Blog Posts
March 17, 2022
by Nikesh Kooverjee Off-Road / 3 Comments
Ford doesn't give a reason but specifically states it is not available for the performance 4x4.
The Ford Bronco Raptor is a performance off-roader that pretty much no fan can wait to get their hands on. With its 400+ horsepower sourced from a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 and H.O.S.S. 4.0 Fox-derived suspension system, there are very few competitors that are going to be able to keep up with it over dirt roads.
Giving owners the option of customizing the Bronco Raptor to their exact preference is a conclusive catalog consisting of over $11,000 worth of extras. These cover everything from more premium paint finishes and off-road specific wheels to alternate roofs, carbon trimmings for the interior, a 10-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system, and much more. But there's one option you can't have...
As per the online configurator, one option that won't be available on the Raptor are the specialized tube doors that give the inhabitants of the SUV closer contact with nature without being completely exposed. Ford has not revealed why it has omitted this feature from its flagship Bronco, since the doors can be removed entirely. CarBuzz has reached out to Ford for comment on this, as other hardcore models like the Wildrtak, Badlands, and Everglades models can all be equipped with the tube doors.
Some might think it could be due to safety, but Ford uses two inches of high-strength steel to construct the tubes so that they bear similar structural integrity compared to a conventional door. They also sport heavy-duty injection-molded plastic handle covers for easy use. There is an OEM latch for locking but it is not connected to the car's electrical system.
Currently, the tubed doors can be fitted to every other four-door and some two-door Bronco models at an additional price of $1,810. Certainly, it would be a unique experience to pilot the Baja-bashing off-roader through the desert with the aspirational doors so the exclusion is disappointing. We do wonder how much of a challenge it would be for a private owner to retrofit the set on their own.
It is highly unlikely that the omission of this option will deter any prospective Bronco Raptor owners from placing an order. Given how mainline Broncos are so hard to come by, without having to put up with annoying markups or production delays, this top-of-the-range model will no doubt prove to be a true unicorn.
