbos spooling up gives me a hard on

 

The 17' Raptor is arguably the most bad a$$ looking vehicle on the road. If I owned one Im not sure I would take it on trails though. Maybe use it to haul a side by side quad to the trail...then kind of defeats the purpose of having a raptor....either way its freakin sweet! If I had a bigger garage Id get one.

 

https://youtu.be/FzzcSQyfTa4