What aftermarket upper control arms change, why they matter after a level or lift, billet vs. fabricated, and which kit fits your F-150, Raptor, TRX, RHO, Bronco, Bronco Raptor or Ranger Raptor.
The Short Answer
Aftermarket upper control arms are stronger than the factory arms, they are serviceable, and they give you more alignment adjustment, especially caster. A factory upper arm is a full replacement part: when the ball joint or a bushing wears out, you buy a whole new arm. An FMI billet upper arm uses a 1.25" FK uniball at the spindle and 7/8" FK rod ends at the frame, so you service the wear parts instead. Replacing the rubber bushings with rod ends makes the truck handle better, and the adjustable frame-side rod ends let your alignment shop add caster. That matters after a level or lift, because some trucks lose caster when the front is raised and start to feel squirrely or unstable. The extra adjustment, plus the added caster we build into the arm geometry, takes that away.
What Aftermarket Upper Control Arms Change
1. Stronger
CNC machined billet aluminum or 4130 chromoly, with a 1.25" FK uniball at the spindle and 7/8" FK rod ends at the frame. A much stronger arm than the factory part.
2. Serviceable
When the uniball or a rod end wears, you replace that part. You do not buy a whole new arm every time a joint wears out, the way you would with stock arms.
3. Handles Better
Rod ends replace the factory rubber bushings at the frame. With the rubber gone, the front end feels tighter and more predictable.
4. More Caster Adjustment
Adjusting the frame-side rod ends lets your alignment shop dial in more caster when the truck needs it, on top of the caster built into the arm geometry.
Do You Need Upper Control Arms After Leveling?
You do not need new upper arms just because you added a leveling kit. But it is the most common time owners start to want them.
Some vehicles lose caster angle when you lift the front. Caster is what helps the steering return to center and keeps the truck tracking straight. Lose some of it and the front end can start to feel squirrely or unstable at speed. The factory arm has limited adjustment, so there may not be enough range to put it back.
An FMI upper arm solves that two ways. We design our upper arms with some added caster built into the arm geometry, and the 7/8" rod ends at the frame let the alignment shop adjust for more caster when it is needed. Pair the arms with a leveling kit and you can level the truck and get the steering feel back at the same time.
Level and Align in One Trip
If you are leveling the front, it makes sense to install the upper arms at the same time. The front end is already apart, and the truck needs an alignment after either job. Do both and you pay for one alignment. See Lift and Leveling Collars: How They Work and Which One Fits Your Truck.
Billet Aluminum or Fabricated 4130?
For most owners this comes down to preference and looks. Both use the same basic uniball and rod ends, so there is not a lot of difference in the joints. Here is where they do differ.
| What you care about | Billet aluminum | Fabricated 4130 chromoly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | CNC machined in-house | 4130 tube, welded and powder coated |
| Joints | 1.25" FK uniball, 7/8" FK rod ends | Same basic uniball and rod ends |
| Looks and color | More finish options to customize the build | Powder coat finish |
| Weight | Lighter, but not by much | Slightly heavier |
| Finish upkeep | Machined or anodized aluminum | Powder coat is easier to maintain |
| Bearing service | Easier to damage when pressing bearings | More durable; can be serviced more times |
The honest take: a good fabricated arm can be serviced more times than an aluminum arm, because 4130 steel holds up better when bearings are pressed in and out. But we do not expect anyone to own one of these trucks long enough to change the bearings so many times that they wear out a billet arm. If you want the arms to match the rest of a billet build, go billet. If you want the toughest finish and the most service life, go fabricated.
Upper Control Arm Kits by Truck
Every kit below is stock length, works with the factory spindle and bolts on. Have the front end aligned after installation.
| Truck | Billet aluminum | Fabricated 4130 |
|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 (not Raptor): 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 | F-150 billet kit | — |
| Gen 1 Raptor, 2010–2014 | Gen 1 billet kit | Gen 1 fabricated kit |
| Gen 2 Raptor, 2017–2020 | Gen 2 billet kit | Gen 2 fabricated kit |
| Gen 3 Raptor, 2021–2025 | Gen 3 billet kit | Gen 3 fabricated kit |
| Raptor R | Raptor R billet kit | — |
| Ram TRX, 2021–2024 | TRX billet kit | TRX fabricated kit |
| Ram TRX, 2027 | 2027 TRX billet kit | 2027 TRX fabricated kit |
| Ram RHO, 2025+ | RHO billet kit | — |
| Ford Bronco, 2021+ | Bronco billet kit | Bronco fabricated kit |
| Ford Bronco Raptor, 2022–2026 | Bronco Raptor billet kit | — |
| Ford Ranger Raptor, 2024+ | Ranger Raptor billet kit | — |
Standard F-150 vs. F-150 Raptor: the F-150 billet kit is for the standard F-150 only. Raptor owners need the Raptor kit for their generation. The Gen 2 and Gen 3 Raptor, TRX and Bronco Raptor billet kits include wheel position sensor mount plates.
Billet Upper Arms in Place
Raw billet shown. 7/8" FK rod ends at the frame, 1.25" FK uniball at the spindle, 17-4 stainless spacers, made in Mesa, Arizona.
When Stock Length Is Not Enough
Stock-length upper arms keep the factory track width and travel. If you want more wheel travel, the next step is a mid travel front suspension kit or a +3" long travel kit, which replace the stock-length arms with longer ones built for the extra travel.
Upper Control Arm FAQ
Do I need upper control arms after leveling my truck?
Not always. But some trucks lose caster when the front is lifted and start to feel squirrely or unstable. Aftermarket upper arms with built-in caster and adjustable rod ends at the frame let your alignment shop put that caster back.
What are the benefits of aftermarket upper control arms?
They are stronger, they are serviceable, and they handle better because rod ends replace the factory rubber bushings. They also give you more alignment adjustment, especially caster. And they look better.
What is wrong with the stock upper control arms?
Nothing, until something wears out. The factory ball joint and bushings are built into the arm, so when one wears out you replace the whole arm. On an FMI arm you replace the uniball or rod end instead.
Will these fit my 2015, 2016 or 2018 F-150?
Yes. The F-150 billet upper control arm kit fits the 2015 through 2026 standard Ford F-150. It is not for the F-150 Raptor, which has its own kits.
Billet or fabricated upper control arms?
Mostly preference and looks. They use the same basic uniball and rod ends. Billet is a little lighter and offers more finish options to match your build. Fabricated 4130 is welded and powder coated, the finish is easier to maintain, and the steel holds up better to repeated bearing service.
Are FMI upper control arms adjustable?
Yes. The 7/8" FK rod ends at the frame mounts adjust for caster and camber.
Do they bolt on?
Yes. The stock-length kits are designed to work with the factory spindle and bolt on. Get an alignment after installation.
What ball joint do FMI upper arms use?
A 1.25" FK uniball at the spindle, with 17-4 stainless steel spacers. The frame end uses 7/8" FK rod ends.
Are they made in the USA?
Yes. FMI upper control arms are CNC machined or fabricated in-house in Mesa, Arizona.
Round out the front end with billet tie rods, bump stops and limit straps, or call the shop and tell us what you are building.