Bronco Raptor "Roach" Build

[Ninjak]

The good and bad of buying the top dog. I understand it because I own a GT500. Though there are a plethora of things to upgrade now, there was a time when it was not as such. Also all upgrades are not upgrades you need.

For the BRaptor, some things are thin. Suspension? Why? Bumpers? Well yes, the front is ok, but the rear needs to go IMO. Side armour? Yes. Bigger tire? Hmm well maybe, the stocks are not true 37's so that is something. As for performance, nothing has been released beyond the Whipple tune, I believe a few intercoolers are out, not sure about Intakes.

Even so, I have seen some nice BRaptor builds. So keep it going. I am near the end of my mod journey on my Badlands. The major mods are in the sig, and that does not cover some of the small ones like grab handles and such. But this is why we buy and why we mod. To make them in our own image, if not that, why even bother to get one?

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[TheLawnDart]

Any view


Any feedback on how the bumper is attached? I have the ADD Bomber on the front of my Wildtrack, and while I love the look, I am not wild about how it is attached. Would work fine as a bumper, but using the soft shackle recovery points is a no go, IMHO. Trying to pull the Bronco out using them would just pull the bumper off the front of the truck. Same for rear, but I got some frame mounted recovery points for the back.

These will have recovery points mounted to the frame on the sides by the skid plate, so it wouldn’t pull the bumper at all. I don’t have them attached yet so I can’t show you or give feedback on those specifically yet, but I will update this post when I get those on! I know they were considering adding some sort of recovery point to the flat part on the front, but like you said I wouldn’t trust it to not just rip off the bumper

 

[TheLawnDart]

The good and bad of buying the top dog. I understand it because I own a GT500. Though there are a plethora of things to upgrade now, there was a time when it was not as such. Also all upgrades are not upgrades you need.

For the BRaptor, some things are thin. Suspension? Why? Bumpers? Well yes, the front is ok, but the rear needs to go IMO. Side armour? Yes. Bigger tire? Hmm well maybe, the stocks are not true 37's so that is something. As for performance, nothing has been released beyond the Whipple tune, I believe a few intercoolers are out, not sure about Intakes.

Even so, I have seen some nice BRaptor builds. So keep it going. I am near the end of my mod journey on my Badlands. The major mods are in the sig, and that does not cover some of the small ones like grab handles and such. But this is why we buy and why we mod. To make them in our own image, if not that, why even bother to get one?

Agree with all your points! I definitely need some side armor, the stock ones are not going to protect that body at all. But other than that, there aren’t many mods I NEED. Maybe just some I want.

 

[vrtical]

Looking good and flying the braptors is a lot of fun. I am still deciding on what rear bumper to get, but the OEM one is going. The two better protections I did was 0 offset 17x9 wheels and Goat Fab tilt step sliders for side protection.

 

[TheLawnDart]

Looking good and flying the braptors is a lot of fun. I am still deciding on what rear bumper to get, but the OEM one is going. The two better protections I did was 0 offset 17x9 wheels and Goat Fab tilt step sliders for side protection.

Man I was so close on pulling the trigger on those Goat Fab sliders. But I think Motorworx Fabrication (the ones who made my bumpers) are working on a matching set of sliders so I held off. I think 0 offset looks perfect though, I love it

 

[vrtical]

Man I was so close on pulling the trigger on those Goat Fab sliders. But I think Motorworx Fabrication (the ones who made my bumpers) are working on a matching set of sliders so I held off. I think 0 offset looks perfect though, I love it

There are a lot of good ones which anything is better than the OEM ones since most remove the step and you don't really have any lower panel protection. I got the Goat ones as part of the BF deal, absolutely couldn't beat the price deal on them.

 

[FMI Media]

@TheLawnDart love seeing a brap in full send sweet pic! are you planning on getting any skid protection down the road?

 

[TheLawnDart]

@TheLawnDart love seeing a brap in full send sweet pic! are you planning on getting any skid protection down the road?

I definitely want to! A few friends of mine that I’m sure yall know (Scott with the white Braptor and Matt with the Blue, currently fenderless Braptor) have spoken very highly of their FMI products time and time again

 

[TheLawnDart]

Build Update:

It has been a while since I updated this page with what I've put on the bronco, so here's a quick update! Moving forward I'm going to use this thread to update personal reviews on the products I've used with unbiased thoughts after heavy use.

Since my last post I've added:
- Hyperco 2"/1"
- SVC Panhard Bar, Tie Rods, Links (diff cover coming soon)
- Armadillo Designs Aluminum Hardtop
- SPD 170 degree Thermostat
- Ruthenium Spark Plugs
- CVF Charge Pipes
- Icom radio
- Prototype Bump Stops (more details to come)
- Valvetronic Exhaust Tips

 

[TheLawnDart]

Armadillo Hardtop Review:

Sharing some of the mods I have on my bronco. I wanted to start with the armadillo hardtop. I’ve had this top for a little over a year now, but started working with them for over 2 years. It started because even after mild off-road use my factory top was cracking, creaking, and leaking. I had little confidence that Ford was going to warranty the issues and sought something more durable. I ended up helping them develop the top for the raptor by providing raptor specific feedback and loaning my bronco to them for a few months. Finally after a year of waiting I received the first armadillo top on a bronco raptor. Here is a comprehensive list of all the pros and cons since I’ve installed it:

Cons:
- The “shell” of the top doesn’t get removed, so you can’t really take the whole thing off like you can with the factory top. This was the most disappointing part to me
- The time from order to delivery is about 16 weeks at best, and shipping cost quite a bit more
- The price is high, they are made to order in America so I guess it is what it is. The price seems reasonable at first but quickly climbs with accessories.
- The squareback trunk sometimes needs to have pressure applied to it to be closed, rather than staying down on its own
- Taking off all the gullwings and top to get the “open air” feel takes a bit longer than OEM
- The third tail light is dim and really not useful, could be great place for a chase light though
- It makes the bronco taller by a few inches. The top panels stick up a little higher (which is also a pro I will talk about)
- There is no rain gutter, so all of the water that pools on top finds its way right down the windows of the driver/ passenger side. Fine when driving, not so much when getting out of the car
- The slant back “limits space” in the back (barely). The real sad part is it limits some accessories that would mount to the roll bars.

Pros:
- Quieter than OEM. Tire noise is still loud, and there’s still wind noise from the windshield but I remember I turned my music volume down 2 notches after I first installed it.
- Gullwings are awesome for storage and lockable. There’s something very satisfying about opening them up and taking tools out.
- Custom liner colors and patterns that make it feel a little more personal and custom
- Custom powder coating colors available, whatever one you want.
- Accessory options are amazing. There’s mounting points and MOLLE in perfect spots. Their MOLLE rack and gullwing MOLLE has added the perfect storage space for me and my family. Makes mountain days way easier for us. There are exterior MOLLE mounts as well for traction boards, rotopax, etc
- The inside is roomier since the top stick up. Meaning you get about another 1” or 2” of headroom. Nice for us tall folk.
- The two removable top panels can be stored in the trunk
- Many accesories that fit the OEM top still work with the armadillo top since it mounts similar
- The looks is very unique. Not to everyone’s style, but it certainly gets a lot of questions and interest
- Made in America
- Aluminum vs plastic, I have no doubt it’ll hold up better considering it already is
- Can still have Sirius XM if you ask the to relocate the antenna (I have a video explaining how to do this)
- You can stand on the top. This has come in handy seeing over a crowd or taking cool pictures

Overall I love the product. It’s hard to justify the price for a lot of people, and I understand that. If you’d like more modularity, a more unique build, and a quieter ride then I definitely reccomend it. If you like taking your top off, want to keenyour ford warranty, and prefer the cleaner aesthetic of the OEM top, then save some money and stick with it!

 

[Ninjak]

@TheLawnDart : Very nice review. I will agree with what you said here, though the point of taking the top off was never a concern. I had the soft top and never really took it back. In Miami, even our "winter" months, it's just too hot and sunny to have the top down like that, well, at least for me.

Now that I have the Braptor, I thought there may be an issue with using my top because, like you, I was early on to receive. So I did not get the tops that have the Raptor cut out, but Fabion informed me that using my DV8 overhead moiolle and cross would solve any issue, and I would still have the cross brace.

Loving my top and the unique look it gives.. The sturdiness of it, and how quiet the ride is are pluses. Like you, I lose a little space, but I have adapted to this and have resolved what this challenge brings.

It may cost more, but this top will outlast the Bronco. I am happy with my decision. It was well worth the wait.

 

[TheLawnDart]

@TheLawnDart : Very nice review. I will agree with what you said here, though the point of taking the top off was never a concern. I had the soft top and never really took it back. In Miami, even our "winter" months, it's just too hot and sunny to have the top down like that, well, at least for me.

Now that I have the Braptor, I thought there may be an issue with using my top because, like you, I was early on to receive. So I did not get the tops that have the Raptor cut out, but Fabion informed me that using my DV8 overhead moiolle and cross would solve any issue, and I would still have the cross brace.

Loving my top and the unique look it gives.. The sturdiness of it, and how quiet the ride is are pluses. Like you, I lose a little space, but I have adapted to this and have resolved what this challenge brings.

It may cost more, but this top will outlast the Bronco. I am happy with my decision. It was well worth the wait.

Excellent additions as always, I appreciate your inputs. Well said!

 

[TheLawnDart]

S&B Cold Air Intake Review:



TLDR: Terrible experience but decent product...when it's all together. I recommend it for anyone who wants to improve the look of the rather unimpressive engine bay. Anyone thats looking to off-road I would consider an alternative.



When this hit the market I was among one of the first to get and install this product and have had a headache with it ever since.



First thing to go wrong was 2 bolts holding the piping in place came completely out. I tightened them during install, but didn't use any thread lock since it was not mentioned or recommended in their install instructions. Once they shipped me new ones (which was very kind of them) I used thread lock and have had no issues since.



Next was the lid. Holy smokes the stupid lid. Supposedly they made the first batch of air boxes 1/16th of an inch (or something like that) too thin. So with moderate offroading the lid would get SLUNG around the engine bay. It caused superficial damage across the engine bay and caused the filter to get ruined after only a month or so of ownership. When I told them, they said they would send me a new lid, but not replace the air filter ($69 gone). After asking them again a few weeks later (they forgot) they sent me a new lid that was for a Ram truck. They then sent me the correct one after asking again. The lid came off again shortly after and got ruined again, I didn't bother asking for a new one. Eventually they fixed the thickness of the airbox, but of course didn't announce this to anyone. So once I found out I requested they send me a new airbox so I could secure the lid. At this point, about 5 months had gone by and I went through another filter ($69 seeya), because the lid liked to travel around frequently. Albeit, without the lid the intake sounds amazing. The new airbox they sent was, again, not for my car so they had to send a new one. Now I finally had a lid that would stay on! After the 4th filter I bought a filter cover because I don't trust the lid anymore.



Next was the bracket on the top that holds the turbo intake to the engine bay. This was the same one that the bolts came unthreaded. After some moderate off-roading the entire bracket sheared. I told them this and they (again, very kindly) sait they would sent a new bracket. The new one had an opening way to wide for the bolt that is meant to hold it in place (as seen in the pictures), so I asked them for the correct bracket that fits the OEM bolt. They sent me another bracket that was, yet again, for a completely different car. I ended up just buying a new bolt with a wider washer plate on it to make it work.



The last bit of annoyance, other than scraping the absolute piss out of your hands whenever you change the filter out, is the actual rubber intake portion. Luckily you only have to change the filter out every 6 months or so if you have a functioning lid. The rubber flap in the front is secured with 3 clips that come out frequently. 2 of the ones in the picture below are missing the bottom portion because they were ejected into my engine bay and into the oblivion. They might have changed this design since, but I'm not positive.



Overall very poor experience with the product, but at least their inept customer service is willing to help out, it looks good, and with a proper tune will add some gains.

 

[TheLawnDart]

Turbosmart Blow Off Valve Review:

TLDR; it sounds good, doesn’t add performance, and will fail eventually.

“It makes a pshhh should does it really need a review…?

Not a long one, but yes! I bought this Turbosmart Blow Off Valve (BOV) almost exactly 2 years ago. Install takes 10 minutes, feels solid, and works (well, worked) as advertised. Many people have commented on loving the agressive sound it makes. After about a year it started popping a code shown in the picture below. I’m not the only one that was experiencing this, around the same time a few others were getting the same code. I was able to get it to clear a few times by removing the BOV, cleaning the wiring harness, and reinstalling. Sadly it kept coming back and would throw check engine lights at inopportune times (always in the middle of off-roading).

Debating on buying a new one, I decided to ditch that sweet pshh sound and keep my factory recirculating valve. Theoretically it provides more performance anyway since it’s putting that same boost pressure back into the turbo cold side, but I’m willing to bet it’s negligible. It also provides more space for the CVF charge pipes, a future review.

 

[swamp2]

S&B Cold Air Intake Review:

TLDR: Terrible experience but decent product...when it's all together.

Such a bummer. Devil is in the details as with most things design & engineering...

I had some minor fitment issues when installing. Fingers (not optimistically) crossed for how it fares when actually off roading.

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