ADS Ford Bronco Tubular Control Arms
The Ford Bronco really slapped the off-road market across the face when it dropped in 2021, tallying 108,000 in sales that first year, 99,000 in 2022, and 127,000 in 2023. The truck tapped into both the popular retro styling trend and the idea that a rugged, very trail-oriented SUV can be a strong seller. The Bronco was embraced by the off-road community and ADS Suspension has stepped up to the plate, ready to enhance the off-road prowess of these machines. ADS has a full collection of Bronco specific gear and is adding upgraded control arms to the mix.
ADS Heavy-Duty Tubular Control Arm Kits
ADS has developed front and rear Heavy-Duty Tubular Control Arm Kits engineered to correct camber, caster, and accommodate lifts of up to four inches when used together. All the capability you need, with no compromises. Bryan Grigsby, Director of Off-Road and UTV Operations at ADS says, “From the factory the stock control arms hang low in the rear of the Bronco, our ADS control arms provide additional clearance for tougher sections of trail that would have you hanging on your factory components. ADS tubular arms are tough. Stout DOM steel construction is standard fair for many competition crawlers and desert vehicles. We took what we’ve learned from years of competition and injected this knowledge into the Bronco platform in general and these control arms specifically.”
The front control arms are 1.25-inches in diameter, built with .188-inch wall DOM steel, and feature acetal copolymer bushings that offer significantly less deflection compared to stock rubber. “Our front control arms are caster and camber corrected for your lifted/leveled Bronco and use heavy-duty ball joints,” says Grigsby. “They’re built for road comfort with the ability to handle all the abuse on the trial you’re willing to dish out.”
“ADS rear control arms,” continues Grigsby, “allow wheelbase adjustments to compensate for lift, allowing the rear tire to be centered or even stretched just a bit if that’s beneficial to your Bronco’s setup.” Both rear upper and lower arms are built with 2.00-inch diameter by .250-inch wall DOM steel for superior strength and articulation and utilize 1.25-inch Heim joints and high-density polyurethane bushings.
DOM Steel for The Win
Not all steel is created equal. DOM or “Drawn Over Mandrel" tubing is cold drawn over a mandrel, a forming process that enhances the shape, orientation, and grain size of the metal’s crystal lattice structure. The process also offers precise control of both outside and inside diameters to ensure close dimensional accuracy, which results in a tube with uniform thickness and a high strength-to-weight ratio that’s ideal for automotive suspension applications.
ADS Front Upper Control Arm Features
- 1.25-inch OD by .188-inch wall DOM steel construction
- Utilizes standard ball joints with rubber dust boot
- Corrects camber and caster, accommodating lifts up to 4 inches
- All control arm kits are fully rebuildable
- O-ring sealed dust cover is CNC machined from 6061 billet aluminum, anodized gold, laser engraved with ADS logo, and clear powder coat for UV resistance
- A cetal copolymer bushings provide less deflection than stock rubber
- Grade 8 hardware included
Bushings are often taken for granted but their contributions to a successful off-road suspension cannot be overstated. They reduce deflection. Control arm deflection can alter suspension geometry, leading to changes in camber, caster, and toe angles. ADS uses high-density polyurethane bushings to reduce deflection and ensure suspension geometry remains consistent. This enhances handling precision, increases vehicle stability, promotes tire life, and reduces stress on suspension and steering components.
ADS Rear Upper and Lower Control Arm Features
- 2.00-inch OD by .250-inch wall DOM steel construction
- Utilizes 1.25-inch Heim joint for greater strength and articulation angle than stock
- Adjustable length to accommodate larger lifts of up to 6 inches
- High density polyurethane bushings provide less deflection than stock rubber
- Geometry allows for higher ground clearance over stock
- All control arm kits are fully rebuildable
- DOM steel construction
- Protected with gloss black powder coat
- Grade 8 hardware included
Superior Fit and Finish
Both front and rear sets of ADS control arms are finished with a sleek gloss black powder coat for durability. The included ball joint dust cover is CNC machined from 6061 billet aluminum, anodized in gold, laser engraved with the ADS logo, and protected with a clear powder coat for UV resistance. Engineered to last, these control arms are fully rebuildable and equipped with Grade 8 hardware. They’re designed to be incorporated into ADS’s line of Bronco specific suspension components and packages. These components also pair perfectly with ADS Direct Fit Race Series Bronco coilovers for the ultimate off-road combo. Owners taking a deep dive with their Bronco may want to explore ADS’s complete G6 Bronco components lineup, including, HD Sway Bar End Links (PN 516ADS), Adjustable Panhard Bar (PN 509ADS), and more.
From woodland trails to the deserts of Baja and everything in between, ADS is primed and ready to give your Bronco the perfect balance of form and function so you can get the most out of this most-capable truck.
