Do I need UCA's

So I'm considering and will probably buy a toy tech 3in lift. I don't plan on off-roading the truck. Do I really need a set of UCA's or not? If so I'd go total chaos uniballs? On a side note I did just install the "new" Magnuson supercharger kit and I cannot endorse it enough. Awesome power. This would be my first lift kit install and so I'm a bit ignorant on the issue. Thanks!

 

Yes. At 3" you will need UCAs for a correct alignment. Otherwise you will not track to center and have unbalanced tire wear. If you don't plan on off-roading, there is no point in spending the premium for the uni-balls IMO. They add extended droop, which will only be beneficial off road. I would just go with the Light Racing UCAs with the factory style ball joint.

As to the supercharger, the 2.85 pulley really helps wake it up and make it more fun to drive with faster boost and stronger pull:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/urd-2-85-stealth-supercharger-pulley-install.416267/

 

I'm no expert at all but I've read lots on it to. This link has several guys at 3" with stock UCA and proper alignment

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3-lift-w-bilstein-5100-pictures.396427/

 

Even on the uncommon occasion people get proper alignment with stock UCAs, they can still benefit from aftermarket ones.

 

Id be willing to bet that their actual caster alignment numbers arent what they should be. Very few have proper caster alignment after 2.5" of lift.

 

Yes. Although not necessary, I'd use aftermarket UCA's on anything over 2" for adjustability.

 

From the trucks I've lifted, 2" is the max lift the caster will go at above 2+ with camber being zero. Now there are rare occasions where others have gotten 2-2.5+ of caster on more than 2" of lift but at 1.75-2", I found it takes some playing around with the bolts to even get to 2+ especially if you use a lean spacer.

 

Its funny.... lots think that the uniballs flex better than ball joint offerings in the UCA world. FYI most uniballs top out at 70* of motion (some are down around 60* depending on mis alignment spacer config).... SPC ball joints have 83* of flex, JBA UCA's use ball joints that have 90* of flex. Stock UCA's are around 63ish * of flex if i remember correctly. The reason why the uniballs offer better droop over stock is that they twist the plane of the uniball up a bit so at the lifted ride height the plane of the uniball isnt in so much of a downward angle already.

Either way i vote SPC UCA's mine have been great and literally no maintenance.

 

Can't beat the value and adjustability of SPC's. They are great UCA's and seems to hold up well. Other's choose to go uniballs for strength but balljoints are easy enough to replace.