1.75” lift on stock UCAs

I have read everywhere that 0-2” lifts do not require upgraded UCAs... i specifically did 1.75” in the front to ensure I was on the budget friendly side so my wife didnt kill me. Since doing so, I have taken the truck to 2 different shops for alignment. The best they can do is +2.0 to +2.2 caster, and +.5 to +2 camber (2nd shop who has done many lifted tacomas, took me out on the floor and showed me that he physically can’t get anymore camber and stay above 2.0 caster and recommended I get aftermarket UCAs).

So technically... yes you can get the caster out of the stock uca’s but at the sacrifice of camber, which sucks. IMO the truck drives not very great. Cornering feels like i am going to snap something if I take it too hard, and offroad feels very unstable and rocks back and forth in the front.

Not here to complain, just a heads up to other people that are considering a lift around 2” that you will likely want (not necessarily need) new UCAs. I plan on getting mine this week and thinking about going with JBA mainly due to being able to grease the bushings.

Hopefully this can help someone.

 

2 inch lift on my Pro, stock uca's. no trouble with alignment, its perfect,

 

I hate alignment shops, I have yet to find one in my area that just does a good job.
Last time I got a proper alignment I paid a shop for bay time and did it myself.

 

@bludweiaer I’m not saying its not possible, I am just speaking from experience that it is said with confidence on here that the stock UCA’s can work, but both myself and a friend have both had to get UCA’s to make the truck drive like it should while being in the 0-2” range.

@ohcaltexscar I don’t disagree, the shop I took it to the 2nd time was very familiar with taco’s and how to set them up. He actually said that he has had great luck with SPC UCAs, which told me he is competent as some shops don’t know how to adjust those due to their extra adjustment points. I went with JBA due to brand rep, ability to grease and durability. My leaf packs squeak more than I would prefer so they ability to grease was a major plus to me.

 

I would love to find a shop here that just knew how to do a proper job of it.

I got the Ironman UCA’s with my kit, they have been great. I installed grease zerks in my LCA’s after I went to poly bushes, they’re not bad.

 

OP, post your alignment sheet.

 

@gudujarlson



that was the better of the two alignments....

 

It’s all in spec. What is your worry? I have SPCs and my alignment is not as good. It drives fine though.

 

yes it is in spec... but as marlin from JBA said, these trucks have the worse “specs” of any modern truck. Yes it is “in spec”, but that does mean it feels good to drive. Hardly any caster and really any positive camber makes for a horrible ride, “in spec”. Im just giving a heads up to guys thinking about being in the same boat, yes you will be in spec, will it feel good to drive? Likely not.

 

I think you are over thinking it, but YMMV. I would trust Toyota engineers over any 4wd shop.

 

Don't the Pro's UCAs have additional camber?

 

I would agree as I am an engineer (not sayinng degree matters, but i understand your statement), however, this is not a stock truck. And as we see on the new trd pros, new UCAs on a 1” lift, but yet no other major change.

 

In any case, don’t spread misinformation about not being able to align a taco to spec with a 1.75” lift and no $400+ UCAs. Your post was very misleading.

 

IMO its misleading for people say no issue with doing so with no mention of drive quality. To each their own. People can disregard this post if they want, but it’s an honest review from personal experience.

 

You again! Maybe the new ones, but I’m fairly certain 2020-2021 are the same as the other trims, despite the increased lift over predecessors.

 

As a fellow engineer I highly recommend this YouTube channel.

https://m.youtube.com/c/TinkerersAdventure

 

Agreed. His videos are good. In his UCA video he did mention there any many variables that matter, generalizations are not good, BUT up to 2” should be fine. The point of this post is to just remind folks to be aware. I know it works for some, but its not a guarantee. I just dont want people like myself to stay in those parameters (mainly the 1-2” side of it) and expect stock handling and adjustability. I am not trying to sell or sway people towards a UCA at all. My tires now are much more worn on the outside than the inside (one whole step/mark difference on falken wildpeaks), with only 5000 miles on them. When I drive on gravel, then onto pavement, I can visibly see what part of the tire touches the ground due to gravel dust removed. Couple that with the handling and I thought it deserved a post/heads up. Not complaining just stating my case.

 

I'm like a bad penny...I always turn up!

 

Kinda poor picture, but trying to show outside/uneven tire wear for those interested (see the clean outside of tire which shows where contact was made to clean off dust/debris). Why toyota allows for positive camber makes no sense to me, but I am not in the sector so I digress.

 

Did you go to a firestone/chain shop or did you go to a specialty shop?

I just learned the hard way that you get what you pay for. The chain "toe and go" techs hate messing with caster. It took me bringing it back twice before they called in a senior tech from a different location to fix it. Lesson learned.


However, on the third try they did put my camber and toe at dead zero, caster was 1.9. Close enough, truck drives great. No UCA needed.