Ford has been playing up the 2017 F-150 Raptor’s capabilities in a six-part video series for a while now. Well, now the fourth installment has been released and it’s all about the improved Fox shock absorbers. (Check out parts one through three below) They’re bigger, stronger, and offer more wheel travel over the first generation Raptor’s Fox shocks.

The new shock absorbers were jointly developed between Fox Racing and Ford to meet the specific needs of the 2017 Raptor. It features a 3.0-inch diameter body with a base valve piston designed to lower gas pressure. This gives the truck a smoother ride over rough terrain. The shocks also feature an internal bypass system with nine different zones that progressively get stiffer as the shock compresses.

This new bypass system means the Raptor’s on-road feel is smooth while jumps and big bumps are managed without resorting to the bump stops. Speaking of bump stops, the last zone is said to act like a hydraulic bump stop, sending fluid through the top of the piston when the shock is fully compress. This keeps the truck from bottoming out.

The shock’s increased diameter from 2.5 to 3.0 inches offers 44 percent more fluid volume for heat control and fade resistance. What’s more, the new shocks help give the Raptor two extra inches of wheel travel, totaling 13 inches up front and 13.9 inches out back. That’s up from 11.2 inches and 12 inches respectively in the previous Raptor.

Check out the video above for the animation. Click below for the previous video segments about the new 2017 F-150 Raptor.

Continue reading for more information.

Previous Segments

Part 1 – Read our full review on the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor here.

Part 2 – BF Goodrich KO2 tires

Part 3 – Six preset driving modes

Why It Matters

The Ford F-150 Raptor is an important truck for Ford. Not only does it sell rather well, it also acts as the F-150’s halo truck. This is the F-150 on the bedroom posters and lunchboxes. This is the truck kids want their dads to buy – and the one their dads do too. And what’s not to love? It looks good in all those slow-motion jump sequences, it’s got a cool name, and it comes with that sweet new 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 and 10-speed automatic transmission.

Ford is smart to demonstrate the details and key features of the new Raptor before it goes on sale this fall. And with a starting price hovering around $50,000, folks want to know all the details before sliding a down payment check across the table.

2017 Ford F-150 Raptor

Read our full review on the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor here.