What makes the Raptors wider?

[Monch]

Dana 50 on the rear also.
FYI they gusseted and reworked the frame .

I feel like maybe we got a bit off topic here. The OP asked what physical changes make the Raptor wider compared to non-Raptor Broncos... MNBigfoot answered some here. I think the Dana50/M235 is physically wider in track than other rear axles (M230). What about the front? Are there different UCA/LCA for the Raptor? Probably with different part numbers that I'm too lazy to look up? Doubt it's done via backspace (or spacers that people love to argue about above)...

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[MNBigfoot]

I feel like maybe we got a bit off topic here. The OP asked what physical changes make the Raptor wider compared to non-Raptor Broncos... MNBigfoot answered some here. I think the Dana50/M235 is physically wider in track than other rear axles (M230). What about the front? Are there different UCA/LCA for the Raptor? Probably with different part numbers that I'm too lazy to look up? Doubt it's done via backspace (or spacers that people love to argue about above)...

Pretty good list and photos here:
" The Bronco Raptor gets new suspension links front and rear. The forged upper and cast lower front control arms are both longer to accommodate the wider track and longer travel, and larger-diameter inner and outer tie-rod ends are fitted. The disconnecting front anti-roll bar is also revised, ...."
The Secrets to the Ford Bronco Raptor's Suspension and Chassis Toughness

 

[Monch]

Pretty good list and photos here:
" The Bronco Raptor gets new suspension links front and rear. The forged upper and cast lower front control arms are both longer to accommodate the wider track and longer travel, and larger-diameter inner and outer tie-rod ends are fitted. The disconnecting front anti-roll bar is also revised, ...."
The Secrets to the Ford Bronco Raptor's Suspension and Chassis Toughness

Ahh, yes, in additional to lengthened UCAs and LCAs... it also looks like significant modifications to the shock towers... which by extension, probably means a bit of change in UCA geometry, at the very least. Thanks!

 

[RIDE]

I feel like maybe we got a bit off topic here. The OP asked what physical changes make the Raptor wider compared to non-Raptor Broncos... MNBigfoot answered some here. I think the Dana50/M235 is physically wider in track than other rear axles (M230).

Fully agree, this thread got way sidetracked. Your right, it’s the Raptor axles (and wheels) that make the Raptor trim wider than the other trims. Yes, beefier UCAs on front but no spacers and everything else is just attached to accommodate and/or enhance its performance but the body is exactly the same spec as the lower trims.

 

[RIDE]

While I agree with most of your post, and speaking as a Mechanical Engineer myself, aluminum is absolutely fine for spacers. What are the wheels themselves made of? Most often cast aluminum. A good old 6061-T6 or better yet 2024 or 7075 are typically stronger than ones wheels themselves (almost always). Are you also aware that 7075 aluminum is stronger than mild steel?

My take on spacers is if you go, go steel, hub centric and from a reputable shop made domestically. My trust issue with aluminum is in its inability to reliably hold/retain wheel studs up to or beyond factory torque specs over repeated change/rotate cycles and particularly with use of impact tools. Impact force has a tendency to flex aluminum which doesn’t like repeated flex cycles. Trying to change a flat in the middle of nowhere and have a stud strip out inside a spacer will convince you quickly. I promise it’ll only take once. Other issue is galvanic corrosion between spacer and steel studs as well as spacer to wheel hub. You can, however prevent this by never getting them wet . If you don’t trust aluminum lug nuts to hold onto a lug, you can’t then trust aluminum spacers to hold onto a wheel stud.

 

[swamp2]

My take on spacers is if you go, go steel, hub centric and from a reputable shop made domestically. My trust issue with aluminum is in its inability to reliably hold/retain wheel studs up to or beyond factory torque specs over repeated change/rotate cycles and particularly with use of impact tools. Impact force has a tendency to flex aluminum which doesn’t like repeated flex cycles. Trying to change a flat in the middle of nowhere and have a stud strip out inside a spacer will convince you quickly. I promise it’ll only take once. Other issue is galvanic corrosion between spacer and steel studs as well as spacer to wheel hub. You can, however prevent this by never getting them wet . If you don’t trust aluminum lug nuts to hold onto a lug, you can’t then trust aluminum spacers to hold onto a wheel stud.

I largely agree here.

Nothing wrong with good steel spacers, but again, nothing wrong with good aluminum ones either.

Extended studs are pretty well always better than new studs behind a spacer. Unless of course you go with longer (male threaded) lug bolts keeping the aluminum spacer largely in compression only. That is the setup I use on cars.

Not sure technically what you mean by aluminum "doesn't like"... Sure aluminum is subject to fatigue but the number of loading cycles from using lugs (with impact or not) is nowhere close to risking fatigue of a spacer. If it is designed to accommodate its working loads (driving and installing) then it is, if it isn't it will yield and yes, yielding is bad. That is the technical term for a high enough stress to permanently and unrecoverably deforming a material. A steel spacer can yield just as an aluminum one can. If you are talking about replacing a steel fastener in a steel hub with a (perhaps) poorly designed steel fastener mating on an the back of an aluminum spacer, then yeah sure that could easily be an inadequate joint.

In short, I'd never choose a fastener doubled up/offset spacer with captive lugs. I'm sure I have the jargon wrong here... But the point should be clear.

Not to beat the dead horse, but just like the lift analogy I mentioned prior, you can do it right and all will be well, but there are many ways to f$%* it up as well. The latter does not mean lifts are bad.

 

[swamp2]

Your what hurts?

Yes, it is disappointing to try to have a constructive discussion and debate with someone who selectively ignores hard questions and then also begins going down the ad hominem route.

That said, don't flatter yourself. I ain't losing a lick of sleep over your ignorance and obstinance.

 

[Sitruc_btb]

To achieve more suspension travel in an IFS equipped vehicle, the suspension needs to extend our further, longer control arms in front, as well as CV axles to keep the joints in safe operating angles. The Braptor has a bigger rear axle as well, also wider compared to the m220 in the standard Broncos.

 

[CarGuy]

Carbs!

 

[Rumbloki]

I worked in a tire/suspension shop and saw plenty of failures caused by them. Mostly roasted wheel bearings and broken studs.

The "I've never had any problems" always shout louder on the internet though.

Broken studs on the spacer or on the hub?
Were they hub-centric?
Wheel bearing wear will be exactly the same as running a wheel with less offset.
A quality hub-centric spacer with studs is perfectly safe.
The old school shim below is trash.

 

[Rumbloki]

A good article for anyone considering spacers.

https://www.titanwheelaccessories.com/blogs/titan-wheel-accessories/why-do-wheel-spacers-fail

 

[911braptor]

I’d be more worried about running spacers than rolling over.

Zero worry about this. They will only increase your stability by increasing the track width of your bronco.

 

[Brokenparts]

Spacers are utterly unharmful and safe. The only condition when they aren't are absurd sized ones, lugs too short or loose.

I'm very curious for any anecdotes of them being unsafe outside of the extremely minor caveats above. Please share.

*EDIT* And of course assuming good design/engineering. Which should go without saying...

Truth

 

[SHANUT]

Definitely not spacers Reason it’s wider is more control by having a wider track width. You’ll be fine, I’d advise against spacers if you’re happy the way it sits already. Would be a marginal difference if you did them anyway.

New tractors use spacers as a standard way to widen the rear axle these days to help with rollover. It definitely makes a difference.

 

[stampede1]

You are all wrong. The reason that the Raptor is wider is because it never misses leg day at the gym. Case closed.

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