Ford Upgrades Shocks, Fits New Trail Control System on the 2019 F-150 Raptor, But no V8 (Video)

May 24, 2018

The 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor Packs Some New Off-road features

As it stands, the F-150 Raptor is already the most capable off-road rig in the lineup. With Fox Racing shocks, 13 inches of suspension travel at the front and 13.9 inches at the rear, and a 450 horsepower, 510 lb-ft torque 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, there’s little to stop the truck from tearing up the desert floor at its whim. For 2019, Ford decided to push the boat out a little bit further and fitted some upgrades to make the F-150 Raptor a better off-road machine. There is no mention of an optional V8.

The Fox shocks, suspension travel and powertrain all remain the same, including the F-150 Raptor’s 10-speed automatic transmissions. However, the Fox Racing suspension now features electronically-controlled Live Valve technology. It’s capable of continuously adjusting the truck’s damping in real-time. As a result, it’s capable of keeping the ride smooth and comfortable on the road, but can firm everything up when bouncing around off road. That keeps the truck from bottoming out when taking it airborne, for instance. Now, the 2019 F-150 Raptor can use sensors to help vary the suspension’s compression rates to make for a more controlled experience than before.

New Off-road Tech: Trail Control

To bolster low-speed off-road capability, Ford fitted the 2019 F-150 Raptor with what they call Trail Control. The system works between 1 and 20 mph to adjust power and braking to each wheel over tough terrain. Drivers can activate the crawl control system between those speeds, depending on driveline position.

Finally, the 2019 F-150 Raptor comes with new Recaro seats that should offer more support. That way, drivers are held firmly in place when they are desert bashing, rock crawling, or taking on any other kind of tough obstacle. For the new model year, the F-150 Raptor comes in three new colors, including Ford Performance Blue, Velocity Blue and Agate Black.

If you are wondering whether the 2019 Ford Raptor will have a V8 option, the answer is no. The press release makes no mention of it. Also, Ford says that the maximum payload and towing specifications will stay the same for the 2019 Raptor, as it has been for the 2018 and 2017 models.

Ford is still building the 2019 F-150 Raptor at its Dearborn truck plant. The revised truck will go on sale later this year. Pricing will be announced closer to launch, but we don’t expect it to move too much from the current truck’s $50,115 starting price. Come back to TFLtruck.com for more updates, as well as more news, views, and real-world reviews.