Upper Control Arms | 2007-2016 Chevy/GMC 1500 | NPA #308

PR308

Coldwater, MI: BDS Suspension adds to its lineup of heavy duty upper control arms (UCA) with new kits available for the 2007-2016 Chevy/GMC 1500 model trucks and SUVs. These new UCAs are designed for improved strength, great looks, and increased suspension travel out of your stock, leveled or lifted GM1500 vehicle. On 2014-2016 models these arms are only compatible with vehicles equipped with OE cast steel UCAs, if equipped with stamped steel or cast aluminum these control arms cannot be installed.

The new performance control arms are built from high strength 1.5" OD x .120-wall tubing, gusseted for strength and durability. They use an indexed ball joint cup to correct the ball joint positioning for when used with leveling or full lift kits. The frame mounting ends feature durometer-specific rubber bushings. At the other end they use an indexed ball joint cup with and premium MOOG-brand ball joints for smooth, quiet operation and superior durability to arms that feature uniballs, poly bushings or heims. These control arms come finished in a durable semi-gloss black powder coat and include a billet aluminum machined ball joint dust cap. They integrate a mounting tab for the factory brake lines so there's no need to zip tie the lines as is the case with other kits on the market. The control arms come fully assembled for easy install right out of the box compatible with most leveling and lift kits on the market to increase wheel travel. Also included with the UCAs are a pair of optional weld-on steering stops plates (if necessary) and a wheel spacer to allow installation of the factory wheel in the event the OE wheel needs to be installed. Take your Chevy/GMC 1500 to the next level with these performance upper control arms from BDS Suspension.

Product Description

BDS Performance Upper Control Arms

BDS Upper Control Arm Features

  • High strength tubular construction
  • Heavy duty MOOG ball joints
  • Clevite rubber frame bushings
  • Includes brake line mount & steering stops
  • Full assembled, ready to install

Kit Info

#121151 - $735.79 MSRP

Vehicle Fitment

2007-2016 Chevy Silverado 1500 2/4WD*
2007-2016 GMC Sierra 1500 2/4WD*
2007-2016 GMC Sierra Denali 1500 2/4WD*
2007-2016 Chevy Avalanche 1500 2/4WD*
2007-2016 Chevy Tahoe 1500 2/4WD*
2007-2016 Chevy Suburban 1500 2/4WD*
2007-2016 GMC Yukon 1500 2/4WD*
2007-2016 GMC Yukon XL 1500 2/4WD*
2007-2016 GMC Yukon Denali 1500 2/4WD*

*OE cast steel UCA only for '14-16 Truck / '15-16 SUV

UCA Compatible With

  • FOX 2.5 Factory Series Coilovers (0-2")
  • Stock and BDS 2" Leveling Kits
  • BDS 4"/6" IFS & C/O Systems
  • Most other lift and leveling kits

Important Notes

  • Only for use on vehicle with OE cast steel UCAs
  • Not compatible with 14+ models w/ alum/stamped steel UCAs
  • Rec'd Wheel Specs (Stock/Leveled): 4.5" BS required to fit 12.50"-wide tires. 5" BS allows fitment of 11.50"-wide tire
  • Rec'd Wheel Specs (BDS 4"/6" Lifts): Follow Lift Kit Recommendations (4.5-5.75" BS) - may require use of supplied weld-on steering stops for some wheel/tire combinations
BDS Performance Upper Control Arms | Chevy / GMC 1500
BDS Performance Upper Control Arms | Chevy / GMC 1500
BDS Performance Upper Control Arms | Chevy / GMC 1500
BDS Performance Upper Control Arms | Chevy / GMC 1500

© BDS Suspension, 491 W. Garfield Ave. Coldwater, MI 49036
(517) 279-2135 | bds-suspension.com | sales-bds@ridefox.com

22 comments

Do you guys make an upper control arm for 2018 silverado 1500? If so what is the part # I have the stamped steel uca’s. Thanks for your time.

Hey Joseph, at this time we’ve only released the ’07-16 GM1500 UCAs for the OE cast steel trucks. We have additional kits in the works, among them the UCA kits for the ’14-18 GM1500 trucks with OE stamped steel/aluminum arms. I can’t get into expected release date or other info at this time (company policy) as kits hit the shelves ready for sale we’ll be sending out announcements, adding them to our website and begin promoting on various media outlets.

I need upper control arms for my 06silverado 1500 non hd with a 6-inch rough country lift. Do you offer control arms that will work?

Hi Aaron, thanks for reaching out. At this point we’re only offering UCA kits for the 2007+ Chevy/GMC 1500 trucks, we don’t have UCAs for the ’99-06 Chevy/GMC 1500

If I change the upper control arms on my 2018 silverado 1500, which has a BDS 6″ lift with the fox coilovers, to the BDS UCA, will I be able to crank a little more height on the coilovers?

Hey Taylor, short answer is not its not that easy. While the UCAs will improve upper ball joint angle and allow more droop travel, the rest of the parts in that particular suspension system are designed to correct suspension-steering-driveline geometry for 4-6″ of lift. While the coilovers have plenty of adjustment to go up to that ride height, its not recommended due to the extreme operating angles it causes with the front suspension which may lead to premature wear along with driveability and alignment issues. If you’re looking for more height my recommendation would be our complete 8″ high clearance coilover system or adding a small body lift for tire clearance.

I’ve got a 97 Silverado 1500 4×4, that already had a 6” bds suspension lift on it. I’m getting ready to rebuild the entire front end. With factory control arms work on it?

Hey Matt,
Our 6″ lift kits for the ’88-98 GM1500 trucks includes replacement upper control arms (UCAs) that are designed to allow installation of a factory style ball joint. We don’t recommend bolting the stock UCAs back in as they don’t provide optimal operating angles.

Hey Matt,
Based on your previous comment about the truck already having a BDS 6″ kit installed you’ll already have our UCAs installed (they’re included in that particular 6″ kit) so there’s no need to purchase another set. If you’re having an issue with UCAs our No Fine Print Warranty is still in place to the original purchaser, you would need to contact customer service or head to your local BDS dealer. If the frame bushings are worn out then we offer replacements (8x #M02957RB) that can be special ordered from us. The ball joints are a factory unit that can be purchased from your local auto parts store. If you’d like to order the replacement UCA assemblies those can be special ordered from us as well (#02348 driver’s side, #02349 passenger side). For more on the topic contact our customer service team at (517) 279-2135

Hey Brad, On the ’14-18 GM1500 trucks one of 3 different factory arm were used (cast steel, stamped steel, and aluminum). Our UCA kits are compatible with the BDS 8″ high clearance systems, but the arm needed is dependent on the factory arms installed on your truck. If your truck is equipped with cast steel arms use #121151 UCA Kit. We haven’t released our UCA kits for trucks equipped with factory stamped steel or aluminum arms, but will have them available very soon.

Hi,
I have a MY09 Cadillac escalade that i have been offroading (Desert terrain or Dune Bashing as we call it here) since 2013 using a simple 2″ spacer lift.

Last year when the rear magentic shocks gave way, i installed the fox 2.5 DSC shocks at the rear. following that, installed the fox 2.5 DSC in the front just to be fair. Since the ride height have been raised to 3″ now in the front, and running the stock OEM Control Arms, i am finding the UCA hitting its bump stop too early in its drop.

My question is, would a purchase of the BDS UCA resolve this and increase the drop thus making that downward travel more sufficient for a good rebound.?

If so, do i need to alter anything with the existing bumpstop which is basically the stopper that is below one of the UCA arms (part of the chasis itself)?
Does it have a different geometry that enables it to provide enough drop to my current setup prior to hitting the same bump stop as the stock UCA.?
How much of extra travel would this be and do i need to worry about the angle being too bad for my CV joints.?

appreciate your confirmation to the above prior to making my decision.

Hi Sebastian,
Thanks for reaching out. While we haven’t test fit these on the Escalade, that model does carry over the majority of suspension components from the GM1500 trucks/SUVs that we do offer upgrades for. First thing to confirm would be that you have cast steel arms installed currently. If your arms are stamped steel or cast aluminum these particular arms will not fit, but we will have UCAs available for those configurations soon. These UCAs are designed to work with the FOX 2.5 RR coilovers to allow additional suspension travel. We designed them to be used with the factory lower droop limiters intact, but it is possible to remove/modify the limiters for additional travel. The concern with removing them is the potential for too drastic angles at the CV axle when at full droop which could lead to premature wear.

Hello . I am about to install the full 4 inch coil over lift kit With fox shock with dsc on my 2016 Chevy Silverado 2wd Do I need to replaces upper control arm Aldo is recommended or not thank you…

Hi Miguel,
A few points address in your message. Our 4″ DSC coilover system is an awesome upgrade for the Silverado 1500 to improve on/offroad performance and capability, ride quality and stance. While the kits can be installed on a 2WD model, they are designed for 4WD models, so you would omit the differential brackets and CV spacers provided. As for the UCAs, they are not required when installing the lift, but will offer improved strength, more durability and increased suspension droop travel over the factory UCAs.

Do these have a gusset behind the ball joint. I have seen that on loftkits4less website that sells this same product.and will this work on my 2011 silverado 1500 with 2.25 level lift with bilstein shocks set at zero? Need a better uca

While certain applications do, his particular UCA kit for the ’07-13 GM1500 trucks does not use a gusset on the inside of the ball joint cup. The UCAs are designed with an indexed ball joint cup that put the ball joint back in the neutral position at 2-3″ of lift. While they can be bolted in at stock height and provide additional strength on your truck, they’re ball joint angle isn’t ideal at that height

Hey Christopher,
theses UCAs will work on GM1500 trucks and are designed for trucks with 2-3″ leveling kits for or 6-8″ lift kits to improve ball joint positioning for additional travel.
The 2007-2018 GM1500 trucks were offered with a few different factory arms which will have an affect on which UCAs you need.

If truck is equipped with factory cast steel control arms use #121151
If truck is equipped with factory stamped steel or aluminum control arms use #121152

Hi Clarence, typically a leveling kit is only about 2″ taller than stock and these UCAs would be compatible with that. At 4″ its necessary to correct CV angles, ball joint angles, steering angles, etc so while these UCAs would improve the ball joint angle, its not the full solution needed at 4″ of lift. We’d need to know more about your current setup to make a recommendation. Please contact our sales/customer service team at (517) 279-2135

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