Two Bronco Raptors run the Rubicon in One Day

[ChiliPepper 🌶️]

John, you seem to have trouble seeing things. My PDF and video; I hope you can see the attached photos.

Excellent observation wrt the rock sliders. I use mine liberally.

I've had an unexplained vibration on washboard roads for about a year. I thought it was the front suspension (no), then the front sway bar (no), then a loose bolt on the sliders (no), then the transmission skid plate (maybe - isolators took care of 99% of the vibration), BUT now that I look at the gap between the RCI slider and the pinch weld cover, you might be right. I see the gap is much smaller in the front than in the rear, both driver and passenger sides. The attached photos show there has been contact between the two in the past, enough to remove the powder coating. Another project to work on.

Passenger front
Driver front
Driver rear

Reverified, I have NO vibrations after the transmission skid plate isolator install.

 

[JohnGalt]

Reverified, I have NO vibrations after the transmission skid plate isolator install.

That’s great! It’s always a relief to find and remediate a rattle

 

[Hotrod1]

Ran the Rubicon last Thursday with a Rubicon experienced Jeep 392 on 40s leading me and an almost bone stock Bronco Raptor on base wheels. The video is long, but it covers the whole day with lots of Video from my dash showing the other Raptor and me negotiating our way through, quite a few third person perspective clips as well. This was my first time doing the entire Rubicon.



Learnings…
It’s doable in a day with an experienced leader. I got lots of help throughout the day and got to follow the other Raptors lines. It was a distinct advantage.

But it’s going to be a long day. Nothing you can’t handle, but you’re pushed over and over and…. It never really lets up until you clear Cadillac Hill

The Raptor did great, but it’s not a built Jeep on 40s!

Having some poke from +6 rims and 13.5” tires kept my flares off the rocks. I had a damage free day. The other guy popped a fender with his stock setup. If your running stock

The base rims leave the valve stem exposed, the other Raptor had row stems fail in 100 yards.

While the trail is very doable, it will punish you if you make a mistake. The other Raptor got in a very precarious situation stuck between two boulders. A good plan and execution led to a safe drama free recovery, but it was stressful at the time!!

I got through damage free, the other Raptor took some rash, wrecked a flare and knocked another loose but it was relatively minor considering the situation it was in.

Good job guys! I will watch rest of video tonight.

1. I am in for a 2026 trip; who wants to go?

2. Also anyone else looking at doing a Baja Raptor Run? I want to do one in 2026 or 2027.

 

[Bschurr]

Good job guys! I will watch rest of video tonight.

1. I am in for a 2026 trip; who wants to go?

2. Also anyone else looking at doing a Baja Raptor Run? I want to do one in 2026 or 2027.

This is on my bucket list —> https://www.expeditionxoffroad.com/

 

[Hotrod1]

the warn 10s winch sold on the ford performance store and mounted with the ford performance parts on a stock front bumper were stars of the trip. literally winched my rig into a 47 degree up hill pitch and up 2-3 feet on the berm away from the road. zero damage to winch, mount, bumper, frame, etc... don't skimp was my takeaway.

Did Ford install your winch? I had dealers tell me it does not work for the Braptor? What skids were you running? Factory?

 

[Bschurr]

Did Ford install your winch? I had dealers tell me it does not work for the Braptor? What skids were you running? Factory?

Ford will tell you that the soft top isn’t compatible with the Raptor too and that’s also BS - it fits fine!

 

[Hotrod1]

Ford will tell you that the soft top isn’t compatible with the Raptor too and that’s also BS - it fits fine!

I heard it fits fine from others as well. I was just wondering if anyone had a Ford dealer install?? When purchasing you can select a dealer to do install.

 

[JohnGalt]

the warn 10s winch sold on the ford performance store and mounted with the ford performance parts on a stock front bumper were stars of the trip. literally winched my rig into a 47 degree up hill pitch and up 2-3 feet on the berm away from the road. zero damage to winch, mount, bumper, frame, etc... don't skimp was my takeaway.

Did Ford install your winch? I had dealers tell me it does not work for the Braptor? What skids were you running? Factory?

I’m guessing @Dgchurch didn’t see this as he wasn’t tagged.

I’m pretty sure he had the Ford dealer install the winch.

FP Winch kit works fine with Raptor. However, there are some compatibility issues. It doesn’t relocate the two front parking sensors so you’ll have to disable them. The camera view is partially obscured unless you install a camera relocation kit. And if you have an ACC you may need to relocate it using another kit.

I think this is why Ford states it’s incompatible with Raptor. You’ll note that the Everglades came with this kit, but it only came in Mid package so doesn’t have camera or ACC to conflict with.

I think he ran rubicon first time with stock skids and maybe FMI diff skid. I think the second time he ran with FMI shock Mount and rear arm bracket skids. I run and recommend those if you’re going to be on rocks and ledges.

The shock mounts ride low and the leading edge of the rear lower arm brackets are really steep. They like to get hung on things.

One big advantage of the FP kit is the way the winch plate mounts. It doesn’t need to have yet another kit to reinforce the frame horns. This is a big plus IMO

Hopefully @Dgchurch will correct if I’ve misspoke.

 

[Hotrod1]

I’m guessing @Dgchurch didn’t see this as he wasn’t tagged.

I’m pretty sure he had the Ford dealer install the winch.

FP Winch kit works fine with Raptor. However, there are some compatibility issues. It doesn’t relocate the two front parking sensors so you’ll have to disable them. The camera view is partially obscured unless you install a camera relocation kit. And if you have an ACC you may need to relocate it using another kit.

I think this is why Ford states it’s incompatible with Raptor. You’ll note that the Everglades came with this kit, but it only came in Mid package so doesn’t have camera or ACC to conflict with.

I think he ran rubicon first time with stock skids and maybe FMI diff skid. I think the second time he ran with FMI shock Mount and rear arm bracket skids. I run and recommend those if you’re going to be on rocks and ledges.

The shock mounts ride low and the leading edge of the rear lower arm brackets are really steep. They like to get hung on things.

One big advantage of the FP kit is the way the winch plate mounts. It doesn’t need to have yet another kit to reinforce the frame horns. This is a big plus IMO

Hopefully Dan will correct if I’ve misspoke

Thanks for update, I may try and find dealer to install winch if I decide to go with it. I also have FMI shock skids I think that was good investment. I am looking at FMI rear arm skids I am just trying to figure out how easy they are to install?

 

[JohnGalt]

Thanks for update, I may try and find dealer to install winch if I decide to go with it. I also have FMI shock skids I think that was good investment. I am looking at FMI rear arm skids I am just trying to figure out how easy they are to install?

There were some challenges but manageable. I posted this Installation Summary thread and ChiliPepper added a PDF to the thread also. It should give you a good idea of what you’d be getting into.

I’ve also done a couple JCR winch plate installs, that’s pretty straight forward as well. Especially if you don’t have to strip out the sensor harnesses from the bumper for relocation. I seem to recall posting a thread on that here as well.

Foutz Rear Lower Arm Frame Skid Install Summary Part 1

This is going to be a two part summary. Part 1 is modifications necessary to allow the Foutz skids to work with RCI Frame Mount sliders (and probably similar to other frame mount sliders). Part 2 will focus on the installation of the modified sliders. The Foutz skids arrived well packaged in...

www.broncoraptor.com

Foutz Rear Lower Arm Frame Skid Install Summary Part 2

Part 2 is the actual install of the skids. The install was kind of a pain (for me) figuring out what to do but it actually wasn’t really difficult to actually do once I figured it out. The pain arose from the old instructions which refer to parts which aren’t provided or used for the Raptor...

www.broncoraptor.com

 

[Dgchurch]

I’m guessing @Dgchurch didn’t see this as he wasn’t tagged.

I’m pretty sure he had the Ford dealer install the winch.

FP Winch kit works fine with Raptor. However, there are some compatibility issues. It doesn’t relocate the two front parking sensors so you’ll have to disable them. The camera view is partially obscured unless you install a camera relocation kit. And if you have an ACC you may need to relocate it using another kit.

I think this is why Ford states it’s incompatible with Raptor. You’ll note that the Everglades came with this kit, but it only came in Mid package so doesn’t have camera or ACC to conflict with.

I think he ran rubicon first time with stock skids and maybe FMI diff skid. I think the second time he ran with FMI shock Mount and rear arm bracket skids. I run and recommend those if you’re going to be on rocks and ledges.

The shock mounts ride low and the leading edge of the rear lower arm brackets are really steep. They like to get hung on things.

One big advantage of the FP kit is the way the winch plate mounts. It doesn’t need to have yet another kit to reinforce the frame horns. This is a big plus IMO

Hopefully @Dgchurch will correct if I’ve misspoke.

Shoot, sorry fellas just now seeing this!!

Yes the ford dealer installed the winch. The sensors are blocked and automatically shut off after a few cycles. I've been too lazy to relocate them....

The ACC works fine/no issues at all and I use it daily!!

The camera was simple to relocate. I bought another camera and installed it in the front license plate bracket that I installed to the fairlead. Bucked it up with my angle grinder and painted it to match. To wire the new one, all I did was disconnect the old and run it to the new. License plate frame install, camera install and wire install was literally a ~30min job.

First Rubicon run I had the rear shock skids and everything else bone stock. Second run I had the rear diff skid and rear lower arm slides in addition to the rear shock skids.. All from FMI. HIGHLY recommend if you're going to crawl a similar trail.

The second run I also removed the stock rear bumper, which took a bit of scrapes and bends on the first run. It didn't push up into the lift gate or rear qtr panel or fender flare but Johnny Galt pointed out the possibility.... So i dumped it for an ADD phantom and LOVE it.

I think that's about it.

 

[Dgchurch]

Thanks for update, I may try and find dealer to install winch if I decide to go with it. I also have FMI shock skids I think that was good investment. I am looking at FMI rear arm skids I am just trying to figure out how easy they are to install?

If you are fairly handy installing all of the FMI stuff is not too difficult. You can do it. And any questions PM me and I can guide. As can Johnny Galt. That warn winch earned it's weight in gold on the Rubicon!! Can't emphasize how well it performed...

 

[Hotrod1]

If you are fairly handy installing all of the FMI stuff is not too difficult. You can do it. And any questions PM me and I can guide. As can Johnny Galt. That warn winch earned it's weight in gold on the Rubicon!! Can't emphasize how well it performed...

Thanks for the update. I hope to call around to some Ford dealers and hope to find one that will do the install for $348 which you can add on the FP site. ACC will keep working and have 2 sensors not working is no problem but I do want camera relocated.

I have the FMI shock skids and the install was not too bad (once I figured out jack on frame and go full droop and the huge bolts will pull out with 2 fingers). The shock skids too some pretty hard hits in Utah this year and I was glad to have them.

I am looking at rear lower arm skids but reading on here those seem to be a pain to install. I wonder if any other brands have an easier install?

 

[Hotrod1]

I am having 2nd thoughts on having winch installed do I have anything to worry about? See below

I hope to do Rubicon in Sept of 2026 and I would like to have winch installed for this but I have plans to do Baja runs and I worry about having a 200 lbs hanging off the front bumper. Will this be a problem with high speed Baja runs? Will it take the stress of jumping the Braptor?

 

[Roughstock]

I am having 2nd thoughts on having winch installed do I have anything to worry about? See below

I hope to do Rubicon in Sept of 2026 and I would like to have winch installed for this but I have plans to do Baja runs and I worry about having a 200 lbs hanging off the front bumper. Will this be a problem with high speed Baja runs? Will it take the stress of jumping the Braptor?

I have a winch and I haven't done the Baja but I often to 80-100 on a friends land and bounce around a lot and very small bits of air. I haven't really noticed anything except the drop in the front by about perhaps an inch. Then again, I seem to rip it up an not pay a lot of attention...ha I put extra frame protection but that is really for when winching. At least that is why I installed it. I guess if it can handle winching I do not see how bouncing around would make any difference. It would be good to hear from people with more experience with this. So far so good. I don't even think about it.

 

[JohnGalt]

I am having 2nd thoughts on having winch installed do I have anything to worry about? See below

I hope to do Rubicon in Sept of 2026 and I would like to have winch installed for this but I have plans to do Baja runs and I worry about having a 200 lbs hanging off the front bumper. Will this be a problem with high speed Baja runs? Will it take the stress of jumping the Braptor?

You’re overthinking it, I know I do. I am right now!

You’ll be so loaded up on those trips with other crap (sliders, skids, bumpers, gear, fridge, extra gas, etc) that’ll be hard to know what’s what.

If you haven’t consider tires/wheels before you do epic adventure like Baja or Rubicon. The stock C-rated K02s are very prone to sidewall cuts in both environments (trust me). A simple upgrade would be the D-rated 37x12.5” K02. A lot more durable but with a 7 lb weight penalty (still pretty light). Going to a lighter rim like a Method Beadgrip can claw back that weight gain.

Flying level with a winch up front and no top, no steps, or gear in the back.

 

[ChiliPepper 🌶️]

I am looking at rear lower arm skids but reading on here those seem to be a pain to install. I wonder if any other brands have an easier install?

Not true; 3-hr job. Check the PDF in this post:

Foutz Rear Lower Arm Frame Skid Install Summary Part 2

Part 2 is the actual install of the skids. The install was kind of a pain (for me) figuring out what to do but it actually wasn’t really difficult to actually do once I figured it out. The pain arose from the old instructions which refer to parts which aren’t provided or used for the Raptor...

www.broncoraptor.com

 

[Hotrod1]

Not true; 3-hr job. Check the PDF in this post:

Foutz Rear Lower Arm Frame Skid Install Summary Part 2

Part 2 is the actual install of the skids. The install was kind of a pain (for me) figuring out what to do but it actually wasn’t really difficult to actually do once I figured it out. The pain arose from the old instructions which refer to parts which aren’t provided or used for the Raptor...

www.broncoraptor.com

Haha Ok so they are not a pain to install? I will look over the install again to try and figure it out. I think I need these if I run Rubicon in 2026!

 

[JohnGalt]

Haha Ok so they are not a pain to install? I will look over the install again to try and figure it out. I think I need these if I run Rubicon in 2026!

Yeah not bad once I figured out how to do it and realized Foutz instructions were largely for a regular Bronco not the Raptor.

 

[Hotrod1]

Yeah not bad once I figured out how to do it and realized Foutz instructions were largely for a regular Bronco not the Raptor.

I installed my FMI shock skids and they were not too bad. I get lost reading through the PDJ on this one.