Rough Terrain. Ford introduced its F-150 SVT IMPROVING A 2013 FORD F-150 RAPTOR. SOURCES ICON VEHICLE DYNAMICS Iconvehicledynamics.

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1 TEXT AND PHOTOS BY BOB RYDER Rough Terrain IMPROVING A 2013 FORD F-150 RAPTOR Ford introduced its F-150 SVT Raptor with every intention of raising the bar for off-road capabilities in a production truck. The Raptor was the first highspeed off-road performance truck offered by any manufacturer. Ford designed the Raptor to be 7 inches wider than a base F-150, which allows room for the addition of long travel suspension components. The wider stance coupled with wider fenders definitely gives the Raptor a more aggressive appearance. The limber factory suspension features internal triple-bypass FOX Racing Shox, the first on any production truck. FOX shocks deliver position-sensitive dampening and extra suspension travel for extreme offroading and a smooth ride while on-road. The front suspension is equipped with unique cast-aluminum upper and lower control arms, and the front steering knuckles and spindles were fitted with BF Goodrich all-terrain 315/70-17 TA/KO tires. The rear suspension is supported by heavyduty leaf spring packs and triple-bypass FOX Racing shocks. These improved suspension components give the Raptor 11.2 inches of front suspension travel and 12.1 inches of rear suspension travel on either the 145-inch wheelbase of the Super Cab or the Super Crew. To take the Raptor s suspension to the next level of off-road superiority, we decided to roll over to SoCal Super Trucks in San Bernardino, California, where Casey Coughlin introduced us to his ace technician, Ryan Poe, who would be installing the ICON Vehicle Dynamics Ford SVT Raptor 3.0-inch Performance Suspension System Stage 2 front and rear suspension kit. ST SOURCES ICON VEHICLE DYNAMICS Iconvehicledynamics.com DEAVER SUSPENSION Deaverspring.com SOCAL SUPER TRUCKS 774 S. E Street San Bernardino, CA Socalsupertrucks.com 32 MAY 2013 STREETTRUCKS E ETTRUC KS MAG.COM

2 ICON Raptor Front 3-inch Coil-over Shock: 3 OEM replacement remote reservoir compression adjustable front coil-over shocks Internal hydraulic bump zone designed for max. G-out control in the last 40% of travel Easy-to-adjust high resolution compression adjuster allows for fine-tuning adjustments for all types of terrain Direct bolt-in to OEM location and optimum reservoir positioning for superb heat dissipation and protection Nitrogen-charged 6063-T832 aluminum 10- inch-long hard anodized remote reservoirs Adjustable ride height from inches ICON-engineered Eibach 3 5/8-inch ID chrome silicon steel springs Oversized 1-inch heavy-duty CNC-machined shock shafts Extended drop travel and increased overall performance both on- and off-road ICON Raptor Rear 3-inch Bypass Shock: 3 OEM replacement piggyback reservoir ZETA three-tube bypass rear shocks Easy-to-adjust detented adjustment knobs High-resolution bypass valves High-flow CNC-machined welded bypass blocks designed to increase fluid flow for enhanced performance and high definition tuning Replaceable bypass tubes that can easily slide into position Direct bolt-in OEM location with bypass adjustment knobs specially engineered dampened valve stops for quiet and precise operation without the standard bypass loud clicking Multi-stage cad-plated finish with polished and anodized top cap/rod ends UHMH-machined shaft and rod end protective shin guards ICON Raptor Front Uniball Upper Control Arms: Made from 6061 billet aluminum Precision CNC machined 1-inch Teflon-lined all-stainless steel uniballs Easily adjustable on the vehicle for perfect wheel alignment 17-4 high grade stainless steel uniball adapter pin High-precision CNC-machined pin provides OEM like fitment RSMX Teflon-lined 7/8-inch rod ends O-ring sealed uniball cover cap Raptor Deaver Replacement Rear Leaf Spring Pack: Deaver spring Raptor leaf packs have 11 thin leaves and one rebound leaf to reduce axle wrap. The Deaver springs are direct replacements for the OEM leaf packs and delete the OEM lift block that is between the leaf packs and rear axle housing. All new hardware is included: 18mm front eyebolts, bushings and U-bolts. ROUGH TERRAIN TECH [01] The ICON Suspension Raptor Stage 2 kit comes complete with CNC-machined 6061-T6 billet aluminum upper control arms with 1-inch Teflon lined stainless steel uniballs and stainless steel adapter pins and a pair of front ICON adjustable coil-over shocks that are remote piggyback reservoir compression and nitrogen-filled. The kit also includes a pair of rear ZETA three-tube external bypass shocks. [02] After removing the Raptor OEM 17- inch cast aluminum wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich A/T LT315/70R-17 tires, we got our first view of the OEM Raptor front suspension featuring FOX gas-filled coilover shocks. [03] The lower steering knuckle was smacked with a 3-pound sledgehammer to break the steering tie rod loose, and then it was removed from the steering knuckle. [04] The front OEM brake caliper and brake rotor were removed. Wheel and Tire Fitment: OEM wheels and tires Aftermarket wheels: 17-inch and up with up to 5.5-inch backspacing Aftermarket tires: inch E ETTRUC KS MAG.COM STREETTRUCKS MAY

3 [05] The steering knuckle was removed from the OEM upper control arm. [06] To remove the front OEM FOX shocks, the three nuts were removed from the upper shock mounting bracket. [07] After removing the bottom bolt from the lower control arm shock mount, the FOX shock was removed. [08] The OEM upper aluminum control arm was unbolted and removed. [09] To allow more clearance for the ICON coil-over shock, some material must to be ground away from the upper shock mount bracket. [10] The ICON 6061-T6 billet aluminum adjustable upper control arm was slid into position and secured. [11] The new ICON coil-over shock was lifted into position. The top three mounting nuts were threaded and secured on the studs. [12] Included in the kit is a front shock remote reservoir, mounting bracket that was bolted in place. [13] Using the mounting clamps that were provided in the kit, the remote reservoir was secured. [14] An air impact gun and combination wrench were used to secure the coil-over shock to the lower control arm shock mount. 34 MAY 2013 STREETTRUCKS E ETTRUC KS MAG.COM

4 [15] The upper control arm tapered pin adapter and steering knuckle were mated, then an impact gun was used to secure the upper control arm and steering knuckle nut. A cotter pin was inserted through the pin adapter and bent over to ensure the nut would not back off. [16] The hub was secured to the spindle and steering knuckle. [17] Ryan reinstalled the front brake caliper using an impact gun. [18] The tie rod end was inserted into the steering knuckle and secured. [19] The front ICON billet aluminum upper control arm, ICON coil-over nitrogen-filled shock with remote piggyback reservoir was completed. [20] Moving to the rear, a pair of Deaver leaf spring packs replaces the weaker OEM springs. The Deaver kit includes two leaf packs made up of 11 thinner leafs and one rebound leaf per pack to eliminate rear axle wrap. New urethane eye-mount bushings, longer U-bolts and mounting hardware were also included. [21] The OEM FOX shock was unbolted and removed. [22] To remove the OEM rear leaf spring pack, the U- bolts were removed. [23] The OEM spacer block was removed from between the OEM spring pack and rear axle housing. They will be replaced by the Deaver pack. [24] Ryan removed the OEM rear leaf spring pack. [25] There are major differences in this comparison image of the much thicker Deaver spring pack (bottom) and the OEM spring pack. [26] A pair of welder clamps secured the OEM leaf spring pack, while Ryan used an impact gun to remove the bolts from the leaf spring pack locating plate. 36 MAY 2013 STREETTRUCKS E ETTRUC KS MAG.COM

5 [27] The OEM leaf spring locating plate was reused and secured to the Deaver leaf spring pack. [28] Ryan muscles the massive Deaver leaf spring pack into position and inserts the eyebolts. [29] The new longer U-bolts and nuts were secured. [30] The Deaver leaf spring pack is mounted and secured. [31] A pneumatic disc sander was used to remove some metal from the upper shock mount bracket. This allows ample clearance for the ZETA piggyback three-tube bypass shock top cap. [32] Ryan aligns the ZETA racing shock into the modified upper shock mount bracket. A pneumatic impact gun and wrench were used to tighten the upper and lower shock bolts. [33] After installing the stronger Deaver leaf spring pack and ZETA racing shock, the upgraded driver s side suspension was complete. [34] This shot shows the improved ICON front suspension components: 6061-T6 billet aluminum adjustable upper control arm and ZETA OEM replacement remote reservoir compression adjustable front coil-over shock. A stout SoCal Super Trucks front tube bumper and skid plate were installed to protect the front suspension and undercarriage. [35] A new set of Method Racing double standard 17 x 8.5-inch wheels were powder-coated matte gray with Raptor color-matched bead-loc-style rings covered with BF Goodrich T/A all-terrain 37 x tires. 38 MAY 2013 STREETTRUCKS E ETTRUC KS MAG.COM