What did you do to your Bronco Raptor today?

[Geomatic]

After a year of ownership I’ve got a mixed opinion.

I think that there are two good off the shelf options and your situation dictates which is better.

i went with it based on the fact that I don’t have room for the Smartlifter Pro because I have to back in (I can’t park the nose under it) and I wanted my top out of the way (you need pretty high garage ceilings to be above head level).

while it’s not hard to operate, it takes a while. Putting the JTops Bimini really complicates things as you have to fish straps between roof and the bimini and taking off and replacing the rear seat roof section is a lot harder for me to do solo. The former may be easier or harder with the SmartLifter Pro, but I don’t think it’s an issue. The latter comment is more of a consideration if you’re thinking of buying the Bimini and removing your top a lot solo with any lifter.

It’s a bit of a challenge getting lined up under the hoist both front to back and side to side, but I’ve placed painters tape on the floor to guide me with the rear camera. The SmartLifter pro looks easier as you roll the lifter to the truck, no guessing if you are in position or not.

the balancing of everything takes a bit of practice and adjustment and leaving the rear window open or closed changes things significantly.

so Overall it works OK for me, but I think if I had the space to stash the Smartlifter I would have gone with that and it would have been easier.

hope that helps

Thank you very much for the reply and review. Unfortunately my garage doesn't have enough room for the toplifter so my only solution is ceiling mounted.

 

[JohnGalt]

Thank you very much for the reply and review. Unfortunately my garage doesn't have enough room for the toplifter so my only solution is ceiling mounted.

that’s the same boat I was in. Thus I went with the ceiling mounted Smarter Home Hard Top Lifter. If space is precious and you’ve got the ceiling height I’d go with the Smarter Home Hard Top Lifter like I have If you want to take the top off by yourself. it’s not perfect as I noted above, but its best available with your constraints.

One note: you need to make sure that wherever you locate the lifters on the ceiling it will allow you to fully open the tailgate when you are in position to lift it. Thinking through space constraints before installing it is a good idea. Don’t ask me how I know though…

 

[JohnGalt]

Do you mean Toplift pro? I'm in a parking garage - which has room for this but what I've always been concerned about is stability/liability. I don't want it to come crashing down on some kid while I am away with the top off - or concern parents enough to complain about that possibility. Am I overanalyzing?

Im not sure of the stability of the Top Lift Pro, my buddy just bought and assembled his I’ll ask him his thoughts if stability and if it can be “locked out” From rolling and or lifting. But I’d be pretty leery of leaving my top on a rollable platform in a common area For a variety of reasons.

 

[Ricky]

The Top lift Pro is very solid. You can lock the caster wheels to prevent it from rolling accidentally. You can also lock it in the up position with the Top mounted on it. I've been using mine for about 2 years now and it works great. If you look at the picture with the Top on the lift you can see I offset it just a bit. This allows me to back in no problem. You can see the outline of the rear spare for reference and see how the Roof doesn't interfere at all. I also opted for the electric lift option. I'm very happy with mine.

 

[OFP]

The Top lift Pro is very solid. You can lock the caster wheels to prevent it from rolling accidentally. You can also lock it in the up position with the Top mounted on it. I've been using mine for about 2 years now and it works great. If you look at the picture with the Top on the lift you can see I offset it just a bit. This allows me to back in no problem. You can see the outline of the rear spare for reference and see how the Roof doesn't interfere at all. I also opted for the electric lift option. I'm very happy with mine.View attachment 12491View attachment 12492

Is that the braptor under the cover? If not, whatcha hiding?????

 

[Ricky]

Is that the braptor under the cover? If not, whatcha hiding?????

 

[OFP]

View attachment 12495

Nice garage! Im going for a 4post lift in my next house.

 

[95BK9]

painted my front bash plate with truck bed coating, and Clevis hooks Area 51 Blue.
RAPTOR UP4879 1K Bedliner , Black

 

[95BK9]

View attachment 12495

Great looking garage, Impressed by the inhabitants!

 

[Dragoon]

painted my front bash plate with truck bed coating, and Clevis hooks Area 51 Blue.
RAPTOR UP4879 1K Bedliner , Black

That turned out good! How much prep did you do before the bed coating? Did you sand it down first, or did you clean it well and paint over the original paint?

 

[95BK9]

I washed the bash plate, No sanding.
then dried and painted with primer.
Then painted with the Raptor truck bed lining paint.
I will see how it holds up in on/off road travels.

 

[DEBO294]

Tried to wash the red dust from Moab off it. It’s in every crevice. Lol

 

[TurboS]

Tried to wash the red dust from Moab off it. It’s in every crevice. Lol

Understood, was in Moab last week to off-rodeo, fun location but the dust/silt gets everywhere there is air. After departure, may be time to check/replace air filters, engine & cabin.

 

[Ironmike]

Understood, was in Moab last week to off-rodeo, fun location but the dust/silt gets everywhere there is air. After departure, may be time to check/replace air filters, engine & cabin.

@TurboS you *KNOW* the Braptor was meant for the Utah desert! Sometimes you just have to let the pony loose!

 

[95BK9]

I was at a show this weekend and a local vendor. I had just gotten back from Super cell east and a great ride at Windrock.

InvizaShield
I was at a show this weekend after six hours of cleaning out my undercarriage, and engine bay area.
I do have PPF and a Ceramic coat up top.
we talked about ceramic coating for the undercarriage.
looked this up on You Tube
Ceramic Pro: Protecting Your Vehicle Undercarriage
John from InviazaShield said it s a breathable, heat resistant that would make the Mud and dirt wash off easily If I don't let it dry. I did find a pressure was when in Knoxville, TN and was able to get most of the mud off before we went back to Supercell.

Just wondered what the board thought about this?
Thanks for the input.

 

[DEBO294]

Understood, was in Moab last week to off-rodeo, fun location but the dust/silt gets everywhere there is air. After departure, may be time to check/replace air filters, engine & cabin.

Filters enroute from RockAuto. Both engine and cabin. Yup

 

[TurboS]

I was at a show this weekend and a local vendor. I had just gotten back from Super cell east and a great ride at Windrock.
View attachment 12526
InvizaShield
I was at a show this weekend after six hours of cleaning out my undercarriage, and engine bay area.
I do have PPF and a Ceramic coat up top.
we talked about ceramic coating for the undercarriage.
looked this up on You Tube
Ceramic Pro: Protecting Your Vehicle Undercarriage
John from InviazaShield said it s a breathable, heat resistant that would make the Mud and dirt wash off easily If I don't let it dry. I did find a pressure was when in Knoxville, TN and was able to get most of the mud off before we went back to Supercell.

Just wondered what the board thought about this?
Thanks for the input.

Good idea. I ceramic coated my Raptor and the wife's Badlands chassis, wheel wells, and essentially everything when they were brand new, however I didn't do the exhaust as I had assumed it would burn off, possibly discoloring it. After watching your video link above, I'm going to try it on the exhaust. My Raptor hasn't been subject to any dirty challenges yet, however my wifes badlands has been as it's her daily driver. When roads are dry, I take her badlands thru our local touchless car wash with underbody spray. Still looks good after a Michigan winter with salty roads and roads with wet dirt/clay spray.
I used this ceramic spray from turtle wax, an entire bottle for each vehicle. Low cost and available at most retailers selling car detailing suppies. I liberally sprayed everywhere underneath a small section at a time, wipe & buff with a microfiber towel, wear eye protection, nitrile gloves, face mask, and not your favorite shirt.

The downside, ceramic coatings must be removed prior to any touchup or repainting.

 

[JohnGalt]

Understood, was in Moab last week to off-rodeo, fun location but the dust/silt gets everywhere there is air. After departure, may be time to check/replace air filters, engine & cabin.

I’m in Moab now, dust everywhere. I even brought a bunch of dust from Kanab. A little bit of Hog Canyon, Fins and Things, Seven Mile Rim and a few other trails will be coming home with me

 

[RennWagen]

Today’s mod. Solid AF. Way too many fasteners but whatever. Nary a squeak or rattle.

 

[Dragoon]

Today’s mod. Solid AF. Way too many fasteners but whatever. Nary a squeak or rattle. View attachment 12588View attachment 12589View attachment 12590View attachment 12591View attachment 12592View attachment 12593View attachment 12594View attachment 12595View attachment 12588

Very nice! I assume you can still use it with the hard top on?