4x4 Level Kit - <3" Lift - Do I need Upper Control Arms?

I picked up a nice rust free '96 4x4 5-Speed extra cab last week and I have a few questions that I can't find exact answers to.

She's got some miles and the shocks are absolutely shot. I want to replace the shocks and I'm thinking that I might as well level it off and maybe get an extra inch or two if lift.

The truck has 32 x 11.5s on it now and it sits fine, but I think maybe an extra inch while I'm in there couldn't hurt. <insert joke here>

Also, I'm wondering if the springs are sagging by now and if I should just replace the front coils and add a leaf to the rear to stiffen her back up?

<b> So, if I go with 5100 front setup, or the Rancho Quick Lift, will I need to replace the front upper control arms? </b> Or can I just keep the stock style and get an alignment?

Thanks!

 

It varies truck to truck. You can usually get close enough to avoid tire wear issues but it will drive much better with more caster that you will only get with adjustable ucas. How are you upper ball joints?

 

Maintenance before mods

 

Ball joints are all new. I replaced a CV axle up front, Took apart and cleaned the hubs, all new fluids front to back. Maintenance is done with the exception of shocks.

Suggestions for upper control arms? I want good, but this is just a toy so I don't need a $500 set of arms...

 

I recently installed on OME Kit on mine. The UCAs and LCAs are stock. No problems, and wheels great, so I'm not spending for new arms.

 

$500 is fairly inexpensive as far as aftermarket UCAs goes, but you might want to look at Mevotech...they sell rebranded SPC arms for about $500 all in.

Anything else will probably run you upwards of $700+

And you might not need them but they are nice to have, you get more caster and more adjustability. With the Mevotech/SPCs you get added caster/camber adjustability. And they help you get better 'normal' alignment numbers after you lift. For some they are necessary but that depends on each rig