Didn’t buy it!

[NevadaJim]

Test drove a new Ranger Raptor last Wednesday. The truck looked great but had a shimmy in the steering wheel, also seemed really stiff in the steering. I decided not to buy it which surprised my wife and the salesman. I know the shimmy most likely is a tire balance issue but has anyone else thought that the steering was too stiff. I don’t want to buy a problem. I understand that it’s a performance vehicle but! What do you people that own one think of it’s driving characteristics especially on long trips?

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[Caneman88]

There is a comfort setting on the steering wheel to make is softer easier on the wheel also seems like most tires from the factory are shipped with way to much air pressure like over 45lbs check the air pressure and the button and go take another test drive this is a great truck and I have owned a few because I'm old. traded my 2021 F150 Hybrid Platinum for the RR and not looking back

 

[NevadaJim]

There is a comfort setting on the steering wheel to make is softer easier on the wheel also seems like most tires from the factory are shipped with way to much air pressure like over 45lbs check the air pressure and the button and go take another test drive this is a great truck and I have owned a few because I'm old. traded my 2021 F150 Hybrid Platinum for the RR and not looking back

 

[Roguescholar]

When I had my Ranger Raptor, I preferred the Sport preset. But if you wanted a more relaxed steering feel, the Normal or Comfort preset made a noticeable difference.

I never noticed any kind of shimmy with mine, so it was probably just a tire balance issue. The weights may have somehow fallen off or not been properly applied at the factory.

 

[NevadaJim]

I tried the comfort setting and didn’t notice much difference. Didn’t think about air pressure. I have about 40 years of wheel alignment experience and I guess I expected better. When I find another RR that I like I will test drive it and go from there.

 

[saf1]

Curious if during the test drive if you talked about it with the sales person in the truck with you?

During our test drive they went through a couple of the options with us. Even took the time to do a short freeway loop with a couple of the settings because I am also interested in long road trips not just off road.

It makes a huge difference when on long road trips. The dealer did the same back when I bought my Mustang GT/PP. In fact that was the first thing they showed me.

 

[mrmike7189]

How may miles were on it? The sales team probably all took the Raptor out and thrashed it. Thats why the front end feels f&#ed up!
"This truck can jump stumps in the woods behind the dealership like a champ"(they all said )

 

[Bloody run]

My 2025 with those heavy ass beadlock wheels always had have the steering wheel shimmy @ 62 to 65 mph, it was balanced at a dealer in Dubois Pa , I moved the front wheels to the rear no difference? Bad Wheel Bearing??

 

[NevadaJim]

How may miles were on it? The sales team probably all took the Raptor out and thrashed it. Thats why the front end feels f&#ed up!
"This truck can jump stumps in the woods behind the dealership like a champ"(they all said )

Only had two miles on it. I drove it 24 miles.

 

[NevadaJim]

My 2025 with those heavy ass beadlock wheels always had have the steering wheel shimmy @ 62 to 65 mph, it was balanced at a dealer in Dubois Pa , I moved the front wheels to the rear no difference? Bad Wheel Bearing??

That is why I decided not to buy this truck. I didn’t want to start with a problem.

 

[Pic-N-Stick]

Test drove a new Ranger Raptor last Wednesday. The truck looked great but had a shimmy in the steering wheel, also seemed really stiff in the steering. I decided not to buy it which surprised my wife and the salesman. I know the shimmy most likely is a tire balance issue but has anyone else thought that the steering was too stiff. I don’t want to buy a problem. I understand that it’s a performance vehicle but! What do you people that own one think of it’s driving characteristics especially on long trips?

Just got back from vacation driving 6.5 to 7 hours each way. It's a joy to road trip! Seats and ride were better than my previous Tundra Limited AND our '20 Passport Elite! I was less fatigued and stiff than long drives in the other 2. Even my stepson (6'2 and 230+) commented how much nicer the ride was. True, even in comfort steering mode it's more stiff than the others mentioned. But for some reason my wrists and hands weren't as tired. BTW the tire pressure I ran was 35psi on the road and 22 on the sand/beach.

 

[DJRR5325]

My 2025 has 25,000 miles on it - probably 60% of those are highway miles. I like the sport mode for steering and have had no issues.

 

[OxygenMask]

I'm 4100 miles into a loop of America road trip. I don't feel much difference in the steering settings, it's just too stiff feeling and has a very vague on-center feel, typical of Ford. Nevertheless - it's been epic ! Best road trip vehicle ever! But I do wish the comfort setting provided more actual comfort.

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