Which front suspension system fits how you drive: what a mid travel kit changes, what +3" long travel adds, what each one takes to install, and which kits fit your Raptor, F-150, Bronco, Bronco Raptor or Ranger Raptor.
The Short Answer
On a Raptor, a mid travel kit keeps the stock width and the stock fenders. A long travel kit makes the truck wider and needs wider fiberglass fenders. Mid travel is about control. On a Gen 3 Raptor it keeps about the same wheel travel as stock (about 14"), but it works much better thanks to the added bypass shock, the new upper and lower arms, and the front bump stops and limit straps. A +3" long travel kit makes every front component 3" longer per side, so the front is 6" wider and travel goes up. On the Gen 2 and Gen 3 Raptor that is up to 17" of total travel. Both systems need welding to mount the bypass shock tower, bump stops and limit straps.
Mid Travel vs. Long Travel Compared
| What you care about | Mid travel | +3" long travel |
|---|---|---|
| Front width | Stock width | 3" wider per side, 6" total |
| Fenders | Stock fenders | Wider fiberglass fenders required |
| Wheel travel (Gen 3 Raptor) | About 14", same as stock, but works much better | Up to 17" total |
| Front axle shafts | Stock | Extended 4340 shafts with the stock CV joints |
| Spindle (upright) | Stock, can upgrade to fabricated later | Stock or FMI heavy-duty fabricated |
| Coil over | Stock or any shock that fits the stock location | Stock location kept, stock or stock-fitment coil over |
| Bypass shock | Custom 3" bypass on an add-on tower | FOX 3.0 or ADS 3.0 bypass on a fabricated tower |
| Welding | Yes, for the shock tower, bump stops and limit straps | Yes, for the shock tower and bump stops |
| Alignment | Yes | Yes, by a shop familiar with long travel |
What a Mid Travel Kit Does
Mid travel replaces the factory control arms with fabricated 4130 lower arms and a billet or fabricated upper arm, and adds the mounts for a 3" external bypass shock that works alongside the stock coil over. The truck stays at stock width, so it keeps the stock fenders and the factory tie rods still work.
Travel stays about where the factory put it. What changes is how the truck uses that travel. The bypass shock takes over the hits the factory shock was never built for, and the front bump stops and limit straps control both ends of the stroke. The result is a truck that stays composed in places where the stock suspension would bottom out or kick.
Mid travel is also a good place to start and keep going. Keep the stock live valve shock to hold the budget, and add a bump stop kit, billet tie rods or a fabricated spindle later.
Mid Travel Bypass Shocks Are Specific to the Kit
The bypass shock on a Raptor mid travel kit has a very specific layout so it clears even a factory Raptor wheel. Order the bypass shock with your kit so it fits. Other bypass shocks will not fit.
What a +3" Long Travel Kit Does
Long travel makes every front component 3" longer than stock per side: upper arms, lower arms, tie rods and front axle shafts. The front of the truck ends up 6" wider. The longer arms are what buy the extra travel, and the wider stance keeps the truck stable at speed in rough terrain.
The extra width moves the tire outward, so wider fiberglass front fenders are required. Stock fenders will not clear. On the Gen 3 Raptor, the kit was tested to clear 35", 37" and 39" tires from full bump to full droop. The fender size you need depends on the tire you run.
The kit has built-in steering stops so you do not over-travel the CV joints, keeps the stock coil over location, and works with stock wheels. You do not have to do everything on day one: start with the arms, then add the bypass shock, bump stops and limit straps when you are ready.
Match the Rear to the Front
If the front is 3" wider per side, the rear should be too. Leaving the rear axle at stock width will make the truck handle poorly, especially turning at higher speeds. Pair the front kit with a long travel rear so the back of the truck keeps up. See How To Convert Your Ford F-150 or Gen 2 Raptor to Gen 3 Suspension for the rear side of a Gen 2 build.
Mid Travel or Long Travel: Which Do You Need?
Mid Travel and Long Travel Kits by Truck
| Truck | Mid travel | Long travel |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 3 Raptor, 2021–2026 | Billet upper arm or fabricated upper arm | Gen 3 +3" kit |
| Gen 2 Raptor, 2017–2020 | Billet upper arm or fabricated upper arm | Gen 2 +3" kit |
| Standard Ford F-150, 2015+ | Raptor-width kit (3" per side wider than a stock F-150) | Raptor +3" kit (6" per side wider than a stock F-150) |
| Gen 1 Raptor, 2010–2014 | Billet upper arm or fabricated upper arm | Gen 1 +3" kit |
| Ford Bronco, 2021+ | Fabricated lower arms, bypass shock tower and billet or fabricated upper arms, with an optional bump stop kit | Bronco +3" kit |
| Ford Bronco Raptor, 2022+ | Bronco Raptor mid travel kit | — |
| Ford Ranger Raptor, 2024+ | Ranger Raptor mid travel kit | — |
Gen 3 +3" kit on newer trucks: the kit fits 2021 through 2026. Ford changed the front CV and axle around 2025, so our longer front axle shafts need the 2021–2023 Gen 3 front CV joints. Plan for that before you start the build.
Building a Standard F-150?
A stock-width Raptor kit on a standard 2015+ F-150 is already 3" per side wider than the stock F-150. A lot of owners do exactly that to get Raptor width and Raptor performance. You can also run a Raptor +3" long travel kit, which makes the truck 6" per side wider and uses all of the Raptor +3" parts.
Either way the front end is wider than a standard F-150, so you will need Raptor bodywork or aftermarket fiberglass fenders. Which one is your choice when you plan the build.
See every kit on Mid Travel Front Suspension Kits and +3" Long Travel Front Suspension Kits.
Kits on the Truck
4130 fabricated lower arms, FK uniballs and rod ends, built in Mesa, Arizona.
Mid Travel vs. Long Travel FAQ
What is the difference between mid travel and long travel?
Mid travel keeps the stock width and stock fenders and makes the factory travel work much better with a bypass shock, new arms, bump stops and limit straps. Long travel makes the front 3" wider per side for more wheel travel, and needs wider fiberglass fenders.
How much wheel travel does a mid travel kit add?
On a Gen 3 Raptor, about the same as stock (about 14"). The gain is in how well the truck uses that travel, not in more inches.
How much wheel travel does a long travel kit give?
Up to 17" of total travel on the Gen 2 and Gen 3 Raptor. Travel depends on the truck, so call us for the number on yours.
Do I need fiberglass fenders?
Not for mid travel on a Raptor, Bronco, Bronco Raptor or Ranger Raptor. Those kits stay at stock width and fit the stock fenders. Every +3" long travel kit needs wider fiberglass fenders to clear the tire. On a standard F-150, any Raptor kit is wider than stock, so plan on Raptor bodywork or aftermarket fiberglass fenders.
Is a mid travel kit bolt-on?
No. Every mid travel kit needs welding to mount the front bypass shock tower, the front bump stops and the limit straps. A qualified fabricator should install it.
Is a long travel kit bolt-on?
No. The bypass shock tower and bump stop weld to the frame, and the truck needs fiberglass fenders and an alignment by a shop that knows long travel.
Can I keep my stock shocks?
Yes. Both systems keep the stock coil over location, so you can run the factory live valve shock or a stock-fitment aftermarket coil over, then add the bypass shock.
Can I start with mid travel and go to long travel later?
They are different systems. Mid travel arms are stock length and long travel arms are 3" longer, so going long travel later means new arms, axle shafts, tie rods and fenders. If you know you want long travel, call us before you buy.
Do I need to upgrade the rear too?
For long travel, yes. Match the front width with a wider rear so the truck handles right at speed. For mid travel, the rear is up to you. Rear bump stops and limit straps are a good start.
Round out the front end with upper control arms, billet tie rods and limit straps, or call the shop and tell us what you are building.