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Stock UCAs limiting suspension travel??

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by tacosupreme54, May 2, 2013.

  1. May 2, 2013 at 10:54 PM
    #1
    tacosupreme54

    tacosupreme54 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I have an OME lift with 885 coils, all 4 OME nitro shocks, and an AAL in back. I didn't replace the UCAs at the time of the lift. I know the truck is not supposed to ride like a Cadillac, but I always noticed since the lift it rides a little more rough than I expected; mainly like on dirt or gravel roads. If I slow down and go over a speed bump it does fine. I was wondering if the stock UCAs are limiting my suspension travel and are basically the weakest link in the chain of my suspension, causing the rougher ride.

    If this is true, would a set of Light Racing UCAs handle this problem? Because I actually have a little extra money to get some if that will help this out.

    Thanks
     
  2. May 2, 2013 at 11:03 PM
    #2
    Konaborne

    Konaborne Pineapples on pizza Hawaiian does not it make.

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    the ride is controlled more by the spring rate of the coils/valving of the shock more than suspension numbers

    the uca's ball joint usually does limit travel though
     
  3. May 2, 2013 at 11:11 PM
    #3
    tacosupreme54

    tacosupreme54 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, I know the 885 coils are not exactly supposed to ride like a cloud. I just don't think riding down a dirt road at a 30mph should rattle my teeth out, lol. Just trying to figure out what I could do to improve it.
     
  4. May 3, 2013 at 11:40 AM
    #4
    tacosupreme54

    tacosupreme54 [OP] Well-Known Member

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  5. May 3, 2013 at 11:43 AM
    #5
    jberry813

    jberry813 Professional Fluffer Moderator

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    ...too much shit to list.
    What other answer are you looking for? The pineapple humper is correct.
    A bumpy ride down a dirt road has nothing to do with your UCA's. You could put 3 different brand UCA's on there and it won't change the "ride." It may help with tracking better off road by helping put caster back in check, but ride is all determined by spring rate and valving.
     
  6. May 3, 2013 at 11:47 AM
    #6
    BigHeadTaco

    BigHeadTaco GFY

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    Full OME lift 885's with Dakar leaf springs. LR UCA's. ImMrYo relocation bracket.
    How many miles on the lift? What kind of tires (load range) and what pressure are they at?
     
  7. May 3, 2013 at 11:52 AM
    #7
    Mr Salty

    Mr Salty "Give up the good to go for the great"

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    Go to 884s, you'll get some improvement there but also lower it a tad.
     
  8. May 3, 2013 at 1:33 PM
    #8
    tacosupreme54

    tacosupreme54 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I was just seeing if anybody else had an opinion on why it rides rougher than I expected. I guess that's just how OME rides.

    I believe the OME kit has about 25k miles, maybe a little more on it. I have 295/75/16 Hankook Dynapro MTs on it. I'm pretty sure they are load range D and 8 ply. And I usually run them at about 35 in the front and 32 in the rear.

    Well I would never clear my tires, they're 33.6" diameter.

    Something else I have noticed is that when I'm pulling my trailer with the lawn mower or four wheeler, it smoothes out the ride a lot, weird.
     
  9. May 3, 2013 at 1:39 PM
    #9
    BigHeadTaco

    BigHeadTaco GFY

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    Full OME lift 885's with Dakar leaf springs. LR UCA's. ImMrYo relocation bracket.
    Front struts in good shape? Has it rode rough since the OME kit was installed?
     
  10. May 3, 2013 at 1:47 PM
    #10
    Plannerman99

    Plannerman99 Well-Known Member

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    Your ride is smoother with the trailer because the weight of the trailer and its load is a better balance of the springs' tension.

    Generally, yes, an empty truck with heavier springs (885s and an AAL) will ride much rougher on a dirt road. Definitely rougher than stock.
     
  11. May 3, 2013 at 2:31 PM
    #11
    tacosupreme54

    tacosupreme54 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Well I guess that's just how the truck is supposed to ride. It's not awful, just not always pleasant. Sorry, just wanted to run it past somebody. I probably will get the ucas though, to save my tires.

    thanks guys
     
  12. May 3, 2013 at 3:17 PM
    #12
    Mr Salty

    Mr Salty "Give up the good to go for the great"

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    Yeah you pick them up LR UCAs pretty cheap, 375.99 shipped
     
  13. May 3, 2013 at 3:25 PM
    #13
    Mr Salty

    Mr Salty "Give up the good to go for the great"

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    You can always do a db lift to improve the ride and sell your OME kit, at least the front. Theres the RCD 4.5" kit which would go real well with those tires.

    I know a lot of people that talk crap on the DB lifts, but when your a 4x4 and you want lift and to maintain ride quality, they are a good option. Had one on a full size 4x4 and had no problem with it at all.

    Just throwing this out there
     
  14. May 3, 2013 at 3:58 PM
    #14
    tacosupreme54

    tacosupreme54 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yeah man, they look pretty good and keep everything close to stock. I don't have the money for one at the moment. After I finish school and paying it off, I do have plans for the truck. butfor as much as rcd costs, might as well go ahead and get a full 6". And where did you find LR ucas for that price?
     
  15. May 5, 2013 at 8:44 AM
    #15
    DevL

    DevL Well-Known Member

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    Here are some pointers.

    Heavy duty springs like 885 are for extra weight, like plate bumper, winch etc. If you don't have these use a lighter spring or add weight.

    The shocks are valved for stronger springs and more weight... again why didn't you get springs and shocks for the proper weight? You don't add stiffer springs just for height. That would be silly. You get spring weights matched to vehicle weight and get shocks valved to spring strength. If you want more lift add spring length or assembly length via spacers. Just make sure the shock can not close fully before you hit the bump stop.

    OME shocks are short. A uniball gains nothing in travel until you add some top plate spacers to add closed and extended length to the shock assembly.

    A shorter spring or less lift won't effect tire clearance. You should be clearanced full stuff to full droop and lock to lock... that means no lift or 3" lift will have zero impact on tire clearance.

    Just sounds like you didn't do your homework and buy the lift that fits your needs.
     
  16. May 5, 2013 at 8:52 PM
    #16
    tacosupreme54

    tacosupreme54 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    OME 885's, 90000 and n182 shocks, CB drop, 295/75/16 Hankook Dynapro MT RT03's, 16"x8" Pro Comp 7089 wheels, Avid Off Road Light Bar, Magnaflow 12226-14'' Muffler dumped after axle, color matched grille, Team Realtree camo seat and steering wheel covers, Husky floor liners, towing hitch, bed extender, Tacoma bed mat, all black emblems, black sockmonkey decals, bedlined rear bumper.
    I appreciate your input, but I did do plenty of homework. I came to this forum about 3 years ago. About a year after that I did end up getting this lift. That was after months of questions, reading old threads, posting new threads to ask questions, etc. I did all of that to get the right answers because I didn't know much myself. Over and over again, I was told that on a 2nd gen 4x4 double cab Tacoma, 884s were good for ~2", 885s were good for a full 3", and 886s were good with a bumper/winch for ~3" (depending on your combo). Obviously the higher the number (883, 884, 885, 886..) is the higher spring rate of the coil, and I was advised that the 885 was a higher rate spring, but that would be what I needed to properly lift 3" because of the extra weight of 4x4 and the double cab. I didn't want to get 884s, then work my way up to 3'' with spacers because I'd had spacers before and they ride like shit. My point is that I did research the subject as best as I knew how for several months. I am not saying you are wrong, I'm saying that the suspension I have is the suspension I was advised to get.
     

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