Upper Control Arms

Do I need them when I lift? How come I need them? What's wrong with the stock ones? I work on vehicles DAILY and have never heard of such a thing. Prefer if the info is technical and not basics.

 

You dont need them when you lift unless you are anal about your alignment. After 2''+ lift it isn't possible to get the caster within stock specs. I haven't had an issue with my stock UCA's. I have OME 881 coils with 10mm spacer giving 2.5'' lift. Tire wear is just fine doing 5-6K rotation. I would get them so I dont have to look at my rusty old stock ones for the most part. Light racing UCA are nice among others, uni balls don't wear as fast and some can improve IFS articulation and travel, but not sure if that is true or noticable enough to justify buying them...

 

so basically the LW control arms are just to gain the +/- 2 degrees of caster? I am ordering a lift soon and want 2.5-3" but the control arms are not in my budget

 

Yep, additional +/- 4 degrees of caster and +/- 2 degrees for camber on the LR UCA. They have ball joints that are stronger than stock so there are some side benefits other than just correcting alignment. These should be maintenance free compared to uni-ball type brands, which is why I would get them

Wheelers sells these and their description sums it up well... I cant decide if I want to buy them either simply b/c the stocks are fine with my 2.5'' lift thus far..

link to wheelers
by the way, fat bobs garage sells these for $385, 40 bucks cheaper...

 

What is your opinion on the SPC UCA's? They look identical to the LR ones to me. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sps-25460/overview/year/2001/make/toyota/model/tacoma

 

SPC makes the LR UCAs.

 

When you have a 2.5"-3" lift you will want your caster to be around 2.5-3 deg pos. caster. When you take it to get aligned with stock UCA's the tech will tell you "yep, got it with in spec". Well spec is well below this and your truck will drift, wander and bump steer all over the place. Caster has nothing to do with tire wear, has everything to do with how the vehicle handles at speed. Wait a bit and save for the UCA's. You won't regret it.

 

you do not NEED UCAs at all. 1st gens actually stay pretty well in spec even at higher lifts.

i have never had an issue with alignment or tire wear with 3'' of lift.

are they nice? yes.

Needed. No

 

How about the Camburg UCAs that eliminate the ball joint? Ive read mixed things but they look pretty nice

 

Uniball UCAs are the only way to go!

they are very nice. However they do require lots more maintenance to keep from squeaking. You have to keep them clean and lubed up otherwise they make quite a racket.

 

True story. Blackdawg knows wassup. Only 2nd gens really need ucas for the last inch of travel and 100% alignment. If you are anal, then only crank your lift up to 2 inches. Biggest factor for tire wear is toe. You can run almost -2 camber and still be okay. As already stated, caster will affect handling at speed.

 

Reason I asked if I needed them or not. Because I seldom see 1st gens with them unless running CO. But you don't have them and I'm going for the OME from toyotec but don't have the coin for UCA. You guys are great. Is the factory UCA ball joint serviceable? Can I press it out or is the ball joint part of the control arm assembly.

 

Yea most guys get them with a nice CO which allows them mid travel. Extended coil overs and UCAs are great. Rides great and you get about 1'' of droop or so.

the ball joint i believe is a bit serviceable. You can change out boots on it if it tears. However i am not 100% sure on if they can be pressed out. I want to say no..but im not totally sure.

 

This is something ill have to look into. Ill go to the dealer and see if they sell upper ball joints or the control arm and go from there.

 

I've been thinking about the UCA's also with 2 inches of lift at full droop my steering knuckle is making contact with the coil spring. I'm going in for an alignment tomorrow but I can't see how this will change anything.

 

steering knuckle?? UCAs won't fix that either..

sounds like something else is amiss..

 

stock uppers are serviceable LMAO had to do something at work

 

Sounds like that would be a pain with all the salt and sand used up here (New England) in the winter. One of the local guys with a 2nd gen w/uniballs squeaks like hell. Seems like more effort than it's worth with all the shit they put on the roads here.

 

depends on your use. If you want the most travel from your IFS without going to LT. Its the way to go.

 

Yea the upper portion where the ball joint goes through and connects to the UCA. Something else could be wrong just wish I could figure out what.