2014 - Limited Shock Options - Lower Control Arm Swap?

[VTHokie]

I have about 73,000 miles on a 2014 Expedition Limited. My oem shocks have been long gone and I'm looking to finally replace them. Per every parts catalog, the 2014 has a very limited choice of shocks because the mounting was changed on the lower control arms.

Has anybody attempted to swap out the lower control arms? I searched but did not come across anything and before I attempt, I was just looking to see if someone had done it or find out if someone knew it wasn't possible for another reason.

I know its a little more costly, but if I can get some Bilsteins that last longer then the options I have for my 2014, it'll be worth it in the long run.

I don't know if there were any changes to the rear mounting or if they just don't show up in the parts catalogs due to the changes that happened with the front control arms.

Just wondering if anybody had any input before I either decide to play it safe and go with the limited choices or order up some lower control arms from a 2013 and see if everything else is the same.

 

[Steve Owens]

I just went through that on my 2013 Limited EL. Just put The 4600 Bilsteins on my Jeep Wrangler and they ride like a Buckboard.

On my Expedition I went with the Monroe top of the line complete strut assembly on the front (stock was leaking @ 38,000 miles), now have 78,000 and still rides and handle great. I had to go with Ford on the rear, I have air suspension.

This has been the best SUV I have ever owned, have had absolute no issues. Wife has a Lexus 460 GX and we both prefer to drive the Expedition on trips, believe it or not , quieter, smoother, handles better and has more room.

 

[Adieu]

I just went through that on my 2013 Limited EL. Just put The 4600 Bilsteins on my Jeep Wrangler and they ride like a Buckboard.

On my Expedition I went with the Monroe top of the line complete strut assembly on the front (stock was leaking @ 38,000 miles), now have 78,000 and still rides and handle great. I had to go with Ford on the rear, I have air suspension.

This has been the best SUV I have ever owned, have had absolute no issues. Wife has a Lexus 460 GX and we both prefer to drive the Expedition on trips, believe it or not , quieter, smoother, handles better and has more room.

Not what hes asking


The issue with the '14 is it had an LCA and shock mount redesign, so 07-13 shocks dont fit it anymore.

He's wondering if he can go back to old-style LCAs....


Hmm... i d compare part numbers on UCAs, sway links hubs etc, if the rest match its worth a try

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

I just went through that on my 2013 Limited EL. Just put The 4600 Bilsteins on my Jeep Wrangler and they ride like a Buckboard.

On my Expedition I went with the Monroe top of the line complete strut assembly on the front (stock was leaking @ 38,000 miles), now have 78,000 and still rides and handle great. I had to go with Ford on the rear, I have air suspension.

This has been the best SUV I have ever owned, have had absolute no issues. Wife has a Lexus 460 GX and we both prefer to drive the Expedition on trips, believe it or not , quieter, smoother, handles better and has more room.

You state that you “have had absolute no issues” with the Expedition. But, you had to replace a front complete strut assembly at 38,000 miles due to leakage?

I bought a new 2015 Expedition Limited 4x4. The RF shock assembly began leaking at 6,*** miles and was replaced under warranty.

I have a feeling that the stock Ford shock absorbers are not very good quality.

 

[VTHokie]

Hmm... i d compare part numbers on UCAs, sway links hubs etc, if the rest match its worth a try

Good suggestion. I went to Tasca's Online Parts catalog and unfortunately, it looks like their catalog is not accurate either. A 2012 and a 2014 have the same part numbers for lower control arms and shocks. I sent them a message.

I think I've only seen 2 front and rear options for a 2014... Motorcraft or Monroe OESpectrum. I'm definitely not going with the Motorcraft! Would love to be able to swap the LCA's with a 2012 and get the Rancho Quick Lift Struts with adjustable shocks. I have a feeling I'll be getting the Monroe's soon though! I need something within the next two weeks for a trip down the coast. I've taken enough trips on my toasted Motorcrafts (they were all leaking soon after I bought it used 2 years ago), looking for a more comfortable ride this time. Maybe this will give me another 30,000 miles to do more research.

 

[LRNAD90]

Did you check KYB? I know they have replacements for the '15-'17 trucks, and their stuff is pretty good. Not Bilstein quality, but then again, I'd bet every bit as good as the Ranchos, even if they aren't adjustable..

 

[Adieu]

Monroes are good stuff for highway and city

Not sure about offroad


For part numbers, try rockauto

 

[Adieu]

Hmm... just saw this ad on Craigslist, and dont quote me, but doesnt this design look awful familiar??

I know rancho is pretty bad about listing all vehicles their shit ACTUALLY fits on (for example, ELs and Navigators)...

Wouldnt late model F150 fronts fit???? Good chance they might, no?

 

[VTHokie]

I did find some KYBs that are supposed to fit, but ended up going with the Monroes because the front and rear were both available via Amazon Prime and I waited too long to really get into this! I wanted something for a trip we’re taking down the east coast in a few weeks. (I meant to get on this months ago, but my free time has seemed to disappear ever since I had a kid!)
I’ll install them for now, see how they holdup. I imagine they’ll still feel a lot better than the oem ones that leaked all their fluid out. I’ll continue looking into it and hopefully find more info or try some parts out later.

Those F-150 shocks do seem like they mount the same. I have a friend that has a ‘16. I’ll have to get under and compare and also try to find some travel specs.

 

[bondzync]

I did find some KYBs that are supposed to fit, but ended up going with the Monroes because the front and rear were both available via Amazon Prime and I waited too long to really get into this! I wanted something for a trip we’re taking down the east coast in a few weeks. (I meant to get on this months ago, but my free time has seemed to disappear ever since I had a kid!)
I’ll install them for now, see how they holdup. I imagine they’ll still feel a lot better than the oem ones that leaked all their fluid out. I’ll continue looking into it and hopefully find more info or try some parts out later.

Those F-150 shocks do seem like they mount the same. I have a friend that has a ‘16. I’ll have to get under and compare and also try to find some travel specs.

Hello,
I have ford Expedition 2014 XLT 4x4
I have option of Monroe OE Spectrum and Ford OEM.
How was your experience with Monroe shocks? Any other things I should change?
My car has lot of cabin noise coming from the side panels and front. What can i do for that?
I have few more questions regarding my car so if you could give their contact number I would really appreciate it.

 

[Yupster Dog]

Hello,
I have ford Expedition 2014 XLT 4x4
I have option of Monroe OE Spectrum and Ford OEM.
How was your experience with Monroe shocks? Any other things I should change?
My car has lot of cabin noise coming from the side panels and front. What can i do for that?
I have few more questions regarding my car so if you could give their contact number I would really appreciate it.

That member hasn't been here since 2019.
Start your own thread, this might help
https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/correct-way-to-start-a-thread.47954/

Welcome to the forum

 

[Lynnii2]

Bilstein will work and KYB also. It will be cheaper to just buy the strut and swap everything over to it. I changed to kyb when the Bilstein was out of stock a maybe 7 or 8 years ago, but recently changed them back to Bilstein when i replaced them on 2010 Ford Expedition Limited 2wd.

 

[rwmorrisonjr]

Bilstein will work and KYB also. It will be cheaper to just buy the strut and swap everything over to it. I changed to kyb when the Bilstein was out of stock a maybe 7 or 8 years ago, but recently changed them back to Bilstein when i replaced them on 2010 Ford Expedition Limited 2wd.

View attachment 79638

What was your opinion of the KYBs and why did you switch back to the Bilsteins? I'm getting ready to replace my 4600s and thinking of going with KYBs.

 

[Lynnii2]

The kyb were okay i had to swap them out for warranty at 50,000 since rockauto has lifetime warranty. They lasted another 50,000. This time i went to Bilstein since I do light towing sometimes for family and they seem to hold up better when the truck is full with passengers, gas and etc.. it feel more stable to be trueful.

Make sure that if you go with kyb take off the strut mounts off your old Bilsteins since you can not buy the strut mount from Ford or Bilstein put them up so if you ever decided to go back to Bilstein you can mount the shocks again.

 

[VTHokie]

That member hasn't been here since 2019.
Start your own thread, this might help
https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/correct-way-to-start-a-thread.47954/

Welcome to the forum

I’ve checked in quite a bit, but probably not logged in with my username! Funny that this post came back up as I’m getting ready to replace the Monroe shocks I purchased when I originally started the post. They worked longer than the oem, but I’ve put about 55,000 miles on my 2014 since then and I’d say they’ve probably been shot for a while now. Since my original post, the Bilstein 5100’s have become an option and I will be going with them this time. Will probably tackle that job in the spring before I start regularly towing the boat again. By then I’ll be about due for new tires and I’ll likely change tires and shocks at the same time, get an alignment, and hopefully put another 55,000 on the Expedition!