Upper Control Arms

[Neil T Casey]

Anyone running the Readylift 3/2 lift have issues with their control arms? These TUFF COUNTRY 20935 are made for 1-3" of lift and should reposition the ball joint. Think it would help or is needed? If im going to take it apart to install the lift I might as well do these at the same time if they are needed.

The expys use the same UCA from 03-17 that the F150 uses in the 04-19.

https://www.suspensionconnection.co...2b8NRlpMorjMhAwPehed5kve045A9POQaAszQEALw_wcB

 

[Black]

They aren’t “needed” but a good idea.
You/we will put more wear on the factory ball joints. Not a severe detriment but they’ll certainly need replacing quicker than if not lifted.
Tuff Country appears so be one of those entry level companies.
Certainly better than OEM for the price. Interested in who’s ball joints they use.
I am planning on BDS Control Arms but they are twice the price. Had not seen the Tuff Country before may look around the F150 forums for reviews.

 

[Black]

Been reading and reviews appear to be good and they are made in the USA.
Their website says that they will not work with factory wheels. Also states it uses a standard ball joint. So two big negatives.

 

[16plati]

Anyone running the Readylift 3/2 lift have issues with their control arms? These TUFF COUNTRY 20935 are made for 1-3" of lift and should reposition the ball joint. Think it would help or is needed? If im going to take it apart to install the lift I might as well do these at the same time if they are needed.

The expys use the same UCA from 03-17 that the F150 uses in the 04-19.

https://www.suspensionconnection.co...2b8NRlpMorjMhAwPehed5kve045A9POQaAszQEALw_wcB

Hope you know the Readylift 3/2 does NOT work with electronic CCD...

 

[16plati]

Anyone running the Readylift 3/2 lift have issues with their control arms? These TUFF COUNTRY 20935 are made for 1-3" of lift and should reposition the ball joint. Think it would help or is needed? If im going to take it apart to install the lift I might as well do these at the same time if they are needed.

The expys use the same UCA from 03-17 that the F150 uses in the 04-19.

https://www.suspensionconnection.com/20935-f150-control-arms.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwn8_mBRCLARIsAKxi0GK9O5Tf8lzLcxacwiMGFgg2b8NRlpMorjMhAwPehed5kve045A9POQaAszQEAL_wcB

You will need to convert the CCD to springs and strut in order for 3/2 to work or purchase some kind of aftermarket thing that fixes the ride height sensor

 

[Neil T Casey]

You will need to convert the CCD to springs and strut in order for 3/2 to work or purchase some kind of aftermarket thing that fixes the ride height sensor

@16plati What do you mean the Readylift 3/2 doesnt work? The only difference between the CCD and Non CCD are the electronic sensors which to my knowledge just need to have a new longer link made up. Is there something else that I am missing? I havent been in a hurry to do this as its not my daily driver yet so I also havent tore into it much as im just part gathering right now.

 

[Neil T Casey]

Been reading and reviews appear to be good and they are made in the USA.
Their website says that they will not work with factory wheels. Also states it uses a standard ball joint. So two big negatives.

@Black good catch on the factory wheels. I didnt notice that. I did see the standard ball joint, I was ok with going with that over the uniball mainly due to cost and how limited I will probably be doing off roading.

 

[Black]

@Black good catch on the factory wheels. I didnt notice that. I did see the standard ball joint, I was ok with going with that over the uniball mainly due to cost and how limited I will probably be doing off roading.

If it is an upgraded/beefed up ball joint that is a standard style that is fine. Likely more desirable since you are in Michigan I am guessing you get lots of road salt like we do here (probably more). Uniballs and road salt do not play nicely.
BDS uses an upgraded Moog standard style ball joint.
So the question is what specific ball joint do they use. Also are replacement joints easy to find.

 

[16plati]

@16plati What do you mean the Readylift 3/2 doesnt work? The only difference between the CCD and Non CCD are the electronic sensors which to my knowledge just need to have a new longer link made up. Is there something else that I am missing? I havent been in a hurry to do this as its not my daily driver yet so I also havent tore into it much as im just part gathering right now.

Thts would be why I said you need to mess with the ride height sensor

 

[Aces]

If it is an upgraded/beefed up ball joint that is a standard style that is fine. Likely more desirable since you are in Michigan I am guessing you get lots of road salt like we do here (probably more). Uniballs and road salt do not play nicely.
BDS uses an upgraded Moog standard style ball joint.
So the question is what specific ball joint do they use. Also are replacement joints easy to find.

Icon also has their delta joint.
http://www.iconvehicledynamics.com/deltajoint/

 

[alexalexalex]

Bringing this thread back...

04+ F-150 UCAs will not fit on 03 & 04s... Just tried today. There is an approximately 2" difference in the space between the ends.

 

[ChrisRCNY]

I'm looking for replacement UCA's, too. I dropped in premium Moogs when I installed the readylift set.

LH Moog as a grease fitting, RH doesn't. Care to guess which one got a torn boot after a month of use?

Supposedly, f150 UCAs will fit with no issue, other than possible tire interference. Unlifted PN is the same for 08 Expy/f150.

 

[Black]

Why did you buy two different ball joints? Everything I am putting on the truck now will have a grease fitting.

Yes, some aftermarket F-150 UCAs will work based upon your other components.

I can tell you from experience BDS UCAs WILL NOT work with Bilstein 5100s.
The BDS arms are made for the Fox 2.0s.
I bought the BDS arms thinking they would work with any 1-2” lift. Having the 5100s I found out that is not the case.
Now I have Fox 2.0s sitting in the garage next to BDS arms because I installed the BDS arms with the 5100s and my knuckle was bound up under a coil.
Figured I already spent the $700 on the UCAs what was another $800 so I could actually use them.

If I had it to do over again I would have bought the SPC UCAs which would likely work with the 5100s without issue since the balljoint mount is adjustable. But at this point that is just a WAG.

 

[Douglasf1378]

Icon also has their delta joint.
http://www.iconvehicledynamics.com/deltajoint/

I have the Icon UCAs with the Delta joints installed on my 2017.

 

[Eric Mowrer]

Finally got around to installing the Bilstein 5100s and the Tuff Country UCAs over my Christmas break.

UCAs installed great and the angle was better. However, due to the width of my tires and rims (2019 Raptor takeoffs), the tires rubbed the front arm of the UCAs at about 90% full turn.

My tires are currently even with the outside of the fender, so I do not want to add wheel spacers. So... Factory UCAs went back on...

I'll make a more detailed post when I get time... but the Bilsteins are much better than the Monroe struts/springs and the Ready lift spacer.

Anyone want a good deal on some Tuff Country UCAs? Would work with different tires/wheels.

 

[Truckster]

What wheel width/backspace/tire size were you trying to run?

I want to run F-150 5100’s at about 2” lift, but I need to find UCA’s that work.

I would be interested in buying yours if I can figure out a wheel/tire combo that works.

Jeff

Finally got around to installing the Bilstein 5100s and the Tuff Country UCAs over my Christmas break.

UCAs installed great and the angle was better. However, due to the width of my tires and rims (2019 Raptor takeoffs), the tires rubbed the front arm of the UCAs at about 90% full turn.

My tires are currently even with the outside of the fender, so I do not want to add wheel spacers. So... Factory UCAs went back on...

I'll make a more detailed post when I get time... but the Bilsteins are much better than the Monroe struts/springs and the Ready lift spacer.

Anyone want a good deal on some Tuff Country UCAs? Would work with different tires/wheels.

View attachment 33841

View attachment 33842

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Eric Mowrer]

What wheel width/backspace/tire size were you trying to run?

I want to run F-150 5100’s at about 2” lift, but I need to find UCA’s that work.

I would be interested in buying yours if I can figure out a wheel/tire combo that works.

Jeff

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’m running 2019 Raptor 17” with 6.08” backspace & BFG KO2 315/70R17 (34.5x12.70). Information on Tuff Country website says 5.5” backspace with 33x12.50.

PM me if you are interested.

 

[Flatline]

I'm currently trying to figure this out for my 2018. I don't like the angle of my OE UCA on my lifted 2018 expedition max. My camber can't get better than -2 and I think it's because of the UCA. I would think that even an extended ball joint would work. Anyone know if there's an F150 UCA that works with the 2018 expedition?