Hey there everyone!

[Fattirz in NC]

A little update might be in order.

The '17 F-150 with the 5.0 let me down in August of '23 in southern Colorado. CEL and six codes. Needed a complete intake manifold and none were available. In fact, 1,400+ on national back order at the time. Found a TN dealer that had two and would not sell over the counter. So, aftermarket to the rescue for the IRCM trouble. Except, that tune ruined my truck. I hated it. So, it was traded for a '23 Tacoma TRD O-R in August of '23.

May of '24 I took my '23 Tacoma TRD O-R to Colorado and Utah. Did some light wheeling in UT and realized, I had the wrong vehicle.

So, I traded and bought a '24 Jeep Wrangler with 35's and 4.56 gears. It went where ever I wanted to go in CO and UT later that same year.

So much fun, I returned again in '25. This time an ol' Army buddy and his RR would join me.

After running around in CO and UT, I realized this RR went everywhere I wanted to go. At the same time, my JLUWX was nearing 24k miles and, while a fun vehicle, I had to use hearing protection on long trips, I was getting over the straight axle steering, and subtle clunks were coming from the suspension.

I really liked that RR. Maybe I should get one now that they are sitting on dealer lots.

It happened in November of '25.

400 miles in, and I don't think about the Jeep or the huge depreciation hit. Instead, I'm considering and outfitting my RR for next year's adventure in UT. Also, some mods on the distant horizon if my RR does better than the former F-150 and Ford improving parts availability.

As of a week ago yesterday, I’m in a ‘25 Ranger Raptor coming from a 2002 F-150 Lariat SuperCrew. A huge difference after driving the analog truck for almost 24 years!

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[embedded rock]

As of a week ago yesterday, I’m in a ‘25 Ranger Raptor coming from a 2002 F-150 Lariat SuperCrew. A huge difference after driving the analog truck for almost 24 years!

Excellent! Couldn't wait for the 6ft bed, huh? This is my third 5ft bed truck and they always seem to work. I'd need a 6ft bed more than a four-door can which is pretty much seldom.

 

[Fattirz in NC]

Excellent! Couldn't wait for the 6ft bed, huh? This is my third 5ft bed truck and they always seem to work. I'd need a 6ft bed more than a four-door can which is pretty much seldom.

No more waiting for a 6’ bed or for a Tremor trim… I really wanted a Tremor with a 2.7l and planned on a bed rack to carry kayaks and paddle boards since this 5’ bed is too short.

So in the end I figured this Raptor was a better move than starting with an FX4 with a 2.7l and have to build a truck to get to Tremor level off-road worthiness and worrying about a voided warranty and dealing with take-off parts. My concessions with the Raptor decision is reduced payload and towing and a thirstier truck, but damn does it look good!

Now the problem is Yakima is telling me the Overhaul HD bed rack I’m looking at ordering doesn’t have approved fitment on the bed rails to the new gen Ranger. I’ve seen them on this forum and in the wild but apparently not approved by the manufacturer. I’m waiting to hear back from customer service. Again, this wouldn’t be an issue if the Ranger was available with a 6’ bed.

I went the Charlotte Autoshow with my son last night and we sat in a bunch of midsize trucks. I’m definitely happy I got the Ranger, which I think is the best midsize truck on the market. But I still wish Ford offered more cab/bed configurations and one more off-road trim (Tremor) between the FX4 and Raptor. I’ll drive this Ranger Raptor for the next 3 years and hope my perfect truck is in the works.

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