i have a 04 f150 2wd with a 2.5" lvl kit and Im finally going to be replacing my oem shocks with 120,xxx miles with some bilsteins 5100's.

since im replacing the shocks I was wondering what else would be good to replace? i know my UCA's would probably shot since the boots are torn any good brands to go with not trying to spend alot of money just some good quality ones.

anything else i should check before i start ordering parts?
any help would be much appreciated! thanks!

 

go to rockauto.com and get the upper and lower ball joints. with the leveling kit, you probably need to do both. i went with rancho quicklift due to them now having the spring so less work on my part. i installed them today and the truck runs like new

 

Rockauto for the MOOG UCA's they are greasable units and you cannot get just the joint for the uppers. Also get the MOOG lower joints..they are greasable also, and can be replaced without the LCA

 

thanks guys! so on the UCA's i need to replace the whole unit and the LCA i can just buy the ball joint? im on rock auto right now and i see both either the lower control arm for around 200+ or just the ball joints for about 30 a piece? thanks!

 

go with the moog ball joints..you dont need the whole control arm....waste of money

 

For the lower you get only the ball joint. You'll need to rent a ball joint press to push the old ball joint out of your lower control arm and push the new one in. For the upper you have to buy a new upper control arm that has the ball joint in it. You can't take the upper ball joint out of the upper control arm. And get MOOG from rock auto

 

sounds good, thanks for the help!

im ordering as i type!

thanks again!

 

If you're feeling frisky and really want to revive the whole front end of your truck; get the ball joints like mentioned, but get a new pitman arm, idler arm, and all new (4) tie rod ends. Then you will have a brand new truck, no old parts still in the mix, and nothing to worry about for several miles into the future. All the parts I mentioned in Moog from RockAuto will run you just a tiny bit over $200 WELL worth it.