The Ford F-150 Raptor was a smash hit from the day it launched, helping to spawn what is now a burgeoning off-road-crazed market. If one thing has become abundantly clear from the F-150 Raptor, Ford Ranger Raptor, and Ford Bronco Raptor, it’s that whatever gets the Raptor treatment is highly desirable and becomes an instant success. However, one product that hasn’t yet received the Raptor treatment is the Ford Super Duty. Thus, Ford Authority caught up with Super Duty engineering manager, Aaron Bresky, to see if there is a philosophical reason why a Super Duty Raptor doesn’t yet exist, or if there’s something else preventing it from happening.
“There’s nothing limiting this as far as I’m concerned, and we’re always listening to our customers,” Bresky told Ford Authority Executive Editor, Alex Luft, in a recent interview. “If customers are saying ‘we like the Tremor but where is the Super Duty Raptor?’ we listen to our customers.”
Currently, the Tremor is the most off-road capable version of the Super Duty, though that same name also adorns more rugged versions of the Ford Maverick, Ranger, and F-150 – the latter two of which slot in beneath the Raptor in their respective lineups. As for the all-new 2023 Super Duty Tremor, it comes equipped with goodies such as a front-end lift, unique 18-inch wheels, 35-inch Goodyear tires, a uniquely-tuned suspension, a Dana front axle with a limited-slip differential and axle vent tubes, Trail Turn Assist, and selectable drive modes including Rock Crawl.
The F-150 Raptor, on the other hand, comes equipped with even more off-road-focused goodies such as a five-link rear suspension with extra-long trailing arms, a Panhard rod, 24-inch coil springs, Fox Live Valve internal bypass shocks with electronic control technology and position-sensitive damping, a standard electronic locking rear differential, optional Torsen front limited-slip differential, and standard 35-inch or optional 37-inch tires.
The trick to creating a successful Super Duty Raptor, however, is ensuring that its suspension is able to facilitate the towing and hauling of heavy loads while also being incredibly capable off the pavement. Ford would have to find the perfect balance between the two, given the fact that the Super Duty is made to haul and tow, and it’s unlikely shoppers would be willing to sacrifice that for enhanced off-road capability.
To us, a Super Duty Raptor still makes a ton of sense, given how successful every other Raptor model has been thus far. However, we’re curious to hear what our readers think, so be sure and vote in the poll below!
We’ll have more on the Super Duty soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford F-Series news, Ford Super Duty news, and continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
Super Duty Raptor;
Great idea!! Given how well Ford has done with the Raptor lines; both content wise and in execution and practical use it would probably be a great addition to the line. However with a loaded Tremor F-350 Platinum ( granted a rare bird I imagine) listing for about $100,000.00 plus, depending on gas or diesel, how much could a loaded Super Duty Raptor be?
Still a great idea!
Do it Ford!!
Well A F350 lariat ordered the frist of nov 86500$ loaded waiting on ford to send me a private offer this will be number 27 new ford trucks I have bought tell me that ain’t loyalty
I personally think an Expedition Raptor would be perfect. F-150 chassis, excellent weight distribution, and all of the benefits of a large SUV. Think somewhere between the F-150 Raptor and the Ford GT. And since it isn’t a truck, they can give more leeway for off-road capability since they don’t need to make compromises for towing and hauling.
Raptor every model
Where is the Transit Raptor?
Ford should look at Carli Suspension. Their setup works really well with the Super Dutys. Way better than factory.
I bought a 2022 F-350 Raptor and promptly upgraded the entire suspension with Carli E-Venture smart shocks, coil springs, rear progressive multi leaf spring pack, drop links, torsion front sway bar, upper and lower steering stabilizers, and fabricated radius arms. The system comes in 5.5″ lift and 3.5″ lift (on regular truck and 3.5″ and 1.5″ on a Tremor which is already lifted 2″ from Factory). I chose the 3.5″ option, as I tow a ATC 10k toybox and wanted to maintain the towing capacity. The rear progressive multi spring pack reduces the load capacity by 15% +/- and there is a HD option on that that is designed for a constant load of 1,000 lbs. +.
Then I added 37×12/5×18 tires to complete the package. This is essentially the Superduty Raptor – cost to generate about $14k – would I have paid that much more for my Superduty if it were a “Raptor” Superduty with Fox Smart shocks right from factory – absolutely. MSRP on my F-350 Tremor Lariot with 6.7L diesal came in right at $90K – so a $105K loaded Raptor Superduty would have been an easy decision for me!
I meant I bought F-350 Tremor – then converted to Raptor with all my mods!~
As a car/truck fan, this is no doubt an interesting possibility!
However, as a Ford employee it seems like corporate management is speaking out of both sides of their mouth. They want reduced complexity, but keep on offering all of these low volume specialty trims. When you combine XL, XLT, Lariat, Platinum, Limited, Tremor, Raptor, ST, etc. versions of everything, there are a ton of complexities that go beyond just bolt on interior/exterior parts.
Think of it down to the powertrain type of level. There are currently 12 versions of the 10R140 transmissions for the Super Duty line… this complexity contributes to the long delays that customers are dealing with!
Imagine a hybrid SD Raptor – any of those engines with the added assistance of the electrical system to get such a huge vehicle off the line etc, plus the 7.2kw charging system onboard.
I was honestly hoping for a “PowerDuty” announcement but looks like we’ll have to wait another year or two.