Weld-on reinforcement for the factory rear link frame mounts on the 2021–2026 Ford F-150 Raptor and Raptor R.
The four rear trailing arms bolt to stamped mounts welded to the frame. Those mounts were designed for a truck that lands on its tires, not one that lands on its bump stops. Put stiffer links on the truck, or drive it the way a Raptor invites, and the load that used to be absorbed by rubber bushings goes straight into the frame mounts instead.
These plates box in the existing mount from both sides and cap the middle, so the bolt holes stop being the weak point. Laser cut from 3/16" mild steel. Welding required.
Who Needs This Kit
Running aftermarket rear links
This is close to mandatory. Billet arms on uniballs or Ultra-Flex joints locate the axle far better than the factory rubber did — and that precision comes from removing compliance. The load that compliance used to absorb now arrives at the frame mount. Strengthening the arms without strengthening what they bolt to just moves the weak point.
Driving harder than casual
A truck that gets landed, or runs whoops at speed, is loading these mounts repeatedly in a way street driving never does. Cracking starts as a hairline at the weld and is easy to miss until the mount lets go.
Stock truck, mild use
You can leave it. The factory mounts hold up fine on a truck doing dirt roads and pavement. This is insurance against a specific kind of abuse, not a universal upgrade.
How It Reinforces The Mount
The factory mount is a folded plate welded to the frame with the pivot bolt passing through it. Under load the force concentrates around that bolt hole, and that is where a mount tears.
Inside and outside plates
These overlap the bolt holes on both faces, so the pivot bolt bears against three layers of steel rather than one. That spreads the load off the hole and into the whole side of the mount.
Inside cap plate
A third plate sits in the centre of the stock mount and ties the two faces together, so the mount resists being spread apart rather than relying on its fold to hold shape.
The result is a boxed structure instead of an open one — same geometry, same bolt locations, far more material where the load actually goes.
What Is In The Kit
- Inside and outside weld-on plates that overlap the bolt holes, reinforcing the pivot bolts and strengthening the full side of each mount
- Inside cap plates that sit in the centre of the stock mounts for added rigidity
- All plates laser cut from 3/16" mild steel
Fitment
Fits the Gen 3 and Gen 3.5 Ford F-150 Raptor, model years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026, including the Raptor R.
Designed around the factory five link rear suspension and the stock frame mount locations. It works whether you are running factory rear arms or ours.
Installation
Welding required — this must be installed by a qualified fabricator. The plates weld to the existing frame mounts with the suspension supported.
Expect to trim slightly. Ford's own weld placement on the stock lower arm mounts varies from truck to truck, so a little fitting is normal and not a sign anything is wrong with the kit. Plan for it rather than being surprised by it.
We do this work in-house in Mesa, Arizona if you would rather hand it over. Install guides are at Install Instructions.
Questions
Does this fit a 2025 or 2026 Raptor?
Yes. It fits 2021 through 2026 Gen 3 and Gen 3.5 trucks, Raptor R included.
Do I have to weld it on?
Yes. There is no bolt-on version of this — a bolt-on reinforcement would load the same holes that are already the weak point.
Do I need this if I am fitting billet rear links?
We would fit both at the same time. Stiffer links move more load into the frame mounts, so reinforcing the mounts is the natural companion job — and it is far easier to do while the arms are already off.
How is this different from the rear axle gusset kit?
Opposite end of the same links. This kit reinforces where the arms bolt to the frame. The rear axle gusset kit reinforces where they bolt to the axle. A truck that gets landed hard wants both.
Why might the plates need trimming?
Factory weld placement on the stock mounts varies between trucks. The plates are cut to suit the design, not to suit every individual weld bead, so a small amount of fitting is expected.
Where is it made?
Laser cut and finished in-house at our facility in Mesa, Arizona, USA.
Finish The Rear End
- Rear axle gusset kit — the other end of the same links
- Billet rear trailing arms and panhard bar — 15" of rear wheel travel with the factory shock
- Rear bump stop kit and rear limit strap kit — control both ends of the stroke
The full catalog is on Gen 3 Raptor Rear Suspension.