The 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor just arrived as a brand-new off-roading pickup truck with a fresh face. However, the real story here surrounds the Raptor’s massively upgraded suspension. Aside from significant weight reductions, you get a new set of Fox Live Valve shocks, optional 37-inch tires, and a max towing rating of 8,200 lb.

While fans of the Raptor were eager to see its return, Ford failed to provide complete details of what is perhaps the truck’s most vital component. As a result, it seems the Ram 1500 TRX may be the king of the hill for quite some time.

The 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor looks better than ever

If you were hoping that the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor would be a massive leap forward in terms of design, you’d be disappointed. It is not to say that it is ugly or underwhelming by any means. Instead, the Raptor’s design appears to be evolutionary rather than revolutionary. However, this is also the case with the standard 2021 Ford F-150. As a result, you still get a bulging hood, which Ford calls the “power dome.” Additionally, the hood carries functional side vents and a brand-new heat extractor.

Eagle-eyed readers will notice that the tires look larger than ever before. That’s because the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor is now available with 37-inch BFGoodrich TA K02 tires. While the rest of the bodywork updates may seem small, this truck is completely brand-new. As a result, it does not share any panels with the previous-gen Raptor.

In the rear of the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor, you get a massive Ford logo along with a plastic trim that stretches the width of the rear tailgate. You’ll also find the ultra-sharp LED taillights you already get in the standard model. While the improvements may seem incremental, they give the Raptor a truly aggressive look.

All-new suspension makes this the most capable Raptor ever

To ensure that the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor can tackle large jumps and go just about anywhere, it features a brand-new suspension system. Gone are the days of heavy leaf springs. Instead, the Raptor now gets a five-link suspension setup with 24-inch coil springs and extended trailing arms. As a result, this new model should offer added traction and stability while off-roading.

The 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor also gets a brand-new set of Fox Live Valve shocks. The shocks themselves are electronically controlled and can offer adjustable dampening. However, the big upgrade over the last generation is that they are significantly larger. The benefit here is that they can manage heat significantly better and are more responsive to various terrains.

As standard, you still get 35-inch tires on your 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor. With these equipped, you can expect up to 12 inches of ground clearance. Additionally, you have an approach angle of 31 degrees and a maximum departure angle of 23.9 degrees. If you opt for the larger 37-inch tires, you get up to 13.1 inches of ground clearance, a 33.1-degree approach angle, and a maximum departure angle of 24.9 degrees.

Combine all of the suspension upgrades with the added ground clearance, and this brand-new Raptor is set to be incredibly capable.

How much power does this new truck develop?

If you’re wondering how much power the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor makes, no one knows. As of writing, the only thing we know for sure is that the 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that powered the previous-gen will carry over. The big mystery is that we don’t know if it will produce the same 450-hp and 510 lb-ft as before, or how much it will increase by.

If you were hoping for a V8 engine under the hood, you’d be double disappointed. However, Ford CEO Jim Farley took to Twitter to announce that something called the “Raptor R” will arrive sometime next year. If we had to bet, that would likely house the missing supercharged V8.

Despite these unanswered questions, we do know that this new model has a max towing rating of 8,200 lb. That means the new Raptor will out-tow the 702-hp 2021 Ram 1500 TRX despite its smaller V6 engine.

While this brand-new Raptor is expected to hit dealerships sometime this summer, we don’t know how much it will cost. For context, the previous-generation had a base price of $53,455. If history is anything to go by, expect these prices to increase for the new model.