When I was a kid, we used to love playing King of the Hill. The game was simple. We’d go to a vacant lot near my home, the one with a big pile of earth that had been put there by a developer looking to turn the lot into a house. My friends and I would then race to the top, with the first one up getting to be King of the Hill. But the game was not over yet. We’d take turns seeing who could keep the others from reaching the summit. Each champion would have to take on new challengers until we were all tired and declared one of us the winner. This is the game that the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor is always playing and winning.
The battle for a top off-road pickup truck is a constant fight to see who is King of the Hill. Ford has picked up the gauntlet thrown down by its competitors and created an all-new 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor that is designed to make you the King of the Hill and hold your position at the top of all off-road challenges. That is because the 2021 F-150 Raptor is designed from the ground up to be an off-road truck that can handle whatever the trail can dish out on a regular basis. The new features on the redesigned F-150 Raptor will set it apart from the pack and make it the true King of the Off-Road Hill.
A Powerful New engine to Get You Up and Over Every Obstacle
Ford has given the new 2021 F-150 Raptor a high output 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 gas engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine has twin turbochargers to boost the output to an estimated 450 horsepower and 510 pounds to feet of torque, though we don’t have official engine ratings quite yet. The goal is to build a truck that does not only provide the resilience to handle off-roading but also unprecedented speed and power for trail running. Ali Jammoul, the director of the Ford Performance vehicle program, points out that “the all-new Raptor Splices high-speed off-road performance muscle with advanced technology and connectivity that comes together in a unique Built Ford Tough way.” In effect, you are getting an off-road pickup that can provide performance like a sports car, whether hitting dunes or riding the pavement.
One other thing you’re sure to notice about the new F-150 Raptor’s engine is that it is seriously loud. This is due to the truck’s trombone loop in its three-inch equal length exhaust system with a built-in X-pipe. You can even set the exhaust for quiet, normal, sport, and Baja sound levels.
Bigger Wheels for Better Traction
Anyone who has ever gone off-roading will know that bigger wheels with larger tires will give you the traction you need to get up and over obstacles. This is why Ford has equipped the 2021 F-150 Raptor with standard 17-inch forged aluminum beadlock capable wheels. These wheels will secure the tire bead in place so that the tire will not detach even if you air down your tires when you want to add additional contact with the terrain.
As for the wheels, the standard ones on the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor are 35-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires. These will provide the grip you need whether you are driving in a forest, desert, or hill country. There are also larger 37-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires available as part of the Raptor 37 Performance Package. These are the largest factory-fitted tires you will find on a truck in the 2021 F-150 Raptor’s vehicle class. The 35-inch tires will give your Raptor a 12-inch obstacle clearance, while the 37-inch tires will increase this to 13.1 inches. Whichever you choose, your F-150 Raptor is sure to be well equipped to handle the terrain you choose to drive in when you hit the trail.
Upgraded Drivetrain and Suspension System to Give You a Smooth Ride
Ford has taken steps to upgrade the drivetrain and suspension system on the all-new 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor. This will give you a safe and comfortable ride while you push your Raptor to the limits. The suspension system features a five-link rear suspension design with a panhard rod. This system has extra-long trailing arms and 24-inch coil springs, so you won’t have to worry when you push the accelerator to the floor on your F-150 Raptor. This will also give you the control you need while emphasizing the truck’s agile approach.
The shock absorbers are Next Gen FOX shocks with Live Valve technology. These are special monotube shocks designed with internal bypass technology. You and your passengers will appreciate these Fox shocks’ active damping, while your F-150 Raptor will be able to automatically adjust to changes in terrain conditions that you encounter. These shocks are also designed to do a better job resisting heat buildup. This is because the 3.1-inch diameter anodized aluminum shock bodies come filled with an all-new low-friction fluid that will reduce frictional losses while improving comfort.
The 2021 F-150 Raptor’s standard 4X4 system features the Terrain Management System. This allows you to choose between 7 different driving modes. Normal is for regular city driving, Slippery is ideal in inclement weather, Sport will give improved speed and fuel economy in highway driving conditions, Tow/Haul improves torque for enhanced towing strength, Off-Road is great for forests, Baja exceptional for deserts, and Rock Crawl that will deliver more torque to the wheels in contact with the obstacle that you are driving over.
The F-150 Raptor has a standard electronic locking rear differential with an available TORSEN front limited-slip differential for added traction and off-road performance. There is also a new Trail Control feature standard on all F-150 Raptors. This acts like cruise control, allowing you to set a speed so you can concentrate on steering while your truck handles the throttle and brakes.
The 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor also features standard Trial 1-Pedal Drive to make it easier to control your F-150 Raptor in more difficult off-road situations. Where in the past you would need to use both the brake and gas pedal to modulate your throttle and brake to advance the truck in rock crawling situations, Trail 1-Pedal Drive allows you to use just the gas pedal for these situations. Step on the pedal to move forward, and then release the accelerator to brake your truck. The Raptor’s Trail Control will automatically apply the brakes to the same degree that you lift your foot off the accelerator.
Ford has given the new F-150 Raptor more aggressive looks that match its performance. The hood has a heat extractor, while there are functional side vents to improve the truck’s ventilation. These were designed by Ford to give this truck an appearance similar to its namesake, the F-22 Raptor fighter jet. You are sure to appreciate the front skid plate on the F-150 Raptor that has been widened to give your truck better off-road protection. A set of durable steel front and rear bumpers will stand up to the challenges of the trail, with a high clearance to improve passage over some of the obstacles in your path. Ford completes the F-150 Raptor with a set of available Rigid off-road fog lamps that will work great in low light conditions.
Climb to the Top in the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor
No matter where the trail takes you, your 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor is sure to take you there. From its powerful engine to its oversized tires with beadlock capable wheels, an all-new suspension system, and a unique drivetrain, the F-150 Raptor will help you climb your way to the top. If you are looking to be the King of the Hill, then you need an off-road pickup truck that can get you there and keep you there, taking on all challenges from other trucks that pretend to have the capabilities that you can only find in the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor, a truck that was designed from the wheels up for the trail.
