What lift height do you need to change UCAs?

Hey TCWorld!
I'm looking for some information on a 3" lift. I have a 2015 Access Cab Sport, what is the likelihood I will have to change my UCAs on a 3" suspension lift? I've been told that some models may get away without having to do so. I'm just looking for some additional feedback, hopefully someone else has come across this issue before. Also, if I do need UCAs, is it worth it to go with the 3" or go with a 2.5" and not have to do so? I am currently running 265/75/16s and am looking to move up to 285/75/16s.

Thanks in advance!

 

The average "tipping point" seems to be right at 2-1/2". In SOME isolated instances, less than that. I raised my Tacoma a full 3" at one point, and was able, albeit just barely, to get aligned within specs without UCA's. I'm finding that was the exception rather than the rule. I'm currently lifted to 2-1/2" and have plenty of adjustability left (with stock UCA's) Seems to vary from truck to truck.

I'd be ready to deal with them @ 2-1/2" and no doubt about it @ 3".

 

Don't skimp out on them trying to save a few bucks. Just get the UCA's and do it right the first time. Get your caster up to 3.0 and it'll drive like a champ.

 

2.5"+ is the threshold..

Do it once, do it right. Buy once, cry once.

 

^^^What he said. It would suck to install a new lift, bring it for alignment only to be told they can't get it within spec because you opted out on UCA's.

 

When you lift a truck it will change the vehicles handling characteristics. Some people seem to be ok with a truck that doesn't handle as nice at highway speeds after a lift. UCA's will help to maintain good handling characteristics after modifying the ride height of the truck.

Just for reference I have 5100's set at the 1.75 setting and I am still considering installing UCA's. I bought a set, just haven't installed them yet. In my opinion anything 2 inches or more should definitely get the UCA's to get the best handling from the truck.

 

guys i need your help bad.. i took my car truck to get aligned and this is the spec. i have a 2.5 level kit with 17x9 -12 offset on 285/70/17.. STOCK UCA. are these specs bad?

 

that caster looks horrible. I wouldn't want to drive that on the highway.

 

sorry for my ignorance but what does the caster do in terms of affecting highway driveability? maybe i just dont notice it. what kind of behavior should i be noticing with that caster?

 

Yep.

 

I will feel unstable, follow ruts in the road, and like a light, loose steering wheel

 

^This.

 

i do feel when i hit uneven surfaces it is a bit unstable.

 

Im lifted 3" with stock UCA's and on the highway im all over the road. no matter what adjustments i make, i cant get within spec alignment.

 

Awesome guys, very helpful thanks! I'm going to go with a 3" OME lift, do the diff drop and do the UCA's. I think that is my best choice for overall ride quality and off road performance.

 

Skip the diff drop if you're going off road

 

Alignment aside entirely, the upper ball joint will be under stress from its new angle that it wasn't at before, and may bind when drooped offroad, I delayed going with UCAs for a good while, and I strained the sh*t out of the upper ball joints, the suspension (mid travel, but still) and the fact that I was using it offroad was making the OE setup unhappy. Do the diff drop to save from blowing through CV boots left and right, you'll still have the same clearance you'd have otherwise, doesn't change fitment of skids.

Post UCAs, alignment is happy, but that's nearly a given, handling is improved, but more importantly I have uninhibited wheel travel, don't have to worry about an upper ball joint binding or the UCA and spindle having interference... no problems. Plus, when people look in the wheel well of the truck, it looks damn good.

 

Oh yeah? I thought I had to do it at 3"?

 

I'd do it at 3", helps prevent blowing boots all the time. Skids still fit, so clearance isn't changed.

 

...but there was that one guy a long time ago who broke his differential on his race truck after he modified his skid plate to make the differential mount into a nice rock catcher on the bottom of his truck