Monster Trucks: Ford F150 Raptor, Ram 1500 TRX and Jeep Gladiator Sand Runner

By Ghaith Madadha - Apr 25,2022 - Last updated at Apr 25,2022

Comfortable, capable and convenient, large American-built pick-up trucks have become popular in Jordanian during the last 20 years. Well-equipped and durable for bad roads, they don’t come cheap and are thirsty, but are good value and benefit from more forgiving duties.

Tough lifestyle and work vehicles, large American pick-ups, however, became far more desirable and exciting with the 2010 launch of the first Ford F150 Raptor. Among the most popular “performance” vehicles in Jordan, the Raptor now enters its third generation and has been joined by the even more powerful Ram 1500 TRX and Jeep’s dedicated desert driving Gladiator Sand Runner.

Ford F150 Raptor

Undisputed champion of the near ready-to-race, Baja-style mass production off-road full-size truck segment since its first arrival, the Ford F150 Raptor was reintroduced tearing across the desert to the soundtrack of Metallica’s Enter Sandman in its third generation in a pitch perfect video debut last year. Boasting numerous new tech and connectivity features including adjustable sound levels, the latest Raptor improves on its thoroughly impressive predecessor, but retains its winning recipe and character.

Built on a rugged frame designed for punishing high performance off-road driving, the Raptor’s suspension system is central to its extensive abilities. Trading leaf springs for five-link coil spring rear suspension, the new Raptor delivers improved axle articulation, and ride and handling properties. Larger than ever at 78mm diameter, the Raptor’s Fox Live Valve internal bypass dampers meanwhile feature faster and more nuanced active adjustability to better respond to changing terrain with comfort, control and confidence.

Seamlessly absorbing punishing landings, the job of launching the 2.6-tonne Raptor from desert dunes is again entrusted to Ford’s twin-turbo 3.5-litre engine. Putting power down to all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic gearbox and electronically locking rear differential, the Raptor’s mighty 450BHP and 510lb/ft engine provides effortlessly muscular performance, including estimated 5.5-second 0-100km/h acceleration. However, a more powerful upcoming Raptor variant is expected to deploy the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500’s 760BHP supercharged 5.2-litre V8 Predator V8 engine.

Specifications

Engine: 3.5-litre, twin turbo V6-cylinders
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Drive-line: Four-wheel-drive, low ratio gears, electronic locking rear differential
Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 450 (456) [335] @5,850rpm
Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 510 (691) @3,000rpm
0-100km/h: 5.5-seconds
(estimate)
Top speed: 190km/h
(estimate)
Length: 5,908mm
Width: 2,200mm
Height: 2,027mm
Wheelbase: 3,693mm
Ground clearance: 305mm
Approach, break-over, departure angles: 31°,
22.7°, 23.9°
Kerb weight: 2,603kg
Suspension: Suspension: Double wishbones/5-link solid axle
Dampers: Fox, variable compression, 79mm
Tyres: 315/70R17

Ram 1500 TRX

A follow-up to Dodge’s Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye super saloon and Durango SRT Hellcat super SUV when introduced last year, it was inevitable that Stellantis-owned Chrysler automotive group would both bestow the Hellcat engine treatment on the Ram 1500 pick-up truck, and in one fell swoop challenge the long uncontested Ford F150 super-truck champion. Dubbed 1500 TRX, Ram’s new top tier truck may out-muscle the regular F150 for now, but nevertheless follows a similar trophy-truck inspired formula.

Built on a durable high strength, low torsion frame and riding on massive 325/65R18 tyres, the Ram 1500 TRX’s high performance off-road capabilities are largely facilitated by its it much enhanced suspension set-up. With forged aluminium components and more comfortable and a dynamic five-link, coil spring rigid axle system at the rear, the TRX also features significantly improved wheel travel, and a 66mm Bilstein Black Hawk e2 active performance damping system designed to tackle demanding high speed off-road driving at over 160km/h.

The most powerful in its class — at least until Ford’s Raptor R fight back arrives — the TRX’s supercharged 6.2-litre V8-powered formula is brutally effective with 702BHP and 650lb/f output. Driving all four wheels through a full-time active transfer case and 8-speed automatic gearbox, the TRX blasts through 0-97km/h in just 4.5-seconds and attains 190km/h, despite a near 2.9-tonne weight. Meanwhile, an electronic locking rear differential helps maintain off-road traction.

Specifications

Engine: 6.2-litre, supercharged V8-cylinders
Gearbox: 8-speed automatic
Drive-line: Four-wheel-drive, low ratio gears, electronic locking rear differential
Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 702 (711) [523] @6,100rpm
Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 650 (882) @4,800rpm
0-97km/h: 4.5-seconds
Top speed: 190km/h
Length: 5,916mm
Width: 2,235mm
Height: 2,055mm
Wheelbase: 3,685mm
Ground clearance: 300mm
Approach, break-over, departure angles: 30.2°, 21.9°, 23.5°
Kerb weight: 2,880kg
Suspension: Double wishbones / 5-link, solid axle, coil springs
Dampers: Bilstein active dampers, 66mm
Tyres: 325/65R18

Jeep Gladiator Sand Runner

Designed with high speed desert driving high jinks in mind, the Jeep Gladiator Sand Runner is the brand’s first to wear a new “desert rated” badge, and is for the most part a Middle East version of the US market Gladiator Mojave model. Engineered for extreme ability rather than outright extreme performance, the Sand Runner retains the same tried and true 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine and 8-speed automatic gearbox as garden variety Gladiators.

Improving on the Jeep Wrangler-based Gladiator pick-up’s already impressively off-road capable formula, the Sand Runner gains a suspension lift, wider track, silver skidplate and reinforced frame, axles and steering knuckles. To cope with the hard knocks of high speed desert driving, the Sand Runner also receives 64mm variable compression Fox dampers with internal bypass, external fluid reservoir and jounce bumpers to improve comfort, handling, fade and bottoming out resistance for more demanding desert runs.

If not quite the extreme high speed hooligan, the Gladiator’s off-road dedicated design allows a truly extreme 44.7° approach angle, while its 281BHP and 260lb/ft output provides plenty of high rev power and low-end muscle. Formidable and specially-oriented for fast desert driving, the Sand Runner features low gear ratios and a rear axle that can uniquely be locked in high gear four-wheel-drive mode, but lacks the more technical Gladiator Rubicon off-roader’s front differential lock and disconnecting extreme axle articulation anti-roll bars.

Specifications