A scrap heap, where I dropped of some old brake rotors, the busted red floor jack used in the first suspension walkarounds and a rusted and leaky (and fully drained, and flushed) gas tank from that '57 Ford of mine.
(Let me know if this or any of the following shots of the 2010 Ford SVT Raptor's exploits during my recent move should be submitted to Donna for a caption contest.)
The will-call loading dock at McMaster-Carr, where I bought a zillion moving boxes. The boxes came boxed in a box, which is nice.
My new narrow driveway and hidden 3-car garage, which was filled with project-car stuff before we moved into the house itself.
My new across-the-street neighbors, who happen to be a trio of nuns.
A nearby building that looks more like a nun's home than an actual nun's home.
Dan Edmunds, Director of Vehicle Testing
jriz says:
09:50 AM, 07/25/11
Raptor parked in front of things?
I prefer Kim Jong Il looking at things...
http://kimjongillookingatthings.tumblr.com/
kain77 says:
09:54 AM, 07/25/11
Is the building in the last picture the Sally Field museum?
compliance says:
10:10 AM, 07/25/11
Have you guys inspected your frame for any bending? I have started to hear stories that many Raptor owners are getting bent frames, through either abuse or possibly design/build defects. Your Raptor gets hard use, how is the frame?
actualsize says:
10:39 AM, 07/25/11
Our frame is fine. I'll take some pictures of the areas in question, though. Ford's SVT guy is right in saying that you can break anything in the desert if you drive it hard enough, even a Trophy Truck.
SVT was only given authority to add bolt-on bits to the F-150 platform -- they could not alter the F-150 frame itself. You have to approach off-road driving with a little reality and apply your experience, no matter what the situation. The SVT Raptor is badass, but it's nowhere near the level of prep as even the SCORE stock full class. Stock Full machines have roll cages that essentially act as secondary frames that fortify what's there and allow the fitment of even larger shocks. This is a bitchin' truck, but it's still a far cry from race ready.
hybris says:
12:00 PM, 07/25/11
Your Third and maybe your first pics would make good caption contests.
cello_one says:
12:08 PM, 07/25/11
I love the flying nun gas station. Someone should buy it and turn it into the Flying Nun Drive-Thru Liquor Store!!! *they put garage doors on the drive thru liquor stores in Ohio - so you don't get to cold or to hot loading your keg - see Takahashi's post...
BTW - IMO - drive-thru liquor stores are a BAD idea. Although my favorites are in Texas - you can drive-thru for Frozen Daquiris - they put tape over the straw hole and lid so they can claim they sold you a sealed container... then hand you the straw... right..........
greenpony says:
12:30 PM, 07/25/11
I don't know if any of these photos would make a good caption contest. Caption contest photos need to be inherently interesting and unique. For example, if you replace the Raptor with the 500 in your first two photos, that could probably prompt some humor. Same goes for Takahashi jumping out of the bed. None of these (except *maybe* the last one) strike me as particularly interesting. Don't take offense; I'm just being honest. Maybe ergsum could think of something.
parchisi64 says:
12:44 PM, 07/25/11
For the first photo:
Following a satifying meal of Silverados and Rams, Raptor is relieved after taking a huge dump.
actualsize says:
01:37 PM, 07/25/11
@greenpony: I'm with you. Think of these as b-sides.
rick8365 says:
02:19 PM, 07/25/11
@ Cello-One
"turn it into the Flying Nun Drive-Thru"
Shouldn't that be....a Driving Nun....or a Flying Nun Fly-Thru?
mfigge2 says:
05:57 PM, 07/25/11
you should have jumped the beast off the loading dock...
greenpony says:
10:30 AM, 07/26/11
B-sides seems appropriate.
greenpony says:
10:32 AM, 07/26/11
I wonder how many people don't know what a B-side is.