December 24, 2020

Ford PH Drops BF Goodrich Tires on Newer Ranger Raptors


When the Ford Ranger Raptor made its debut in 2018, one of the key differences it had, performance-wise, compared to the regular Ranger was its trick suspension. Ford Performance certainly worked hard, giving it the ability to go off-road, fast.

Most of the attention was focused on the Ranger Raptor’s Fox Racing Shox. Fitted with Position Sensitive Damping, they provide higher damping forces at full jounce and rebound to enable better off-road capabilities, and lower damping forces in the mid-travel zone for class-leading plush ride on on-road trips.

Hand-in-hand with the Fox Racing Shox though are the all-terrain tires specifically developed for the Ranger Raptor—the BF Goodrich All-Terrain K02. Measuring 285/70R17, they were engineered with a toughened sidewall to take all sort of punishment with confidence, and a grippy tread that’s meant for both on- and off-road adventures.

That’s why it’s surprising that one element isn’t present anymore on the Ranger Raptor. 

Quietly replacing the BF Goodrich tires on newer Ranger Raptors are Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires. Recognizable for its Outline White Lettering, these have been the OE fitment for the Philippine market units since June 2019—a year or so after its launch.


Asking Ford Philippines directly, the decision to switch over to Goodyear tires is down to them trying to keep up with demand. Quoting:
In order to meet the high demand for Ranger Raptor in the Philippines, we have been increasing the availability of Ranger Raptor in the market by introducing the new Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires since June 2019. The new Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tire has equivalent performance to the BF Goodrich tires.
About the tire, Goodyear has this to say about the Wrangler DuraTrac:
The Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac offers drivers the versatility for long stretches of highway, challenging terrain and tough off-road trails. It gives the drivers confidence that they have the right tires for the road ahead. Whether you are travelling across town or trudging through a muddy job site, the DuraTrac gives confidence and traction to forge ahead.
The Wrangler DuraTrac tires are made with 70 percent off-road and 30 percent on-road performance in mind. It’s known for durability, excellent handling, and superior grip—characteristics that surely fit the Ranger Raptor.

Now, while they aren’t bespoke tires anymore, these US engineered tires are more readily available in the market. So that’s an additional bonus.

2 comments:

  1. i like the white lining of the good year wrangler but performance wise, Bf goodrich is better for it has lesser noise and lighter on the high ways and was tested to be more durable in off-roads with better grips

    ReplyDelete

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