2.5" lift. Do I need uca's?

Within the next few weeks I'm gunna pull the trigger on a lift for my DCSB 4x4 trd offroad.
I'm thinkin; ome 885x coils, bilstein 5100's set at 0, and a 1/4 driver side spacer. With a wheelers 1.5" AAL or 1.5" block in the rear. I'll be keeping my stock bilstein hd shocks in the rear for now.
So my question to you kind folks is;

1. With ~2.5" will I need uca's? I'll set aside the money just in case but I'm a tight ass so id love to save $450 so I'd like to hear your experiences good or bad.

2. If I need uca's are the LR uca's dependable? I've heard that the rubber tends to tear and what not on the earlier ones but I've also heard they've since been updated and the earlier issues have been corrected.

3. Hell why not, let's see your 2.5" lift!

 

It's a hit or miss. It's also a $30k truck, don't be a tight ass over $650 for total chaos UCAs. Don't go with the LR UCAs.

 

LR UCA's are fine. Tons of members including myself have them and have had no issues.

 

Are the TC uca's really worth the extra $240?

 

it depends on how you plan to use your vehicle. If you are going to be doing a lot of off road driving including high speed then yes they are worth the money, but at that point you should also be looking to get higher performance suspension.

 

The only offroading I do is old strip mining roads, nothing crazy. Just your average trail with a few mud holes to a few fishing spots. 90% on-road 10% off. So with a 2.5" I'll pretty much need uca's for sure?

 

If you have the extra 400 around, yes I would get new UCAs.

 

How long have you had your uca's? And where's the cheapest place to get them?

 

For LR UCAs, This is the cheapest you will find them.

http://www.headstrongoffroad.com/ucas-tacoma-05-6-lug.html

 

In your case...I'd get them since your upgrading and you got the money set aside. I heard the rule of thumb is 3" or higher and you need them....and your just about there. I've had tc and they were great. The exposed ball joint is what you'll have to replace. My next set will definitely be a new one without. JBA looks strong and durable, no exposed ball joint, and only $450. They use a heavy duty moog ball joint and Toyota bushings. They guy that makes them has made jeep performance parts for years and is starting to make stuff for Toyotas....hope this helps
http://www.tacomaworld.com/out.php?url=http://tacoma-upper-control-arms.com/

 

wut?

Yep, I have had them on 2 Tacomas and logged many miles off road in harsh conditions with them without any issue.

 

What do you mean replace the exposed ball joint? When it's worn?

 

Yeah when it wears out. Mine never got to that point because I sold the tacoma I had them on. I didn't realize all that before I bought them. Knowing this now is why I'd buy the jba's. It'll become a pain in the ass every couple years or so to tear it all apart to replace those when they start to fail. That's my opinion tho...to each their own. The uniball is what I'm referring to.

 

Wut want me to find the pics of them failing?

 

Get them, it'll help on any size lift... besides, most alignment shops are incompetent and this will aid them in hopefully getting it right

 

Get Camburg ball joint uca's with Moogs

 

I don't think most are incompetent.

Aftermarket UCA add Needed Caster...returning some adjustability to your Stock LCA Cam bolts.

Without them, not much any alignment guy can do when there's limited adjustability.

 

I tried to go OME lift without new UCA's and couldn't get the caster I needed and drove it way too long out of alignment. It was horrible. Ended up getting Icon's (set to same 2.5 that I got out of the OME) and TC UCA's and alignment is spot on and the truck feels great.

 

What about with just the 2" lift? 884's instead of 885's. Would I need uca's? Burghlar Youve commented on another thread of mine but I forgot to ask, how's the ride with 884's vs the trd offroad progressive coils? I'd like it to be just a little stiffer with less body roll when cornering and less dive on braking. and since I've read the 884's are more so for access cab I'm concened they'll be to soft. Anyone know of any Coil and spring combo to achieve 2? No less

 

So really either way I go its sounds like I'm gonna need uca's if I want it to drive how it does now (stock). May as well do a 2.5, if not 3" lift. And just dish out some $$ for the uca's. I'll have to do some more digging around as far as that goes but as of now the LR uca's are looking pretty good