ADD Intercooler & Heat Exchanger Kits: 3rd Gen Raptor Buying Guide

In this guide

• Why upgrade your cooling
• Raptor vs. Raptor R
• Year ranges: 2021-2023 vs. 2024+
• Bumper and cooling kit compatibility
• Additional requirements: ACC, shutter motor and winch
• How to choose: buyer checklist
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Shop the parts in this guide

Overview

ADD's 3rd Gen Raptor bumpers can either keep the factory cooling system or work with ADD's high-mount cooling upgrades. Which kit you need depends on whether the truck is a Raptor or a Raptor R, the truck year, and the bumper you've chosen. These upgraded cooling kits are only required for frame-cut bumpers and for bumpers that will have their optional winch kit installed. On a Raptor that is the intercooler kit, and frame-cut bumpers specifically need the clocked version. On a Raptor R it is the heat exchanger kit, which is what makes those installs possible. On every other combination the upgrade is optional.

Quick Information:

• Raptor (3.5L EcoBoost V6): ADD High Mount Intercooler Upgrade Kit (IC1650KIT / IC1650KIT-S). It is required only with frame-cut bumpers (clocked IC1650KIT-S) or winch kits, and optional otherwise. It is not compatible with the Raptor R.
• Raptor R: High-Mount Performance Heat Exchanger Kit (AC21112301NA), for the 2023-2026 Raptor R only. It is required to install frame-cut bumpers or winch kits on the Raptor R, and optional otherwise.
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): any ADD bumper on an ACC-equipped truck needs a relocation bracket, sold separately, to retain the functionality of your Adaptive Cruise Control. It is AC2101501NA for 2021-2023 and AC1305101NA for 2024-2026.
• Shutter Motor Brackets: a 2024+ Raptor (not Raptor R) running the intercooler kit needs an additional Shutter Motor Relocation Kit, AC1300900NA.
• Winch Kits: Installing the winch kit for the Pro Plus Bolt-On, ADD PRO Bolt-On, or Stealth Fighter front bumpers will require an upgraded cooling kit. On 2024+ trucks it will require the ACC bracket and a second shutter motor bracket for intercooler kits.

Why upgrade your cooling

Outside of a frame-cut or winch build the upgrade is your call. Here is what it does for your truck.

• Cooler charge air, more consistent power. The Raptor intercooler runs an 18-core main assembly that flows 8.5% more than the nearest competitor. The Raptor R heat exchanger uses a large dual-pass aluminum core with dual 7.5-inch fans. Both are built to hold temperature when you are towing, climbing a grade or running wide open in the heat, which is exactly when heat soak starts costing you power.
• Built for desert abuse. The intercooler is 100% TIG welded and sits on a welded steel mounting beam stout enough for real off-road use. The heat exchanger is fully shrouded and welded end to end, with no plastic end tanks to crack.
• Proven in the worst conditions. Both kits are torture-tested at home and on the trail in the worst conditions we can find. 110+ degree days, sand dunes & cinder pits, extended high RPM trail runs, and more.
• Room for the build you want. The high-mount design frees up the space behind your bumper, which is what makes a winch or a frame-cut bumper possible in the first place.

Raptor vs. Raptor R

The two trucks use different cooling kits, and the kits are not interchangeable. The 3.5L EcoBoost Raptor is compatible with our intercooler kits and the Raptor R is compatible with our heat exchanger kit.

	Raptor (3.5L EcoBoost)	Raptor R
Cooling Upgrade Kit	ADD High Mount Intercooler Upgrade Kit	High-Mount Performance Heat Exchanger Kit
Part number(s)	IC1650KIT (normal) or IC1650KIT-S (clocked BOV)	AC21112301NA
Shutter motor	Separate relocation kit required on 2024+ models	Shutter bracket included in the kit
Adaptive Cruise Control on ADD bumpers	Requires separate relocation bracket for ADD bumpers	Requires separate relocation bracket for ADD bumpers (the kit only retains ACC on factory bumpers)
Required?	Intercooler kit is only required to fit a winch kit or for installing a frame cut bumper	Heat exchanger kit is only required to fit a winch kit or for installing a frame cut bumper

Year ranges: 2021-2023 vs. 2024+

Your model year decides which ACC bracket you order and whether you need a shutter motor bracket. A parts list that works on a 2022 truck is not automatically right for a 2024, so confirm your year before you check out.

On 2021 and newer trucks the ACC bracket is always a separate purchase from the cooling kit. Every product page links the install guide for that part, so you can see exactly what the job involves before you order.

Bumper and cooling kit compatibility

Find your bumper below to see what else your build needs. Frame-cut bumpers always require the matching cooling upgrade. Bolt-on bumpers work around your factory cooling, so the upgrade stays optional unless you add a winch kit. In the table, IC kit is the Raptor intercooler kit and HX kit is the Raptor R heat exchanger kit.

Our bolt-on bumpers are designed around the factory intercooler, and the vented skid plates keep air moving through it. You can add the upgraded cooling later without changing bumpers.

Winch kits are offered for three bumpers: the Pro Plus Bolt-On, the ADD PRO Bolt-On and the Stealth Fighter. These kits are built for specific bumpers and will not cross over to any other of our bumpers. To install the winch kit, you will need to install the appropriate cooling upgrade for your Raptor/Raptor R.

Additional requirements: ACC, shutter motor and winch

Three parts decide whether your install goes smoothly: the ACC relocation bracket, the shutter motor bracket, and the winch kit with the cooling upgrade it depends on. Here is when you need each one.

ACC brackets:

If your truck has adaptive cruise control, the factory radar sensor sits right where your new bumper needs to go. The relocation bracket moves it behind the grille and keeps the system working, with dual-position, adjustable mounting so you can fine tune the aim. Order AC2101501NA for 2021-2023 trucks and AC1305101NA for 2024-2026 trucks. The only time you can skip it and retain the functionality is a Raptor R keeping its factory bumper, since the heat exchanger kit retains ACC on its own.

Shutter motor brackets:

2024 and newer Raptors run lower grille shutters, and fitting an aftermarket bumper means taking them out. The bracket keeps the shutter motor active so you do not pick up a dash light. Most of our 3rd Gen bumpers include one bracket in the box. Adding the intercooler kit on a 2024+ Raptor calls for a second bracket, AC1300900NA, and so does adding a winch kit. The Raptor R heat exchanger kit comes with its own shutter bracket.

Winch kits:

Each kit includes the winch mount and the bumper skid plate. The winch itself is separate, and the mount bolts directly to the frame for strength. Your oil cooler is relocated to clear the space. Because the winch lives where your factory cooling sits, a Raptor needs the intercooler kit and a Raptor R needs the heat exchanger kit before the winch kit will go on. On 2024+ trucks, plan for the ACC bracket and a second shutter motor bracket as well.

How to choose: buyer checklist

Work through these steps in order. Each answer narrows your parts list.

1. Identify your truck. A Raptor with the 3.5L EcoBoost takes the intercooler kit; a Raptor R takes the heat exchanger kit. The two are not interchangeable.
2. Check your model year, 2021-2023 or 2024-2026. This sets your ACC bracket part number and whether a shutter motor bracket comes into play.
3. Decide whether you want a winch. If you do, pick the Pro Plus Bolt-On, ADD PRO Bolt-On or Stealth Fighter and add its matching winch kit. Your cooling upgrade is now required.
4. If you are not running a winch, decide whether you are cutting the frame. A frame-cut bumper makes the cooling upgrade required. Any bolt-on bumper leaves it optional.
5. Going frame cut on a Raptor? Order the clocked intercooler, IC1650KIT-S. The standard version will not clear a frame-cut bumper.
6. Check your truck for adaptive cruise control and add the bracket for your year if it has it.
7. On a 2024+ Raptor adding either the intercooler kit or a winch kit, add shutter motor bracket AC1300900NA.
8. Plan for build time. Our bumpers and the Raptor R heat exchanger kit are made to order, roughly four to six weeks.

Three example builds:

Not sure where your truck lands? Send us your year and trim and we will build the list with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run the Raptor intercooler kit on my Raptor R?
No. The Raptor R uses the High-Mount Performance Heat Exchanger Kit, AC21112301NA. The intercooler kit fits the 3.5L EcoBoost only.

Do I need a cooling upgrade with a bolt-on bumper?
No. Bolt-on bumpers work with your factory cooling, so the upgrade stays optional until you add a winch kit.

Why does a frame-cut bumper need the clocked intercooler?
The frame-cut design changes what clears behind the bumper, and the clocked blow-off valve routes around it. Order IC1650KIT-S for any frame-cut build.

Does the heat exchanger kit require cutting?
Yes. Cutting is part of the install. The kit replaces your factory heat exchanger, works with the factory skid plate, and includes the AN fittings, hoses, mounts, shutter bracket and hardware.

Will I lose adaptive cruise control?
Only if you skip the relocation bracket. With the bracket, the sensor moves behind the grille and your cruise control works as it did from the factory.

Is the winch included with the winch kit?
No. The kit adapts your bumper with a winch plate and fairlead mount, you supply the winch yourself or add it from our available offerings.

Shop the parts in this guide

Everything referenced above, in one place:

• 3rd Gen Raptor front bumpers (All applicable add-ons are available on the product page)
• ADD High Mount Intercooler Upgrade Kit, normal or clocked
• Raptor R High-Mount Performance Heat Exchanger Kit
• ACC Relocation Bracket, 2024+
• Shutter Motor Relocation Kit
• Winch Kit, Pro Bolt-On and Winch Kit, Stealth Fighter

Still not sure what your build needs? Email sales@addictivedesertdesigns.com or call (855) 233-8992 with your year and trim, and our team will put the list together with you.