Installing 17-18 Gen 2 Raptor shocks on my Gen 1 10-13 Ford Raptor

DIY for 2017-18 Gen 2 Ford Raptor shocks on my 2011 Gen 1 Raptor
Tools... 30mm, 27mm, 21mm, 17mm, 19mm(autozone spring compressor), 17mm, 15mm, and most sizes until 10mm. 3/4 for lug nuts.
Sludge hammer, 1inch ratchet tie down strap,
2 ratchets or big adjustable wrench
2017,18 Gen 2 raptor front and rear shocks. (Got mine off eBay for 590)
Fronts:
Remove wheel, tie rod, upper control arm, sway bar end link to lower control arm, center axle nut in hub(note it’s not on very tight) bottom shock mount, lastly upper shock 3 nuts starting with rear.
For passenger side it’s easier to access from engine bay
Transfer GEN 1 Spring and top hat(mounting hardware) to new GEN 2 shock. Tighten with new shock nut from 2018
Reassemble entire front assembly.
DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN AXLE NUT. I snapped mine and had to buy a new axle.
Rear:
Remove wheel, upper shock mount, lower shock mount
Reassemble
Done!
Good job!
Now you have 3inch Gen 2 shocks on your Gen 1 Raptor!
Thanks for watching

[@SpiffyDay]

Like, comment, subscribe! If people like my DIYS or think they are helpful I’ll make more

[@aaronmichaelnunez]

SpiffyDay how is it driving have u taken it off road !

[@yousif1900]

Good job, but I think you did a mistake with top spacers for the shock !!

[@phenoox]

Bro you have to make an update video !! Seriously waiting

[@icanseetruth.whycantyou818]

I just installed the same shocks and 2017 shocks bolt right upto a gen 1 . No need to replace top hat. They only fit one way . If they don't fit simply rotate shock and it will line up

[@TrimmSpace]

I did the same set up with my raptor. It rides so much better now. I was having the annoying clunk in the front end from worn out lower strut bushings and the new struts took care of that. The new rear shocks took care of the crazy bouncing problem I had in the back. It rides great now and the front end is lifted, great mod.

[@aaronmichaelnunez]

Dam bro thank you sooooooo much I’ve been looking for this to see if it’d work for soooo long and haven’t found someone actually doing it ! Thanks for posting this !

[@bluestripes1]

Thanks for this vid, I am going to try to fit 2019 LiveWire shocks to my 2004 F150 with a lift kit, your video gave me the confidence that its possible.

[@yevgeniytanas]

I did this to my raptor back in early 2018. Getting the front shocks wall hell but I did the same thing. Lol it looks so easy when you watch someone do it. Good job!

[@connerhall5507]

How have they worked out? Any issues?

[@x1boomer]

i did the same swap last year but added TC upper arms and rouge tie rod kit to replace old bushings. i ran gen 2 set up ( spring and hat) as is but had to add a camber bolt kit to get alignment to work. i did not swap springs or hats. the bolt holes all line up.

[@chargercaddy]

Great video, I'll be doing it to my 2013 raptor

[@robertsamspon4232]

im glad you did this video, as i was 1 of the 2 guys working on the swap on the raptor forums "BamaRed " and you done well buddy!! if you decide to off road much, put limit straps in the front as we suggested as its simple and good protection. great job!

[@NutButDontTella]

Hey man, sounds like you're familiar with the concept so I'll pick your brain about it. I have a 14' SE that doesnt see offroad or tow, but I just got the 3.0 Live Valves with RPG's valve delete. Is it a possibility to combine the gen 2 3.0's with a BDS 4.5" drop bracket lift?

[@robertsamspon4232]

@@NutButDontTella no clue on that. this is as far as i have went on the raptors.

[@NutButDontTella]

@@robertsamspon4232 how's it holding up till this day? I'm looking at the KHC buckets as well so I don't gotta swap springs and hats

[@NutButDontTella]

@@robertsamspon4232 also is there a height difference?

[@mphil3051]

Great Job !!

[@zeigfried007]

Thank you for sharing. I just bought my gen 1 raptor, and the chocks were just rebuilt. But when it's time to replace them, I'll know what to do. Can you do a video showing how the truck rides with these shocks?

[@offroadpatriot7219]

my only issue with the 2nd gen suspension is that you don't get the adjustable ride height like you can do on the gen 1s. (Low, medium, and high perch).. the ride difference wasn't huge to me honestly.

[@22HARAGAN]

Post a video how to perform with this shocks ,please

[@coolrunnings2158]

Thanks for the video, used this to do same swap on my 2011. I deff went through same troubles with getting front shocks in was absolute battle! But I did all 4 shocks and put new exhaust in, took ab day and a half with basic tools.

[@8O8p8c]

Any problems with the cv or anything like that in the front or rear

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Nice video man

[@SpiffyDay]

Thank you, means a lot

[@13CDallas]

Do you have any follow up comments on issues or ride quality. I know the Raptor forum says to use limiter straps on the front because you will destroy the cv joints. Thanks for the DIY.

[@jluis5188]

FIRST OFF PROPR! You worked your ass off and did everything well. THANK YOU FOR SHARING. Two question, if the new shocks are longer this means you are lowering the control arms toward the ground what is keeping the control arm from hitting the coil? or overextending? Normally the shock length determines this. So it being longer are the axles and upper control arm pinched and acting as a limiting strap? Also, the new shocks have longer shock bodies, this means less travel on a gen 1, do you raptor guys care?

[@tcr2237]

Just spoke with a tech at RPG and they only recommend this if you don't off road....was told the gen 2 front shocks will be ok for the control arms but the problem is they over extend the CV's. limit straps maybe...? also the rears are longer and may bottom out when 4x4 or towing (breaking the shock mounts). I do both so i don't think i'm going to mess with the gen 2 shocks on the gen 1. My opinion, rebuild existing, buy OEM replacements ($369 each - Summit racing) or upgrade $$$ICON$$$.

[@SpiffyDay]

I haven’t jumped the truck. However I’ve had no issues. But to each their own. Everyone uses their truck differently. I found it much more cost efficient to use 600$ 3.0 gen 2 shocks than pay 1200$ for new old shocks. Good luck!

[@tcr2237]

SpiffyDay ya man. True. The price is right. No doubt about that. I end up articulating my truck to the max and I don’t think it would be a good idea to put 3.0s. But... bump stop kits front and back maybe? Extended control arms, CV’s and leaf springs plus 37” tires??? 🤔 you may have a start to a great setup!

[@azrzrguy]

How well does the truck drive now with the gen 2s on it? Any issues with topping or bottoming? Great walk through on the vid, thanks for posting!

[@RSTOCO]

sr, you have all pn part number all parts?

[@raddrives]

Why would you install shocks that give less performance than the Gen 1 one. The Gen 2 shock travel is not fully used as they are longer plus the "sweet" spot for the shocks to use the valving is wrong. Just cause it is newer does not mean it is better. Something to think about as it could lead to an accident.

[@SpiffyDay]

This was a cheap way to get my truck to drive more safe than it was. Hitting a bump on the highway and the thing almost bouncing out of control was not fun. So i did this, i did not have any drive-ability issues, and i did not off-road this truck. It drove fine for me. Thanks for the input.

[@phenoox]

Just saw this video damm bro where you before ... needed to do the swap and every one told me Not to do it and u have done it already .... how’s the 4x4 drive any issues or issues making a narrow turn with 4x4 on?

[@makeamericagreatagain7314]

Did you have to get an alignment on it after the new shocks

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

That’s awesome. I’m sure you can buy a sticker to put on the driver side. 🙌🏼

[@SpiffyDay]

Danny Johnson i think you can just peel off the sticker and put it on the other side if it really bothered someone that much.

[@tomkelly3896]

What headlites are on your truk...id like to match them for my 2010

[@8O8p8c]

Hey man hows the cv axles holding up after the installation

[@manuellozano7290]

Hello ! You think fit in a f150 2013 fx4 ?

[@kamalahmadzai9385]

Have you had any issues with the ride since the new install? I'm thinking about doing the same thing instead of rebuilding my stock.

[@SpiffyDay]

Kamal Ahmadzai i haven’t had any problems

[@gzuz143]

Nice job bro! Looks dope. Wish you were in my area. I'd commission you to do my Raptor if you were up for it. See ya on the trails. Peace.

[@FordTruckGuyKyle]

I Own a 2012 F-150 Lariet FX4 2 inch leveling kit 33 inch tires Factory Platinum wheels 20 inch 6.2 Ford Powered V8! 6.5 bed! 3:73 gear ratio! 6 speed automatic! 4WD! Ingot Silver paint! Platinum factory 2012 F-150! Bully Dog GT Platinum Tuner S&B Cold air intake! Pedal command! 3 inch Exhaust system! Super 44 flowmaster! resonator delete! 5 inch exhaust tip! Max towing 11,300 pounds!

[@tcr2237]

how is she riding now? im almost convinced to do the same thing! -Edit - not now, after receiving advise from the Raptor Gods....

[@stephenshelley9915]

What was the reasoning given by the Raptor Gods not to do the swap?

[@tcr2237]

Stephen Shelley the shocks are too long. Was told they can over compress and bottom out breaking the shock mounts In the rear. Fronts over exceed the travel and could help destroy your CV’s. I think the 3.0’s would be a good swap if you are looking to lift the truck 2” with a 37” tire but I use my truck and the rebuilt shocks work great and I don’t have to worry about more parts breaking under regular off-road use...

[@fordprerunner]

Interested in selling the old ones?

[@I_Count_Twice]

Scared me by only using one spring compressor. Not something I would do. Be careful y'all.

[@Titantramp4u]

Those things are WAY sketchy for truck springs when using in a pair...This guy is very lucky he didn't break the single he was using....BTW Why in hell would anybody NOT use both...

[@xyrothryu]

Having done this myself its not needed on the raptor front struts, the springs are barley taller then the shocks, I didn't even use a compressor they can be taken apart with nothing at all with so little force you can hold it together with your hand.

[@Reggiestreet]

@@xyrothryu I’m attempting this today I will sue if I loose teeth.

[@nathanpettet4348]

You kinda look like Forsyth Jones lll

[@thelouiebrand]

Shocks valved for a v6 won’t work well on a v8 vehicle of any kind. Weight is the issue. Don’t jump it.

[@SpiffyDay]

THE LOUIE BRAND trucks only weight a few hundred pounds different. Ur talking about the weigh of a passenger or 2 difference.

[@thelouiebrand]

A few hundred pounds is a lot.

[@robertsamspon4232]

@@thelouiebrand your wrong here bud, the spring is what holds the weight, which was swapped from the gen1 to the new shock. the shock is an item to damped the hit on the suspention, the spring is the support for the weight. this is why when you want to buy a new spring, they know what the corner weight is and apply the spring according to that. also, Spiffy is right, the spring is almost exactly the same from the new raptor to the old raptor, the issue is the OD of the spring coil not compatable with the upper control arm.. to big around. if you look at the lbs per inch, you would understand the 2 springs, they are not progressive.....