The ASCM is the brain behind your FOX Live Valve suspension, and on every one of these platforms it hangs low under the vehicle with its connector pointed at the trail. Four vehicle-specific .125" aluminum guards, laser cut and formed in house in Mesa, Arizona.
The Short Answer
Foutz Motorsports builds Active Suspension Control Module guards for four platforms: the 2021–2026 Gen 3 Ford Raptor and Raptor R, the same Gen 3 Raptor running the SDI E-Clik Pro controller, the 2022+ Ford Bronco Raptor, and the 2024+ Ford Ranger Raptor. The ASCM is the module that reads the vehicle and commands the FOX Live Valve shocks, and on all of these vehicles it is mounted low on the frame near the rear suspension — the module and, more importantly, its electrical plug connector sit right in the path of rocks and trail debris. Damage there can take the adaptive suspension offline and cost you your selectable drive modes, including Baja. Every guard is cut from .125" aluminum, precision laser cut in house, CNC formed, and finished in hammer black powder coat. Every one is vehicle-specific and bolts to factory mounting points using included stand-off hardware and existing hardware — no drilling, no cutting, no vehicle modifications. All four are fully compatible with the factory FOX Live Valve system and preserve every factory drive mode. The Gen 3 Raptor guard mounts on the driver side; the Bronco Raptor and Ranger Raptor guards mount on the passenger side. If your Gen 3 Raptor runs the SDI E-Clik Pro system, you need the dedicated SDI version — it has top and side openings for the E-Clik wiring harness and 40mm hex standoffs that mount the guard directly to the module. Designed, cut, formed, powder coated and packed in house in Mesa, Arizona, by the shop that built the first Ford Raptor to race the Baja 1000 in 2008.
This is one of those upgrades that is not exciting to buy and is enormously expensive to skip. A module guard does not make the vehicle faster, taller, or better looking. It just quietly makes sure that the thing controlling your shocks is still connected and still working when you get back to pavement.
Foutz Motorsports has been building and racing Ford off-road trucks in Mesa, Arizona since 1998 — the first Ford Raptor to run the Baja 1000, a Raptor R race program, and a stock-class Ford Super Duty race truck. We build these guards for the same reason we build skid plates: because we have seen what the desert does to anything left exposed. This guide covers all four ASCM guards, what each one fits, which side it mounts on, and how to tell which one you need.
What the Active Suspension Control Module Actually Does
The Active Suspension Control Module — ASCM — is the brain behind the advanced suspension on these vehicles. It dynamically adjusts shock damping, continuously, to deliver on-road comfort and off-road capability from the same set of shocks. It is what the FOX Live Valve system runs on, and it is what the drive mode selector is actually talking to when you switch into Baja.
You will see it called a few different things depending on who is writing the parts diagram — suspension control module, damper interface device, vehicle dynamics module, shock module. On a Gen 3 Raptor running the aftermarket SDI E-Clik Pro system, the E-Clik controller takes over that role. Whatever it is called on your particular vehicle, it is a sealed electronic box mounted on the frame with a wiring harness plugged into it, and it is not optional equipment.
The Connector Is the Real Weak Point
Most people looking at this for the first time worry about the module housing. The housing is not usually what fails. The plug connector is the most exposed part, and it is the part that a rock finds first. Bend it, crush it, tear it, or pull it loose and the module stops talking to the rest of the vehicle — and on the Bronco Raptor, a damaged connector means losing all of the vehicle's drive modes.
That is why every one of these guards is shaped to cover the module and its electrical connector, rather than being a flat plate that shields the bottom of the box and leaves the plug hanging out in the open. It is also why we do not treat a universal skid panel as a substitute. The geometry of the coverage is the entire point of a vehicle-specific part.
What It Costs You When It Goes
Factory modules are expensive to replace and are a dealer item on every one of these platforms. But the number on the repair order is only part of it. A damaged ASCM or connector can disable the adaptive suspension outright and take your selectable drive modes with it — and it does not usually happen in the shop driveway. It happens ninety miles into a trip, and it changes the rest of that trip.
A guard is a small, bolt-on part that removes that particular way of ruining a weekend. That is the whole pitch.
Six Things We Build Into Every ASCM Guard
Module protection sounds like a simple problem, and it is — right up until the part does not clear the harness, or it flexes on the first impact, or it bolts to a hole that does not exist on your vehicle. Here is what we hold these to.
1. Real Material, Not Trim Panel Stock
Every guard is made from .125" aluminum. That is a thickness that takes a rock strike and stays a guard, while still being light enough that it is not adding meaningful weight hanging off the frame rail. It is the same material philosophy we apply to the rest of our protection line.
2. Cut and Formed In House
Each guard is precision laser cut in house and CNC formed. Cutting and bending under one roof is what keeps the mounting holes where they belong and keeps every guard in a batch identical — which matters a great deal on a part that has to clear a wiring harness by a specific margin.
3. Vehicle-Specific, Not Universal
There is a separate guard for each platform, and a separate one again for the SDI E-Clik system. They bolt to factory mounting points using included stand-off hardware and existing hardware. No drilling, no cutting, no modifications to the vehicle — and no zip ties.
4. The Connector Is Covered Too
The guards are shaped to shield the module and its electrical plug connector, because the connector is the part that actually gets damaged. Covering the box and leaving the plug exposed solves the wrong half of the problem.
5. Live Valve Keeps Working
Every guard is fully compatible with the electronically controlled FOX Live Valve suspension system and preserves all factory drive modes, including Baja. Nothing gets unplugged, relocated or reprogrammed. The module does its job exactly as it did before, with a piece of aluminum between it and the trail.
6. Finished to Live Underneath
Every guard is finished in hammer black powder coat for durability and corrosion resistance. This part spends its life in mud, salt, water crossings and rock dust on the underside of the vehicle. A finish that peels is a guard that rusts.
A Purpose-Built Guard vs. the Alternatives
There are really only three ways to handle this: leave it as the factory delivered it, put something universal under there, or fit a guard built for your specific vehicle. We are not naming brands — the categories are what matter, and what is on the shelf changes faster than an article can keep up.
| What you care about | Foutz Motorsports ASCM guard | As the factory delivered it | Universal bolt-on skid panel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material over the module | .125" aluminum | Varies by platform — plastic on the Gen 3 Raptor, minimal elsewhere | Varies, often thin stamped steel |
| Fit | Vehicle-specific, factory mounting points | n/a | Trimmed, drilled or strapped to fit |
| Electrical connector covered | Yes, by design | Exposed | Not designed for it |
| Vehicle modification required | None — no drilling or cutting | n/a | Usually some |
| Mounting hardware included | Stand-off hardware in every kit | n/a | Rarely vehicle-specific |
| Live Valve and drive modes | Fully preserved, Baja included | Preserved until something breaks | Depends entirely on clearance |
| SDI E-Clik version available | Yes — a separate kit with harness openings | n/a | No |
| Finish | Hammer black powder coat | Varies | Varies |
| Where it is made | Mesa, Arizona — in house | — | Varies |
The honest summary: this is a low-cost, bolt-on part protecting a high-cost, dealer-only component. The only version of it worth buying is the one cut for your exact vehicle, because the value is entirely in whether the shape covers the connector and clears the harness.
Gen 3 Ford Raptor — the Factory Module Guard
The Gen 3 Raptor Active Suspension Control Module guard is the one for the 2021–2026 Gen 3 Ford Raptor and Raptor R running the factory module. It mounts on the driver side, and it replaces the job that the factory cover is supposed to be doing.
On the Gen 3, the ASCM does get a stock cover — and that cover is made of plastic and can crack easily, which leaves the module exposed and vulnerable out on the trail. That is the specific gap this guard fills. It is a like-for-like coverage upgrade in aluminum: .125" aluminum, precision laser cut in house, CNC bent, and finished in hammer black powder coat.
| Gen 3 Raptor ASCM cover | Factory | Foutz |
|---|---|---|
| Cover material | Plastic | .125" aluminum |
| Trail durability | Can crack easily | Shields from rocks & debris |
| Module protection | Vulnerable, exposed | Fully covered |
| Replacement risk | Costly if damaged | Reduced risk of damage |
It bolts onto factory mounting chassis points using existing hardware for a secure, hassle-free installation, and it ships with four threaded rod bar stud hex connector nuts to secure it to the chassis. It shields the delicate electronic sensors and the module from rocks, trails and off-road obstacles, and it is fully compatible with the Raptor's electronically controlled FOX Live Valve suspension system, preserving all factory drive modes including Baja.
One important thing before you order: this kit covers the stock module only. If your Raptor is running the SDI E-Clik Pro controller system, this is not the guard you want — that is the next section.
Gen 3 Ford Raptor with SDI E-Clik Pro
If you have added the SDI E-Clik Pro system to your Gen 3 Raptor, the control module under there is a different shape with a different harness, and it needs a guard built around it. That is exactly what the 2021–2026 Ford Raptor SDI E-Clik Active Suspension Control Module Guard is.
The defining feature is the openings. The guard has top and side openings that accommodate the SDI E-Clik wiring harness, so the harness routes the way it is supposed to and stays accessible for installation and service. That is not a detail you can retrofit onto a guard designed for the factory module — it is the reason this is a separate part number.
It mounts on the driver side and uses 40mm hex standoffs that securely mount the guard directly to the SDI E-Clik module. It is a direct-fit installation that bolts to factory mounting points with no drilling, cutting or vehicle modifications. The kit includes one driver-side guard, four female-to-female threaded rod bar stud hex connectors, and four M6 × 1 × 16mm bolts — everything needed to mount it. Same material story as the rest of the family: .125" aluminum, precision laser cut in house, CNC bent for accurate fitment, hammer black powder coat.
Gen 3 Ford Raptor — Two Guards, Two Different Modules
2021–2026 Gen 3 Raptor and Raptor R. Pick by which control module is actually on your truck.
How to Tell Which Gen 3 Guard You Need
If you have never installed an SDI E-Clik Pro system, you want the factory module guard. The E-Clik is an aftermarket suspension controller — it is not something that shows up on a Raptor on its own, so if you do not know whether you have one, you almost certainly do not.
If you did add one — or you bought the truck already built — look at the module on the driver-side frame rail. The E-Clik controller has its own harness and its own housing, and the factory-module guard will not fit it. Order the SDI version. Still not sure? Call us and we will talk you through it in two minutes.
2022+ Ford Bronco Raptor
The Bronco Raptor ASCM guard protects the module and its plug connector from rocks, debris and off-road impacts on the 2022+ Ford Bronco Raptor. On this vehicle the module mounts on the passenger side.
Here is the specific problem on the Bronco Raptor: the ASCM hangs low on the passenger side of the frame near the rear suspension, which leaves the module vulnerable and exposed to getting damaged out on the trails. And the plug connector is the most exposed part of the whole assembly. When that connector is damaged, the Bronco Raptor loses all of its drive modes. Not some of them. All of them.
The guard bolts onto factory mounting points with special stand-off posts and existing hardware, so it goes on without modifying the Bronco. The kit is one passenger-side module guard plus three threaded rod bar stud hex connector nuts to secure it to the chassis. Construction is .125" aluminum, precision laser cut in house, CNC bent, hammer black powder coat — and it is compatible with the Bronco Raptor's electronically controlled FOX Live Valve suspension system, preserving all factory drive modes including Baja.
With factory modules being costly to replace, this is a straightforward piece of insurance for anyone who actually takes their Bronco Raptor off road. If you have already done the rear links and the panhard bar, this is the small part that protects the electronics living right next to them — and it pairs naturally with the rest of the Bronco Raptor protection line.
2024+ Ford Ranger Raptor
The Ranger Raptor ASCM guard is engineered specifically for the 2024+ Ford Ranger Raptor, and it mounts on the passenger side. It shields the module and its electrical connector from impacts while maintaining full compatibility with the factory suspension system and all drive modes.
The Ranger Raptor case is the starkest of the four. The factory ASCM is one of the lowest-mounted electronic components on the entire vehicle. It sits low on the passenger-side frame near the rear suspension, and both the module and its electrical connector are exposed to rocks, trail debris and hard impacts. Damage to either can disable the suspension system and result in the loss of selectable drive modes, leaving you with an expensive repair.
The guard is a vehicle-specific direct fit that bolts onto factory mounting locations using the included stand-off hardware and existing hardware, with three threaded rod bar stud hex connector nuts in the kit to secure it to the chassis. It is built from .125" aluminum, precision laser cut in house and CNC formed, finished in durable hammer black powder coat for maximum strength and corrosion resistance, and it is fully compatible with the factory FOX Live Valve suspension system and preserves all selectable drive modes, including Baja Mode.
Whether you are tackling rocky trails, desert terrain or overland routes, this is an affordable upgrade that helps you avoid an expensive repair while keeping the suspension system operating as designed. The rest of the line lives in the Ranger Raptor protection kits collection.
Bronco Raptor and Ranger Raptor
Both mount on the passenger side, low on the frame near the rear suspension. Both cover the module and its connector.
Which Guard Do You Need?
Four guards, and only one of them fits your vehicle. The decision comes down to two questions: what are you driving, and does it have the SDI E-Clik system on it?
All Four Guards, Side by Side
| Guard | Fits | Mounts | Hardware included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 3 Raptor — factory module | 2021–2026 Gen 3 Ford Raptor and Raptor R, factory ASCM | Driver side — factory chassis mounting points, existing hardware | One guard + 4 threaded rod bar stud hex connector nuts |
| Gen 3 Raptor — SDI E-Clik Pro | 2021–2026 Ford F-150 Raptor Gen 3 with the SDI E-Clik Pro ECU controller | Driver side — 40mm hex standoffs directly to the module, no drilling or cutting | One guard + 4 female-to-female threaded rod bar stud hex connectors + 4 M6 × 1 × 16mm bolts |
| Bronco Raptor | 2022+ Ford Bronco Raptor, factory ASCM, FOX Live Valve | Passenger side — factory mounting points, stand-off posts and existing hardware | One guard + 3 threaded rod bar stud hex connector nuts |
| Ranger Raptor | 2024+ Ford Ranger Raptor, factory ASCM, FOX Live Valve | Passenger side — factory mounting locations, included stand-off hardware | One guard + 3 threaded rod bar stud hex connector nuts |
Every one of the four is .125" aluminum, precision laser cut in house, CNC formed, finished in hammer black powder coat, and every one preserves the factory FOX Live Valve system and all drive modes including Baja.
Getting the Right One, in Four Steps
Start With the Platform
Gen 3 F-150 Raptor, Bronco Raptor, or Ranger Raptor. These are three different vehicles with the module in three different places, and the guards are not shared between them. Raptor R owners: you are on the Gen 3 platform — the Gen 3 guard is yours.
Gen 3 Owners: Check for SDI E-Clik
This is the only fork in the road. A stock Gen 3 Raptor takes the factory-module guard. A Gen 3 Raptor with the SDI E-Clik Pro controller takes the SDI E-Clik guard, which has the top and side openings the E-Clik harness needs.
Know Which Side to Look Under
The Gen 3 Raptor module — factory or SDI — lives on the driver side. The Bronco Raptor and Ranger Raptor modules live on the passenger side, low on the frame near the rear suspension. Worth knowing before you put the vehicle in the air.
Install It Before You Need It
Every kit bolts to factory mounting points with the stand-off hardware included in the box. No drilling, no cutting, no modifications, nothing unplugged. It is a small job, and it is one of the very few upgrades that has no downside and no trade-off — the module either gets hit or it does not, and this decides which.
Active Suspension Control Module Guard FAQ
What is an Active Suspension Control Module?
The Active Suspension Control Module, or ASCM, is the brain behind the advanced suspension on the Ford Raptor, Bronco Raptor and Ranger Raptor. It dynamically adjusts shock damping to deliver on-road comfort and off-road capability, and it is the module the FOX Live Valve system and the selectable drive modes run on. It is a sealed electronic box mounted on the frame with a wiring harness plugged into it.
Why do I need an ASCM guard?
Because the factory module is mounted in an exposed area low on the frame near the rear suspension, where it is vulnerable to trail damage. On the Ranger Raptor it is one of the lowest-mounted electronic components on the entire vehicle. A guard adds a layer of protection against impacts and debris for the module and its electrical connector, and factory modules are expensive to replace — so a small bolt-on part is protecting a large repair bill.
What does an ASCM guard protect?
It shields the Active Suspension Control Module and its exposed electrical plug connector, along with the delicate electronic sensors around it, from rocks, trail debris and off-road impacts. The connector matters as much as the module — it is the most exposed part, and damage there is what causes suspension faults.
What happens if the module or the connector gets damaged?
Damage to the module or its electrical connector can disable the suspension system and cause the loss of selectable drive modes. On the Bronco Raptor specifically, damage to the plug connector means the vehicle loses all of its drive modes. It is a dealer-level repair on an expensive part, and it typically happens a long way from a dealer.
Will an ASCM guard affect my factory drive modes?
No. Every Foutz Motorsports ASCM guard is fully compatible with the electronically controlled FOX Live Valve suspension system and preserves all factory drive modes, including Baja. Nothing is unplugged, relocated or reprogrammed — the guard simply covers the module and its connector.
What are Foutz ASCM guards made from?
All four guards are made from .125" aluminum, precision laser cut in house, CNC formed, and finished with a durable hammer black powder coat for long-lasting strength, durability and corrosion resistance.
Which side of the vehicle does the guard mount on?
It depends on the platform. On the Gen 3 Ford Raptor — both the factory module guard and the SDI E-Clik version — the module and guard are on the driver side. On the Bronco Raptor and the Ranger Raptor, the ASCM sits low on the passenger-side frame near the rear suspension, and the guard mounts on the passenger side.
How does the guard mount?
Each guard bolts onto factory mounting points or factory mounting locations using stand-off hardware included in the kit plus the vehicle's existing hardware. The Bronco Raptor and Ranger Raptor kits each include three threaded rod bar stud hex connector nuts to secure the guard to the chassis; the Gen 3 factory-module kit includes four. The SDI E-Clik kit includes four female-to-female threaded rod bar stud hex connectors and four M6 × 1 × 16mm bolts, and uses 40mm hex standoffs that mount the guard directly to the module.
Does installing an ASCM guard require drilling or cutting?
No. These are direct-fit, bolt-on guards that use the factory mounting points with no drilling, no cutting and no modifications to the vehicle.
Does the Gen 3 Raptor guard work with the SDI E-CLIK Pro system?
No. The Gen 3 Raptor guard covers the stock module only. Foutz Motorsports makes a separate kit designed specifically for Gen 3 Raptors running the SDI E-Clik Pro controller system, with top-side openings for easy access to the wiring harness and the control module. If you have the E-Clik system, order the SDI E-Clik guard.
Is there a guard for the Gen 3 Raptor factory module?
Yes. The Gen 3 Raptor ASCM guard covers the factory Active Suspension Control Module and works with the FOX Live Valve suspension system. That is the one to order if you have never installed an aftermarket suspension controller.
Does the Gen 3 Raptor come with a factory cover over the module?
It does, and that is exactly the problem. The stock cover for the Gen 3 Raptor ASCM is made out of plastic and can crack easily, which leaves the module vulnerable and exposed on the trail. The Foutz guard is the same idea executed in .125" aluminum.
Does the guard fit a Raptor R?
Yes. The Raptor R is built on the Gen 3 Raptor platform, so the Gen 3 Raptor ASCM guard is the correct part — the factory-module version if the truck is stock, the SDI E-Clik version if it is running that controller.
What years does each guard cover?
The Gen 3 Raptor guard and the SDI E-Clik guard cover the 2021–2026 Gen 3 Ford Raptor, including the Raptor R. The Bronco Raptor guard covers the 2022+ Ford Bronco Raptor. The Ranger Raptor guard covers the 2024+ Ford Ranger Raptor. If your vehicle is close to one of those boundaries, call before ordering.
Will an ASCM guard fit a standard Ford Bronco or a standard Ford Ranger?
No. These guards are engineered specifically for the Bronco Raptor and the Ranger Raptor, which use the FOX Live Valve adaptive suspension and the Active Suspension Control Module that goes with it. The standard Bronco and standard Ranger are different vehicles with different hardware. Call us and we will point you at the right protection for what you are driving.
Can I use a universal skid plate instead?
You can put a universal panel under almost anything, but it is solving a different problem. The value in a module guard is the shape — whether it actually covers the electrical connector, and whether it clears the wiring harness by the right margin. A vehicle-specific guard bolts to factory points with the correct stand-off hardware and does both. A universal panel is trimmed, drilled or strapped into approximately the right place.
Are these guards made in the USA?
Yes. Every Foutz Motorsports ASCM guard is designed, laser cut, CNC formed, powder coated and packed in house in Mesa, Arizona. We have been building and racing Ford off-road trucks since 1998.
How long does it take to get one?
In-stock items typically ship within 48 hours via standard 3–5 day domestic shipping. Built-to-order kits and complex assemblies can take 4–6 weeks in production. Contact your sales rep for current lead times before ordering.
Where can I see all the module and sensor guards together?
The full range lives in the Sensor & Module Protection collection, and the wider line is in all protection kits.
Where These Guards Come From
Foutz Motorsports has been building Ford off-road trucks in Mesa, Arizona since 1998. We built the first Ford Raptor to race the Baja 1000, in 2008. We run a Raptor R race program and a stock-class Ford Super Duty race truck, and parts like these come out of that work rather than out of a catalog — racing is a very efficient way to find out which components on a vehicle are living somewhere they should not be.
Everything is designed, laser cut, CNC formed, powder coated and assembled in house. That is why we can make a separate guard for the SDI E-Clik module rather than telling customers to make the factory one work, and it is why the mounting holes line up on a part whose entire job depends on clearing a wiring harness.
Everything Else for Your Platform
Module protection is one piece of it. The complete module and sensor range is in the Sensor & Module Protection collection, and the platform lines are here: Gen 3 Raptor protection kits, Bronco Raptor protection kits and Ranger Raptor protection kits. If you are working through a whole build, we have full guides to Gen 3 Raptor suspension upgrades, Bronco Raptor suspension upgrades, Bronco Raptor rear suspension protection and Ranger Raptor upgrades.
Protect the Part You Cannot Drive Without
There is no version of this where the guard was the wrong call. The module is either going to take a hit at some point or it is not, and a piece of .125" aluminum shaped to fit your specific vehicle is the difference between a scratch on a guard and a vehicle that has lost its drive modes ninety miles from pavement.
Pick your platform, check whether you are running SDI E-Clik, and put it on before the trip rather than after. Start in the Sensor & Module Protection collection, or call and tell us what you are driving — we will tell you exactly which guard is yours.