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We just caught the first sighting of the 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor camouflaged body and a peek at its new coil spring rear suspension setup testing on public roads!
New Wide Body, New Suspension
The widebody treatment applied to the new sheetmetal of the overhauled 2022 F-150 is unmistakable, as is the fact that the Raptor prototype is still running the disguised rear suspension, just as we first revealed in September 2019. Since then, we’ve seen a number of standard-looking Raptors running around Dearborn with the disguised suspension. We have managed one look under the suspension camo, revealing a new coil spring rear suspension replacing the leaf springs that have been used on every Raptor since its inception.
Smoking Gun Proof Of The Raptor’s All-New Suspension Design Details
Our photographers had about 10 seconds to snag photographic proof of exactly what’s going on behind all of the Raptor’s suspension disguise. They managed to get their lens in position to shoot behind the hanging camo to reveal the unmistakable shape of a coil spring inside of a fabric covering. The coils’ circular mounting points are clearly visible at the top and bottom. The Raptor’s new coil springs are placed where the Fox Racing shocks reside on the current model. The Raptor’s shocks have been moved forward of the rear axle on these new prototypes.
Fox Racing Live Valve Internal Bypass Shocks Continue
While Ford is adopting an all-new suspension strategy for the next-generation F-150 Raptor, it appears that the design will use Fox Racing shocks very similar—if not identical—to what’s available on the 2019 Raptor. We can see a hint of orange peeking out from the black sleeve covering the newly placed shocks—looking like a perfect match for the Fox Racing Live Valve Internal Bypass shocks that are fitted to the 2019 iteration.
No Leaf Springs, But A New Structural Element
With the adoption of the new coil spring rear suspension, the leaf springs that have been a part of the Raptor’s design since its 2010 debut are long gone. Instead, we see a new structural element stretching along the F-150 prototype’s underside, ultimately attaching to the rear axle. The new structural brace (and the missing leaf springs) would be visible under the truck, so Ford engineers had placed disguising inside the rear wheel wells, with additional camouflage stretching forward of the rear tires. With our latest look under today’s F-150 Raptor prototype, we have managed to thwart the camouflage, and reveal what resides instead of the leaf springs.
Missing Leaf Springs Enables Rerouted Exhausts On Prototypes
Take a look at the photo comparing the Raptor prototype with an existing model, and it becomes apparent that routing of the exhaust is completely different between the two vehicles. Most important is what enables the rerouted exhaust system—the complete lack of leaf springs in the F-150 Raptor prototype trucks. In order to clear the current F-150 Raptor’s leaf springs, the current model's exhaust pipes are forced to drop down to the same level as the spare tire, and then make an upward turn to create ample ground clearance. Now look at the exhaust on the Raptor prototype, and it’s clear that the new truck’s exhaust can take a much straighter path to its exit point since there are no leaf springs to clear. The new exhaust design also gives the Raptor better overall ground clearance than the current model.
New Wide Body, New Suspension
The widebody treatment applied to the new sheetmetal of the overhauled 2022 F-150 is unmistakable, as is the fact that the Raptor prototype is still running the disguised rear suspension, just as we first revealed in September 2019. Since then, we’ve seen a number of standard-looking Raptors running around Dearborn with the disguised suspension. We have managed one look under the suspension camo, revealing a new coil spring rear suspension replacing the leaf springs that have been used on every Raptor since its inception.
Smoking Gun Proof Of The Raptor’s All-New Suspension Design Details
Our photographers had about 10 seconds to snag photographic proof of exactly what’s going on behind all of the Raptor’s suspension disguise. They managed to get their lens in position to shoot behind the hanging camo to reveal the unmistakable shape of a coil spring inside of a fabric covering. The coils’ circular mounting points are clearly visible at the top and bottom. The Raptor’s new coil springs are placed where the Fox Racing shocks reside on the current model. The Raptor’s shocks have been moved forward of the rear axle on these new prototypes.
Fox Racing Live Valve Internal Bypass Shocks Continue
While Ford is adopting an all-new suspension strategy for the next-generation F-150 Raptor, it appears that the design will use Fox Racing shocks very similar—if not identical—to what’s available on the 2019 Raptor. We can see a hint of orange peeking out from the black sleeve covering the newly placed shocks—looking like a perfect match for the Fox Racing Live Valve Internal Bypass shocks that are fitted to the 2019 iteration.
No Leaf Springs, But A New Structural Element
With the adoption of the new coil spring rear suspension, the leaf springs that have been a part of the Raptor’s design since its 2010 debut are long gone. Instead, we see a new structural element stretching along the F-150 prototype’s underside, ultimately attaching to the rear axle. The new structural brace (and the missing leaf springs) would be visible under the truck, so Ford engineers had placed disguising inside the rear wheel wells, with additional camouflage stretching forward of the rear tires. With our latest look under today’s F-150 Raptor prototype, we have managed to thwart the camouflage, and reveal what resides instead of the leaf springs.
Missing Leaf Springs Enables Rerouted Exhausts On Prototypes
Take a look at the photo comparing the Raptor prototype with an existing model, and it becomes apparent that routing of the exhaust is completely different between the two vehicles. Most important is what enables the rerouted exhaust system—the complete lack of leaf springs in the F-150 Raptor prototype trucks. In order to clear the current F-150 Raptor’s leaf springs, the current model's exhaust pipes are forced to drop down to the same level as the spare tire, and then make an upward turn to create ample ground clearance. Now look at the exhaust on the Raptor prototype, and it’s clear that the new truck’s exhaust can take a much straighter path to its exit point since there are no leaf springs to clear. The new exhaust design also gives the Raptor better overall ground clearance than the current model.
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