Upper Control Arms Explained: The Good, the Bad, and the “It Depends” The F150 Edition

Upper control arms might not be the flashiest part of a suspension build, but on a 2021+ Ford F-150, they’re one of the most debated—and misunderstood—upgrades out there.

If you’ve spent any time researching lifts, leveling kits, or bigger tires, you’ve probably run into the same questions over and over:

• Do I really need aftermarket upper control arms?

• Why do some setups rub and others don’t?

• Is billet actually better than tubular?

• Why do my stock wheels suddenly cause problems after a lift?

Welcome to the infamous upper control arm debate.

In this guide, we’re breaking it all down—without the marketing fluff and without pretending there’s a one-size-fits-all answer. We’ll explain how upper control arms actually work, why wheel offset/backspacing and tire width matter just as much as lift height, and where common fitment issues come from on modern F-150s. Then, we’ll compare the most popular upper control arms on the market, side-by-side, using real manufacturer specs and known fitment considerations.

The goal isn’t to tell you which upper control arm to buy—it’s to help you understand why certain setups work, why others don’t, and how to choose the right components for your specific truck.

Let’s clear up the confusion and get into it.

Upgrading the upper control arms (UCA) on a vehicle is one of the most important suspension upgrades you can make—especially if your truck has been leveled, lifted, or fitted with aftermarket coilovers. 

The factory upper control arms are engineered for stock ride height and limited suspension travel. Once lift is added, the factory ball joint angle becomes more extreme, suspension travel is reduced, and alignment becomes harder to dial in. These limitations often lead to premature wear, poor handling, and tire clearance issues. 

Aftermarket upper control arms are designed to solve these problems by: 

This guide breaks down the best upper control arms for the 2021+ Ford F-150, explains wheel and tire fitment considerations, and compares the most popular tubular and billet options on the market.  

When Upper Control Arms Are Strongly Recommended on the 2021+ F-150

One of the most common questions we see is “At what point do I actually need aftermarket upper control arms?” While there isn’t a single hard cutoff that applies to every build, there is a clear pattern that shows up repeatedly across F-150 owner forums, installer feedback, and alignment shop experience.

The Short Answer

On 2021+ F-150s lifted more than 2 inches, aftermarket upper control arms are strongly recommended. Now we know there are tons of folks running factory control arms above 2". And that is ok. We as a dealer and installer see too many issues once you go past the 2" mark and that is why we recommend upgrading your UCAs at that time to prevent you form having bigger issues down the road.

Why the Factory Upper Control Arms Become a Limiting Factor

The factory F-150 upper control arms are designed to operate within a narrow range of suspension travel at stock ride height. Once lift is added—especially beyond 2 inches—the factory ball joint angle becomes increasingly aggressive. This creates several issues that are frequently discussed and documented by owners and installers:

• Ball joint bind at droop
  As suspension droop increases, the factory ball joint can reach its articulation limit. This restricts usable suspension travel and can accelerate joint wear.

• Reduced down travel
  Sometimes your suspension feels “topped out” after lifting, even with upgraded shocks. In many cases, the factory UCA—not the shock—is the limiting factor.

• Alignment challenges
  Achieving proper caster and camber becomes more difficult as lift height increases. Alignment shops often struggle to bring trucks back into spec with stock UCAs once lift exceeds ~2”.

• Premature wear
  Running factory UCAs at extreme angles can lead to early ball joint wear, noise, or failure—especially on trucks that see off-road use.

These are issues that we as a shop have seen and are commonly discussed in F-150 owner forums where users report improved ride quality, restored travel, and easier alignment immediately after switching to aftermarket UCAs on lifted trucks.

What Our Experience Tells Us

Across multiple installs and F-150 communities, a consistent theme emerges:

• Trucks leveled around 1.5”–2” can get by with stock UCAs, depending on use and alignment

• Trucks lifted over 2”, especially with coilovers or full lift kits, often experience:

  • Binding at full droop

  • Harsh ride or topping out

  • Alignment limitations

• Installing aftermarket UCAs resolves these issues by restoring proper joint angle and allowing the suspension to move as intended

This doesn’t mean every truck lifted over 2” will immediately fail—but it does mean the factory upper control arm is being pushed outside its ideal operating range.

Aftermarket UCAs Restore Proper Geometry

Aftermarket upper control arms are designed specifically to address these limitations by:

• Repositioning the ball joint or uniball for better operating angles

• Increasing articulation to allow full suspension travel

• Improving alignment range, especially caster

• Reducing stress on joints during off-road use or full droop

In short, they allow the suspension to function the way it was intended to—just at a taller ride height.

Practical Recommendation

If your 2021+ F-150 falls into any of the following categories, upgrading your upper control arms should be considered a priority rather than an optional upgrade:

• Front lift or leveling greater than 2 inches

• Aftermarket coilovers or long-travel shocks

• Regular off-road use or high-speed dirt driving

• Difficulty achieving proper alignment specs

• Planning to run wider tires or lower-offset wheels

Understanding Wheel Offset, Backspacing, and Why They Matter with Upper Control Arms 

Before choosing an upper control arm, it’s critical to understand how wheel offset and backspacing directly affect suspension clearance—especially UCA clearance. 

What Is Wheel Offset? 

Wheel offset is the distance between the wheel’s hub mounting surface and its centerline, measured in millimeters. 

Modern F-150 factory wheels use a high positive offset, which helps with handling and bearing life but places the tire very close to the upper control arm. 

What Is Wheel Backspacing? 

Backspacing is measured in inches and represents the distance from the wheel’s hub mounting surface to the inner wheel lip. 

Backspacing and offset describe the same positioning effect in different units, and both are critical to UCA clearance.  

How Wheel Specs Interact with Aftermarket Upper Control Arms 

Aftermarket UCAs improve suspension geometry and travel, but they do not change wheel position. If a wheel has too much positive offset or backspacing, the tire can still contact the upper control arm—even with upgraded UCAs installed. 

This issue is especially common on the 2021+ F-150 because: 

As a result, tire-to-UCA contact is one of the most common fitment complaints on leveled and lifted F-150s. 

Why Factory F-150 Wheels Commonly Cause UCA Clearance Issues 

A common misconception is that aftermarket UCAs automatically eliminate rubbing. In reality, many F-150 owners experience upper control arm contact specifically when using factory wheels. 

This happens because: 

Even mild leveling kits can expose this issue at full steering lock or suspension compression. 

Wheel & Tire Fitment: A Practical Rule of Thumb for the 2021+ F-150 

There is no universal fitment rule, but the following guidelines reflect well-documented F-150 behavior: 

General Guidelines 

Common Fitment Patterns 

When Wheel Spacers Are Used 

For owners who want to retain factory wheels or high-offset aftermarket wheels, wheel spacers are a common and effective solution to improve upper control arm clearance. 

Wheel spacers work by reducing the wheel’s effective offset, moving the wheel and tire outward and away from the upper control arm. This is often enough to eliminate tire-to-UCA contact caused by inboard wheel positioning. 

In many cases, a small spacer is all that’s needed: 

That said, fitment can vary significantly based on the entire suspension and wheel/tire package, including: 

Because of these variables, spacer size should never be assumed as a guaranteed fix. 

How to Verify Spacer Size 

One of the most reliable ways to determine the correct spacer thickness is through visual measurement: 

This approach helps avoid running more spacer than necessary, which can reduce unnecessary outward poke and limit fender interference. 

Important notes: 

Why Cam Nut Kits Matter on 2021+ Ford F-150s 

Whether your truck is completely stock or running a full aftermarket suspension, camber and caster alignment adjustments are critical for proper tire wear, handling, and suspension performance. One often overlooked component in the alignment process — especially after leveling or lifting — is the cam bolt/cam nut bracket assembly. 

What Cam Nut Kits Are 

Cam nut kits replace the factory camber/caster adjustment hardware on the front suspension of the F-150. On many trucks, the OEM lower control arms use a cam bolt and eccentric slot design that allows only a limited range of adjustments. When you lift or level your truck, that limited stock adjustment range can make it difficult or impossible to dial in the correct alignment — especially caster and camber. 

The SPC Cam Bracket Kit for 2021+ F150 is a great example: 

By increasing adjustment range, cam nut kits like the SPC unit help unlock alignment corrections that are often lost after lift kits are installed. 

Upper Control Arm & Wheel Fitment FAQ 

Will aftermarket UCAs fix tire rubbing? 
Not always. Wheel offset and tire width still determine clearance. 

Why do stock wheels rub more often? 
Their high positive offset pulls the tire inward toward the UCA. 

Does tire height or width matter more? 
Width matters more for UCA clearance. 

Why don’t all manufacturers publish fitment charts? 
Because alignment, tire brand, wheel specs, and suspension setup all vary. 

Upper Control Arm Comparisons 

Below is a comparison of some of the most popular UCAs on the market for the 2021+ F150. Please note that these details are all directly from the manufacturer. Some fitments are not confirmed and/or publicly stated by the manufacturer.  

SPC Adjustable Upper Control Arms 

Product: https://hotshotoffroad.com/collections/2021-f-150-upper-control-arms/products/forged-uca-2021-f-150 

Part #: 35685  
Price: $849.96 

Overview 
SPC’s adjustable UCAs are designed for drivers who want maximum alignment control after lifting or leveling. They allow additional caster and camber correction, helping center larger tires in the wheel well. 

Key Features 

Wheel & Tire Fitment 
No official chart published. Commonly used with 33”–35” tires on leveled trucks. 

Pros 

Cons 

Best for: Daily drivers needing precise alignment correction. 

ICON Tubular Delta Joint Pro 

Product: https://hotshotoffroad.com/collections/2021-f-150-upper-control-arms/products/tubular-delta-pro-upper-control-arms-2021-f150 

Part Number: 98522DJ 
Typical Price: $879.95  

Overview 
The ICON 98522DJ Tubular Upper Control Arms are engineered to free up front suspension movement on 2021–2025 Ford F-150s, allowing maximum travel for performance shocks and coilovers without breaking the bank. These arms include additional built-in caster to help optimize alignment on lifted vehicles.  

Key Features & Technical Details 

Fitment & Compatibility 

Wheel & Tire Fitment Guidelines 
ICON offers direct guidance on aftermarket wheel/tire combinations: 

Pros 

Cons 

Best for: Performance and off-road builds needing robust articulation and alignment corrections. 

ICON Billet Delta Joint Pro 

Product: https://hotshotoffroad.com/collections/2021-f-150-upper-control-arms/products/billet-delta-pro-upper-control-arms-2021-f150 

Part Number: 98523DJ 
Typical Price: $1,429.95  

Overview 
The ICON 98523DJ Billet Upper Control Arms deliver a premium suspension upgrade for 2021–2025 Ford F-150s. Built from CNC-machined billet aluminum, these arms correct front-end geometry, increase camber and caster adjustability, and improve clearance for suspension components.  

Key Features & Technical Details 

Fitment & Compatibility 

Wheel & Tire Fitment Guidelines 
ICON does not publish a specific wheel/tire chart for the billet arms, but the fitment logic generally follows the tubular version’s guidance for offset and tire width, adjusted as needed for your build and suspension setup. 

Pros 

Cons 

Best for: High-end performance or custom suspension builds where precision and finish matter most. 

Dirt King 4130 Upper Control Arms 

Product: https://hotshotoffroad.com/collections/2021-f-150-upper-control-arms/products/4130-upper-control-arms-2021-f150 

Part #: DK-928993 
Typical Price: $899 

Overview 

The Dirt King 4130 Upper Control Arms are designed to address common front suspension issues on 2021–2025 Ford F-150s (2WD and 4WD). Built from 4130 chromoly steel with precision MIG welding, these arms prioritize strength, durability, and improved travel while correcting suspension geometry after lift or leveling.  

Key Features & Technical Details 

Wheel & Tire Fitment 

Dirt King does not publish an official wheel/tire fitment chart for this product. Because wheel offset, tire width, and suspension variables differ by build, clearance should be verified on a case-by-case basis (especially when using stock wheels or wider tires). This guide reflects Dirt King’s focus on component quality and geometry correction rather than specific wheel charts.