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The Baja 1000 is considered one of the toughest races in the world and is unrivaled as the toughest race on this side of the globe. Consequently, Benna Ford is proud to announce that at the event’s end, both the Ford Bronco DR and Ford Ranger Raptor emerged with class wins. It is difficult to overstate how rugged and punishing the Baja 1000 course can be. This year’s course featured thick silt beds, jagged rocks, hard rain and snow, and Baja’s legendary darkness, which tests the driver’s reflexes as obstacles quickly appear in a vehicle’s light beams. “The Baja 1000 is brutal,” said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “It pushes every part of a truck to its limits and demands everything from the drivers and teams. This isn’t just about crossing the finish line—it’s about proving that our vehicles can take on and conquer challenges as tough as Baja.” Bronco DR Wins Heavy Metal Class The Bronco DR (Desert Racer) took the win in the Heavy Metal Limited class. It is purpose-built as a desert racer, aimed directly at the Baja competition and similar events. The Baja victory marks its third victory out of three competitions for this year. Driver Brad Lovell and navigator Roger Lovell began the first third of the event, followed by Jason Hutter and Paul Blangsted, who helped secure the DR’s August victory at Vegas to Reno. Jason Scherer and Jason Berger took the checkered flag upon completion of the final leg of the 864-mile race. “This year put an exclamation mark on how brutal Baja is,” said Brad Lovell, who has piloted the DR at all races. “It’s said it’s the toughest race in North America, and I do believe that’s true. Having been involved with Bronco DR testing for quite a while, I always wanted the opportunity to race it here in the 1000—it’s what we designed it for, it’s where we made it spirited, lively and fun. To understand Bronco’s legacy in Baja and be part of it is overwhelming. Bronco is utilitarian, a jack of all trades, but it has a special spirit and place in Baja.” Lovel is undoubtedly referring to the Bronco known as “Big Oly,” driven by Rod Gall and Larry Minor. In 1969, it was the first 4x4 vehicle to win the Baja 1000 outright, a feat usually achieved by motorcycles. Ranger Raptor Wins Stock Mid-size Class Possibly even more impressive is the showroom-stock mid-size class win by the Ranger Raptor. The vehicle is far closer to stock than the vehicles in the Heavy Metal class. It meets SCORE’s Stock Mid-sized regulations, which allow only very limited performance and durability enhancements. Driver Loren Healy and navigator Eric Davis started the competition before turning it over to John Williams III and Nate Williams, who drove for the middle section. Bailey Campbell and Bryan Crofts took it across the finish line. Racing as Research “Baja threw everything it had at us this year,” said Loren Healy. “We fought some trials and tribulations last night, but this amazing Ford Performance team put everything—their whole hearts and souls—into this, in the dark, in the cold, in the rain. I’m really proud of everyone here.” The Ranger was equipped with a MoTeC data acquisition system to collect critical performance data during the race. “One of our top priorities is always to gather as much data as possible, and we see so much varied conditions here that helps that,” said Brian Novak, North American Off-Road Program Manager. “We’ve taken insights from this program to enhance our durability testing process. When we take this truck back to Dearborn, we’ll analyze every piece and part in detail to see what we can do to make our consumer trucks better.” Racing improves the breed. You can see for yourself by test-driving the Bronco, Ranger, and Ford’s other 4x4 stars at Benna Ford.

The Ford Bronco and Ranger Raptors have an enviable reputation as some of the most capable off-road vehicles on the planet that you can still drive home. Ford’s 3.0-liter EcoBoost® V6 powers both models and while the horsepower and torque of either model aren’t exactly lacking, who doesn’t crave more power in vehicles like this? Consequently, Benna Ford is pleased to pass on the news that both models can significantly boost power through a new software calibration from Ford Performance Parts. Available on the 2024 Ranger Raptor and the 2022 – 2024 Bronco Raptor, the power increases are significant, particularly for low-end torque: · Ranger Raptor: Torque increases from 430 to 536 lb.-ft. Horsepower increases from 405 to 455   · Bronco Raptor: Torque increases from 440 to 536 lb.-ft. Horsepower climbs from 418 to 455 The changes significantly improve throttle response, and part of the upgrade includes optimized shift logic to accompany the new power figures. The MSRP for the upgrade is $825, which is a pretty affordable means of that degree of power boost. It can be purchased using Ford Pass Rewards points and installed right here at Benna Ford. Also worth noting is that the calibrations meet Ford durability standards and thus are covered by the vehicle’s three-year, 36,000-mile Ford Performance parts warranty. However, you can get the upgrade for less. The catch is you have to enjoy the heck out of your Ranger or Bronco Raptor at the Raptor Rally, an exclusive one-day event for Raptor owners only near the Ford Performance Racing School in Fairfield, Utah, on Sept. 21, 2024. At the Raptor Rally, you will be able to fly over trails, crawl over rocks, catch air on small hills, test your skill on a Baja-style course, improve your skill with tips from off-road professionals like Vaughn Gitting Jr., Loren Healy, and Chris Voorde. The event is exclusively for Raptor owners and will also include expert workshops, hot lap opportunities, Ford news, exclusive giveaways, meals, and more. All for $500. For Ford Bronco and Ranger Raptor owners, there is an additional incentive: All who attend the rally will receive a 20% off coupon good for the power upgrade as well as other eligible accessories at performanceparts.ford.com. Terms and conditions apply. If you can attend the rally, that would be great! But we understand that not everyone can just take their Raptor 1400 miles to Utah without significant planning. If you are interested in the power upgrade anyway, contact the Benna Ford Service department and discuss it with them.

Other markets around the world had a Ranger Raptor available to them for years, but Ford waited for the Ranger redesign to bring the Raptor to its home turf. It is ready to deliver the Raptor experience on a slightly smaller platform than its F-150 sibling, and the Motor1 enthusiast website took it for a spin. This Benna Ford blog post relays the Motor1 driving impression of the new Ranger Raptor. After the Raptor versions of the F-150 and the Bronco, the Raptor formula is fairly well understood. which Motor1 describes as “A heaping dose of power, dune-tuned suspension, the biggest A/Ts that’ll fit under the fenders, and a shot of testosterone to the styling.” The Ranger Raptor is no different. In a segment that is rapidly going to all 4-cylinders, it boasts a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that produces 405 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, which is more power than you will find anywhere in the class and 92 more ponies in the stable than the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2. It’s combined with a 10-speed automatic, and you won’t find more ratios in the class either, assuming you don’t count CVTs. The truck rides on 33-inch BFGoodrich K03 All Terrain tires on 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels. The front suspension consists of forged aluminum double-A arms with 2.5-inch Fox ® Live Valve Shocks in the front with a Watts-link rear suspension with trailing arms also fitted with Fox ® Live Valve Shocks. The shocks feature external fluid reservoirs, each with an electronically adjustable internal bypass. There are no less than seven drive modes, with three for the pavement (Normal, Sport, and Slippery) and four for off-road (Sand, Rock Crawl, Mud/Ruts, Baja). Each mode adjusts engine response, transmission settings, ABS sensitivity and traction control calibrations, brake and steering feel, and even the instrument cluster arrangement. Motor1 found the truck most at home in Baja Mode, the purpose of which is fast driving over rough terrain and is described by Ford as the Raptor’s most extreme mode for on-the-limit driving. “The suspension in Baja Mode cossets body motions enough to soak up dips and potholes without allowing excessive roll or float. The steering is heavy in Baja mode, but it’s precise and easily adjusted mid-slide, which gave me confidence the moment I flicked the Raptor’s rear end out.” They felt that this was the Raptor’s forte as opposed to slow rock crawling despite the dedicated driving mode for it. The Raptor is not shy about promoting its capability. The two things that stand out in the front are the front skid plate and the grille, where the humble Ford blue oval has been replaced by “FORD” with nearly 10-inch-wide letters. The Raptor typeface extends half the bed length on each side. Bulging fender flares accommodate the 3.5 extra inches of track width. Inside, “Code Orange” trim appears throughout, including stitching and a bold centerline on the steering wheel. A big portrait-format 12-inch touch screen dominates the dash with an even larger 12.3 digital information center for the driver. Physical controls remain for the most common HVAC adjustments. Motor1 points out how the tires and suspension do not exactly produce a quiet and luxurious ride on the highway. It is clear at all times what you bought this truck for. But they conclude with a reminder of its class-leading power plus: “It’s lacking in manners, but the Raptor is your best bet for taming the Wild West.” All Raptors are specialty models that Benna Ford doesn’t always keep in stock. If none appear in our inventory, contact one of our sales professionals to have them bring in a model for your own driving impression.

Like the Raptor versions of the F-150 and the Bronco, the Ranger Raptor is the most hard-core off-road trim level in the model line. The internal hardware enhances both slow rock crawling and high-speed desert running. From rock-hopping to leaping in the air to heading home in reasonable comfort, the Ranger Raptor promises to do it all.  This Benna Ford blog gives you a closer look at the truck that's ready for any adventure, instilling confidence in your off-roading capabilities. Positioned at the pinnacle of the Ranger Line, the Raptor is the culmination of a series that commences with the $32,670 XL and progresses through the XLT and Lariat grades. With a starting MSRP of $55,470, the Raptor represents the ultimate expression of the Ranger. Like all 2024 Rangers, the Raptor is available in a single configuration, featuring a crew cab with a 5-foot bed. The Raptor's design elements speak to its superior off-road capabilities. The bulging fender flares reveal a 3.5-inch wider track than other 4WD Rangers. 17-inch aluminum wheels paired with 33-inch BF Goodrich KO2 all-terrain tires, the Raptor is ready to tackle any terrain. Beadlock wheels are an option. Going Fast The Raptor replaces the tow-friendly rear leaf-spring suspension of other Rangers with a Watts Link suspension, which effectively controls lateral movement during high-speed off-roading. The Raptor also introduces a unique Baja mode to the drive-mode selector, which optimizes the thresholds for the ABS and traction control systems and adjusts steering weight for an enhanced off-road experience. The mode can be activated in either 2H or 4H transfer case settings. Going Slow For the opposite form of off-roading, Ford adds a very sophisticated Rock Crawl mode that acts as a cruise control for slow traversing over the rough stuff. The speed, or lack thereof, can be controlled by 0.5 increments up to 10 mph using the dial on the center console. In Off-Road mode, the limit rises to 20 mph, which can be adjusted in 1 mph increments. Just as with standard cruise control, you can speed things up with the throttle, and it will return to the setting after release, and the system is canceled with a tap of the brake pedal. The 360-degree camera views also help you spot obstacles on all sides of the truck. Going with Authority Unlike the competitors from GM and Toyota, which have turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, the Ranger Raptor uses the same turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 found in the Bronco Raptor, which produces a beyond-respectable 405 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque.  With that kind of torque, you could probably get by with a two-speed transmission, but Ford gives you ten instead with manual control on hand. From there, the power heads to all four wheels through electronic front and rear locking differentials. Going with Stuff It is worth noting that the Ranger Raptor is also fully prepared to be a truck and do truck things. The model lines' increased width enables 4x8 sheets of plywood to fit between the wheel wells in the bed. Six clamps in the bed help you keep your load secure, and available LED lighting enables you to do that securing at night when necessary.  Also included in the bed is a 120-volt outlet for power accessories. Despite the rear suspension swap, the Ranger Raptor can still tow up to 5,510 pounds and includes a trick piece of technology to help you with that. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist dramatically simplifies reverse travel with a trailer. Engage it and you can use the drive mode dial to steer the vehicle in reverse and without the need to counter-steer.  You simply turn in the direction you want the trailer to go. Another interesting feature that comes with the purchase of a Ford Ranger Raptor is a complementary day of off-roading at Ford’s Ranger Raptor Assault School in Tooele Valley, Utah. You don’t have to drive your Raptor there either, as you take the class and course in the school’s trucks, so you can make mistakes on them rather than your shiny new truck. Going For It While its starting MSRP of $55,470 is at the top of the Ranger range, so to speak, it is the most cost-effective path to Raptor fun, costing over $20K and $35K less than the F-150 and Bronco Raptors, respectively.  If this sounds like your kind of truck, you need to check it out for yourself at Benna Ford, where it, like all new models, comes with the Benna Ford 20-year,200,000-mile Limited Powertrain Warranty. Happy Trails!

Ford has a long history racing the Baja 1000. The legacy dates all the way back to 1968, when the first Ford Bronco entered and won with Hall of Fame off-roader and pioneer Larry Minor and Jack Bayer. Larry Minor with Rod Hall would win again in a Bronco in 1969. Rod Hall owns the Guinness World Record for the most class wins in Baja history with 25. Rod would win his final race in 2017 at the age of 79. Then, another legendary racing driver, Parnelli Jones, of both off-road and road course racing fame, won in ‘71 and ‘72 with Bill Stroppe in a Ford Bronco. Robby Gordon would later win with a prepped Ford F-150 in 1989. Overall Victories The manufacturer has 23 overall victories at the famed off-roading event, and was absolutely dominant in various classes in the 1990s with their Rough Riders program. Legend In The Making In 2008, Ford took an F-150 and took third place in class 8 racing at the Baja 1000, and it was later revealed during its official launch that it was basically a stock Ford F-150 Raptor that went racing without people knowing. Ever since that ‘08 race, the company has taken great pride in bringing their engines, chassis, brakes, and suspension developments for their trucks and SUVs to the Baja 1000 for the ultimate torture testing. Success Year After Year This year, 2023, was no different. The Ford Bronco Raptor and F-150 Raptor R both won their stock classes at this year’s event. The Bronco Raptor won the same event that the Ranger Raptor won last year, the stock mid-size class. “Ford is a family company with not only a goal to win, but to also further develop our street Raptors for customers around the world to enjoy,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “The Baja 1000 not only served as a testament to all the hard work from people on the ground and those in Dearborn, Mich., but this event also emphasizes our continued global commitment to the sport and making better products for our customers.” Drivers & Final Times Driving the brand new Bronco Raptor was Brad Lovell, a 2022 Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee, and he would take the checkered flag after a grueling 1,200 miles in just 40:37:47.820. The F-150 Raptor R was driven by Loren Healy, an off-road racing champion in both the Baja 1000 and multiple other off-road racing series. He would cross the line in only 41:44:45.634. Engines The Bronco Raptor is powered by a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 with 418 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque. The F-150 Raptor R has a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 that puts out 700 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque. Both vehicles use a 10-speed automatic transmission. “Winning the Baja 1000 in the Raptor R will go down as one of my favorite victories in my racing career,” Loren Healy, Raptor R navigator, said. “The amount of work that went into the race efforts for both the truck and the Bronco Raptor are absolutely mind blowing. Somewhere around 100 people came together as a family and made magic, getting both these stock production vehicles to win their classes in the second longest Baja 1000 ever. It truly is an honor to be a small part of this epic, history-making team.” Leaving Satisfied Both drivers expressed overwhelming satisfaction and joy with not only the final result of the race, but also with the whole Ford Performance team. Both vehicles were basically stock, save for obvious safety changes. The engine, transmission, and driveline were all the same stock parts you would get in a Raptor product sold at Benna Ford or any other Ford dealer. At Benna Ford, we offer our customers some of the best prices and services. With more than 100 new and used vehicles to choose from, our outstanding sales team and finance department will work hard to make sure you drive away happy. And our fantastic service department will take care of your new-to-you vehicle as if it were their own.

This is a blog entry Benna Ford has been eagerly waiting to post. Ford announces the arrival of the Ranger Raptor. The F-150 Raptor has been quite a success, but bigger isn’t always better off-road. So, with the knowledge that a new mid-size Ranger was coming, many have hoped there would be a mid-size Raptor as well. They will not be disappointed. The 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor ® will be the most powerful, high-performance, and off-road capable Ranger ever. It has been designed and engineered by Ford Performance to take off-road capability to the next level among midsize trucks. And it has already proved itself. A pre-production Ranger Raptor won the stock midclass category of the Baja 1000, completing the course in 26 hours and 21 minutes. It was then in fine shape to be driven 200 miles back home to California. Serious Suspension, Choice Chassis It all starts with the suspension, which is purpose-built for the Ranger Raptor. The basic geometry has aluminum upper and lower control arms in the front and a long-travel Watts linkage with trailing arms for the rear. Next-generation FOX™ 2.5-inch Live Valve Internal Bypass shocks are coil-overs at the front with piggyback reservoirs at the rear for reduced heat build-up to enable uninterrupted day-long performance. The Raptor takes the Ranger’s already robust fully boxed frame and adds reinforcements for the front frame rails, front shock towers, rear shock brackets, suspension mounting points, and other key points so you don’t have to baby it when the ground gets rough.  For the tricky slow-moving parts, Ranger Raptor also comes with Trail Control™, so drivers can navigate tricky spots while the truck manages the throttle and brakes to keep a steady speed.  It is also equipped with both a 360-Degree and Front View Camera to give you sight beyond your driving position. The Ranger Raptor is versatile, with adjustments to coincide with the immediate task on-hand, starting with the switchable drive modes of Normal, Tow/Haul, Sport, Slippery, Off-Road, Rock Crawl, and Baja. Each drive mode appropriately adjusts the FOX™ Live Valve Internal Bypass system damping, throttle response, transmission logic, ABS calibration, traction control, and steering assist, and even determines the appearance and provided information on the instrument cluster and touchscreen. The Raptor’s active valve exhaust system can also be tuned to several modes, including Quiet, Normal, Sport, and Baja. For the Power Hungry Power comes from a Ford Performance-tuned twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost ® V6 producing a class-leading 405 horsepower and 430 lb.-ft. of torque. It easily makes the Raptor the most powerful Ranger, with plenty of power on hand for the gravel, dirt, mud, and sand. The engine includes a race-bred anti-turbo-lag system so that when Baja mode is selected, the turbochargers remain spinning for up to three seconds after the throttle is reduced, such as when coming into a corner so that on-demand acceleration is on-hand for the corner exit. All that horsepower and torque is channeled through a 10-speed SelectShift ® automatic transmission and then to an advanced four-wheel drive system complete with a new electronically controlled on-demand two-speed transfer case and both front and rear locking differentials. It all meets the ground with 33-inch BFGoodrich ® all-terrain KO3 ® tires on 17-inch wheels. The tires can also be mounted to optional beadlock-capable wheels for running extra low tire pressures in the sand and rocky conditions. Protecting the Ranger Raptor’s belly is a thick front high-strength steel skid plate with additional shields for the engine, transfer case, and fuel tank. Interior Stays on Purpose The Raptor’s interior is equally purpose-built with well-bolstered Ford Performance front seats to hold drivers in place during high-speed cornering and single-side bumps. The sport steering wheel has a signature Raptor Code Orange centering mark. Code Orange trim can be found throughout the cabin. Just behind the tiller are cast magnesium alloy paddle shifters for quick transmission control. Six overhead upfitter switches are mounted in the overhead console, ready to connect to aftermarket lights, winches, or other off-road hardware. The driver also has at their command an array of technology to facilitate the Raptor’s off-road duty, including the previously mentioned cameras, Zone Lighting helps bring night visibility to remote locations, and class-exclusive* Pro Trailer Backup Assist to ease reversing with a trailer in tow. The Raptor is designed to be an on-pavement companion as well with a high-resolution 12.4-inch digital driver’s instrument cluster and a 12-inch center touchscreen. Operating the screen and all infotainment functions is Ford’s SYNC ® 4A system, which includes wireless Apple CarPlay ® and Android Auto™ connectivity so your phone can be secure when things get bumpy. Helping set the proper mood on the way to and from the off-road playground is a Bang & Olufsen ® sound system. If this sounds like the truck you’ve been waiting for, the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor will be making its way from its Wayne, Michigan Assembly Plant to Benna Ford around late summer. Pre-orders are being taken now, so contact one of our Beena Ford sales professionals for more information.