Hey everyone, I've had some time behind the wheel now. It's an interesting mix of performance. From a dead stop in sport mode it'll launch you to 60 pretty darn fast. I'm guessing it's in the 5's. In normal real world driving however... If in normal mode... it feels like a typical pickup truck. Shifts are sluggish and it'll often pick too high of a gear to downshift into even when you stomp on the gas. In sport mode the majority of this is all cleaned up. It's brisk, lively, and will drop down hard and pull when you hit it. Unfortunately sport mode is also "too sporty" to realistically drive around town unless you are just playing. It's an all or nothing configuration situation I've found. Also of note... despite all it's grunt up to 60mph... over 70 it falls on its face. It doesn't continue to pull that hard all the way up. Am I the only one noticing this? I'm not disappointed other than I think it should be a little bit more lively in normal mode, but I am surprised it falls flat up top. My jeep with the hemi pulled hard up over 90mph. Similar weight. What's your thoughts?
Hey Guy, Haven't got mine yet, but the reality of the Raptor is it has always been a pickup and even a performance power plant won't change the characteristics of a heavy machine. We simply can't expect a 6000+ lb platform get above 70 and keep pulling like it does at 35. One thing it is built for is doing high speeds for duration on uneven terrain. I personally can't quite scratch the itch when it comes to "sport trucks" its hard to find enough when your'e a bit of a speed demon. One thing that does help get the "pucker" factor going is taking your 90,000 dollar truck and doing 70-80MPH on a road that is only suited for pack mules and dirtbikes. Now thats a beautiful feeling the truck is designed to go off-road and if it isn't enough you can always look into a Rousch SC650 or if you can afford it a F-150 Shelby 700 and get a "Mall Crawler" lift kit and your good.
Roads here are not in great shape for testing but I have found similar issues in normal drive mode. I have been playing with locking out some of the gears and that does seem to make a difference in response and upper end performance. Wouldn't be surprised if we see another transmission update.
Thank you! I knew it wasn't just me. The transmission logic is painful compared to the 8 speed on my jeep hemi and Volvo xc 90. Its leaving ALOT on the table. The engine has plenty of guts. The tranny can't figure itself out.
So now that I've got a little seat time behind the wheel. In normal mode it sure loves 10th gear. Seems like the tranny can't wait to get there and doesn't want to leave. Still in the break in period so I'll be experimenting with locking out gears and different drive modes more once I'm past the 500 mile mark.
Yes these are my observations as well. I'm betting it's watered down for mpg rating issues. It's hard getting that "city" number. What is unfortunate is that most of all the reviewers are blowing smoke when they boast about how great the 10 speed is and then cut to B roll film shots of it shooting rooster tails around a bend. It's misleading.... because the performance is only truly impressive in drive modes that you aren't going to use 95 percent of the time. The normal drive mode leaves the truck "bogging" more than it is pulling. It's a shame. Not only that but when it's lugging in 8th 9th or 10th I should be able to depress the gas naturally and moderately and have it smoothly downshift and accelerate. Instead if you don't mash into the pedal you'll get that bogging engine sound and it goes nowhere. It makes it feel like your either pounding the gas or lugging. I don't need to go balls to the walls to change lanes on the highway, but it is ridiculous that I press naturally into the pedal where any normal car would drop down a gear or two and calmly but definitely pull you ahead... but instead this thing just doesn't respond, doesn't downshift, and leaves you thinking you're driving a KIA. It reminds me of my old 2 stroke 4 wheeler. If you weren't in the meat of the powerband in the right gear it just lugged. I wonder if we can report this to Ford Performance. I personally think the tranny needs to be flashed.
Yeah i would prob call and see if theres an update. Your dealer might be able to tell you. Worst case scenario is someone will come up with a new tune that should correct any of Fords bullshit mapping.GOOD LUCK hope it works out for you and everyone else
I'm happy with I'm happy with mine. Maybe you should trade yours in on the RS. Or just put it in sport or manual.
I didn't say I was unhappy with the truck, but I've owned enough cars and trucks to know when something is working well and when it isn't. For what I paid, it should downshift properly. I'm glad your happy with yours. I don't need an RS Though. I'm not really into those types of cars.
You guys are spot on with the transmission issue in normal mode. Like I said when I posted my pics, going from normal to sport is like having 2 different trucks. However, I don't think sport is "too sporty" to drive around town, that's what I've been doing and having a blast, granted I'm averaging 10 MPG.
I should clarify. Sport is too sporty when you load up some kids a wife and a dog and don't want everyone's heads bobbling around. Sure I can have fun with it, but it doesn't change the fact that normal should be "normal", not dysfunctional.
Here is an example. On the freeway.... at 73mph in sport or normal if you stomp on the gas it'll downshift to 6th and lug up over 80. I can manually downshift to 5 and it'll pull like a beast and scream to 80 and then shift. The mapping is wrong. There are too many gears and ford engineers made mapping decisions based on information we probably don't have, but they are leaving performance on the table with their maps. Drive an 8 speed jeep grand with a hemi... and you'll say... wow... this 10 speed doesn't work well. I know I'm supposed to post on here like a ford cheerleader and put up pictures of my truck and wait for everyone to high five, but I'm giving you all real feedback. I'm not looking to offend anyone.
i just got a ford Transit 350 for work last week. Funny how im noticing it behave like Guy is saying and its their 3.7 L v6. Theres very little medium pedal response. When you want to increase speed it either lugs or when it down shifts it drops down an extra gear and screams then shift, shift. WTF FORDDDD!!. Who drives these engines and gives the thumbs up for production...Wonder if putting in a K&N air filter would help the lugging?
I saw someone recently review their Raptor on YouTube. Just a regular guy who uses it for home and work. He brought up that the transmission felt "stiff" when he bought it new but it has now improved after driving it and breaking it in and noticed the adaptive map had improved the shifting pattern.L to his driving style. I have 500 miles on mine now. I don't think it's getting any smarter, but maybe in another 500 it will. The media is being exceptionally kind to Ford in regards to the transmission. So I don't think a flash is going to come unless customer complaints start pouring in.
