BDS UCAs on a truck with possibly under 2” of lift

https://bds-suspension.com/products/upper-control-arm-kit-toyota-tacoma-05-23?variant=52389102256499&country=US&currency=USD&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAABINekhjHrj0ZUHkF1aYj_Z3r5P0N&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjZ-qpvinjAMVkyatBh0YzCOaEAQYASABEgL0LfD_BwE
I have a 2023 Trd OR with an unknown height OME lift. At some point I would love to get fox shocks all around as I have family members that love their BDS equipment etc. The dealer claimed the lift was I think 1-2 inch (who knows if they are correct on this). The UCAs linked above are suggested for 2-3 inch lifts, will I be ok if I am on that lower line possibly a little under? Truck wanders at high speeds and am hoping to do these first until I can update the rest when the current shocks wear out, thank you!

 

Have you taken your truck in for the wandering problem? Sounds like you just need an alignment, not new parts on a 2 year old truck. And if you do need to replace parts, they should still be covered under warranty.

In any case, I highly doubt that your UCA's are the problem. And you will likely gain absolutely nothing by adding these. BDS is also giving misinformation in the description. These will not allow for more wheel travel. The limit is the CV axles, not the UCA's. They also don't say how much caster they add (if any) which is really the only reason to get new UCA's with a lift. If they add caster, you may run into problems if you add them without the amount of lift they were designed for. Too much caster means the wheel gets pushed too far back and you get rubbing problems.

 

From what I could find they add on 1.5 degrees of positive caster to push the wheel forward (which might help with my slight rubbing in the back). I did just have it into my personal mechanic for an inspection and he said everything looked good to him but there is always the chance it isn’t an obvious issue yet. It does have 33s on it so not sure if that is adding to the wandering. It is in no way terrible just noticeably different than my brother’s stock 3rd gen. As for an alignment I’m not sure they claimed to do a 2 wheel before I bought it and it drives straight at lower speeds but that is definitely something I should check into.

 

33's definitely are not helping the issue lol. Have you done a chalk test to make sure you are at the right PSI? Could just be a little on pressure which will absolutley make the truck wander at higher speeds.

Also you have your caster info mixed up. Adding caster (positive) moves the wheel backward, not forward. You lose caster as you lift, so aftermarket UCA correct this by adding more.

 

I see, I will definitely try double checking that when I get her back out again, probably put a little too much trust in the dealers pre-inspection etc. Haha

 

First hat a good alignment. Ask that the caster be put at the high end of factory specs. With only 1.5-2” of lift you can get all the factory specs even with the caster at the high end. You wandering issue is more than likely a low caster #. Look up alignment adjustments so you can better understand how they work.

 

Haha that is exactly what I’ve been doing for the last bit, sorry to have posted with incorrect assumptions and thank you all for clarifying for me, I believe I understand a good bit more and now I know UCAs will not fix much for me where I am right now. I will most likely wait on doing these with the new lift as well. May have to do some pinch weld bending now though depending on what my wheel wells look like after an alignment

 

3rd Gen stock height is roughly 21" front and 22" rear, wheel hub center up to fender edge (assuming you haven't cut the fender top).

Look at your lower control arm rear alignment cams. If they are straight up at zero (neutral), then I doubt a new alignment was done after lifting (or a poor job).

 

Tinkerer's Adventure is an incredible source of suspension information, this video should give you a really good understanding of UCAs
He also has videos fully explaining how the IFS works and how a proper alignment can help you fit larger tires.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huMztKaHsUE

 

That's not misinformation at all. The stock UCA hits against the coil spring before the CV axle binds. The BDS UCA (most any aftermarket UCA) allows the suspension to droop that much further, increasing total wheel travel (this, combined with an ext. travel shock, is what makes a Mid-Travel kit what it is). But yes, you really should have 2" lift if you're also battling a tire rub issue at the back of the fender (the cam bolt positions needed, combined with the UCA also pushing the tire back, pushes the tire back that much more if you have less than 2" lift).

Like mentioned above, stock = ~21" front, ~22" rear from the center of your wheel hubs to the edge of the fender above. However much above that you (OP) have on yours should be how much lift you have.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_68Hc8GtLko&t=608s watch from 10:00. The first limit is the stock shock. After that, it's technically the UCA BJ but even without that the CV joint is maxed out so you don't actually gain anything with new UCA's. So no, aftermarket UCA's won't allow the suspension to droop any further and you don't gain any wheel travel. Claiming such is misinformation on BDS's part. And the stock UCA only hits the coil if you put coilovers with larger coils on. Even 5100s which are extended length and use stock coils won't result in contact with the stock UCA at full droop. I have personally tested this, it's close, but the shock tops out before the UCA touches.

 

Ok, maybe I'm partially mistaken... I didn't realize how much size difference there was between stock (or OEM-type) and Fox or King coilovers.
I have Fox on mine, and my stock UCAs definitely hit them well before the CV joint would bind, so what I said isn't wrong if you have high-end coilovers.
BDS sells many of their kits with Fox shocks, so maybe that is what they base their claim on. I guess I can't argue then that it doesn't present the full picture to say it "increases travel" without giving some specifics.

OP did say though he wants to eventually get Fox shocks, so there's no good reason to discourage a set of UCAs beforehand since he's already lifted. I think what is needed here is for him to simply find a good alignment shop that knows how to adjust for tire clearance.
UCAs with 1.5° of caster will push the tire back slightly, however if the cam bolt adjusters at the LCA have plenty of room to go (and I have a feeling they do), it will more than offset how much the UCA pushed the tire back (like was said above, you want to aim for the higher-end of factory spec (or even a slight bit past that) using the cam bolts).
Wandering is definitely one of the main indicators of not having enough caster angle.

 

Best Tacoma alignment know it yourself video by Overland Outfitters.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R9hdSNTaFNY

 

Great video