I just got done going thru the front end on my 73.  You are correct, some parts are hard to find on these cars.  On my 73, I had trouble finding the lower control arm bushings.   I did the bushings myself however I bought the Ford Routunda front end tools off ebay about 5 years ago.  It set me back about $30 shipped.  Not sure what they are going for now.  I am not sure what all they have but you may also see if you can find some generic tools at harbor freight.  I must say the bushings were not real easy to get out but I got it done.  Also, when you do the lower control arm bushings, make sure you stick a socket or something inside the control arm frame in order not to bend / compress the frame when you are removing and installing the bushings.

What year car are you working on?  I picked up my lower ball joints for my 73 a few years back on ebay so I do not remember what I paid.  I know I did not pay what they are currently going for now.  I paid $27 each for my lower control arm bushings, plus shipping.  I only found them in one place on-line.  None of my local parts stores could get them.

I rebuilt the entire front end of the 73 wagon using a kit from PST Performance Suspension Technologies. The kit had everything including all bushing's, upper and lower ball joint's, A arm bushing's, Control arm bushing's and stabilizer bar bushing's. The upper A arm bushing's will come out with a little coaxing with a hammer. The ball joint's had to have the rivet's removed with my body grinder...the new one's bolt in which was easy. The control arm bushings came out with a hammer. The rest was fairly easy to install. After alignment, it handles great. They didn't make the poly bushing's for my application, so I settled for the stock rubber type. If I remember correctly the entire kit was around $220 dollars and you can order individual parts instead of a kit if you need. Hope this helps a little.

What a difference 6 1/2 years make.  That kit from PST was $220 in 2010 and now in 2017 $400!

Do a search for dave 1987 then a search for restoring my 78 sedan. Then in red, click of restoring my 78 sedan. Then go to page 13 and scroll down to reply 383. This is how dave 1987 rebuilt his Pinto front end with home made tools. Piece of cake.

I have a 73 wagon and am looking to do the front end rebuild and want to get a spare pair of lower arms to rebuild and have ready to do a replacemet when the time comes..

I found some lower ball joints and bushings for a 73 for a good price.

There seems to be a lot of confusion about interchangeabi lity about lower arms.

My question is what are the specific differences between the lower control arms on 73 and later 74-80 cars.

I know that there were major changes in the front suspension between 73 and 74 and most of the later parts wont fit on the 73. But I was wondering if the control arms are different as well.

I saw some lower arms advertised as "1973" for $275  a pair and the photos look very similar to ones advertised as "74-80" for about $60 each.

Thanks..