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Importance of new UCAs?

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by 06tacomakev, Jan 8, 2012.

  1. Jan 8, 2012 at 7:40 AM
    #1
    06tacomakev

    06tacomakev [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I am hoping to lift my Tacoma three inches and run a 285 tire. Will it be absolutely necessary that I also replace the control arms?
    Still thinking Toytech or OME
     
  2. Jan 8, 2012 at 7:43 AM
    #2
    Brunes

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    What rim are you planning on running?? Cause there is a chance that your tire will rub on the stock UCA. That is a big deal.

    You may also have a hard time getting the truck aligned correctly without new UCAs...It's less about the tire wear aspects of the aignment and more about the path of travel control...but you can have issues.
     
  3. Jan 8, 2012 at 7:45 AM
    #3
    06tacomakev

    06tacomakev [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I believe I am forced to run a 17x8 with 4.50 backspacing so that is what I am shooting for
     
  4. Jan 8, 2012 at 7:45 AM
    #4
    TexasTacoma37

    TexasTacoma37 Well-Known Member

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    Do aftermarket ucas really sit in a lot further than stock where they would prevent tire rubbing?
     
  5. Jan 8, 2012 at 7:47 AM
    #5
    Brunes

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    Depending on what type of rim-they can.
     
  6. Jan 8, 2012 at 7:47 AM
    #6
    06tacomakev

    06tacomakev [OP] Well-Known Member

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    From what you are saying. It sounds like I am just better off to bite the bullet and purchase new UCAs. Just to avoid a handful of problems
     
  7. Jan 8, 2012 at 7:48 AM
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    TexasTacoma37

    TexasTacoma37 Well-Known Member

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    How much further would you say they sit in? People have asked me this question before I haven't known what to tell them.

    Mainly they ask if they can run stock rims with 285s and just get new ucas instead of spacers. Do you know of anyone who has tired that?
     
  8. Jan 8, 2012 at 7:51 AM
    #8
    TexasTacoma37

    TexasTacoma37 Well-Known Member

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    Why are you forced to run those specs in particular? What size tires do you want to run?

    Because if you want to run 285s, you could run either a 17x8 or 17x9 with 4.5" bs
    And if you want to run a 265, you can run a 17x8 with anywhere between 4.5 and 5.5" bs.
     
  9. Jan 8, 2012 at 7:52 AM
    #9
    06tacomakev

    06tacomakev [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I am looking to run a ten inch wide tire and the literature with most of the lifts has stated that a 17x8 wheel is necessary with the minimum backspacing being 4.5 inches
     
  10. Jan 8, 2012 at 7:54 AM
    #10
    TexasTacoma37

    TexasTacoma37 Well-Known Member

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    10" wide tire, so a 255? What diameter?
     
  11. Jan 8, 2012 at 7:54 AM
    #11
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    You'll probably want to run new UCAs just for alignment purposes. I'm not sure about the rubbing issues, I'll let the others speak to that. At 3" of lift, you won't be able to get your alignment within spec using stock UCAs.
     
  12. Jan 8, 2012 at 7:56 AM
    #12
    Brunes

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    This is the route I would go. (and did-With both my trucks)

    I not sure they give you that much clearance. I don't think I woulda wanted my 285s without the spacers.
     
  13. Jan 8, 2012 at 7:59 AM
    #13
    06tacomakev

    06tacomakev [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Those are the 1.25 spacers on the front only then?
     
  14. Jan 8, 2012 at 8:23 AM
    #14
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Its because of thei design. Most aftermarket UCA's are tubular, as opposed to the stamped flat steel of the OEM ones, so the material isnt as wide, thus giving clearance. Same with the Uniballs. Though they are larger than OEM ball joints, the ball joint mount of the OEM design has a wide, flat area, that can come into close proximity to a wider tire, whereas a uniball UCA can give extra clearance, as the uniball is mounted into a "cup" and gets its increased strength via more material on the vertical plane, as opposed to being wider. You can get up to 1/2" more clearance with a Uniball UCA, vs. the OEM UCA.
     
  15. Jan 8, 2012 at 8:30 AM
    #15
    TexasTacoma37

    TexasTacoma37 Well-Known Member

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    Thank you for the clarification Chris
    yes, but you won't need them with the 4.5" bs wheels.
     
  16. Jan 8, 2012 at 8:57 AM
    #16
    pataco

    pataco Well-Known Member

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    yes,and with the price of those tires you dont wanna have them wear out faster because the alingment is not right.
     
  17. Jan 8, 2012 at 8:22 PM
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    06tacomakev

    06tacomakev [OP] Well-Known Member

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    took a while. Sorry my bad, 11 inches so a 265 ( not 275 ) and a diameter of 33"

    265/75/r17 I believe is what I am after.
    I put down 17 as that is what I believe I need to run from my readings.
    Anyone done this on a 16 in wheel after a 3" lift of coilovers and UCA?
     
  18. Jan 8, 2012 at 8:27 PM
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    magic

    magic Well-Known Member

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    had same exact problem as you except in a 1st gen. trust me here, you dont need new UCA. i do my fair share of mudding and flexing in my setup(99 3" toytec spacer, 285/75/16 on 16x8 with 3.75 backspacing procomp steelies, procomp shocks, stock coils, stock UCA) and dont have a problem. save ur money and put it toward some trail gear.
     
  19. Jan 8, 2012 at 8:30 PM
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    magic

    magic Well-Known Member

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    i didnt have alignment issues but i do rub with those 285/75 cuz mines a 1st gen. i think op will have very little rubbing because 2nd gen have more wheel well room than 1st gens right?
     
  20. Jan 8, 2012 at 8:32 PM
    #20
    06tacomakev

    06tacomakev [OP] Well-Known Member

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    you did not suffer any alinement issues?

    THx for the response on this so fast, faster than I can type lol
     

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