Watts Link vs. Panhard Bar - Why does Ford use Watts in the Ranger Raptor and Panhard in the Bronco?

[Barely Krawlified]

I’m still a big novice when it comes to really understanding suspension and so while trying to educate myself a bit more I came across this 9 minute video from Youtube. I think this Youtuber may be an automotive suspension engineer. Here’s the link:



I have no affiliation with this (or any) Youtube channel whatsoever but I found it pretty informative because it specifically discusses the RR and its Watts link setup vs. the Bronco and its panhard bar setup and the implications surrounding why Ford chose to go Watts with the RR.

Ultimately, he concludes that Watts is far superior to panhard but that it requires far more robust, durable and high quality parts than a panhard setup. In essence, the only “reason” an OEM would ever choose panhard over Watts on a live-axle vehicle is to save money on production costs. The implication is that the Watts link on our RRs are what a performance off-road oriented vehucle should have as it significantly improves the ride, handling and ultimately the drivability of the vehicle.

Looks like the RR’s value proposition shines again. For what you get for 60K, the RR is hands-down, the best value in the entire North American market.

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I'm suspecting the difference is with landing at higher speeds. The Watts link keeps the axle centered under the truck and therefore reduces/eliminates lateral movement of sprung weight.

Edit to add: The negative dynamic effect of the lateral stability at higher speeds.

 

[MJ12]

Absolutely agree. That is until the RR gains some more traction (pun intended) with sales like it looks like it is doing now, and some more widespread attention and hype. Ford will add some different decals, 35s, more marketing and the value play might be over when the msrp rises ~20k more. Then they'll make a Bronco Sport Raptor to fill its price slot...

 

[rocsteady]

Short version, intended purpose. Bronco is more for traditional off-roading/rock crawling whereas the RR is for more of the graded road, baja-mimicking shenanigans. Watts link keeps the rear centered better when sliding around a corner for example.

 

[nedmo]

Ive pondered this myself. My personal opinion is this...

The Ranger Raptor is predominantly developed in Australia. By and far, Australian consumers have the lowest tolerance for anything less than perfection when it comes to vehicles. The love to complain!

I would put money on it that when they developed the Gen 1 PX3 Ranger Raptor, the panhard was squashed because they knew that if an Australian consumer noticed their rear diff moving sideways during articulation (happens with panhards), Ford service centres would be inundated with complaints and questions asking why their diff is wonky !

 

[Aonarch]

Watts link is better than a panhard/ track bar.

A panhard bar causes the axle to swing in an arch. It is never truly centered except at ride height (Assuming that is where it is neutral and centered).

The watts link is more expensive and keeps the axle centered throughout its range of motion.

 

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Almost. The red dot would be the bolt and pivot point on the back of the axle diff. So, at the ends of travel there could be some some lateral axle movement.

The RR most likely doesn't have enough suspension travel to get to that point.

 

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A good question would be how much suspension travel is needed for a Watts link arm to rotate over center similar to a front sway bar on a Wrangler?

 

[Aonarch]

Almost. The red dot would be the bolt and pivot point on the back of the axle diff. So, at the ends of travel there could be some some lateral axle movement.

The RR most likely doesn't have enough suspension travel to get to that point.

I don't think there is enough travel to curve.

It's about 11" total IIRC.

 

[RB205]

A good question would be how much suspension travel is needed for a Watts link arm to rotate over center similar to a front sway bar on a Wrangler?

I think you mean track bar, not sway bar. Same thing as a pan hard bar on the back of the Bronco. It's a third or fifth member that locates the axle. Longitudinal links control up and down motion and roll, panhard bar keeps the axle relatively centered under the car.

 

[LangWWilliams]

That is until the RR gains some more traction (pun intended) with sales like it looks like it is doing now, and some more widespread attention and hype.

Howdy....I just bought my RR a week and a half ago. I called in the morning to talk to my sales guy about what he had in stock. He said they had three. One was a demo with 3K on it an I could get a discount on it if I liked it. When I got there at 230, the demo and another was sold an I had my choice of one. Three sold that day. Maybe a fluke but I don't see many sitting on lots.

I did see one at another dealership on the showroom floor it was a '25 left over demo with a few K on it as well.

I'm still new to it an diggin it. I traded my '23 Bronco in on it. Had a '19 ranger before the bronco.

 

[embedded rock]

I think you mean track bar, not sway bar. Same thing as a pan hard bar on the back of the Bronco. It's a third or fifth member that locates the axle. Longitudinal links control up and down motion and roll, panhard bar keeps the axle relatively centered under the car.

No, I do mean sway bar. Lengthen suspension travel and not include longer sway bar links and one long articulation may result in a sway bar link over rotating and becoming bent.

 

[rocsteady]

Howdy....I just bought my RR a week and a half ago. I called in the morning to talk to my sales guy about what he had in stock. He said they had three. One was a demo with 3K on it an I could get a discount on it if I liked it. When I got there at 230, the demo and another was sold an I had my choice of one. Three sold that day. Maybe a fluke but I don't see many sitting on lots.

I did see one at another dealership on the showroom floor it was a '25 left over demo with a few K on it as well.

I'm still new to it an diggin it. I traded my '23 Bronco in on it. Had a '19 ranger before the bronco.

Without pictures, it didn't happen.

 

[Aonarch]

Howdy....I just bought my RR a week and a half ago. I called in the morning to talk to my sales guy about what he had in stock. He said they had three. One was a demo with 3K on it an I could get a discount on it if I liked it. When I got there at 230, the demo and another was sold an I had my choice of one. Three sold that day. Maybe a fluke but I don't see many sitting on lots.

I did see one at another dealership on the showroom floor it was a '25 left over demo with a few K on it as well.

I'm still new to it an diggin it. I traded my '23 Bronco in on it. Had a '19 ranger before the bronco.

With the Tacoma fully out now, I think people are skipping the TRD Pro and Trail Hunter, and going with the RR instead.

 

[RB205]

No, I do mean sway bar. Lengthen suspension travel and not include longer sway bar links and one long articulation may result in a sway bar link over rotating and becoming bent.

Fair, that seems lacking on these trucks. I've not seen any good solutions for the basic lift and level on Raptors and Rangers.

Then again my Jeep rides so much better without any sway bars. I'll connect them for driving certain Colorado paved mountain passes but most of the time they're disconnected and pulled out of the way.

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