Can you add aftermarket UCA on a stock Tacoma?

I’m not sure if you can add aftermarket UCA to a stock suspension setup or does it have to be modified?

thank you

 

You can swap in an aftermarket UCA. Generally it’s done to get the alignment back into spec after a lift. Why do you want new UCAs?

 

Absolutely. It's one of the key components to trying to lift your truck past a certain height but will work at stock height as well.

 

Yeah, sure but like the others asked, why? If you've worn out bushings or ball joints and plan to lift later it would be worth it but otherwise the money is better spent elsewhere, imho.

 

Yes i do plan to run a lift in the future.

 

Do SPC adjustable UCA that way it can change with the lift you chose.

I would do one and done personally.

 

Well, there ya go. Since there's a 'future' element to it, take your sweet time and be sure that along with your master plan, they'll work well now too. If you're planning on a huge lift, be mindful of how far out of their designed operating geometry they'll be until lifted. Not sure how common of a risk that might be on a tacoma, I've never looked into lifting mine (never will,) but its a good example of what to keep in mind when you bit-and-piece suspension components together. Also, if you go into it with that mindset, you will know what quirk to expect while running just that part. You'll know it will work when all together and that _______ behavior or whatever nearly-out-of-spec alignment figure you get is ok and temporary.

In a simplest possible example, it's like dudes who put too large of a tire and freak out on here when they rub (or whatever your part affects). If you do as i wrote above, you'll expect the rub and just know to avoid certain driveways, etc until the lift is on and there will be no panic or surprise.

Happy shopping, planning and building!

 

Yes, but why? It’s normally added as part of a lift, but isn’t even always required. And they are expensive. Make sure you really need them.

EDIT: they are also a PITA to install because the bolt cannot be removed without pending sheet metal, cutting the bolt, or removing the engine.

 

Look at my previous reply on this thread.

 

I don’t see a reason to install aftermarket UCAs before upgrading the rest of the suspension, but yes you can do it.

 

To have the alignment specs done right the first time around.

 

I think you are doing this backwards. You should get the alignment done after you lift it; not before. Lifting an IFS changes the geometry in complicated ways. You are best to dial the alignment in after the modifications rather than guessing.

 

Nope, my plan was to install the UCA. Leave them as is. Then have my final alignment done when lift is installed to prevent poor results.

 

I like that you are proactive. However, you will need to align it when you install the new UCA's, and after the lift.

 

unless you know how to to a home alignment, you will need to get it aligned after the uca install.

someone say home alignment?..
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-do-an-alignment-at-home.252256/

 

What advantage do you see from installing the UCA before the rest of the suspension modifications? I don’t think the UCA alone is going to improve suspension performance but it will likely knock you alignment out of whack. The aftermarket UCAs I’m familiar with have a built in 2 degree caster increase. This is added to offset the caster decrease that happens when you lift the suspension.

 

i installed SPCs before lifting simply because i wanted a high caster alignment so it drives nicer at highway speed. and that worked. but for some that double work may be inefficient. not for me.

 

Was is significantly better at highway speeds? I do quite a bit of highway driving.

 

yes absolutely. i built my truck around a higher caster alignment. but some drivers around here are apparently pretty numb and can't tell the difference. going from 2-3° up to 4.5-5° drives like a different truck to me and many others. when your caster is low, you are sitting more directly over the wheels which gets a much more urgent steering feel, good for lower speed vehicles. once you extend the front end with more caster it settles down and absorbs much of what the highway throws at you requiring less steering correction, a bit more steering weight, and a bit more controlled feel on turn-in. handling and setup junky here.

 

Just what i was seeking. I lifted a previous truck and the highway ride felt so bouncy in the front. I’m hoping aftermarket UCA will make the front end stick to the ground more at higher speeds. Is your vehicle a 3rd Gen Tacoma btw?