Upper Control Arm (UCA) upgrade for 2003?

[Broncoholic]

Can't seem to find any upgrade UCA's for 03/04 Expy. Mine is lifted with Raptor wheels/tires and the Moog replacements just don't hold up. The rubber bushings at the frame mount (especially the rear mount) wear out before the ball joint. Lifetime warranty, so no cost to replace, but I'm tired of doing it every couple years and wearing out tires.

Is anyone aware of some good UCA's for 03/04? I need to get new tires soon, but want to get these replaced first so I don't eat up the new tires.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Looks like the 03/04 control arms are unique to those years Expeditions/Navigators.

if it was an 07-17, then you’d have some options.

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You could always try to figure out what is different about yours and a 2007-2017. A trip to the junkyard would help

 

[Broncoholic]

You could always try to figure out what is different about yours and a 2007-2017. A trip to the junkyard would help

Thanks Tom! I can't see the forest because I'm staring at this tree! The wife's 16 is right next to me in the driveway lol I'll have to pull a wheel and do some comparisons.

 

[Broncoholic]

For anyone interested, I pulled the driver's side wheel off the wife's '16 and laid the '03 new Moog upper control arm in there. It's almost 2" wider on the back end. I can't say if the upper ball joint location is the same geometry, but it's close.


If I had more time, I'd build a jig off the Moog's, buy a set of tubular UCA's and modify them to fit the jig. Maybe next time.

 

[JamaicaJoe]

I am curious how much stress and abuse an UCA sees compared to a LCA. I just had my LBJ's and UCA's changed on my 2WD 01, and though the LBJ have Zerks, the UCA's do not.

 

[Broncoholic]

My '03 factory LBJ's didn't have grease zerks, but the Moog replacements I installed 6 years ago do.

 

[Vincent Vega]

@Broncoholic, you could do the same comparison using a 04 F150 UCA. The UCA (and most front end stuff) for F150 and Exp have different part numbers, and are probably different in some small way, but look very similar. There is a world of performance UCAs available for F150s, but I don't know if similar enough that you could make it work.
I plan on doing this comparison but I won't be able to until probably spring next year.

 

[the bus]

I found moog doesn't have right parts. They don't recognize 2003 / 2004 build years. I used Ford parts website to help me out. Then I ended up with mevotech uca... the higher grade ones. Called moog tech support and he discounted my call... till I started quoted info of Ford parts website. I have a 2004 will a build date of 2003.

 

[mbtech2003]

I gave up on moog 10 years ago. Nothing about them is good anymore. Lifetime replacement warranty. Means you will be replacing for a lifetime. I put a set of ISG uppers in mine. About a year ago. Seem to be holding up well so far. It’s a 05 with 3” lift with 285-70r17

 

[Broncoholic]

I found moog doesn't have right parts. They don't recognize 2003 / 2004 build years. I used Ford parts website to help me out. Then I ended up with mevotech uca... the higher grade ones. Called moog tech support and he discounted my call... till I started quoted info of Ford parts website. I have a 2004 will a build date of 2003.

Moog has all kinds of parts listed for 2003.

Ford Expedition 4wd 2003 | Moog-Suspension-Parts.com

Moog Suspension Parts for ford expedition 4wd 2003 Models.

www.moog-suspension-parts.com

And 2004.

Ford Expedition 4wd 2004 | Moog-Suspension-Parts.com

Moog Suspension Parts for ford expedition 4wd 2004 Models.

www.moog-suspension-parts.com

 

[Broncoholic]

I gave up on moog 10 years ago. Nothing about them is good anymore. Lifetime replacement warranty. Means you will be replacing for a lifetime. I put a set of ISG uppers in mine. About a year ago. Seem to be holding up well so far. It’s a 05 with 3” lift with 285-70r17

Until I can get a "real upgrade" UCA, I'll keep exchanging the Moogs with my local parts store for convenience. I doubt any other brand of similar design will be dramatically better, but I'm all ears.

 

[whtbronco]

Keep in mind that Moog has 2 quality lines now days. The K series are still decent parts in my experience. The C and/or R series are just cheap Chinese made garbage.

I replaced both the front UCA's with Motorcraft and LCA's with TRW that I believe are the same as the Motorcraft ones.

Sure wish I could find a set of rear control arms that decent quality. Thus far I have not and not a single shop in my area will press bushings into aluminum control arms, they just tell the arm will break. I figure if they can't do it I'd never succeed on my first try with aluminum arms.

 

[Broncoholic]

Keep in mind that Moog has 2 quality lines now days. The K series are still decent parts in my experience. The C and/or R series are just cheap Chinese made garbage.

I replaced both the front UCA's with Motorcraft and LCA's with TRW that I believe are the same as the Motorcraft ones.

Sure wish I could find a set of rear control arms that decent quality. Thus far I have not and not a single shop in my area will press bushings into aluminum control arms, they just tell the arm will break. I figure if they can't do it I'd never succeed on my first try with aluminum arms.

Unfortunately I'm pretty sure (of the top of my head) my Moog UCAs are the cheaper, but lifetime warranty, R series. After replacing them this time, I left the frame mounts loose and drove around town for at least 10 miles before tightening them. I think last time I tightened them in the full droop position which, I think, shortened the life. Time will tell!

I have my trashed UCAs to exchange for a new set. I really want to use the new set to build a jig and mod some tubular UCAs for my truck. I just gotta make time.

 

[whtbronco]

Yeah the bushings should be tightened at ride height or they can wear out sooner.

At least the UCA's are pretty easy to swap out if you have to do them a few times. Some tubular UCA's would be pretty sweet.

 

[aeorn]

You guys... I gotta remember to search here first. Just spent an hour looking for UCAs for a 3" lift.

 

[Hamfisted]

If you don't mind spending the money, give these guys a call at JBA. These are made for lifted frontends on the F150, Expedition, or Navigator. Their balljoints offer greater articulation than stock. Talk to them to confirm they'll work for your setup first though.

JBA Upper Control Arms for 1 - 3" Lifted Fords








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[Broncoholic]

If you don't mind spending the money, give these guys a call at JBA. These are made for lifted frontends on the F150, Expedition, or Navigator. Their balljoints offer greater articulation than stock. Talk to them to confirm they'll work for your setup first though.

JBA Upper Control Arms for 1 - 3" Lifted Fords


View attachment 85724





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Per the website, those don't fit 2003 - 2005 Expeditions. I'm surprised to see 2006 listed as a fit because it should be the same as 2003 - 2005.

 

[Hamfisted]

Yeah, they say there's just a tiny bit of geometry difference starting with the '06 MY and they just won't fit the earlier '03 - '05 Gen2 Expy. Sorry. Good looking UCA though ! LOL

 

[Broncoholic]

Yeah, they say there's just a tiny bit of geometry difference starting with the '06 MY and they just won't fit the earlier '03 - '05 Gen2 Expy. Sorry. Good looking UCA though ! LOL

That's interesting the suspension changed in '06, but the major face lift wasn't until '07.