Aftermarket Upper Control Arms

FormerFordGuy · March 18, 2015

I've searched and haven't found a topic related to aftermarket upper control arms. I'm not really happy with my spacer leveling kit. I've been doing some heavy offroading lately, and I can hear a clunk every time my suspension goes into full downward travel. I'm pretty sure it's my upper ball joint. I want to get some aftermarket upper control arms, but i don't know which ones are good.

There are several companies making them and I'm lost. I know that Spurshot has the ball joint model from Cognito and is pleased. I have heard very conflicting info on the Rough Country UCAs. They are less expensive than most, so I'm assuming there's a reason. Some companies make them with a standard ball joint and also with a uni ball. Is it worth it to pay for the uni ball model? I'm only wanting 2.5ish inches of lift.

Does anyone have any real world experience with new UCAs that they'd like to share? I'm all ears.

HondaHawkGT · July 3, 2015

I installed Cognito UCA's to go with my Rancho Quicklifts. Fully boxed and welded arms with bolt on ball joints. Very well made. I've read complaints that the Cogbito ball joints don't last long but that was from the diesel guys and supposedly Cognito made changes to the ball joint since then. They're bolt on so replacing them is pretty easy. I ordered mine from Alligator Performance for $512 with free shipping. I highly recommend them.

http://www.cognitomotorsports.com/boxed-upper-control-arm-kit-784.html

tstehle · July 4, 2015

Those of us with the crew cab our spindles have a different taper, we are of luck for upper control arms until the aftermarket catches up.

HondaHawkGT · July 5, 2015

Are you sure it's not the Z71's with aluminum control arms that have a different taper? I would think any steel UCA's would be the same part.

tsdrumm · July 5, 2015

It's all the trucks with the aluminum control arms and spindles. We're out of luck right now.

tstehle · July 5, 2015

Just to pile on while we are patiently waiting maybe someone will release a differential cover.

jakefinn · July 12, 2015

I think Mazulla off-road has some boxed uppers.

Kander41 · July 17, 2015

I am also interested in someone's response about the ball joint differences. Is it worth the uni ball set up or is that for extreme off-roading only? Cognito makes awesome stuff, but so does some of the other manufactures no one has mentioned yet. I would love to hear opinions.

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HondaHawkGT · July 17, 2015

Uniballs are tougher but they are open to the elements so salt will corrode them quickly. They also need to be luricated often. As long as you don't drive in areas where there's a lot of road salt in the winter, uniballs are the way to go.

Bvonscott · July 17, 2015

Mazzulla makes awesome UCA's for both steel and aluminum replacements. They are legit and meant for alot more travel. They are only $999. Get them. You will need a new coilover that has 2" of lift like those bilsteins everyone gets.

tsdrumm · July 19, 2015

They are pretty impressive. But you have to cut the factory droop stops, and need aftermarket wheels with at most 4.75" of back space.

I'd rather wait for the Cognito arms that don't have either of those restrictions, not into cutting the frame of my truck, and I run factory wheels in the winter.

HondaHawkGT · July 19, 2015

The Cognitos are available now. If your stock UCA is aluminum I believe all you would need is a bolt on ball joint with the correct taper.

ccdies · July 20, 2015

Here's my set up,

sailor9908 · September 3, 2015

ready Lift makes upper control arms for the '14 & "15 silverados. heres the link: http://www.readylift.com/products/chevy/chevy-silverado-1500/off-road-suspension.html

Mike1220 · November 11, 2016

okay, so looks like this would be a good thread to throw this question on, when I received my Cognito UCAs, I was reading the instructions and they show that the ball joint needs to be installed from the top, however the instructions showed a different control arm (ours are boxed, instructions showed rounded) and so I turned to look at the internet when I was installing mine and every website (including Cognito) had them installed from below. So I installed mine from below. I attempted to call Cognito twice but both times I sat listening to music for 15-20 minutes before ending the call. Calls were made on different days and both times I talked to the operator and she directed my call respectively

Curious to see if anyone else has had this same situation where instructions said one way but looks like everyone else says another way. I had stock Aluminum UCAs