Ranger Raptor Design Oversight

[JimJa]

I live off a highway, 6 miles of gravel.

In the month and a half since getting my Raptor home, I've driven that 6 miles out and back not more than 5 or 6 times. Those KO2s are real rock hounds. Getting up to speed on the highway it sounds like rifle shots as the rocks spin out from the KO3s and hit the fenderwells. For those of you that plan to take your Raptor off road to imitate the Ford Ad for the Raptor - flat out across the desert/gravel/etc., I STRONGLY SUGGEST you get a clear wrap on your rear fenders, covering the area as shown in the pictures (blow those PIX up for a better perspective of the actual damage).

I didn't notice until washing the truck the amount of damage the rocks kicked up caused. I've got less than 2,000 miles on the truck and most certainly if I do nothing, in a year there will be no paint left in those areas. You'll need to go up from the bottom about a foot for full protection. It's actually worst looking than the pictures indicate. I've got factory mud flaps, but took off the side steps and replaced them with electric retractables, which of course are retracted when on the road.

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[cc1999]

I was afraid of that, I had the same guys that did my clear wrap on the back fenders and hood etc., also remove my side steps. I left my steps on just for protection till I could get those back fenders covered with PPF.

 

[Chassis N2531]

You waited to the last sentence to tell us about Fords supposed design oversight when the issue most likely lies with your own re-design oversight in my opinion. It's obvious the Raptor running boards were blocking a lot of the road debris from sandblasting the area. However, I do agree that PPF on that area should be a must with or without the Raptor running boards.

 

[welker]

The removal of the OEM side steps is the biggest culprit. I'm in Arizona and have done a lot of off-road on gravel trails (I also have a +25mm offset so a bit of tire poke) and don't have a single rock chip on my fenders.

 

[Dingus83]

You waited to the last sentence to tell us about Fords supposed design oversight when the issue most likely lies with your own re-design oversight in my opinion. It's obvious the Raptor running boards were blocking a lot of the road debris from sandblasting the area. However, I do agree that PPF on that area should be a must with or without the Raptor running boards.

I can hear the rocks hitting the underside of my running boards so I would agree that they deflect or absorb a lot of the damage that @JimJa is taking.

 

[John E Davies]

Rally Armor will have large RR flaps available soon, hopefully. I am unsurprised at the paint damage on yours, since you removed the factory installed stone deflectors AKA running boards. Don’t blame Ford for your oversight.

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[nikhsub1]

So, you took off the factory side steps that block 95% of this, then claim it's a design issue with ford? You must be a millennial.

 

[telenerd]

Any New tires grab rocks like crazy from my experience until they have more miles on them. PPF won’t help much only to a certain extent.

Honestly I don’t really care all that much for when I get my Raptor since it will be mainly for off-roading and high speed stuff. Bound to get rock dings, under side dents, you name it. But that’s just me, I got a high tolerance.

 

[welker]

Any New tires grab rocks like crazy from my experience until they have more miles on them. PPF won’t help much only to a certain extent.

Honestly I don’t really care all that much for when I get my Raptor since it will be mainly for off-roading and high speed stuff. Bound to get rock dings, under side dents, you name it. But that’s just me, I got a high tolerance.

I agree, after one good pinstripe, what's 50 more? It just shows you use it

 

[08mojo]

Ouch! You have confirmed my decision to never remove the factory side steps.

 

[Ag3ntC00p3r]

Ouch! You have confirmed my decision to never remove the factory side steps.

I'll be keeping mine on for now but will be upgrading to the Rocky Road Full Cover Kicker Slider at some point.

https://rocky-road.com/shop/ranger-raptor-rock-sliders-2024/

 

[galion]

I also drive to work daily on a 5-mile private gravel road. I can hear the rocks hitting the underside pretty hard, which makes me nervous. Even so, I have zero damage on my Ranger Raptor, and I don't have mudflaps.

 

[a77cj7]

I have driven a few hundred miles on gravel, with the factory running boards. I do have some chips up higher, but nothing nearly that bad. I do not have the factory mudflaps.
I have now gotten a set, but am waiting to install till after moab trip so they don’t get crushed or ripped off.

 

[ivotuk]

Lots of people remove running boards because they are ill designed for taller people. A problem I don't have.

And they are called "running boards," which they charge extra for on other vehicles that aren't Raptors. They are not called "rock deflectors."

I always wonder about people that pile on without really thinking the topic through. What would you say to those whose trucks don't come with running boards? "You need to buy them for rock deflectors! Great design by Ford!"

Any State that gets snow or ice in the winter is liable to have salt and/or gravel on the roads, even the paved ones. And every State has "unimproved" roads, with large areas that are only accessible by unimproved roads, (Thank God).

I put Rocker Schutz on my '73 F-250, but even that chips over time. Not really interested in putting front mud flaps on, and, it's a '73. Unlike a 2024 truck, it's going to look rough in places.

 

[Wayfaring Ranger]

I always wonder about people that pile on without really thinking the topic through. What would you say to those whose trucks don't come with running boards? "You need to buy them for rock deflectors! Great design by Ford!"

The people without running boards didn't get an aggressive tire from the factory that throws rocks like this..so they wouldn't be having the issue regardless of having running boards.

Anyone that got aggressive tires either got an FX4 or a Raptor, both of which come with running boards.

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