You may already know that the F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in the country. That means there are plenty of trim levels, and nearly all of them have 4-wheel drive. While any 4×4 F-150 will get you in and out of the worksite or take you down a well-worn trail, Ford offers two models for those seeking the particularly rough and rugged. What is the difference between them? Benna Ford explains.
The difference can be summed up in their names. Experiencing a tremor is a cause for concern. Experiencing a raptor would be a far more intense experience than anyone who has seen the first Jurassic Park movie will tell you.
Tremor
The Tremor was originally an option package but has since become its own trim. It starts with having a standard 4×4. Then, including all of the hardware found in the FX4 Off-Road package, including:
- Locking rear axle
- Off-road-tuned front shock absorbers
- Monotube rear shocks
- Rock Crawl Mode
- Hill Descent Control
- Skid plates for the fuel tank, transfer case, and front differential
To that, the Tremor adds:
- Selectable Drive modes
- Raptor Hi-Lock Transfer Case
- Trail Control with trail 1-pedal drive and Trail Turn Assist
- 33-inch all-terrain tires over 18-inch matte-finish wheels
- Additional Tremor aesthetic trim.
- Available modular front bumper with two hooks and integrated fog lamps that can easily accommodate an added brush bar or light bar.
The Tremor comes standard with the legendary 5.0-liter V8, which produces 400 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. It is also available in the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, which produces 400 horsepower but boosts peak torque up to 510 lb-ft.
Power should be no problem with either choice, particularly since the Tremor is best at attacking rough terrain at slow speeds. The Trail Control system facilitates this by acting as an off-road, rough-terrain cruise control and Hill Descent Control, which controls speed down steep hills.
Raptor and Raptor R
The Raptor is for the less patient. Indeed, this is the primary difference between the two. The Tremor will get you almost anywhere, while the Raptor will get you almost anywhere at absurd speeds. The Raptor is designed to take a beating and, in fact, was the first full-size pickup designed to take jumps. Key features include:
- 35-inch all-terrain tires
- Five-link coil spring rear suspension with Panhard rod
- High-output, gas-pressurized, electronically controlled, continuously variable compression damping FOX Racing Shox™
- Heavy-duty skid plates
- 14-inch front wheel travel and 15-inch rear wheel travel.
All this is designed to create a truck that can fly over rough trails at speeds that should perturb anyone invested in self-preservation. Then, the Raptor R takes it a step further with a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 that produces 720 hp @ 6,650 rpm and 640 lb-ft of torque @ 4,300 rpm. The tire size increases to 37 inches, and they are mounted to 17-inch forged aluminum alloy beadlock-capable wheels, which results in a very tall sidewall. There is nothing subtle about the Raptor R’s appearance with its own grille, hood vent, and other Raptor R exterior and interior trim.
Which Is For You?
To conclude, the Tremor is ready to take on just about any terrain you are likely to encounter while still being a comfortable daily driver that can get things done. Its starting MSRP is $64,350. The Raptor is for the truly committed who likes their thrill-seeking at speed, and that velocity sets you back with a starting MSRP of $78,440. The Raptor R package is another $31,925, which brings the MSRP to $113,055. As mentioned, the Raptor R is for the truly committed, but for those so inclined, there is no substitute.
Tremors and Raptors are niche products that are not always found in the Benna Ford inventory. If none is found, check with one of our sales professionals to find you one. Keep in mind that Benna also deals with tuner specialists such as Roush, Tuscany, Waldoch, and Shelby, who have their own take on off-road-focused F-150 models. If you like to run off-road, Benna Ford is the place to go.
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