If you’ve ever daydreamed about racing along off road trails in the way that competition drivers do then look no further than the Ford Ranger Raptor. When creating this beast Ford tasked its ‘Performance’ department with creating an ultimate Ranger derivative that could do just that. So, here it is, the Ranger Raptor. There’s nothing else quite like it.
The History of the Ford Ranger Raptor
If you know anything about American pick-up trucks, you’ll know about the Ford Raptor. A huge US light truck based on the Blue Oval brand’s enormous F150 model. As well as it’s wild engine from the Ford GT supercar. The company didn’t think that vehicle would work over here. But in 2019, they did build some of its technology into a more Euro-friendly Ford Performance pick-up model. This was it, the first-generation Ranger Raptor.
Don’t expect extreme power here because the MK1 Ranger Raptor used exactly the same 210PS 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine you’ll find in top versions of the standard T6 Ranger model. But this vehicle wasn’t built for straight line tarmac speed. Instead, Ford completely redesigned the suspension of this pick-up so that it could be driven at previously unheard-of speeds of rough terrain. This model was replaced in Autumn 2022 by an all-new design.
The Cost of a Ford Ranger Raptor
Pricing as usual with used pick-ups, varies widely, depending on spec, condition and mileage. As well as this, our sales survey revealed 2019-2021-era Ranger Raptor models tend to sell mainly in the £35,000-£45,000 bracket.
Replacement Parts
An oil filter is in the £3 bracket. An air filter is in the £25 bracket. Front brake pads cost in the £46-£88 bracket. Front brake discs cost in the £120 to £135 bracket. A wiper blade is around £14-£17. A pollen filter is around £7-£23. A tail lamp is in the £182 bracket. A headlamp is around £267. A water pump costs in the £28-£106 bracket. A thermostat is in the £12-£21 bracket. A radiator is in the £260-£267 bracket. If you need replacement parts for your Ford Ranger Raptor get in touch.
Significant Features of the Ford Ranger Raptor
This top Raptor Ford Performance model got a tad more street presence than ordinary T6 Ranger variants gaining a unique grille that features FORD lettering. This MK1 Raptor model was also 168mm wider than a standard variant. This is thanks to its redesigned suspension and a track width that was 150mm greater.
Inside, with this flagship ‘Ford Performance’ variant, you get powered leather-and-suede sports seats which are ‘Raptor’-branded. As is the leather-bound sports steering wheel with its track-style red centre marker and lovely magnesium gearshift paddles. Blue stitching features subtly here and more prominently on the gearshift gaitor, the door card trimming and the leather covering for the fascia top. As with all top T6 Ranger variants, you get a SYNC 3 8-inch centre-dash infotainment touchscreen with a FordPass Connect WiFi modem.
Anything this monitor can’t tell you will be covered off by the instrument binnacle display which features a central screen with selectable sections. On this MK1 Raptor model, this screen also displays your various drive mode options. With this top variant, the two analogue gauges that flank it get sportier italicised Ford Performance dials.
And in the rear of this Double Cab-only variant? Well though this vehicle is actually narrower than an ordinary Ford Mondeo, it is possible to get three adults across the back seat without much discomfort. There’s also the bonus of being able to flip up the seat base to access two hidden storage compartments and create an extra area for transporting smaller items.
There are no practicality compromises in choosing this top Raptor model. Which features the same 1.21 cubic metre load box as other variants. There’s a load box length of 1,575mm. And a load box width of 1,560mm, narrowing to 1,139mm between the wheel arches. Which is easily enough to accommodate a Europallet. You’ll have to lift it up quite high though; the loading height in this Raptor derivative is up at 906mm. The load box depth is 541mm. As we’ve mentioned elsewhere in this review, this Ford Performance model’s revised suspension means a significantly reduced payload figure of just 620kgs.
And running costs? Well it’s here that Ford’s decision not to plumb in a big petrol motor up-front paid dividends. The MK1 Raptor’s efficiency figures are significantly worse than those of other T6 Ranger derivatives but they’re still manageable – WLTP-rated at 26.4mpg and 281g/km.
Potential Issues with the Ford Ranger Raptor
There’s a divide here – between owners that have had them and absolutely love them and have had no problems. And the smaller minority that have experienced issues; like water pump failures, fuel pump issues, EGI complications, turbo problems, oil leaks and wiring issues. Plus we’ve also heard of a few catastrophic engine failures. The twin turbo 2.0-litre diesel engine here has a timing belt, not a timing chain. The timing belt runs in oil (it’s called a ‘bio belt’); Ford claim these don’t need any maintenance and are good for at least 155,000 miles: we’ll see.
The 10-speed auto gearbox has had its fair share of problems; some have been rectified with a simple software update. In other cases though, there’s been catastrophic transmission failure. The transmission has a service interval of 155,000 miles or every ten years. We’d suggest you get it serviced every 62,000 miles with the same going for the differentials and the whole driveline. Walk away from a Ranger Raptor that hasn’t been looked after in this way. Prioritise models with a full service history and low mileage; and be extremely careful of any model that’s been modified. Get a pre-purchase inspection to see if the vehicle’s been abused.
At Vospers we always conduct a multi-point safety check and whenever possible we will provide you with the cars service history. For more information on how we ensure you are getting the best out of buying a used car from Vospers check out our peace of mind policy here.
The Ford Ranger Raptor Driving Experience
If you know your light trucks, the ‘Raptor’ name will reference a top version of the brand’s enormous F150 pick-up that back in 2019 featured a potent V6 petrol turbo engine from the brand’s GT supercar. This MK1 Ranger Raptor was a rather different thing. What mattered here was not the powertrain but a bespoke chassis and suspension set-up that enabled owners to better use it at higher speeds over rough off road surfaces. The frame was heavily reinforced with high-strength steel. And completely re-engineered at the back to accommodate a unique rear suspension design that ditched the regular leaf springs. The leaf springs were replaced with coil springs and a special Watts linkage to help locate the live rear axle and reduce swaying.
This package of uprated component parts was designed to withstand travelling cross-country or over desert tracks. This was, in short, a rough road sportscar and it was as close to a Dakar rally racer as a production model of the time was ever going to get. In keeping with that remit, this Raptor got uprated springs all round, special FOX Motorsport dampers and bespoke 17-inch wheels. The wheels shod with knobbly BF Goodrich KO2 tyres featuring specially-strengthened sidewalls.
The result at speed off road is quite astonishing stability at speed over bumps and ridges. It really is fantastic fun providing you don’t go too wild. Especially if you select rally-orientated ‘Baja’ mode, one of six available through the Raptor’s bespoke ‘Terrain Management’ system. The others are ‘Normal’ and ‘Sport’, plus three further settings for lower speed work. A ‘Grass Gravel Snow’ option, a ‘Mud & Sand’ option and, for inching along gullies, a dedicated ‘Rock’ mode. These all benefit from the fact that on this Ranger Raptor, ground clearance is raised by 51mm to 283mm, the approach angle is up to 32.5-degrees and the wading depth increases to 850mm.
Summary
There’s absolutely no point in buying a Ranger Raptor if you never try it at speed off road. But when you do, what this Ford can achieve is absolutely astonishing. Other powerful pick-ups would simply shake themselves to pieces trying to keep up. Yes, it would be nice to have a huge V6 or V8 beneath the bonnet of this MK1 version but as we’ve said, that’s not what this truck is all about.
It’ll take you to places that only the most capable off roaders will go. And it’ll travel there far quicker than any of them. In short, it’s an off-road sports car. The perfect addition to a millionaire’s garage already full of supercars and extreme sports saloons. You don’t need a Ranger Raptor but if you’re a car enthusiast, we’re guessing that like us, you’d really, really like one. It’s wild, it’s unusual and it’s unique. As every Ford Performance model should be. If you are interested in in buying a used Ford Ranger Raptor enquire now.
