Gimmicky Raptor

[MTB24]

New Bronco Raptor owner here. I have always had Jeep Wranglers or Power Wagons in the past and thought I would give Ford a try. After a week, I’m pretty disappointed in the Raptor. I was going back and forth between a 392 and Raptor and ultimately got a deal on the Raptor I couldn’t pass up, plus in Billings, Montana there were no 392s within a 3 hour drive.
First of all, I’m really disappointed in the lack of aftermarket support for the Raptor trim specifically. I feel like every product I look at, it says “Not for Bronco Raptor or Badlands 2.7”. Even ford doesn’t have many options. I am specifically looking for an easy on/off rack that I can use to mount my Thule snow pack so the wife and I can go skiing. Even with the seats down her skis barely fit flat and that is even awkward because of the stupid design of the cargo area with the huge cliff at the point where the seats go down. Every rack I find is 2k and monstrous and not easy on/off. I had clamps for my jeep hard top drip rails that I could put Thule cross bars on and my snow pack and be on the road in 5 minutes or less. There’s nothing I can find like that for the Raptor. There’s some hitch mounted accessories out there, but with that giant spare I don’t see anything working without using a wobbly hitch extension. Also, I was looking for some cargo bags that would strap to the roll bar to make use of the dead space between the back part of the hard top and aft end of the roll cage. Ford makes some, but surprise, surprise, you can’t use them on a Raptor
The infotainment is laggy and the screen is dull compared to the 12” screen I had in my ‘21 power wagon. The camera views look like they are in standard definition on a 2010 tv, the surround view is especially poor.
I’m wondering if anyone else has had the same thoughts on quality and functionality. The whole purpose of getting a raptor was the superior suspension (or so I thought) and 37s from the factory. Engine performance was supposed to be an added bonus but I’ve found it substantially lacking when compared to a 392. Even the ride quality between the Raptor’s Hoss system and 392s little monotube dampers isn’t as substantial as you would think. Is it all going to seem worth it when I take it to Moab in the spring? Also, I am looking for recommendations for an easy to use rack system that I can take off when the weather gets nice so I can go topless.

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[BigMeatsBronco]

Harrison Ford made his 1st post on 6g. !!!

get the FP TUNE, makes a BIG difference.
Some of the accessories just haven't been tried yet on a Braptor to see if they will actually fit.

 

[Dral97]

I think you'll find the trip will be a lot more pleasurable in the Raptor. I have a Bronco First Edition and a 392. I just posted in another thread about some differences. Their road manners aren't too different on the highway imo. However, the Jeep interior seems so cramped and anemic compared to the bronco. I think when you take a longer trip you'll appreciate the Raptor more.

I have four autos and my bronco has evolved to be my solid daily driver due to the fact that it is relatively comfortable (more than Jeeps) and can handle winter conditions better than a lot of others (mainly my Bimmer).

 

[Felix808]

I would imagine some kind of spare tire rack as such might work / help. Hopefully you'll settle in with your purchase, but betting you might just be happier cutting your losses & hunt down your 392. Good luck with whatever way it lands for you

 

[Neps]

Accessory market for the Bronco haven't reached the multibillion dollar industry it is for the Jeep.

 

[stampede1]

The 392 is a superior road vehicle if the slightly smaller interior is ok with you compared to Bronco and the steering drift of the solid front axle isn’t too bad, but to be clear, while the Raptor is capable in the rocks, it is purpose-built to sustain highway speed over open Baja style desert terrain and to jump. The 392 simply cannot compete with Raptor in an ultra-high speed desert run (the Raptor suspension is the deal breaker for the 392) nor would it probably handle high jumps. Don’t get me wrong, the 392 sounds bad ass! No criticism here if the 392 makes you happier. It is a great vehicle and life is too short to drive something you don’t like. Good luck, sir!

 

[911braptor]

Looks alone the raptor wins. The 392 looks just like a normal tiny jeep that you see all over the freaking road, most with silly ducks in the windshields. Get the ford tune as others have said it makes a big difference.

 

[HeliPilot]

I'm just curious what changed between your test drive to actual ownership. Aside from aftermarket support, everything you listed should have been apparent prior to purchase. I'm so confused.

 

[Black Stallion]

Try TrailRax or Turn off road for a half rack. You can keep the rack on and still take the roof off. Should easily fit your skis on it. I had the TrailRax on my 2 door, and had my Maxtrax boards on the roof along with my surf fishing rods. I plan on buying a half rack for the Raptor this summer. I agree with others, if the Raptor is not for you, get the 392. The Raptor to me is an amazing machine, it stands out. Jeep has the aftermarket, and Ford is catching up slowly. Best of luck.

 

[bassist]

Looks alone the raptor wins. The 392 looks just like a normal tiny jeep that you see all over the freaking road, most with silly ducks in the windshields. Get the ford tune as others have said it makes a big difference.

This.

It’s more of a novelty item than anything else.

 

[Dral97]

I can agree that is was a bit of a cop out to just throw it in basically the same vehicle, but that 8 cylinder in a Jeep is something else.

 

[AZ_Craig]

To echo others, half rack for full roof removal, or go with a Trail Rax full rack which lets you get off the front and mid panels off with the rack in place. Yes, it is a bit pricey, but damn it is nice.

I had the same dilemma for mounting a Thule box at times for ski season, and am super happy with using the Trail Rax.

I agree about some of the challenges with cargo space and stuff, but we already made our Raptor work with a roof box for a 7 day trip to Utah back at Christmas to ski with 2 kids (and we own all our gear) and will be doing an 11 day trip to Idado, Wyoming and Montana in a few weeks.

I also was considering a 392 but the nominally lower cargo space and front solid axle pushed me to the Raptor.

Aftermarket support is a bit mediocre, but there is still a bunch out there and this vehicle is really built capable from the factory in my opinion.

 

[Spooled]

You guys are telling him to get FP tune as if it’s gonna make it as quick as a 392. The FP tune is honestly a joke as far at HP gained per $.

 

[911braptor]

You guys are telling him to get FP tune as if it’s gonna make it as quick as a 392. The FP tune is honestly a joke as far at HP gained per $.

Nobody said that, it helps a lot though. Cuts over half a second off 0-60. You might not have installed yours correctly. $750 installed is nothing for nearly 50hp and 100 torque.

 

[Spooled]

Nobody said that, it helps a lot though. Cuts over half a second off 0-60. You might not have installed yours correctly. $750 installed is nothing for nearly 50hp and 100 torque.

Look at my signature. I have a real tune. 130rwhp gained on 93, 200rwhp gained on an E50 blend. The FP tune you’d be lucky to get 30rwhp I bet, but no one I know has wasted the time to put one on a dyno.

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