A complete weld-in conversion that replaces the leaf-spring rear end on a 2017–2020 Gen 2 Ford Raptor — or a 2015–2026 Ford F-150 with the 5'5" bed — with the coil-spring 5-link geometry Ford put under the Gen 3 Raptor. Designed, cut and welded in house in Mesa, Arizona.
The Short Answer
The Foutz Motorsports Gen 2 to Gen 3 Raptor Rear Suspension Conversion Kit converts a 2017–2020 Gen 2 Ford Raptor or a 2015–2026 Ford F-150 with the 5'5" bed from leaf springs to a full 5-link, coil-spring rear suspension that matches Gen 3 Raptor geometry. The kit supplies every mounting point the conversion needs: rear coil spring mounts with an integrated Panhard bar mount in the stock Gen 3 location, rear link mounts that weld to the frame in the stock Gen 3 location, rear shock mounts that match the Gen 3 stock shock location but are much stronger, a rear axle mount kit with all the brackets to give your axle every Gen 3 pick-up point, and a hardware kit. Key components are 3/16" steel plate — thicker than the factory Gen 3 mounts. Because every mounting point lands in the factory Gen 3 location, the kit runs stock Gen 3 take-off links, springs and shocks, or Foutz billet aluminum links and Panhard bar, so you can build it on take-off parts now and upgrade later. It fits Raptor-width rear axles only, works with 35" and 37" tires, and is compatible with the Foutz rear bump stop kit, rear axle diff skid, rear shock skids and shock guards. On shocks, the model year matters: 2019–2020 Gen 2 Raptors came with Live Valve and are compatible with the Gen 3 system, so they can run normal stock Gen 3 take-off shocks; 2017–2018 trucks did not have Live Valve, and can add an SDI controller to run Gen 2 or Gen 3 Live Valve shocks. This is a weld-in kit — it requires substantial cutting and welding, the bed and fuel tank come off, and it should be installed by a qualified fabricator. For a 2017–2020 Gen 2 Raptor, this is the best rear suspension upgrade you can make — nothing else replaces the leaf springs with the factory Gen 3 5-link coil-spring geometry.
This guide covers the Gen 2 to Gen 3 Raptor Rear Suspension Conversion Kit: what is in it, what you have to supply yourself, what the install actually involves, and how it works on an F-150 to Raptor swap build. Every component is made in house in Mesa, Arizona by the shop that has been building and racing Ford off-road trucks since 1998.
What a 5-Link Rear End Changes on a Gen 2
Leaf springs work. That is not in dispute — they have located rear axles for a very long time, and a Gen 2 on good leaves is a capable truck. But a leaf pack is asked to do three separate jobs at once, and a 5-link is not.
1. Axle Location Becomes a Separate Job
Four links and a Panhard bar hold the axle where it belongs through the whole stroke. The springs stop fighting axle wrap and side-to-side movement and go back to being springs.
2. Spring Rate Becomes Adjustable
Coil springs are a part number, not a re-arch. Start on stock Gen 3 take-off springs and change rate later for a heavier bumper, a bed load or a different pace without touching the geometry.
3. Predictable Behavior Under Load
Because the links and the Panhard bar sit in the factory Gen 3 locations, the truck behaves the way Ford's own engineering does — correct travel, correct handling, correct ride quality, not an approximation.
4. Stronger Than the Truck It Copies
All key components in this kit are 3/16" steel plate, substantially thicker than the stock Gen 3 mounts. Done properly, a converted Gen 2 can outperform a stock Gen 3.
5. An Upgrade Path, Not a Dead End
Stock Gen 3 take-offs today; Foutz billet aluminum links and Panhard bar, heavy-duty fabricated arms or aftermarket shocks whenever you want them. The mounting points never change.
6. Room to Keep Going
The conversion works with the Foutz rear bump stop kit, with 35" and 37" tires, with the rear axle diff skid, shock skids and shock guards — and it can go further still, to a thru-the-bed coil-over with a rear bed cage.
| What you care about | Foutz Gen 2 to Gen 3 conversion | Stock Gen 2 leaf springs | Aftermarket leaf pack and shackles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear suspension type | 5-link, coil spring | Leaf spring | Leaf spring |
| Axle located by | Four links + Panhard bar | The leaf pack itself | The leaf pack itself |
| Geometry | Factory Gen 3 locations | Factory Gen 2 | Varies with arch and shackle length |
| Mount material | 3/16" steel plate | Factory stampings | Factory mounts retained |
| Spring rate changes | Swap coil springs | Re-arch or replace the pack | Replace the pack |
| Runs stock Gen 3 parts | Yes — links, springs, shocks | n/a | n/a |
| Upgrade path | Billet or fabricated arms, thru-bed coil-over | Limited | Longer shackles, more leaves |
| Installation | Cutting, grinding and welding | — | Bolt-on |
| Where it is made | Mesa, Arizona — in house | — | Varies |
The honest summary: a leaf pack and shackles is the faster, easier job, and if that is what the truck needs, buy that. The conversion is for the Gen 2 owner who is done chasing the limits of leaf springs and wants the rear end Ford eventually built.
Everything in the Conversion Kit
The kit is designed to replace the entire rear suspension. It has everything you need to convert a Gen 2 Raptor to use all of the Gen 3 Raptor rear suspension geometry and rear links.
Rear Coil Spring and Panhard Bar Mounts
One assembly handles both: the rear coil spring mounts carry an integrated Panhard bar mount in the stock Gen 3 location, which is what keeps the axle centered and the geometry correct through the stroke.
Rear Link Mounts
These weld to the frame in the stock Gen 3 location and carry the upper and lower links. Put them where Ford puts them and every Gen 3 link, stock or billet, lands where it is supposed to.
They are built from 3/16" thick A-36 steel, laser cut, CNC bent and MIG welded for precise fitment, which makes them substantially stronger than the factory stock rear link mounts — and the angled design gives them built-in front skid protection. They are also sold on their own as the Gen 3 Raptor 5-Link Rear Arm Frame Mount Kit, which adapts an F-150 or Gen 2 frame to Gen 3 rear links or replaces damaged frame mounts on a Gen 3.
Heavy-Duty Rear Shock Mounts
These match the Gen 3 stock shock location but are much stronger than the factory pieces they copy — which is what lets a Gen 2 frame run Gen 3 rear shocks in the position they were designed for.
Rear Axle Mount Kit
Everything that has to be welded to the axle housing to give it all of the Gen 3 pick-up points — stock-position upper, lower, Panhard and spring mounts. These brackets are MIG welded from .250" mild steel and ship in raw steel, ready for weld-out and paint. The same kit also works on its own to replace damaged factory mounts without replacing an entire axle housing. View the axle mount kit.
Hardware Kit
The nuts and bolts required to assemble the kit and mount the axle, the links and the rest of it. Nothing to chase down at the hardware store mid-build.
The Conversion and What Goes With It
The kit itself, plus the Gen 3 rear parts that fit once your truck has Gen 3 geometry under it.
What You Supply, and What You Get to Decide
The kit gives you the mounting points. Springs, links and shocks are yours to choose — which is the whole reason the conversion is affordable. Build it on take-off parts now and upgrade the expensive pieces later without touching a single weld.
Which Rear Shocks Will Work — and the Live Valve Question
This is the one place where the model year of your Gen 2 changes the answer, and it is worth understanding before you buy shocks.
2019–2020 Gen 2 Raptors are the easy case. Those trucks came with Live Valve from the factory, and the Gen 2 Live Valve system is compatible with the Gen 3. So a 2019 or 2020 truck can run normal stock Gen 3 take-off shocks after the conversion — nothing extra to add, nothing to reprogram.
2017–2018 Gen 2 Raptors did not come with Live Valve shocks. If you want to run Live Valve controlled shocks on one of those trucks — Gen 2 or Gen 3 — you add an SDI controller to make them work. That is the piece a 2017 or 2018 truck is missing, and it is the difference between a stock Gen 3 take-off shock working on your truck and not.
Any year can run aftermarket. Any aftermarket upgrade shock that fits the stock location works with the kit, on any of these trucks, with no controller in the picture at all. That is the simplest route if you are not chasing Live Valve.
Springs and shocks live in the shocks and springs collection, the links and Panhard bars are in Gen 3 Raptor suspension, and the rest of the Gen 2 hardware is in Gen 2 Raptor parts.
More Than the Stock Shock Location: Thru-the-Bed Shocks
Everything above puts the rear shock exactly where Ford puts it on a Gen 3. That is the affordable, straightforward version of this conversion, and for most trucks it is the right one. But a stock-location shock has a ceiling, and there is a second route past it: a thru-the-bed coil-over with a rear bed cage.
Instead of a stock-location shock, the shock comes up through the bed floor into a cage that ties back into the frame. That opens the door to a much bigger shock — a 3.5" x 16" travel bypass, or a 3.0" x 16" travel coil-over that eliminates the stock shock and spring entirely. More travel, more oil, more control over a rough road, and a rear end that keeps working when a stock-location shock is out of room.
This runs the same basic parts as our 5-link rear bed organizer and bed cage kit. That kit was designed around the stock Gen 3 rear suspension geometry and links — which, once the conversion is done, is exactly what your Gen 2 has. Talk to us about the configuration before you order so we can line the parts up for your truck and the shock you want to run.
Two Shock Options
A 3.5" x 16" travel bypass, or a 3.0" x 16" travel coil-over that replaces the stock shock and spring. Coil-over springs are sold separately.
The Cage Is Also Storage
Modular by design. Run the spare laid flat to clear a bed cover, or the popular two-tires-standing setup with a jack and fuel jugs. You can reconfigure it later.
What Comes in the Kit
Bed cage with side shock mounts for the thru-the-bed shock, frame mount support kit and a limit strap kit. Cargo sections, a quick-release jack mount and fuel jug trays are add-ons.
Built Like the Rest of It
Top-quality US steel and aluminum, laser cut and CNC bent, fixture welded and powder coated black. Stainless hardware on the main sections, grade 8 at the shock mount and the frame.
Stock Location or Thru the Bed?
Stock location is the right answer for most builds. It is cheaper, it runs take-off Gen 3 shocks, and the truck still uses its bed normally. Start there.
Go thru the bed when you are chasing speed in rough country and the stock-location shock is the thing holding the truck back — and when you are willing to give up part of the bed to a cage. One practical note: these shocks move fast, so check stock and availability timing when you order — or source the shock yourself and we will build around it.
What the Install Actually Involves
Straight answer: this is not a weekend job. It is not especially difficult work for someone who can weld, but it is a lot of it, and doing it right takes time. Here is the honest sequence.
Strip the Frame and Rear Axle
The bed comes off and the fuel tank comes out. Then the leaf springs, spring mounts, rear shock mounts and axle mounts all come off the frame and the housing. Stripping a Gen 2 frame and rear axle typically takes a full day or more of cutting, grinding and prep work.
Position and Weld the Frame Mounts
Installing the frame mounts usually takes another day or two to position correctly, weld in place and paint. Exact placement is the whole game here — measure, adjust, check, then weld.
Set Up the Rear Axle
The rear axle setup can take six to eight hours to align all the mounts, weld them, and repaint the housing in preparation for assembly.
Assemble and Sort the Exhaust
Final assembly typically takes another four to five hours, and having two people makes it much easier. Some older trucks need exhaust modifications around the new coil spring buckets — using Gen 3 rear exhaust components can simplify this step.
One Thing to Be Clear About
This kit requires substantial cutting and welding and should be installed by a qualified fabricator. Because exhaust setups vary between different years of Gen 2 Raptors and F-150s, there is no one-size-fits-all instruction guide for this kit.
Our suggestion: remove the rear exhaust to clear the way for Panhard bar and spring mount welding, then adjust as needed during reassembly. Or install the kit and take the truck to an exhaust shop to handle the final tweaks. What you get in exchange is a rear end built from 3/16" steel plate, much thicker than stock Gen 3 mounts.
Building an "F-Raptor": The F-150 Raptor Conversion Kit for 2015–2026 Trucks
The same kit is the rear half of a full F-150 to Raptor swap: Raptor rear suspension on an F-150. It fits 2015–2026 F-150 frames with the 5'5" bed: the 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 F-150. It works with a Raptor-width rear axle and stock Raptor front suspension parts.
The one hard requirement: Raptor width. You need a full-width or wider rear axle to clear the Gen 3 spring location — the stock rear springs and Panhard bar will not clear on the narrower standard F-150 width. Pair it with wider fiberglass fenders and you have the F-Raptor build, and it is the perfect setup under a supercharged 5.0L aiming at Raptor R territory.
Fitment and Compatibility at a Glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Vehicles | 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 Gen 2 Ford Raptor; 2015–2026 Ford F-150 frames with the 5'5" bed |
| Rear axle | Raptor width only — a standard F-150 needs a Raptor-width rear axle and wider rear body |
| Tires | Works with both 35" and 37" tires |
| Bump stops | Works with the Foutz rear bump stop kit |
| Protection | Works with the Foutz rear axle diff skid, rear shock skids and shock guards |
| Shocks | Take-off Gen 3 rear shocks or any aftermarket shock that mounts in the stock location — or go thru the bed with a bed cage kit running a 3.5" x 16" bypass or 3.0" x 16" coil-over |
| Live Valve | 2019–2020 Gen 2 trucks have it and are compatible with the Gen 3 system, so they run normal Gen 3 take-off shocks; 2017–2018 trucks did not have it and can add an SDI controller to run Gen 2 or Gen 3 Live Valve shocks |
| Links | Stock Gen 3 take-offs, Foutz billet aluminum or stock-length heavy-duty fabricated links with an adjustable Panhard bar |
| Installation | Weld-in. Substantial cutting and welding — qualified fabricator required |
Gen 2 to Gen 3 Raptor Conversion FAQ
What does the Gen 2 to Gen 3 Raptor conversion kit do?
It replaces the leaf-spring rear suspension on a 2017–2020 Gen 2 Ford Raptor or a 2015–2026 Ford F-150 with the 5'5" bed with a 5-link, coil-spring rear suspension that matches the Gen 3 Raptor's geometry. It supplies the frame mounts, coil spring and Panhard bar mounts, shock mounts, rear axle mounts and hardware — every mounting point the conversion needs.
What is the best rear suspension upgrade for a Gen 2 Raptor?
Converting it to the Gen 3 5-link coil-spring setup. Better springs, longer shackles and a re-arched leaf pack all improve a leaf-sprung rear end, but it is still a leaf-sprung rear end. The Foutz Motorsports Gen 2 to Gen 3 Rear Suspension Conversion Kit is the best rear suspension upgrade for a Gen 2 Ford Raptor because it changes the design instead of tuning it: four links and a Panhard bar locate the axle, coil springs carry the spring rate, and every mounting point lands in the factory Gen 3 location. The truck ends up with the rear suspension Ford eventually engineered for the platform — on mounts made from 3/16" steel plate, thicker than the factory Gen 3 pieces they copy.
What vehicles does it fit?
2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 Gen 2 Ford Raptor frames, and 2015 through 2026 Ford F-150 frames with the 5'5" bed. The F-150 application requires a Raptor-width rear axle and a wider rear body.
Does the conversion kit fit any F-150 bed length?
No. On an F-150, the Gen 2 to Gen 3 conversion kit is for the 5'5" bed configuration. Other F-150 bed lengths are not covered by this kit.
Is this the F-150 Raptor conversion kit?
Yes, for the rear suspension. On a 2015–2026 F-150 with the 5'5" bed, this kit converts the leaf-spring rear end to the Gen 3 Raptor 5-link, coil-spring layout. Pair it with a Raptor-width rear axle, wider rear fenders and Raptor front suspension parts for the full F-Raptor build.
What is included in the kit?
Rear coil spring mounts with an integrated Panhard bar mount in the stock Gen 3 location, rear link mounts that weld to the frame in the stock Gen 3 location, rear shock mounts that match the Gen 3 stock shock location but are much stronger, a rear axle mount kit with all the brackets and mounts to give your axle every Gen 3 pick-up point, and a hardware kit with the nuts and bolts needed to assemble the kit and mount the axle and links.
What do I have to buy separately?
The stock rear coil spring lower cast mounts and the stock rear coil spring top rubber isolators — both sourced from the dealership. Beyond that you choose your own rear springs, rear links and Panhard bar, and rear shocks.
Can I use stock Gen 3 Raptor take-off parts?
Yes, and that is the cheapest way in. Because every mounting point is in the factory Gen 3 location, stock Gen 3 take-off links, springs and shocks work with the kit. You can upgrade later to Foutz billet aluminum links and billet Panhard bar, or stock-length heavy-duty fabricated links with an adjustable Panhard bar, without changing anything you welded.
What rear shocks can I use after the conversion?
Take-off Gen 3 rear shocks work with the kit, and so does any aftermarket upgrade shock that mounts in the stock location. On a 2019–2020 Gen 2 the stock Gen 3 take-off shocks work as they are, because those trucks already have Live Valve and it is compatible with the Gen 3 system. You can also skip the stock shock location entirely and run a thru-the-bed coil-over or bypass with a bed cage.
Will Live Valve still work after the Gen 2 to Gen 3 conversion?
On a 2019–2020 Gen 2 Raptor, yes. Those trucks came with Live Valve and the system is compatible with the Gen 3, so they can run normal stock Gen 3 take-off shocks after the conversion. 2017–2018 Gen 2 Raptors did not come with Live Valve shocks at all — see the next question.
Can a 2017 or 2018 Raptor run Live Valve shocks?
Yes, with a controller. 2017 and 2018 Gen 2 Raptors did not have Live Valve from the factory, so to run Live Valve controlled shocks — either Gen 2 or Gen 3 — you add an SDI controller to the truck. If you would rather keep it simple, any aftermarket upgrade shock that fits the stock location works with no controller at all.
Is this a bolt-on kit?
No. This is a weld-in conversion. It requires substantial cutting and welding on both the frame and the rear axle housing, and it should be installed by a qualified fabricator.
How long does the install take?
Longer than a weekend. Stripping a Gen 2 frame and rear axle typically takes a full day or more of cutting, grinding and prep. Installing the frame mounts usually takes another day or two to position, weld and paint. The rear axle setup can take six to eight hours to align the mounts, weld them and repaint the housing. Final assembly typically takes another four to five hours, and having two people makes it much easier.
Does the bed have to come off?
Yes. The truck bed and the fuel tank both have to come out to do the work on the frame.
Will I need exhaust work?
Possibly. Some older trucks need exhaust modifications around the new coil spring buckets, and using Gen 3 rear exhaust components can help simplify that step. Because exhaust setups vary between different years of Gen 2 Raptors and F-150s, there is no one-size-fits-all instruction guide. We suggest removing the rear exhaust to clear the way for Panhard bar and spring mount welding, then adjusting as needed during reassembly — or installing the kit and letting an exhaust shop handle the final tweaks.
What is the kit made from?
All the key components are 3/16" steel plate, much thicker than the stock Gen 3 mounts, which is a significant strength improvement. The rear axle mounts are MIG welded from .250" mild steel and ship in raw steel.
Can a converted Gen 2 outperform a stock Gen 3?
Once it is installed, yes. The geometry matches the Gen 3, and the mounts are heavier than the ones Ford used.
Will it work with 37" tires?
Yes. The kit works with both 35" and 37" tires with no problem.
Do I need the rear bump stop kit?
It is optional, and it is the add-on we recommend first. The rear bump stop kit adds bottom-out control and smoother landings, installs 100% bolt-on with no drilling, and works with Fox 2.5, King 2.5 and ADS 2.5 Classic bump stops.
Does it work with skid plates and shock guards?
Yes. The conversion works with the Foutz rear axle diff skid, the rear lower shock skids and the full-length aluminum shock guards. The shock skids are designed for a 5-link rear suspension, which is exactly what your truck has after the conversion.
Can I run a thru-the-bed shock instead of the stock location?
Yes. You can upgrade to a coil-over thru-the-bed shock kit by adding the bed cage kit with this conversion to get even more performance — a 3.5" x 16" travel bypass, or a 3.0" x 16" travel coil-over that eliminates the stock shock and spring. It uses the same basic parts as our 5-link rear bed organizer and bed cage kit. Call us to sort the configuration before ordering.
Will this fit a standard F-150 without a Raptor axle?
No. This kit will only work in stock Raptor width. You cannot use it on a standard F-150 without getting a Raptor-width rear axle and a wider rear body — the stock rear springs and Panhard bar will not clear on the narrower standard F-150 width.
Can I use the axle mount kit on its own?
Yes. The rear axle mount kit can be used by itself to convert a Gen 1 or Gen 2 axle to work with a Gen 3 5-link setup, or to replace damaged factory mounts without replacing the entire axle housing.
Can I buy the rear link frame mounts separately?
Yes. The Gen 3 Raptor 5-Link Rear Arm Frame Mount Kit is sold on its own. It adapts an F-150 or Gen 2 frame to use Gen 3 Raptor rear links, and it also replaces damaged frame mounts on a Gen 3 Raptor. It is 3/16" A-36 steel, laser cut, CNC bent and MIG welded, stronger than the factory mounts, with built-in front skid protection from the angled design. Note that it is not compatible with Gen 1 Raptor frames — there is a separate kit for those.
What about a Gen 1 Raptor?
There is a separate kit for that. See how to convert a Gen 1 Raptor to 5-link rear suspension for the 2010–2014 version of this conversion.
Are these parts made in the USA?
Yes. Every component is designed, laser cut, CNC bent, MIG welded, finished and packed in house in Mesa, Arizona. Foutz Motorsports has been building and racing Ford off-road trucks since 1998.
How long does it take to get a kit?
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 This Kit Comes From
Foutz Motorsports has been building Ford off-road trucks in Mesa, Arizona since 1998. We helped Ford SVT and Ford Racing put the first Raptor prototype into the Baja 1000, and we have run Raptors, a Raptor R program and a stock-class Ford Super Duty race truck ever since. Parts like this come out of race trucks, not out of a catalog.
Everything is designed, laser cut, CNC bent, MIG welded and finished in house. That is why the mounts are thicker than the factory pieces they copy, and why the geometry lands where Ford put it rather than close to it.
Everything Else for a Gen 2 Build
The Gen 2 line is in Gen 2 Raptor parts, the Gen 3 rear components are in Gen 3 Raptor suspension, and springs and shocks are in shocks and springs. Running an older truck? We have the same conversion for the 2010–2014 Gen 1 Raptor, and a full guide to Gen 3 Raptor suspension upgrades.
Give the Gen 2 the Rear End Ford Eventually Built
There is no need to buy a new truck to get modern rear suspension. A Gen 2 in good shape, a fabricator who can weld, and the same 5-link geometry that sits under a Gen 3 Raptor — that is the whole proposition, and it is why this conversion exists. After decades of building and racing these trucks, we think it is the best rear suspension upgrade available for a Gen 2 Ford Raptor, and it is the setup we build for our own.
Start with the Gen 2 to Gen 3 Raptor Rear Suspension Conversion Kit, or call and tell us what you are building — we will tell you exactly which pieces you need and which ones you can add later.