Ever looked at a lifted truck and thought, “How does it handle so well?” A big part of that secret lies in its control arms. But when you’re looking to lift your own rig, suddenly those control arms become a puzzle. They’re not just simple metal bars; they’re crucial for keeping your wheels pointing straight and your ride smooth.
Choosing the right control arms for a lifted truck can feel like navigating a maze. You want your truck to look awesome and perform even better, but the wrong arms can lead to bumpy rides, uneven tire wear, and even steering problems. It’s a common headache for truck owners who want to take their vehicles to the next level.
This post is here to clear the confusion. We’ll break down what control arms do, why they’re so important for lifted trucks, and what you absolutely need to know before you buy. By the end, you’ll feel confident picking the perfect set that will make your lifted truck handle like a dream.
Our Top 5 Control Arms For Lifted Trucks Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Control Arms For Lifted Trucks Detailed Reviews
1. Rough Country Forged Upper Control Arms for 07-18 Chevy/GMC Truck & SUV – 19401A
Rating: 8.8/10
Looking to upgrade your 2007-2018 Chevy or GMC truck or SUV? The Rough Country Forged Upper Control Arms (part number 19401A) offer a robust solution for lifted vehicles. They are built tough with forged solid aluminum, meaning they are super strong and won’t break easily. You won’t find any weak spots from welding. These control arms also feature POM ball joints. These give you more room to move and make installation smoother. They also fix the angle of the ball joint when you lift your vehicle. Clevite rubber bushings are included, just like the ones from the factory. You can grease them to keep them working well. Rough Country stands behind their product with support and a limited lifetime warranty.
What We Like:
- Made from solid, forged aluminum for amazing strength.
- No welded parts mean fewer places to break.
- POM ball joints allow for more movement and easier installation.
- Corrects ball joint angle for lifted trucks.
- Greaseable Clevite rubber bushings for smooth operation.
- Product and installation help from Rough Country.
- Covered by Rough Country’s reliable lifetime warranty.
What Could Be Improved:
- While durable, the solid aluminum might add a little weight compared to some other materials.
- Availability can sometimes be a factor depending on demand.
These control arms are a solid upgrade for lifted Chevy and GMC trucks and SUVs. They offer great strength and smart design for a better ride.
2. KSP Forged Upper Control Arm For Silverado Sierra 1500 2007-2018
Rating: 9.5/10
Ready to take your Chevy or GMC truck to the next level? The KSP Forged Upper Control Arm is designed to handle lifts from 2.5 to 5 inches, making it a fantastic upgrade for your 2007-2018 Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Yukon, or Cadillac Escalade. These control arms are built tough and smart, promising a smoother, more reliable ride, especially when you venture off the beaten path.
What We Like:
- Never Rust: Made from a single piece of forged aluminum, these control arms are super strong and won’t rust, even in bad weather. Precision engineering ensures they fit perfectly.
- Serviceable Ball Joint: The ball joint can be greased to keep out dirt and wear. It also has special dust covers and a protective KSP cover to keep it working longer. The ball joint pins are coated to last longer than standard ones.
- Affordable Upgrade: These control arms help fix your truck’s angle after lifting it. They offer a better range of motion than stock parts and work well for both street driving and off-roading.
- Durable Bushings: The bushings are made from strong polyurethane that handles heat well. They have grooves to help with lubrication, leading to a better driving feel and less noise.
- Wide Compatibility: Fits a lot of Chevy and GMC models from 2007 to 2018, plus the Cadillac Escalade.
What Could Be Improved:
- Lift Height Recommendation: While they work well for 2-4″ lifts, they are “more recommended” for vehicles with a 2.5″-5″ lift, which might be a bit more than some users need.
Overall, the KSP Forged Upper Control Arms are a solid investment for truck owners looking for improved performance and durability after a lift. They offer a great balance of strength, serviceability, and value.
3. KSP 2-4inch Upper Control Arms Compatible with F-150
Rating: 8.8/10
Upgrade your F-150’s suspension with the KSP 2-4inch Upper Control Arms. These tubular black arms are designed to lift your truck from 2 to 4 inches, offering a better driving experience and improved off-road capability. They are a direct replacement for your factory suspension arms, making installation straightforward.
What We Like:
- Easy Lift: Lifts your F-150 2-4 inches without needing to change your shock absorbers.
- Durable Construction: MIG welding and larger tubular arms provide solid and stable support, boosting safety.
- Improved Performance: Features PU bushings for better performance in cold weather and a dust cap to extend the life of the ball joints.
- Good Support: KSP offers a 30-day refund and a 12-month free replacement for ball joints, plus helpful customer service.
What Could Be Improved:
- Wheel Spacer Needed for Stock Wheels: If you have conservative stock wheels (ET44), you’ll need at least a 1.5-inch wheel spacer or a 0 offset aftermarket wheel to prevent tire rub on the control arm.
- Zerks Require Care: The copper zerks for greasing are easy to break if over-tightened.
- Alignment is Essential: You must get an alignment after installing these control arms.
These KSP upper control arms offer a solid upgrade for your F-150’s suspension. They provide a noticeable improvement in driving performance and off-road capability, with good support from the manufacturer.
4. Rough Country Forged Upper Control Arms for 2007-2018 Chevy/GMC 1500-19401ARED
Rating: 9.4/10
If you’re looking to upgrade your 2007-2018 Chevy or GMC 1500 truck, especially after adding a lift kit, the Rough Country Forged Upper Control Arms are a solid choice. These arms are built tough to handle more stress and keep your truck’s front end aligned correctly. They use strong materials and smart design to make sure your truck drives smoothly and safely.
What We Like:
- Made from solid forged aluminum, these control arms are super strong and won’t break easily.
- They don’t have any welded spots that could become weak points.
- The POM ball joints give your truck more room to move and make installation simpler.
- They fix the angle of the ball joints, which is important when you lift your truck.
- Clevite rubber bushings are used, just like on the original parts, and you can grease them to keep them working well.
- Rough Country backs these control arms with their own support and a great lifetime warranty.
What Could Be Improved:
- While very strong, some users might find the aluminum construction slightly less forgiving over very rough terrain compared to steel.
- The greasable bushings, while good for maintenance, require periodic attention.
These control arms offer excellent strength and performance for your lifted truck. They are a smart investment for improved handling and long-lasting durability.
5. 2-4in F150 Upper Control Arms
Rating: 9.2/10
Upgrade your Ford F150’s suspension with these heavy-duty 2-4 inch upper control arms. Designed for trucks with a 2-4 inch lift, these control arms are built to last and improve your truck’s performance off-road and on. They fit most 2004-2020 Ford F150 4WD models, excluding specific Raptor versions.
What We Like:
- These control arms look tough and have a great finish.
- The ball joint can turn a lot, giving you more flexibility.
- The ball joint is made from strong, heat-treated steel for extra toughness.
- They have a greasable ball joint, so you can keep it well-oiled for a longer life.
- A special dust cover keeps dirt and mud out of the ball joint.
- The control arms are made from thick steel and have a protective powder coat.
- Strong MIG welding makes them very stable.
- PU bushings and a special U-groove help reduce noise and make greasing easier, even in hot or cold weather.
- There’s a grease zerk so you can easily add grease. It even comes with a dust cap!
- New ball joints don’t need grease for a whole year.
What Could Be Improved:
- These control arms are not compatible with 2010-2014 SVT Raptors or 2017-2018 Raptor models.
- The description mentions “Aftermarket Welding Control Arm,” which might suggest some installation knowledge is needed, though this is common for suspension parts.
These control arms are a solid choice for F150 owners looking for improved suspension performance and durability after a lift. They offer great features for the price and should help your truck handle rougher terrain with confidence.
Conquer Any Terrain: Your Guide to Lifted Truck Control Arms
When you lift your truck, you change how everything works. The suspension needs to stretch, and the stock control arms might not be up to the job. That’s where aftermarket control arms come in. They’re essential for making sure your lifted truck rides smoothly and handles well.
Why You Need Better Control Arms for Your Lifted Truck
Stock control arms are designed for a factory ride height. When you add a lift kit, these arms get pulled out of their intended position. This can cause problems like:
- Poor Alignment: Your wheels might not point straight, making your truck pull to one side.
- Bad Ride Quality: You might feel every bump and jolt.
- Increased Tire Wear: Uneven tire wear happens when alignment is off.
- Limited Suspension Travel: Your suspension can’t move as much as it should.
Aftermarket control arms are built to fix these issues and let your suspension work the way it’s supposed to.
Key Features to Look For
When you’re shopping for control arms, keep these features in mind:
Adjustability is King
- Adjustable Ball Joint Angle: This is super important. It lets you fix your caster and camber angles after lifting. This means a better alignment and a smoother ride.
- Adjustable Length: Some arms let you fine-tune the length. This helps with more extreme lifts and ensures everything lines up perfectly.
Durability and Strength
- Heavy-Duty Construction: Look for arms that are built tough. They need to handle the stress of off-roading and daily driving.
- Reinforced Mounting Points: Where the control arm attaches to the frame and the steering knuckle needs to be extra strong.
Smooth Movement and Longevity
- High-Quality Bushings: Bushings absorb vibrations and allow for smooth movement. Look for polyurethane or specialized rubber bushings. They last longer and perform better than stock ones.
- Greaseable Joints: Some control arms have fittings that let you add grease. This keeps the ball joints lubricated and prevents them from wearing out quickly.
Important Materials Matter
The materials used in control arms greatly affect their strength and how long they last.
- Steel: Most aftermarket control arms use high-strength steel. This is a great balance of strength, durability, and cost. Look for DOM (Drawn Over Mandrel) steel tubing. It’s stronger and more consistent than regular steel tubing.
- Aluminum: Some high-end control arms use aluminum. It’s lighter than steel, which can help with unsprung weight (the weight of parts not supported by the springs). However, aluminum can be more expensive and sometimes less strong than steel for heavy-duty applications.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
A few things make control arms better or worse.
Quality Boosters:
- Precision Engineering: Arms designed and manufactured with tight tolerances fit better and perform more reliably.
- Proper Welding: Strong, clean welds are crucial for strength. Look for professional-looking welds.
- Durable Coatings: Powder coating or E-coating protects the metal from rust and corrosion, making them last longer.
- Reputable Brands: Companies that specialize in suspension parts usually make higher-quality products.
Quality Reducers:
- Cheap Materials: Thin metal or low-grade steel won’t hold up.
- Poor Welds: Weak or sloppy welds are a major safety concern.
- Lack of Adjustability: If you can’t adjust the alignment, you might have ongoing problems.
- Low-Quality Bushings: These wear out fast and lead to a rough ride.
User Experience and Use Cases
People choose aftermarket control arms for different reasons.
- Daily Drivers: If you’ve lifted your truck for looks or slightly bigger tires, you want a comfortable ride and good handling. Adjustable arms help keep your alignment perfect.
- Off-Road Enthusiasts: If you plan to hit the trails, you need super strong control arms. They need to handle rough terrain, big impacts, and allow for more suspension flex.
- Towing and Hauling: If you tow heavy loads, strong control arms can help keep your truck stable and prevent alignment issues that can make towing unsafe.
Aftermarket control arms can transform your lifted truck. They make it safer, more comfortable, and better able to handle whatever you throw at it. Choose wisely, and enjoy the ride!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Will I need control arms for any lift height?
A: Not always. For very small lifts (like 1-2 inches), stock control arms might be okay. But for most lifts (3 inches and up), aftermarket control arms are highly recommended to correct alignment and improve ride quality.
Q: Are control arms difficult to install?
A: Installation can be challenging. It often requires specialized tools and knowledge of suspension systems. If you’re not comfortable working on your truck’s suspension, it’s best to have a professional install them.
Q: How often do I need to grease greasable control arms?
A: Check your control arm manufacturer’s recommendations. Usually, it’s every oil change or every few thousand miles. This keeps the ball joints working smoothly.
Q: Can I use control arms from one brand on a lift kit from another brand?
A: It’s generally not recommended. Control arms are designed to work with specific lift kit geometries. Mixing brands can lead to fitment issues and alignment problems.
Q: What’s the difference between upper and lower control arms?
A: Your truck has both. Upper control arms connect the top of the steering knuckle to the frame, and lower control arms connect the bottom. Many lifted trucks need upgraded upper control arms because they are more affected by the lift.
Q: Will new control arms affect my truck’s turning radius?
A: In some cases, especially with certain types of aftermarket control arms designed for more suspension travel, they might slightly change your turning radius. However, they are primarily designed to improve alignment and handling.
Q: How long do aftermarket control arms typically last?
A: With proper maintenance and quality construction, aftermarket control arms can last for many years, often outlasting the lifespan of the vehicle. Bushing wear is the most common reason for replacement.
Q: Can I adjust my alignment myself with adjustable control arms?
A: While the arms provide the adjustability, performing an alignment requires specialized equipment and knowledge. You’ll still need to take your truck to a shop with an alignment rack to get the angles set correctly.
Q: Are there control arms specifically for off-roading versus street driving?
A: Yes. Off-road control arms are usually beefier, have more articulation for flex, and might use more robust joint types. Street-focused arms prioritize ride comfort and precise alignment for daily driving.
Q: What happens if I don’t replace my stock control arms after lifting my truck?
A: You risk poor alignment, uneven tire wear, a rough ride, and potential damage to other suspension components over time. It can also make your truck unsafe to drive.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.