Description
A long travel 5-link rear suspension conversion for the 2010–2014 Gen 1 Ford F-150 Raptor, replacing the leaf springs with a Gen 3 style 5-link and a cantilever shock setup for up to ~19 inches of working wheel travel. Fabricated 4130 chromoly trailing arms and panhard bar on FK uniballs and rod ends, with a standard off-the-shelf 2.5" coil-over in place of the factory spring.
Everything mounts under the bed, so the bed stays open, the stock fuel tank stays and the stock spare tire location stays in place. The truck keeps a near-stock look while the rear gets the travel to keep up with a built front end.
What Is In The Kit
- 2 lower adjustable fabricated FMI trailing arms with 1.5" front uniballs and 1.25" rod ends at the axle, with urethane wobble stoppers
- 2 upper adjustable fabricated FMI trailing arms with 1" front uniballs and 1" rod ends at the axle
- 1 fabricated long travel length adjustable panhard bar with a 1" uniball at the frame and a 1" rod end at the axle
- 2 cantilever assemblies
- 2 rear shock mount boxes
- 1 fabricated panhard bar mount, set up for the long travel geometry
- 2 fabricated frame mount plate kits for the upper and lower arms
- 1 rear axle plate kit with all of the mounts that are welded to the rear axle
- 1 kit with the hardware and spacers needed for install
Why Convert To A 5-Link
Leaf springs both locate the axle and carry the truck, and the rubber bushings that mount the stock parts let the axle move under load. Separating those jobs is what unlocks travel: links locate the axle, the panhard bar centers it, and the shocks and springs control it.
This kit uses Gen 3 configuration rear suspension, with the panhard bar located for maximum wheel travel. Replacing the rubber bushings with more rigid race quality bearings makes the truck feel more predictable and limits the flex that turns into wheel hop.
How It Is Built
- 4130 chromoly for all of the moving parts
- FK uniballs
- FK rod ends
- 17-4 stainless steel spacers
- Urethane wobble stoppers
- Grade 8 hardware
Shock Configuration
The main shock is a 2.5" coil-over with adjustable springs, so you control the rear ride height and set it up however you want. A conventional 12" coil-over shock is compatible.
For the second rear shock you have three choices:
- A Gen 2 stock FOX Raptor shock
- The Gen 2 FOX 3.0" stock replacement shock upgrade
- A 12" travel 3.0" external bypass shock, for the most control and adjustability
Gen 1 installations: for the base installation you will need to purchase a Gen 2 rear shock, or buy the upgraded 3.0" external bypass shock setup.
This lets you start simple and make changes and upgrades on your own schedule.
Options
Shocks: no shocks, FOX 2.5" coil-over, ADS 2.5" coil-over, or FOX 2.5" coil-over and 3" bypass. The no-shock option lets you buy the coil-over separately.
Bump stop: no bump stop kit, or the FMI Gen 1 bump stop kit with FOX bump stop. Choosing it includes the FOX hydraulic bump stop. The Gen 1 bump stop kit works with this long travel kit and helps handle big hits and control the last few inches of wheel travel.
Fitment
2010–2014 Gen 1 Ford F-150 Raptor.
Keeps the stock fuel tank and stock spare tire location. All parts mount under the bed.
Installation
The kit includes a rear axle plate kit with all of the mounts that are required to be welded to the rear axle, plus frame mount plate kits for the upper and lower arms.
Questions
How much rear wheel travel does it give?
Up to ~19 inches of working wheel travel with the cantilever shock setup.
Does it take up bed space?
No. All parts are under the bed, and the stock fuel tank and spare tire location stay in place.
What shocks do I need on a Gen 1?
A 2.5" coil-over as the main shock, plus a Gen 2 rear shock for the base installation or the upgraded 3.0" external bypass setup.
Is the bump stop included?
Only if you choose the FMI Gen 1 bump stop option, which includes the FOX hydraulic bump stop.
Are the links adjustable?
Yes. The upper and lower trailing arms and the long travel panhard bar are all adjustable.