Deep Dive: FOX Live Valve Tech Levels Up Ranger Raptor Suspension

FOX LIVE VALVE TECH LEVELS UP RANGER RAPTOR

NOV 28, 2023 | DEARBORN



The all-new 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor, is the most powerful and high-performance, off-road capable Ranger ever. It’s designed and engineered to take off-road capability to the next level among midsize trucks.

The heart of every Ford Raptor performance vehicle is the suspension. This new video gives an in-depth explanation of how Ranger Raptor’s class-exclusive 2.5-inch FOX Live Valve shocks work to help chase the horizon. It includes a cool x-ray view of how the internal bypass shocks actively manage damping across harsh terrain.

Ranger’s next-generation shocks are coil-overs at the front and piggyback reservoirs at the rear to reduce heat build-up for uninterrupted performance all day long.

The FOX Live Valve Internal Bypass system changes damping performance based on Ranger Raptor’s Drive Modes. The modes include Normal, Tow/Haul, Sport, Slippery, Off-Road, Rock Crawl, and Baja, all developed to provide better on-road comfort, off-road control, capability and ride quality at high and low speeds.

The front frame rails, front shock towers, rear shock brackets, suspension mounting points, and other key areas have all been specially reinforced, so Ranger Raptor can handle more punishing off-road conditions.

Check out the video below:

Does anyone know if these shocks will be rebuildable (oil and seals)? That is a Fox advantage in other off-road motorsports and wondering if it can be done with these.

Rda2w said:

Does anyone know if these shocks will rebel rebuildable (oil and seals)? That is a Fox advantage in other off-road motorsports and wondering if can be done with these.

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Yes! In fact it’s required. If you talk to the FRaptor guys, they suggest rebuilding them every 40-50k. I believe Ford can do it but there are also third parties that can do it.

That’s great to know. I'm sure that the 3rd party performance shops will have some tweaks to make them even better than stock during the rebuilds.

Rda2w said:

That’s great to know. I'm sure that the 3rd party performance shops will have some tweaks to make them even better than stock during the rebuilds.

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The live valve shocks don't really get tweaked, you need to tune them.
On my 2020 Raptor, you can change the valving but it is a dump valve, not computer controlled.

Rda2w said:

That’s great to know. I'm sure that the 3rd party performance shops will have some tweaks to make them even better than stock during the rebuilds.

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You rebuild them per factory specs. However there is a company called SDI that has a system called E-Click that is a separate unit to control the behavior of the electronic needle valves. They can load profiles for different preferences you may have while out in the desert. It’s overkill if you’re on-road though.