Torn - Do I get UCA's

I have searched but it seems like I can't get exactly what I am looking for, so here it goes.

I have a 2010 TRD Off Road and I am having the following installed:

5100's all four corners
2" AAL (toytech)
Front Diff Drop (toytech)
Moto-Metal 955 B (17x9, 4.5 backspacing, -12 offset)
Nitto Terra Grapplers AT (285/70/17)

Here's the big question, should I put on UCA's?

My concerns are:

1. I have the money, but I don't want to spend it if I don't need to.
2. I am weighing premature tire wear if i don't get them versus the money I would save from premature tire wear if I had the UCA's installed.
3. Do UCA's address one or two issues, are they installed to save tire wear or improve drive-ability at higher interstate/freeway speeds?
4. Will my new tires rub the stock UCA's and possibly cause tire a premature failure?

I want to join in on the group buy, but I need to find satisfy my concerns before jumping in. If the issues are something I can live with then I won't spend my money, but if the issues cause more problems or money to deal with then I will buy them.

Thank folks for checking this out and helping me to make my decision.

 

i ran a 3 inch spacer with on the factory rugged trails for about the last 15,000 miles or so. I only got 30,000 out of the tires but I think it has to do more with the factory set. I am about to spend 800 on a new set of michelins. ( why because I am just a loyal fan) I just bought the LR uca in the group buy because i am getting new tires.. My mechanic says although the alignment isnt right on due to the lift, that it should not affect the tire wear that much. My truck is a bit more darty after the lift on the stock UCA's. By darty i mean its very responsive to minor movements in the steering wheel. Very noticeable from stock but I have gotten use to it and it drives fine. Chris sbove won;t steer you wrong he will let you know whats best just my 2 cents...

 

I am planning on setting them at the 2.5 mark

 

If you have the money, I would get them and have a lift thats done right. And I'm sure it will handle better as you will be able to get the alignment in spec

 

Aftermarket UCA's aren't needed, but are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Aftermarket UCA's help to get alignment near factory specs. Also helps to keep truck from floating/wandering feeling while driving.

As long as you have a good alignment and proper tire inflation, you won't have to worry about premature tire wear.

As long as you have proper backspacing you shouldn't have a problem with tires rubbing on stock UCA's.

If i left anything out im sure someone will chime in.

There is this current group buy going on through toytec:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/to...n-5100-lift-kits-lr-ucas-ends-11-17-09-a.html

 

I'm still up in the air about replacing the stock UCA's. Only reason I want them is so my tires last longer from the slight positive camber. On the other hand I do like my quiet stock arms and don't like the idea of spending hundreds of dollars to listen to a bunch of noises that may or may not fix the alignment 100%, so I may just spend money on tires instead or arms.

 

But with 2.5" up front does he NEED them or is it OK to go with out, I am in the same boat...I am going to bypass getting them for now as I need to save and get a cover for my bed and more ammo for the impending worlds end

 

aw man...I need to skip ammo this month....

 

First, I want to thank you all for your posts. They have been enlightening and have made me consider more things and regrettably spend more money than I really want too. So here is where I find myself, please continue to provide your positive and negative feedback as both are valuable to me.

Using the current toytech GB listed at

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/to...n-5100-lift-kits-lr-ucas-ends-11-17-09-a.html

I am planning on installing Option 4 & 5.

-The 5100 will be set at .85 and the Eibach Springs provide 1.6 inches of lift. I hope to achieve near 2.5 inches and have a decent ride (not too harsh)

-1/4" Spacer on the drivers side to correct my taco lean

-LR UCAs to replace the stock ones (I hope they don't make a lot of noise)

-Front Diff Drop

-5100 in the back and the TSB AAL (I think the back will sit a little higher than the front. I prefer it to be level but it is okay if the back is just a LITTLE bit higher than the front. I tow my boat and utility trailer.)

-My tires will be Nitto Tera Grapplers 285/70/17 on Moto Metal 955B's

I hope it all comes together, cause this is a ton of FRICKIN MONEY! But Grandaddy always said, 'Do it right the first time and you won't worry about having to do it over again.'

This is my first ever lift and I hope it is right.

 

what is there to make noise? they use a ball joint just like the OEM arms...

 

the ammo is probably more important. I have been running for 10,000 + miles on my stock UCAs and Icons set at 2.5. It drives fine going straight, but in the turns the camber gets even more positive and you can hear the tires scraping. I have a little noticable wear on the out edges of my bfg all terrains, but nothing that would make for the cost of getting UCAs. I had TC UCAs on my truck for a couple thousand miles and took them off because they move the tire way back in the wheel well and it looked weird and rubbed like crazy on my frame and fenders. I kinda had to take them off. I am fine with the stock arms. The perfect setup would be set the 5100s at 1.75, leave the rear stock height, and keep the stock UCAs. Then run 275-70-17 good year silent armors, these are bad ass tires for the street where you do 99.99999999999 of your driving anyways, at least most of us anyways.

 

You should be good with this setup if you go LR UCAs because they have adjustable caster and you can move the tire forward if you have to.

 

Ha, up in the air.....in a lift thread. I am amused. Simple pleasures I guess........

 

OK Folks,

Thanks to Toytech for evening out everything for me. I ordered all of the parts and I am going forward on the lift when all parts come in.

I want to thank ALL OF YOU for your contributions, they were immensely helpful when conducting my research. I know that these questions are asked often and with so many different combinations of products and the pricing of these products, a reasonable person would try to do their due diligence before taking the plunge. You folks have been great answering my questions and being able to search the forums as well has proven Tacoma World to be a great resource that all Tacoma owners should frequent.

Thanks for allowing me to be a part of this great forum.

 

Just to let y'all know I have installed everything and my new build is here;

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/builds/60315-invisionz111-build.html

Now i have to try and get the alignment correct, I am going to try and go to Firestone and get their Lifetime Alignment deal.

Thanks again for the help.