Rubicon Trail

ChiliPepper · Mar 27, 2023

Anybody here brave enough to take their BRaptor on the Rubicon? The epic 2023 snow pack may be an additional objective hazard this year.

TurboS · Mar 27, 2023

Isn't the Bronco Raptor too wide to navigate the Rubicon trail? Oh, and to answer your question... probably not me.

JohnGalt · Mar 27, 2023

Nope, not brave enough….yet. I’m waiting to see some other maniac with a Raptor do it first. There are a couple obstacles that will/may give the Raptor‘s width some trouble.

Ive been snow wheeling a lot up near the Rubicon Trailhead at Loon Lake and there is definitely a bunch of snow that will present challenges later into the season than normal (or since 1951 for that matter). And we’ll be getting another foot or so tomorrow.

95BK9 · Mar 28, 2023

smart man

JohnGalt · Mar 28, 2023

Just saw this picture of the Ellis Creek Bridge which is about 2 miles in on the Rubicon. Estimated 15’ of settled snow on top of the bridge deck!

ChiliPepper · Mar 28, 2023

Boy Howdy, 15 ft ought to smooth out some of those obstacles. You're right about the fat butt Raptor being too wide

Metal-tech 4x4 · Mar 28, 2023

I am running it 3rd week in June in my Badlands. My Braptor is "scheduled" to be delivered before then, however that is not enough time to prep it. So its 2.3/7sp on 37s going in with 5 built FJ40s. Developing now all new products for Metal-tech 4x4 of skids etc. for it that I also plan to cross over to the Braptor when it comes in. Rubicon will be the testing ground for rocks on the new armor. (that bolts on with our sliders)

I have ran the Rubicon in built FJ40's, FJ Cruisers, FZJ80 Landcruisers. (running 33" to 37" tires) Widest for me was the FJ Cruiser with custom long travel (wider) A arms and offset rims on 35's putting it at 85" wide, just shy of the Braptor by 0.6". (Ran Little Sluice in it) 85" on the Con, it's doable, however 100% leave the stock Braptor fenders home or the trail will take them. I always say the trail will remove what it does not need.

BTW we will shoot full video etc. of this run to share. Like all the other videos we have on our YouTube channel.

JohnGalt · Mar 31, 2023

Video of a couple of guys taking a tracked SxS up the Rubicon Trail to Ellis Creek Bridge….

around 6:00 they pass through gatekeeper
around 7:30 over the slabs
and some general idiocy at the 8:30-45 mark

it looks a ‘little“ different than it does in summer….

ChiliPepper · Apr 1, 2023

Geez, missed the jump. Ice tools would have been good insurance.

DocPewPro · Apr 1, 2023

Metal-tech 4x4 said:
I am running it 3rd week in June in my Badlands. My Braptor is "scheduled" to be delivered before then, however that is not enough time to prep it. So its 2.3/7sp on 37s going in with 5 built FJ40s. Developing now all new products for Metal-tech 4x4 of skids etc. for it that I also plan to cross over to the Braptor when it comes in. Rubicon will be the testing ground for rocks on the new armor. (that bolts on with our sliders)

I have ran the Rubicon in built FJ40's, FJ Cruisers, FZJ80 Landcruisers. (running 33" to 37" tires) Widest for me was the FJ Cruiser with custom long travel (wider) A arms and offset rims on 35's putting it at 85" wide, just shy of the Braptor by 0.6". (Ran Little Sluice in it) 85" on the Con, it's doable, however 100% leave the stock Braptor fenders home or the trail will take them. I always say the trail will remove what it does not need.

BTW we will shoot full video etc. of this run to share. Like all the other videos we have on our YouTube channel.

Can’t wait to see how yours does on the trail. What raptor parts are you guys going to make?

TurboS · Apr 2, 2023

DocPewPro said:
Can’t wait to see how yours does on the trail. What raptor parts are you guys going to make?

Welcome to the Forum! 🍻 Glad you found us.

ChiliPepper · Jul 20, 2023

What did you do to your Bronco Raptor today?

Who makes the attic you are using ? Pura Vida Offroad. Great use of space for me. I don't have any pics after I loaded it out, but was able to put a recovery rope, tree saver, Mor-flate hoses, extra air filters, and a couple of other things up there. The best part is that it's completely out...

www.broncoraptor.com

TriTownBronco · Jul 27, 2023

New to the group... Planning a Rubicon Trail Run with a couple EBs and G6s. Concerned about the fenders on the BRaptor (obviously). Anyone know of a fender delete or low profile fender flare kit available? I'm aware of the full replacement fenders but was hoping there would be something more easily changeable for the trails. Tahnks in advance!

ChiliPepper · Jul 27, 2023

FYI, removing the BR flares are not as easy to remove as the regular Broncos. Running with the flare leaves the wheel liners hanging so you either have to remove them or find a flare delete kit (as you requested) to secure the liners.

Please post any findings you may have. Also, check out Vaughn Gittin Jr and Fun-Haver on the Rubicon with his Bronco Badlands. FYI, I am not promoting the LiteBrite people, but do appreciate the video.

ChiliPepper · Aug 9, 2023

That dang forward trailing arm bracket . . .

Kevin takes a winch to clear the step.

Here's our buddies on the Rubicon with their BR. Best to turn the volume off.

Bronco Raptor Conquers the RUBICON TRAIL...with Only a Little Damage! - By Lite Brite

"The Rubicon Trail - one of the most iconic off road trails in the country, and testing grounds to a lot of Jeep Wranglers. So why not give it a go in our new Ford Bronco Raptor? And what better time to try rock crawling a Bronco than during the Jeepers Jamboree, one of the best Jeep events on...

www.broncoraptor.com

So glad my JCR rear bumper is 3" narrower on each side compared to the OEM bumper. I'm still looking for a BR flair delete kit.

TurboS · Aug 9, 2023

ChiliPepper said:
That dang forward trailing arm bracket . . .
View attachment 9292
Kevin takes a winch to clear the step.

Here's our buddies on the Rubicon with the BR. Best to turn the volume off.

So glad my JCR rear bumper is 3" narrower on each side compared to the OEM bumper. I'm still looking for a BR flair delete kit.

View attachment 9294

Ford should have added the trailing arm bracket skid like on the Badlands...

SteelBronco · Aug 9, 2023

Is it possible the newer Bronco Raptors being produced have them on them?

Those skids look really nice for on the Badlands frame.

TurboS · Aug 9, 2023

SteelBronco said:
Is it possible the newer Bronco Raptors being produced have them on them?

Those skids look really nice for on the Badlands frame.

Yes the mini skids are quite rugged and impressive looking. Pic is from my wife's new Badlands, when I noticed them I was very surprised the Raptor didn't have them since the Raptor lower track arm bracket hangs further downward from the frame than the Badlands.

ChiliPepper · Aug 10, 2023

TurboS said:
Yes the mini skids are quite rugged and impressive looking. Pic is from my wife's new Badlands, when I noticed them I was very surprised the Raptor didn't have them since the Raptor lower track arm bracket hangs further downward from the frame than the Badlands.

I've got bracket envy.

I'm trying to read the PN on the bracket and skid . . . 50429AF ?? This is the only number on my brackets.

Interestingly, the Ford parts catalog shows the BR and a Bandlands/Sas frame have the same forward bracket, aka spring shackle bracket, PN MB3Z-5775B. Althought the Badlands does show the little skid without a PN.