Recommended Lower Control Arm (01 XLT 4x4)

[steven083008]

I need to replace the ball joints, tie rod ends, and control arm bushing on my '01 Ranger. I've decided to just replace the entire lower control arm because it isn't much more money and is a lot easier for me.

My truck is 99.9% daily driver, and once in a blue moon I get a chance to do some light playing it in.

I'm looking at MOOG upper control arms. Should I go 1-piece or 2?

What brand should I get for lower control arms since MOOG doesn't make them?

Any recommendation for tie rod ends, I was thinking MOOG for these as well.

Here is the parts I think I need, can someone please correct me if I am wrong? There were several Moog upper control arms, so I want to make sure I didn't screw up.

(Selected the parts on SummitRacing.com, if there is a better spot, please recommend it)


Moog Chassis Parts AMGES3461 - Moog Replacement Tie Rod Ends
Tie Rod End, Greasable, Outer, Ford, Mazda/Mercury, SUV/Pickup, Each
Part Number: MOG-ES3461

Moog Chassis Parts AMGEV317 - Moog Replacement Tie Rod Ends
Tie Rod End, Inner, Ford, Mazda/Mercury, 4WD, Each
Part Number: MOG-EV317

Moog Chassis Parts AMGK80068 - Moog Control Arms
Control Arm w/Ball Joint
Part Number: MOG-K80068

Moog Chassis Parts AMGK8708T - Moog Control Arms
Control Arm/Ball Joint, Greasable, Upper, Ford, Mazda/Mercury, Pickup/SUV, Each
Part Number: MOG-K8708T

Dorman 520-223 - Dorman Control Arms
Control Arm, Steel, Bushings/Ball Joint, Ford, Mercury, Pickup/SUV, Driver Front, Lower, Each
Part Number: RNB-520-223

Dorman 520-224 - Dorman Control Arms
Control Arm, Steel, Bushings/Ball Joint, Ford, Mercury, Pickup/SUV, Passenger Front, Lower, Each
Part Number: RNB-520-224


Thanks guys/gals!

 

[steven083008]

Bump.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Yellowsplash]

You dont need to replace the lower control arms. You do know you have to remove the torsion bar in order to do this, right? Just rent a balljoint press from your local auto parts store and press the old ones out and new ones in. The rental is free, you just have to put down a deposit until you return it.

Moog Lower Balljoints - Part No. K8695T

Also, the upper control arms are listed below. From the factory your truck should have a 2-piece adjustable upper control arm...you can replace it with a 1-piece (which offers no caster adjustment), but there is no advantage to it. I recommend just replacing it with the 2-piece version...

Moog Driver Upper Control Arm - Part No. K8708T

Moog Pass 2-piece Upper Control Arm - Part No. K8710T

Moog Pass 1-piece Upper Control Arm - Part No. K80068

 

[steven083008]

Thanks for the reply.

I just double checked and I have one-piece uppers on both sides. Not sure if they changed that in the middle of the year or what. Like you had said, everything I have seen says that I should have a two-piece upper.

The bushing are also bad (187k miles), so I figured it would be easier and not a lot more money to just replace the whole arm. I'm on a time crunch to get the truck reinspected, so I wasn't going to mess w/ pressing new bushings and ball joints in.

I do know I have to remove the torsion bars, but from what I've read it sounds like I can lower the arm to release the tension on the torsion bar and then just unbolt it. Same process to reinstall. Is that correct? That sounded pretty simple to me, if that is how it is actually done.

 

[Yellowsplash]

I have always used a jaw puller to relieve tension on the torsion bar adjustment bolts, lowered the keys and removed them that way. As far as the way you describe, Im not sure if its possible to relieve all the tension that way.