Ford Raptor Owners Report Frame Problems

lol, similar story to companies showing their cars on track and then not covering track damage.

I agree that they're similar, but I wonder if Ford's marketing is just a little different. When I see a Cadillac being flogged on a track, I never imagine that I'm going to replicate that specific act because I don't have easy access to a test track. At best, I'm going to drive fast on my local roads, and there's very little change I'll do damage unless I hit something.

But for the Raptor and all of it's advertised off-road capabilities, I think it's a slightly different story. I've got bumpy off-road trails less than 10 minutes away...I can do what I see on TV really, really easily. I guess I'm saying the track and an nondescript off-road trail are different...but I'm not sure that this makes any sense.

I want to sympathize with Raptor owners, but unless Ford is making their frames from the same rust-prone steel Toyota used between 2000 and 2004, they shouldn't be able to bend the rails without driving recklessly.

If you have $5 you can go to a local autocross and replicate "racing" conditions close enough that your dealer won't cover the damage. I've heard of Subaru sponsoring auto-crosses, and then voiding warranties.

Well that's a good point too. I guess I don't have an answer, other than to say that neither Ford or Subaru should be able to void a warranty for driving with a little passion...but what are you gonna do?

I remember reading about EVO owners who had their warranties voided by Mitsu execs working the local drag strip. They'd just write down the last 8, then send the owner a letter...shameful behavior.

LOL is right!

So the unbiased, reliable source for this Ford "news" story is...www.tundraheadquarters.com? Really?

If a Tundra were abused the way these Raptors obviously were, you'd need to remove the spare tire to change the oil. Here's a question the article left unanswered: how did the Raptor, with standard frame, survive countless commercial shoots, magazine tests, and even competition in Baja, without damage, while the innocent, prudent drivers cited in this article, who did *nothing* different from Ford's commercials, managed to damage their frames?

I've watched Raptor owners jumping their trucks 20-30 feet. Don't tell me these photos represent vehicle defects--that's sheer nonsense. Ford says you can jump Raptors three feet without damage, and I've done that and more many times with no problems.

Maybe "Tundra Headquarters" should be working on bolstering their anemic "truck" frames rather than trying to attack the strongest half-ton frame on the market.

Laughable.

Tednebb - It's not our news, and it's not our photos. Ford Raptor owners are sharing this information on a Ford Raptor owner forum.

Here's a tip: Read the article BEFORE you comment.

Yuh.

Tell you what: if I do run into an actual grown-up news article, I'll make sure to read it. Until then, I guess I'll make do with unsubstantiated, anecdodal, Ford-bashing silliness.

So I don't get it - the trucks have bent frames (photo evidence), the people upset are Ford owners, and we present both sides of the argument without making a statement either way (only honestly I side more with Ford than I do the owners).

Yet somehow, this is "Ford-bashing silliness." ??

Some of those pics are of my truck. This article pretty much hits the nail on the head. Here is a video of the kicker that got all of us. Not very impressive to bend a frame.

<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6eK-1Ld7sJY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I am also a raptor owner, and have owned F150's every year for the last 15 years, my frame bent hitting a frost boil in the road this winter, a much smaller bump than i have hit with every one of my standard F150's. I was pulling a small enclosed trailer. The flaw they have is so simple, and would be so easy to recall, and prevent, it is rediculous, I have looked at many other vehicles, including the F150, and any other truck has a brace that the rubber bumper is mounted to, which would easily prevent the frame from bending, the retarded round washer they have simply doesnt have enough area where it is attatched to the frame, and it pushes into the frame. Now that I know about it, when i get the frame fixed, I will make a better bracket, but come on, how did they screw that up? The entire rest of the vehicle is awesome, Ford needs to quit making excuses, and blaming abuse issues, and simply recall the shitty rubber bumper before every one is bent, it is just a matter of time. P.S. other than the little issue, the truck is awesome, and the ride is unbelieveable! I saw that chevy was supposedly coming up with some poor attempt at competition, puting a lift kit on a regular old chevy is nowhere near competition lol.