MY2024 Ford Ranger Raptor Update

Ford’s already legendary Ranger Raptor returned for the RA-Series with a ton more power and even better off-road credentials. For the MY2024 update, the Raptor picked up the new Pro Trailer Back-up Assist.

The Ford Ranger Raptor is the sixth model in the 2024 Ranger line-up and reigns as the top of the line-up. The MY2024 Ranger Raptor continued as a single specification twin-turbo V6 petrol for $89,190, significantly more than at launch.

Its introduction in 2018, the PX3 Ranger was met with praise and criticism. The second-generation responded to many of the critiques, most of which centred around the bi-turbo diesel powerplant. Ford instead installed the 3.0-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost with the now familiar 10-speed automatic driving all four wheels. What was unfamiliar was the fact that the EcoBoost meant petrol power for the first time.

This is a story about the Australian-delivered MY2024 RA Ford Ranger Raptor released in January 2024. Production of MY2024 Rangers began in March 2024. MY2024 is also known as MY24 and MY2024.5.

Like the first-generation Raptor, the second is aimed squarely at fast off-road use.

As with lower models, the Rotary Select Drive Mode and the off-road screen (ORS) are present and correct. The Eco and Tow/Haul modes are deleted in the Raptor and replaced with two, the Raptor-only Baja and Rock Crawl modes.

Some exterior elements are removed for a sleeker, simpler look while the grille is similar to the PX3’s with large block FORD lettering.

The Raptor’s interior is enlivened with Ford Performance seats embossed with the Raptor logo and what Ford calls Code Orange stitching.

Items in bold indicate additions relative to the Ford Ranger Wildtrak. The Raptor does not include the option of the Flexible Rack System available on the MY2024 Wildtrak. Items in bold and with an asterisk indicate a new feature.

• Carpet flooring
• Leather steering wheel with Wildtrak branding and 12 o’clock indicator strip
• Leather gear shifter
• Dual-zone climate control
• Leather seating with Raptor colouring, stitching and branding
• Power front windows
• Power rear windows
• Keyless entry and start
• Six-speaker stereo
• Electrochromatic rear vision mirror
• 12.0-inch LCD central touchscreen
  • Sync 4A software
  • Satellite navigation
  • DAB+ digital radio
  • Voice assistant
  • Remote start with FordPass app
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay
  • Wireless Android Auto
• 12.4-inch digital dashboard
• 8 way power adjusted front seats
• Heated front seats
• Ambient lighting
• Pull-out cupholders
• Front mats

The Raptor’s exterior design is significantly pared back compared to the Wildtrak’s, with the removal of the sports bar, power roller shutter, cargo management system, roof rails, load box tie down rails, the new flexbile rack system and the integrated access step. The rear steps had to go as the Raptor’s bumpers are much slimmer to improve approach and departure angles.

In addition to all the deletions, the wheels drop down a size to 17-inches but are fitted with BF Goodrich tyres and the iconic FORD front grille replaces the Blue Oval adorned unit.

Items in bold indicate additional specification over the MY24 Wildtrak. Items in bold and with an asterisk indicate new additions.

• 17-inch alloy wheels, including spare
• T285/70 R17 BF Goodrich High Performance All-terrain tyres
• 2.3mm front bash plate
• Electronic locking front differential
• Active exhaust
• FOX Racing 2.5-inch live valve suspension
• Watts link coil suspension
• Acoustic windscreen*
• Integrated brake controller
• Puddle lamps
• Zone lighting
• Skid plate
• Raptor front-mounted tow hooks
• Black Side steps
• Matrix LED headlights with dynamic auto-levelling
• C-clamp daytime running lights
• LED taillights
• LED front fog lamps
• Steel underbody protection including transfer case
• Tow bar
• 4×4 locking rear axle
• Cargo
  • rear box lighting
  • spray-in bedliner (replaces drop-in bedliner of Wildtrak X)
  • additional securing points at front of load box
  • box capping to protect metal on the box with integrated fixing points
  • tailgate with lift assist
  • power tailgate lock

The 2022 Ford Ranger scored five ANCAP stars in 2022. This rating will expire in 2028 unless Ford re-tests the vehicle beforehand.

Ranger’s high score is due in part to the front centre airbag that helps prevent head clashes in a side impact for front passengers, which also explains the absence of a front bench-seat option.

• 9 airbags, including
  • front centre airbag to prevent head clashes in a side impact
  • knee bags for driver and passenger
• Collision mitigation
  • forward autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • lane keep assist
  • lane departure warning
  • road edge detection
• Blind spot warning
• Reverse cross-traffic alert
• Reversing camera
• Front parking sensors
• Rear parking sensors
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Active Park Assist 2.0

Despite the removal of many cosmetic items and perhaps because of the high entry price, the options list for the Raptor is quite short. Even shorter as the Beadlock Capable wheels were withdrawn.

• Prestige Paint – $700
• Power Roller Shutter – $3800

The Ranger Raptor has two exclusive colours to add to the list of six, taking the total to eight.

• Arctic white – solid – $0
• Absolute black – $700
• Meteor Grey – $700
• Aluminium – $700
• Blue Lightning – $700
• Sedona Orange – $700
• Code Orange – $700
• Conquer Grey – $700

The Raptor is a pretty heavy machine at 2479kg. Changing the fundamentals of the mechanical package – ie the engine – means a drop in GVM and therefore payload. One thing to note about the Raptor is that it is missing a lot of stuff you’ll find on the Wildtrak and that’s probably to ditch extra weight and maximise the payload.

For a vehicle like this, some buyers will be put off by the low payload figure as it does mean fitting aftermarket equipment will eat into the payload and that’s before you even condsider towing.

Towing capacity is down by 1000kg in the Raptor, to 2500kg. As we’ve already mentioned, the lower GVM translates to a lower GCM of 5370, a hefty portion of that being the chunky kerb weight of nearly 2500kg. Ford specifies a maximum towball download of 250kg.

That knocks the available payload figure down to 467kg, which leaves precious little weight to play with if you’re riding with a full house.

This means you will have to be careful loading the tray with cargo if you’re running a full cabin of people.

Also bear in mind that the Raptor’s GCM is much lower than other Rangers at “just” 5370kg.

Trailer coverage is a part of the Raptor’s blind spot monitoring system. This detects you have a trailer and adjust its detection to include the extra length. This means an object travelling both beside the Ranger and the trailer will trigger an alert.

It works by punching in the dimensions of your trailer in a profile in the SYNC system. It will accept trailers up to 2.4 metres wide and 10 metres long to ensure safe operation when changing lanes.

You can also consult the checklist in the SYNC system and the trailer light check function can ensure all your trailer lights are working.

As with other Rangers, the reversing camera has a hitch view so you can back up to a trailer and get the towball as close as possible to reduce hitching effort.

Pro Trailer Back-up Assist

Pro Trailer Back-up Assist allows you to “steer” the trailer using the outer ring of the drive mode selector and to activate you press the trailer button in the centre of the drive mode selector. The driver uses the camera and the ring together to guide the trailer in the right direction, with the system operating the steering wheel.

The T6 platform grew for the RA, starting with a wheelbase stretch of 50mm, from 3220mm to 3270mm. Similarly, the track has increased by 50mm, now spreading out across 1620mm up from 1570mm.

Raptor is the longest and tallest Ranger, with extra clearance and wading depth into the bargain. Approach, departure and breakover angles are all higher than any other Ranger.

The RA Ford Ranger is fitted with a locking rear diff as standard as well as an electronic front locking diff, exclusive to the Raptor. FOX Racing dampers with live-valve adjustment are fitted and coils at the rear for the Watt’s linkage.

The Raptor features six driving modes as standard, with Normal, Sport, Slippery, Sand, Mud/Ruts, Baja and Rock Crawl.

Ford says the drive modes adjust gearshift, throttle response, traction and stability controls, ABS “and more.”

Rock Crawl is fairly self-explanatory while the Baja mode is meant for high-speed off-roading and Ford says it was tested in nearly 4000km of Baja racing.

In addition to the driving mode selections, the Raptor has the Offroad Screen as standard. ORS offers the view from the front-mounted camera for extra visibility, particularly directly in front of the car which is hard to see over the broad, flat bonnet. The camera view has overlaid guidelines to assist with navigating around obstacles.

The screen also shows steering angle, vehicle pitch and roll, driveline torque split and electronic diff indication.

The RA Ford Ranger’s tub is larger, now accommodating a Euro-sized pallete, which is a result of Ford’s collaboration with VW for the Amarok.

Access to the tub is via drop-down tailgate, which is undamped. On the way up, however, is a lift assist system.

The integrated steps are gone as the Raptor’s bumpers are re-profiled for maximum off-road capability.

The tub also features various lights, a 12-volt power outlet and partition slots and a spray-in bedliner.