How To Install: "RA Ranger" - Raptor Trailing Arm Sensor Protectors

[TenTenths]

Small circle!

We need to find a day to all get out.

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[Arsenall11]

We need to find a day to all get out.

That would be great! Just ordered my trailing arm covers!

 

[TenTenths]

That would be great! Just ordered my trailing arm covers!

Same, haha

 

[Arsenall11]

Did you order yours from Bickfird?

 

[cc1999]

The Ranger RA versions are back in stock.
Ordered mine today,

 

[John E Davies]

Buckle Up butter sells them . there are out Florida. they a pretty good you tube channel

They do NOT sell the RA Ranger ones that I installed, they sell their own version. I emailed them asking about the material and thickness, they have not yet responded.

EDIT Got an email response. The Buckle Up parts are “16 gauge stainless steel”. And IMHO a little too thin (0.060”).

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[FordDawg]

That is fairly thin but I'll take a chance and buy American.

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

Im in Snohomish!

I'm in Salem, but go through Snohomish weekly.

 

[RANGER/HOBB]

Cost was US$144 shipped, with no sales tax. It shipped the next day, but took about ten days to get here to Washington State. They are nicely made and I think the cost is fair. They are powder coated stainless, in a very heavy gauge.

https://raranger.com.au/products/2022-ra-ranger-raptor-vehicle-travel-sensor-protector-pair

Why do you need them? The sensors and their wires are vulnerable to gravel strikes. My left sensor cable was not secured correctly - the guide support leg/ pin was never pushed into the hole on top of the bracket:

Even with that fixed, the cable stuck out sideways where it can get hit:

Push the cable over the lip of the sensor so it stays behind it:

That still leaves the sensor itself and these exposed wires at risk:

You need an 8mm wrench and socket, about 24" of 1/2 " plastic wire "split loom", and some silicone sealer. Optional is four 3/16" stainless flat washers to put under the bolt heads. Add the split loom to all of the exposed sensor cable, on each side of the guide pin, and add big dab of sealer AFTER installing the guards, with the bottom loop pushed inwards all the way. The sealer keeps it from moving and the split loom protects against gravel strikes and chafing against nearby steel parts. See pics! The rear nuts are a little hard to reach, you can get them back on from the rear (axle side) of the mount. ***The reason you add the sealer afterwards is that it will get all over your hand if you try it before ;( ***

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

Thanks for the link. Got a few more of there items as well.

 

[NPTR]

Yeah, she had her product ready to go, the same day she discovered the "problem". Sounds a little iffy to me. IMHO, she had a solution, looking for a problem and manufactured a video.

Watched the videos and it was cringeworthy in my humble opinion - so clearly “acting” when the fault code first came up, and the fact that the product was in stock and ready to go in such a short period of time is just so suspect. I appreciate them supplying RR parts, but “manufacturing” issues to get clicks and move product is not helpful to this community and the general public making purchasing decisions. Not saying I know this for a fact, I may be wrong, but my gut / common sense tells me that was a staged event…and for that reason I will not be purchasing anything from them and will wait for more availability and other reputable suppliers to hit the market.

Also, watched her video last night installing an intake, charge pipes and larger intercooler with NO tune…really?!? I’ve known since my 06 STi when I was in my early 20s that you really should tune a turbo car after mods like that…maybe these modern ECUs can “learn” a bit better but I would not be undertaking mods like that without proper professional ECU tuning.

Now here’s another question - I see the justification to protecting this sensor, but has anyone had actual problems in the field? All for preventative / precautionary measures…just wondering if anyone has real world experience with a sensor failure?

 

[Clump]

There was someone on the RR Facebook group that had the issue. In their case the sensor was actually broken.

Agree that video was staged in order to sell a product.

I bought the Buttercup covers. I felt like the sensors were VERY exposed. The covers were available, came very quickly and easy install. I agree with @John E Davies that they are on the thin side.

 

[SubaruRaptor]

Watched the videos and it was cringeworthy in my humble opinion - so clearly “acting” when the fault code first came up, and the fact that the product was in stock and ready to go in such a short period of time is just so suspect. I appreciate them supplying RR parts, but “manufacturing” issues to get clicks and move product is not helpful to this community and the general public making purchasing decisions. Not saying I know this for a fact, I may be wrong, but my gut / common sense tells me that was a staged event…and for that reason I will not be purchasing anything from them and will wait for more availability and other reputable suppliers to hit the market.

Also, watched her video last night installing an intake, charge pipes and larger intercooler with NO tune…really?!? I’ve known since my 06 STi when I was in my early 20s that you really should tune a turbo car after mods like that…maybe these modern ECUs can “learn” a bit better but I would not be undertaking mods like that without proper professional ECU tuning.

Now here’s another question - I see the justification to protecting this sensor, but has anyone had actual problems in the field? All for preventative / precautionary measures…just wondering if anyone has real world experience with a sensor failure?

Couple things:

• Most things on youtube are planned / staged, its what makes a good video. Randomly shooting stuff just gets you low quality video.
• I assume she actually did have it happen, but it was off camera. So they then replicated it for the video.
• Pretty sure I watched someone else's video who had it happen while off roading, though could be wrong.
• As the part has no mechanical parts to it, its just bent metal and washers, it would be pretty simple to make a jig and get them made to order, not like the metal goes bad. her product is not as finished looking as the RR parts which leads me to this conclusion.
• Majority of owners arent going to buy this, so its not like they need to stock a bunch of them.

 

[SubaruRaptor]

There was someone on the RR Facebook group that had the issue. In their case the sensor was actually broken.

Agree that video was staged in order to sell a product.

I bought the Buttercup covers. I felt like the sensors were VERY exposed. The covers were available, came very quickly and easy install. I agree with @John E Davies that they are on the thin side.

They are meant to deflect debree and divert snow/water/mud from pull the physical connector, not to take a hit. Thickness of the metal is a "quality" feeling thing, just like how people think heavy watches are well made compared to light ones.

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

let's get real here, these doohickys hang down too low for ANY serious offroading! a simple relocation kit would have been far more brilliant and useful...

 

[yoopercharged]

Watched the videos and it was cringeworthy in my humble opinion - so clearly “acting” when the fault code first came up, and the fact that the product was in stock and ready to go in such a short period of time is just so suspect. I appreciate them supplying RR parts, but “manufacturing” issues to get clicks and move product is not helpful to this community and the general public making purchasing decisions. Not saying I know this for a fact, I may be wrong, but my gut / common sense tells me that was a staged event…and for that reason I will not be purchasing anything from them and will wait for more availability and other reputable suppliers to hit the market.

Also, watched her video last night installing an intake, charge pipes and larger intercooler with NO tune…really?!? I’ve known since my 06 STi when I was in my early 20s that you really should tune a turbo car after mods like that…maybe these modern ECUs can “learn” a bit better but I would not be undertaking mods like that without proper professional ECU tuning.

Now here’s another question - I see the justification to protecting this sensor, but has anyone had actual problems in the field? All for preventative / precautionary measures…just wondering if anyone has real world experience with a sensor failure?

You're echoing the same thing I commented on that video. Add me to the list of people that will never buy one of their products. Manufacturing issues to fear monger people into buying your product is totally scummy.

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