Written by Michaela Jackson

Everyone knows the world-famous Ford F-150 truck line. In fact, the F-Series is America’s best-selling truck for 40 years, and best-selling vehiclefor 35 years. A derivation of the F-150 is the Ford Raptor, a truck that is unique and unlike much of the truck market. While many trucks are meant simply for riding in style, hauling equipment and gear on roads, and other road-riding activities, the Raptor is one of the first Ford-branded trucks built specially for off-roading and Baja 1000-level speed while still being street-legal.

To understand the true significance of the Raptor line, we must first understand its history.

Where Did the Ford Raptor Come From?

The first Raptor was revealed at the 2008 SEMA show, introducing the first F-150 that was designed specifically with off-roading in mind. This was to close a gap in the market, where usually owners of other F-150s would have to modify their trucks to get them ready for true off-roading. While F-150s have previously been used for overlanding, when one takes a long trip that often goes through unconventional territory, and other kinds of rough-riding, there has never been an F-150 that was made specifically with off-roading and overlanding at the heart.

This very first Raptor model simultaneously broke the ground for Ford’s off-roading place at SEMA and cemented it. As reported on TireBuyer.com, “At an off-roading auto show normally dominated by Jeep, Toyota and Land Rover… Ford stole all the attention” with its announcement of the first Ford F-150 Raptor. It was the most exciting truck of the year, and everyone was keeping their eye on it.

When the 2008 Baja 1000 came around, Ford did not hesitate to enter its brand-new Raptor. This race through the deserts of Mexico is considered by many to be one of the toughest automotive races in the world, requiring serious horsepower, endurance, and balance to complete. Although it was “untested” and “unproven” for such strenuous feats as completing the Baja 1000, the newest member of the Ford F-150 family was able to compete side-by-side with other popular vehicles. Since the Raptor performed so well for Ford in 2008, the company has sent a Raptor to the Baja 1000 race every year since then ( source).

Once the Raptor was Baja-tested, consumers showed how impressed they were with the truck’s performance by buying it for themselves. It has similar power to the Ford GT Supercar, which is because it shares almost 60% of its parts with the GT’s engine. This kind of power is used to best even the harshest roads and conditions, all while the driver and company sit comfortably in its high-rise cabin with a spectacular view and plenty of room. Do not worry about feeling every bump of the ride, the Raptor’s high-tech Fox Racing suspension and four-wheel drive will take quick care of that.

Since its reveal and race, the Raptor was a quick success, and is now a staple in Ford’s F-150 lineup.

Why is the Ford Raptor so Popular?

To showcase why the Ford F-150 Raptor is as popular as it is, we will break down its features and compare its pros and cons based on the review of the 2019 F-150 Raptor by Mack Hogan on CNBC.

Hogan says this truck is “Ford’s most capable, fun 4x4 pickup truck”. But why?

To start, there are no trucks that compare to the looks of the Raptor. The Raptor is a girthy, rugged truck that boasts one of the best-looking truck bodies around. Its wide body not only looks great but performs well when hauling cargo of a reasonable size (keep in mind, the Raptor wasn’t made for lugging around especially large loads). This truck is also customizable and comes in a variety of colors. Aesthetically, it is a great truck, which is one of the reasons it is so popular among consumers and truck-lovers.

However, its wide body is not exactly the most agile of car body options and can be a squeeze in parking lots and narrow roads. This can be a learning curve for people who are used to driving a normal or miniature sized car, but those who are used to driving other trucks or even SUVs may not have an issue adjusting to the Raptor’s massive size. Without this added size, the Raptor would not be able to excel in hauling loads like a 25-foot Airstream trailer when combined with a weight-distribution hitch, a device added on to move some of the weight from the truck to the trailer’s axels. However, it is important to note that the Raptor is not made specifically for towing, and thus does not have the best tow or load capacity compared to a standard F-150 because of its soft suspensions that are built mainly to keep you comfortable on a rocky ride.

The interior, although not as luxurious as some other, more expensive, trucks does include its own amenities. Along with a spacious cabin that can seat five people it also can be found with technological upgrades like Bluetooth, adoptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and heating/cooled seats to keep you comfortable. In addition, it can come with a full glass sunroof, which is great for outdoor travel.

The main draw of the Ford Raptor is its powerful engine and top-speed capabilities. The 2019 F-150 Raptor features a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine that can generate 450 horsepower and a whopping 510 lb-ft of torque with a 10-speed transmission, as reported by Hogan. This sort of power is what helps the Raptor reach incredible speeds in the Baja 1000, and such power can be yours, brought home to any outdoor arena. If your heart lies with the outdoors, the Raptor can get you anywhere you want to go outside with its high-speed off-roading, rock crawling, and towing capabilities.

New Ford Raptor purchase comes with an off-road training course from Ford Performance Racing School

In all, the Raptor is described as having “dual capability as a daily driver and an unstoppable performance truck” by Hogan in his review. With a bunch of customizable options paired with its high-performance and great ratings, the Raptor is the truck to have, especially if you enjoy the outdoors.

The Ford F150 Raptor Generations (1^st-3^rd)

The Ford Raptor is separated into three generations, with its first ranging from 2010-2014, its second ranging from 2017-2019 and the third coming up in 2021. As excited as the nation is for the newest Raptor that will begin the newest generation next year, it is important to still consider the first and second generations, which are worthy contenders for consumers’ money. If you are looking for a Raptor but are afraid you may not be able to afford the newest upcoming model and wish to save money by buying used, or are simply too excited to wait until the next release in 2021, you have choices from both first and second generation Raptors that are still valuable and viable today.

The first generation of Raptors are the trucks that cemented the Raptor’s legacy in the off-roading world. Being the first Raptors released to the market between 2010 and 2014, these trucks are powerful but smaller than the generation that would follow. This means less space within the cabin, and clamshell half-doors, but this reduced size also made it easier to maneuver in off-roading activities than its latter counterparts. The blackout grille that is integrated with the hood is also smaller, and the design is a little tamer compared to second gen Raptors. It is important to note that although the first generation is smaller, it still offers the same distinctive Raptor design that is unmistakably recognizable.

First gen Raptors offer less color choices than what comes with second gens, but that is how many car manufacturers work. Colors offered in first gen are ( source):

• 2010-2014: Oxford White, Tuxedo Black Metallic, Blue Flame Metallic
• 2010-2011: Exclusive Molten Orange Metallic
• 2011-2014: Ingot Silver Metallic
• 2012-2014: Race Red
• 2013-2014: Terrain
• 2014: Ruby Red

The second generation of Raptors arrive starting in 2017, after Ford took a three-year break from making them. This is also the current generation of Raptors available until 2021, and so are newer, more likely to contain upgrades, and are the models that improved upon the first generation. As such, they are considerably larger than first gen Raptors, which make them slightly less agile, but they contain more power and larger passenger-carrying capability within their bigger cabs with four doors. The grille of the second generation, along with the overall style of the car, feels a lot more updated and sleeker with little details that add to the aesthetic.

Second gen Raptors offer considerably more color variety, including ( source):

• 2017-2018: Shadow Black, Lightning Blue, Avalanche
• 2018: Exclusive Lead Foot
• 2017-2019: Oxford White, Ingot Silver, Race Red, Magnetic, Ruby Red
• 2019 (newest): Ford Performance Blue, Velocity Blue, Agate Black

For a more extended and in-depth analysis of the differences and similarities between Gen 1 and Gen 2 Raptors, visit CJ Off-Road’s article.

The Best Upgrades for Your Raptor

When you are off-roading in your Raptor, it is crucial to have the best in lighting options at your disposal. That is why OZ-USA is here for you, to make sure all your off-road vehicle needs are met.

At OZ-USA, only the finest in lighting and LEDs is offered at the lowest possible prices. As the go-to online shop for off-roading and overlanding upgrades, OZ-USA ensures that you can find the best upgrades for your truck or trailer with their top-of-the-line lights that are guaranteed to be easy to install, and are shipped straight from their warehouse in San Diego.

The first upgrade that is important to consider for your Raptor truck, especially when considering off-roading and overlanding activities, is an LED light bar. Not only does this enhance the look of your truck, it also illuminates the road (or lack thereof) for hundreds of feet in front of your vehicle, making driving any kind of terrain worlds safer. For a look at their LED light bar selection, click here.

The second upgrade that will greatly enhance your Ford Raptor experience is high-tech laser lights, also known as projector lights. Laser lights are said to be up to 1,000 times bright than LED lights while also consuming significantly less power and lighting up to 6 times more road than a traditional LED low beam . This means the best in technology provides you with the highest possible visibility, thus the best possible safety. For a look at OZ-USA’s high-tech laser lights, click here.

Finally, the last upgrade that can add driving, fog, or spotlight to your Raptor is LED pod lights, or cube lights. These are the easiest to mount onto a vehicle with minimal effort and provide additional light to illuminate your way while driving, off-roading, and overlanding in your Raptor. LED pod lights combine the best of ease-of-use and quality to bring even more light and safety to your experience. For a look at OZ-USA’s LED pod lights, click here.

If you want to know more about OZ-USA, its products, and its great deals, contact them through their website or by calling 619-618-0444 for details.