The rumors and speculation can now end because the new 3rd-generation 2021 Ford Raptor makes its official world debut. TFLtruck is on the scene to bring you all the available specs and details! The full video walkaround and information we have here will answer nearly every new Raptor question you may have about the suspension, engine options, capability, interior design, technology, and more. Let’s dig in!
Chassis
The new Raptor rides on a fully-boxed steel frame. The latest frame features stronger and taller shock towers and rear control arm mounting points, according to Ford. The truck still uses a wide-body long-travel suspension setup. The front-end still uses an independent a-arm suspension system, but the rear is completely redesigned. It’s a solid rear axle with a new 5-link coil spring design. The old leaf-spring rear suspension is gone.
The new 2021 Ford Raptor is only available in a crew cab configuration with a 145-inch wheelbase. This means it has a 5.5-foot bed, like all the other new F-150 trucks with the same bed length and configuration.
Suspension
The 3rd-gen Raptor continues to use FOX Live Valve shocks. However, these are not carry-over from the previous year. These are the largest shocks ever fitted to a production Raptor truck. The shock bodies are 3.1 inches in diameter. These shocks still have an electronically controlled valve system with position-sensitive damping capability. The valves can adjust the stiffness of the shock within about 80 milliseconds. These computer adjustable shocks take into account a wide variety of sensor data: up/down wheel position, steering angle, speed, throttle/brake inputs, environmental conditions, drive mode, and more. Naturally, the driver can still select between seven driving modes, and the shocks are adjusted accordingly.
The new coil spring suspension and new FOX shocks allow for greater wheel travel and more ground clearance than before. The new Raptor now has 12 inches of ground clearance and 14 inches of wheel travel in the front and 15 inches of travel in the rear. This is about half an inch more ground clearance, and one inch more wheel travel front and rear respectively.
Ford says that the rear coil springs are 24 inches long – a full two feet. Ford says this is the longest rear coil spring in the segment. I think they are looking at the 2021 Ram TRX. If you want a very detailed <“Raptor versus TRX”> comparison, follow the link to TFLoffroad.com. There is a video there as well.
Ford says the new 5-link rear coil spring setup will allow the new Raptor to better put down its power on and off the pavement. It should also offer better overall control and handling. But, that’s not all…
37-Inch Factory Tires!
The new Raptor promises to be the first factory-built pickup truck to offer 37-inch all-terrain tires. It is referred to as the Raptor 37. The base Raptor will still come with 35-inch BFGoodrich KO2 tires, but you can order your factory Raptor with 37-inch tires as well. General Motors says that customers will be able to configure their 2022 GMC Hummer EV truck with a 37-inch tall tire as a dealer-installed option. However, Ford promises that the new 2021 Raptor will reach dealerships in late summer 2021. The GMC Hummer is supposed to arrive in late 2021.
Power
This is a bit of a surprise, but the all-new Raptor you see here does not have a gas/electric hybrid powertrain. It also does not have a V8 engine. The 2021 Raptor debuts with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo high-output V6 and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Ford has not yet specified the power output for this engine. Will it have a power-to-weight ratio and acceleration to rival the new 2021 Ram TRX? We will have to wait and see.
Ford says that a Raptor R is coming in about a year, but they do not specify anything else about the upcoming R model. We still do not know for sure if the Raptor R will have a yet more powerful engine option.
Trim Levels
The new Raptor will be available in at least three trims: base, high grade, and lux. These trim levels have yet been very clearly defined, but they mainly relate to the interior appointments and technology package. However, these also relate to whether you want a new Raptor on 35 or 37-inch tires. The Raptor 37 will likely also be the most luxurious and the most expensive new Raptor. Ford has not yet announced pricing for this new truck.
Exhaust System
The new truck has a very unique new exhaust system for the 3.5L H.O. EcoBoost V6 engine. It’s designed to be an equal-length true dual system with a built-in x-pipe and valves to create up to four unique sound levels. Ford says the new system has an aggressive and deeper sound. The driver can choose between four exhaust modes: quiet, normal, sport, and Baja.
Take a look at the video below to hear several sound samples of the new exhaust system.
In fact, the driver can now control and customize the following aspects of the truck.
- throttle response, transmission mapping, & ABS (using up to 7 driving modes)
- FOX Live Valve damper settings
- Steering effort/feel
- Exhaust sound
While the driving modes can affect the damper settings, steering effort, and exhaust sound among other parameters – there are separate buttons for the driver to customize some of these systems independently.
Old vs New
Here is how the new 3rd-gen 2021 Raptor compares to the outgoing 2nd-gen 2020 truck.
| | 2021 Ford Raptor (35) | 2020 Ford Raptor |
| Engine | 3.5L TT H.O. V6 | 3.5L TT H.O. V6 |
| Power | 450 hp @ 5,850 | 450 hp @ 5,000 |
| Torque | 510 lb-ft @ 3,000 | 510 lb-ft @ 3,500 |
| Transmission | 10-sp auto (updated) | 10-sp auto |
| Curb weight (base) | ? | 5,697 lbs |
| MPG (EPA) | 15/18/16 | 15/18/16 |
| Fuel Tank | 36-gal | 36-gal |
| Payload | 1,400 lbs | 1,200 lbs |
| Towing | 8,200 lbs | 8,000 lbs |
| Top Speed | 118 MPH (112 MPH w/ 37s) | 106 MPH |
| | 2021 Ford Raptor (35) | 2020 Ford Raptor |
| Tires | 35-in BFGoodrich KO2 | 35-in BFGoodrich KO2 |
| Ground Clearance | 12-in | 11.5-in |
| Shocks | FOX 3.1 (Active) | FOX 3.0 (Active) |
| Travel (F/R) | 14-in / 15-in | 13-in / 13.9-in |
| Approach | 31 deg | 30.2 deg |
| Breakover | 22.7 deg | 21.8 deg |
| Departure | 23.9 deg | 23 deg |
| Rear Diff Ratio | 4.10 | 4.10 |
| Crawl Ratio | 50-to-1 | 50-to-1 |
| Rear Locker | Yes | Yes |
| Front Locker | opt. TORSEN LSD | TORSEN LSD |
Check out the video below for a full up-close and personal view of the new 2021 Raptor.
