Gen 3 Raptor / Raptor R 2021-2023

The single biggest difference between a Gen 2 and a Gen 3 is at the back. Ford replaced the leaf springs with a coil-sprung 5-link axle and a panhard bar, and that one change drives most of what is on this page.

Three consequences worth knowing before you spend money:

• Rear travel is no longer a spring pack question. On a Gen 2 you bought a better leaf pack. On a Gen 3 you change link arms, joints and the panhard bar, because those are what locate the axle.
• The panhard bar becomes a tuning part. It sets rear axle centring. Lift the truck and the bar angle changes, which pushes the axle off centre unless the bar is adjustable.
• The factory link joints are the wear point. Rubber bushings bind as travel increases. Ultra-Flex and Johnny Joint arms exist because of that, not because billet looks good.

It also made the Gen 2 to Gen 3 rear conversion worth doing, which is why Gen 3 link and panhard mounts show up on the Gen 2 pages.

The Raptor R is not just a louder Raptor. For parts purposes there are two real differences.

Sway bars are engine-specific. The 5.2L supercharged V8 and the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 do not take the same front sway bar kit. We list four combinations, because the arm you are running matters too:

Spring rates differ. The V8 is heavier over the nose, so Raptor R Geiser spring kits are listed separately from standard Gen 3 springs. Ordering a Gen 3 front spring for a Raptor R gets you a truck that sits wrong.

Almost everything else — arms, tie rods, top hats, skids, bed racks, lighting — is shared.

1. Leveling only. Front leveling spring collars, or billet top hats in 1.5" and 2". Both work with the factory shock, which makes them the cheapest way to gain stance and tire clearance. See Gen 3 Bolt-On Suspension.
2. Stronger stock-width parts. Billet upper arms (stock length), fabricated lower control arms, billet tie rods and a fabricated front spindle kit. Factory track width, no fender work.
3. Mid travel. Complete front kits with a billet or fabricated upper arm, with a fabricated bypass shock mount if you are adding a bypass.
4. +3" long travel. The long travel front kit with fabricated upper arm, or Geiser spring fronts in +2.5" and +3".

Shocks are a separate axis. FOX 3.2 Live Valve internal bypass front and rear shocks are available for 2021-2025 trucks, along with ADS 3.0 adjustable coilovers and 4-tube bypass shocks.

Rear upgrades on a Gen 3 go in roughly this order:

• Spring spacer lift kits in 1/2", 1" and taller — the simplest way to level the back.
• Billet aluminium rear arms, upper and lower, with Ultra-Flex joints. This is where the factory rubber bushing binding goes away.
• An adjustable panhard bar in heim or Johnny Joint form, to recentre the axle after a lift.
• Long travel 5-link — rear axle link mounts, spring mounts and panhard mounts, weld-on, plus a long travel panhard bar. This is where the truck becomes a fabrication project.
• Bed organizer shock towers for a thru-the-bed coilover or bypass setup.

Rear axle gusset kits and frame reinforcement plates belong with any of the above once the truck sees real speed.

Same story as every Raptor generation, different locations. The parts exist because we kept fixing the same things.

• Front lower arm pockets — pocket replacement kits, a low-profile version, reinforcement gusset kits, the slot delete weld-in plate, and bolt-on pivot reinforcement brackets if you would rather not weld.
• Coil buckets — reinforcement plates for buckets that are still good, or a fabricated coil bucket kit for buckets that are not.
• Shock towers — the front shock tower support ring kit ties the top of the tower together.
• Frame — frame reinforcement plates for trucks running long travel and big shocks.

Do this work before adding travel if the truck already has hard miles on it. More travel and stiffer shocks raise the loads going into the same factory sheet metal.

Protection: underbody skid plate kits, rear differential skids in standard and heavy duty, lower control arm skids, full-length and extended aluminium rear shock guards, rear shock guard mud flap kits, and a shock module sensor guard for the Live Valve wiring.

In the bed: modular bed organizers, single and dual quick-release tire carriers, chase racks, fuel jug trays, Packout tool box mounting plates and quick-release jack mounts.

Lighting: stock-bumper front light mounts, A-pillar pod mounts and license plate mounting kits. ADD front bumpers are also listed.

Inside: fold-down centre dash GPS mounts for the Garmin TREAD XL and Lowrance HDS7, centre dash panel kits and Adapt-A-Panel seat back organizers.

Brakes: the Alcon big brake kit is listed for Gen 3 trucks as well.

What years are the Gen 3 Raptor?

2021 through 2023 for the Gen 3. Ford refreshed the truck for 2024, which we call the Gen 3.5 — different dash, different front end and its own parts in several areas. See Gen 3.5 Raptor Parts.

Do Gen 2 parts fit a Gen 3?

Some do, most do not. Tie rods cross over from Gen 1 through Gen 3.5. Arms, spindles, coil buckets and anything rear-suspension related do not, because the rear axle architecture is completely different. Each product page lists exact fitment.

Which sway bar kit do I need?

It depends on two things: your engine and your lower control arm. V6 EcoBoost and V8 Raptor R take different kits, and each of those is split again by stock versus fabricated lower arm. Look under the front of the truck before ordering, or send us a photo.

Do I need an adjustable panhard bar after a lift?

On anything beyond a modest leveling kit, yes. Raising the truck changes the panhard bar angle, which shifts the rear axle sideways relative to the body. An adjustable bar puts it back where it belongs.

Can I keep the factory Live Valve shocks?

Yes, for leveling and most bolt-on work. Billet top hats and leveling collars are designed around the factory shock. You only need to change shocks when you go to mid travel or long travel geometry.

What should I buy first?

Bump stop and limit strap control, then arms and tie rods, then brakes, then travel. That order gets you the most usable truck per dollar, and it is the same answer we give on the phone.

Gen 3 Suspension (full catalog) · Gen 3 Bolt-On Suspension · Gen 3 Protection Kits · Gen 3 Bed Racks · Gen 3 Light Mounts · Gen 3 GPS Mounts · Gen 3 Accessories · Gen 3.5 (2024+) · Install Guides