2003 lower control arms

richd · 04-02-2003, 10:20 AM

They look the same as those on a Fox body, are they? I have an '89 LX50 and my rear CA bushings need to be retired but I need an extremely cheap and preferably easy way of doing it.

Plus I'd like to have an extra set of arms around that I could box in and change to poly bushings at my leisure. The Stang is a daily driver so minimal downtime is very important.

Thanks!

Rich D.

V8Mustang · 04-02-2003, 03:57 PM

I don't recall what the difference is but Steeda has a different pn for the 79-98 cars than the 99-03s. However, MAC shows the same pn for 79-03. If you two cars side-by-side you could take some measurements.

red82gt · 04-03-2003, 02:18 AM

The lower control arm bolts for 79-98 are 3/8'" thick, the 99+ ones are 5/16" thick. The 5/16" bolts were too thick to fit into the bushings. My buddy and I found this out when trying to put in a set of FFR lowers in his car, the uppers didn't have the same problem. We are going to try and use a set of 3/8" thick X 4 1/4" bolts to see if it will work (grade 10.9 if we can find them). I don't see why it wouldn't.

red82gt · 04-03-2003, 02:19 AM

OH yeah, lengthwise etc., everything else is identical between the two.

richd · 04-03-2003, 09:08 AM

So if I get 2003 lca's with bushings already in place all I'd need are 5/16 inch bolts and I'm good to go? What about the chassis mounts, would they need to be enlarged?

Thanks for your help,

Rich D.

red82gt · 04-03-2003, 09:52 PM

You'd probably have to enlarge the holes, just wondering, why do you want the 2003 control arm again?

mike72678 · 04-03-2003, 11:29 PM

www.neweraperformanceparts.com has granatelli lowers for 03 mustangs and they are all the same and all come with 3/8 bolts and they do all fit as I have done them in all years and the aftermarket ones fit .

richd · 04-05-2003, 10:36 AM

Sorry for not responding sooner...been busy and working overtime at work.

I have the opportunity to get 2003 lca's very cheap and my logic is that the bushings would be in near new condition as opposed to a set of arms from a '90 or '91. I could just get new bushings but then I have to deal with getting them out and I'd like to avoid spending the time on that right now. With the 2003's I wouldn't have to worry about all that. Just a little drilling.

I know there are lots of options out there which would give me a lot more performance but I really need to do this as cheaply as possible for now.

I'm getting married in 9 weeks and need every penny I can muster up to pay for it.

I really appreciate all of your help, guys!

Rich D.

04-02-2003, 10:20 AM	#1
richd Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Edison, NJ, USA Posts: 125	2003 lower control arms They look the same as those on a Fox body, are they? I have an '89 LX50 and my rear CA bushings need to be retired but I need an extremely cheap and preferably easy way of doing it. Plus I'd like to have an extra set of arms around that I could box in and change to poly bushings at my leisure. The Stang is a daily driver so minimal downtime is very important. Thanks! Rich D.

04-02-2003, 03:57 PM	#2
V8Mustang Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NC Posts: 64	I don't recall what the difference is but Steeda has a different pn for the 79-98 cars than the 99-03s. However, MAC shows the same pn for 79-03. If you two cars side-by-side you could take some measurements. __________________ www.CRmotorsports.com Ford Performance Parts

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04-03-2003, 02:18 AM	#3
red82gt Sober voice of Reason Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Kelowna, B.C., Canada Posts: 1,514	The lower control arm bolts for 79-98 are 3/8'" thick, the 99+ ones are 5/16" thick. The 5/16" bolts were too thick to fit into the bushings. My buddy and I found this out when trying to put in a set of FFR lowers in his car, the uppers didn't have the same problem. We are going to try and use a set of 3/8" thick X 4 1/4" bolts to see if it will work (grade 10.9 if we can find them). I don't see why it wouldn't.

04-03-2003, 02:19 AM	#4
red82gt Sober voice of Reason Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Kelowna, B.C., Canada Posts: 1,514	OH yeah, lengthwise etc., everything else is identical between the two.

04-03-2003, 09:08 AM	#5
richd Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Edison, NJ, USA Posts: 125	So if I get 2003 lca's with bushings already in place all I'd need are 5/16 inch bolts and I'm good to go? What about the chassis mounts, would they need to be enlarged? Thanks for your help, Rich D.

04-03-2003, 09:52 PM	#6
red82gt Sober voice of Reason Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Kelowna, B.C., Canada Posts: 1,514	You'd probably have to enlarge the holes, just wondering, why do you want the 2003 control arm again?

04-03-2003, 11:29 PM	#7
mike72678 MW Link Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: rochester , ny Posts: 79	www.neweraperformanceparts.com has granatelli lowers for 03 mustangs and they are all the same and all come with 3/8 bolts and they do all fit as I have done them in all years and the aftermarket ones fit .

04-05-2003, 10:36 AM	#8
richd Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Edison, NJ, USA Posts: 125	Sorry for not responding sooner...been busy and working overtime at work. I have the opportunity to get 2003 lca's very cheap and my logic is that the bushings would be in near new condition as opposed to a set of arms from a '90 or '91. I could just get new bushings but then I have to deal with getting them out and I'd like to avoid spending the time on that right now. With the 2003's I wouldn't have to worry about all that. Just a little drilling. I know there are lots of options out there which would give me a lot more performance but I really need to do this as cheaply as possible for now. I'm getting married in 9 weeks and need every penny I can muster up to pay for it. I really appreciate all of your help, guys! Rich D.