All-New 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor Showcases FOX Live Valve Shocks

There are state parks and national forests everywhere in Illinois -- full of beaten paths for a mid-size truck like Ford Raptor to go well off. Its ground clearance: for the all-new model coming in early 2024, 10.7 inches. That's towering -- great for crawling rocks, dodging downed trees, fording rivers, you name it.

But it's not nearly everything you need to get into the thick of it. You'll need a qualifiedly unique suspension to take the beating. One with 2.5-inch FOX Live Valve internal bypass shocks exclusive to the class. You're in luck: 2024 Ranger Raptor's set to get them.

The FOX Live Valve Internal Bypass Shocks in 2024 Ranger Raptor at a Glance

What they're going to do is going to be pretty cool for the off-roading crowd.

For one, they'll all be controlled individually by the engine control unit (ECU). Sensors that work with them will monitor the terrain under each wheel, feeding back info about it hundreds of times a second and enabling the suspension to rapidly adjust to compensate. Maybe the coolest thing about it all: a software algorithm specific to Ford Ranger will be able to adapt to your driving style at the same time, through a combo of inertial steering and input from brake and gas pedals.

The piggyback reservoirs at the rear -- effectively, heatsinks for all-day performance -- they won't be the only perks of FOX's Live Valve shocks, either. Put simply, you'll be able to actively manage damping with multiple zones -- tantamount to selecting Drive Modes: in this case, not just Normal but also Sport, Slippery, Off-Road, Baja, and even Rock Crawl and Tow/Haul -- changing damping performance through all kinds of harsh conditions, at both high and low speeds.

But it's the more technical stuff that might give you a better proof of concept. The key: the "live valve" aspect.

How FOX Live Valve Shocks Work

First, the shock fluid bypasses the main piston through bleed holes in ride zone (the area through which the shock moves); this is what keeps the ride as comfortable as possible.

As the shock compresses past that zone, the bleed holes terminate; this pushes fluid through the main piston. This is where damping force increases progressively; it's how hard bottom-outs are controlled (i.e., it's how hitting the bottom of the suspension's travel area gets softened dramatically). When the shock rebounds past the ride zone, the bleed holes terminate again; that increased damping force continues to help, preventing harsh top-outs (i.e., softening the shock as it approaches its max travel area) and providing an initial catch for landing.

What Else Can We Expect from Ford?

Of course, 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor will go on sale for around $56,000 with plenty of other ideal features for some of the roughest off-road conditions out there -- reinforced frame rails, front shock towers, rear shock brackets, and suspension mounting points, among others. They include:

And these, all part of the included Raptor Standard Equipment Group package. Factor in those standard FOX shocks, and you'll get what the automaker can only describe as "race-level performance."

From there, you can go just about any direction with customization. Two towing packages are already included, too -- Advanced Towing and Trailer Tow: this leaves plenty of room for a bevy of towing accessories. Front and rear mud flaps and wheel locks to protect your investment, a cargo management system for organization, decals to show off your brand pride -- the list of upgrades is as wide as the horizon. Which trail will you be taking?