Ranger Raptor Portal Package
Out of the box the Ranger Raptor is already a fantastic platform. The live valve Fox suspension has come from years of development creating a highly capable vehicle from factory. So how do you make a vehicle that’s already so great out of the box even better? Portal Axles of course!
74 Weld is an American based company that specialises in offroad performance parts, most notably their Portal Axles. Born in the rock gardens of King of the Hammers and the endless roads of Baja, 74 Weld comes from an offroad racing history. Their portal development goes back to the early months of 2009 and their racing involvement began in 2015 where 74 Weld got to put their initial design to the test in the harsh conditions of the Ultra4 racing scene.
2018 is where 74 Weld developed a total new design, involving a 4 gear portal hub. Meaning the there was no need to flip the differential like a 2-gear design. This design started to gain traction in the Trophy truck and Ultra4 scene and most recently 74 Weld’s partnership with Ford Performance and the new Ford Bronco. From there 74 Weld was able to bring a race bred Portal axle to the mainstream offroad market.
Why portal axles?
The main objective of a Portal Axle is to raise ground clearance. The more clearance under the differential housing, the more capable your vehicle will become due to being able to clear more obstacles. The Portal Axle itself will raise the differential by 3.88”, a number that can only be matched by increasing tyre size by 8”. For example, the Ranger Raptor fitted with 35” tyres and Portal axles will require a 43” tyre to achieve the same clearance. But the Portal axle benefits don’t stop there. The 4-gear portal assembly inside the portal hub provides a 22% reduction at the hub, reducing stress on the drivetrain even, with larger tyres and bringing the final drive gearing ratio closer too factory spec.
Bolting on a Portal axle delivers more than just the 3.88” axle lift. It also provides an increased track width of 7” (3.5” per side) When lifting a vehicle, it is important to take centre of gravity into consideration. With the increased track being increased more then the lift, it keeps the vehicle stable and handle better then the original setup, significantly improving the vehicles offroad capability and on road handling characteristics.
So, what’s the cost?
The Ranger Raptor 74 Weld portal package is priced at $45,000. That price includes
- 4 x Portal axle assembly.
- 2 x heat treated axle shaft to convert rear axle to a full float rear axle.
- 5 x 35” tyres.
- 5 x 74Weld x Method Race wheels offset rims.
- Heavy Duty GOAT Offroad steering rack ends.
- Upgraded Willwood front brake calipers
- 4 x larger brake rotors
- Braided brake lines
- 74Weld Ranger Raptor Billet UCA’s
- Installation and engineering
o SSM certification nationwide (Pre registration engineering)
o Post registration engineering (Victoria only)
What’s included?
The 74 Weld portal axle is a 7075 machined aluminium billet assembly with a 6061 aluminium portal box. With independent front suspension applications, such as the Ranger Raptor, the front portal assembly replaces the factory upright to handle the additional loads and newfound capability that the factory upright wasn’t designed for. It is a 100% bolt on product that is fully compatible with the vehicles factory ABS system and steering/suspension components.
The 74 Weld portal kit offered by Ultimate Offroad also includes a specific wheel and tyre package. The Ranger Raptor portal package includes a 35” tyre option and an option of offset rims specifically designed with 74 Weld and Method Race Wheels. A Willwood brake calliper upgrade as well as larger rotors and braided brake lines on all 4 corners is also included to suit the larger tyre that has been fitted.
The 74 Weld portal kit converts the rear semi float rear axle to a full floating rear axle, including new heat treated axle shafts. Also included is a set of 6061 Billet aluminium front upper control arms. The 5-axis upper control arm delivers improved handling characteristics while maintain OEM driving characteristics as well as strengthening the factory steering racks with a set of GOAT offroad HD steering rack ends.
Engineered for the complete package
The 74 Weld Ranger Raptor portal conversion is a federally approved SSM (Second stage manufacturing) upgrade legal nationwide. In order to have nationwide SSM approval the 74 Weld portal upgrade must be completed before the vehicle is registered. If your Ford Ranger Raptor 22+ is already registered, engineering post registration can only take place in Victoria.
