Critique my suspension plan

I don't think so, there are also two bushings involved - see diagram below -

In the diagram of the UCA expanded, it looks like there is the ball joint and then there are two bushings at either end of the UCA - on the diagram, these bushings are marked "non/reusable part" so they need to be replaced, probably more than the BJ [still feels weird to type that and not mean something else] since Toyota even thinks they are not reusable = taking it all out


[i put a link to the thread with the rest of these diagrams earlier in this conversation]

 

For those bushings, if you buy a new UCA it comes with those installed. So I think if you buy a UCA with BJs installed, you can do it all with simple tools, no press required.

 

Yup!

But go thru those diagrams and look at what is marked non/reusable - make sure you got it all - the goal is to do this once, and not have to sweat it for another 72K

 

When you get the list of parts you need, could you cc me on that
Save me a bit of leg work

I should probably start pricing some of this so I don't shock myself real good.

I always thought sports cars, german ones at that, were 'expensive' - my MO is to buy the parts and do at least most of the labour - but truck parts take the cake!

 

For which part?

 

The OEM replacement UCA will come with the bushings and ball joint installed.

 

I don’t think I would buy an OEM UCA if I was going to replace the UCA. However now that I’m looking at UCAs it’s a lot of information to sort through.

 

Any aftermarket UCA will have the ball joint pressed as well.

If the current ball joints and bushings are not shot just start saving to replace them later. It isn't really much more work so don't feel like you're better off doing it now, especially if you're doing the work yourself.

 

Why are people making this so complicated?

you are Barely lifting your truck, so there is no reason to get aftermarket uca. If you want to, great. If not, no need.

your stock uca are still fine. Lot of people go 200k with stock uca and their ball joints are fine and so are the bushings.

pressing in new ball joint and bushings is not worth it at all on the stock uca. You can get like new take off from 3rd gen Tacoma’s uca that have like 5k miles for about $50 if you really do want to “refresh” your suspension.

 

I plan to take the front wheels off once it warms up and inspect the ball joints. If all good, I’m leaving them (and the UCAs). Only reason to replace the UCAs was if I was going to replace the ball joints anyway.

 

While we’re on this topic, is a carrier bearing drop necessary given lifting the rear of the truck 2”?

 

no. my truck is lifted 3" all around and it was fine. but i understand that everyone is different. i have no vibrations at all. some people do have vibrations and they have to put shims in their rear leaf springs to rotate their diff to work with the rear driveshaft angles.

but most of the people have no issues.

 

No carrier bearing drop, diff drop, or leaf pack shims on my truck that's been lifted for > 60k miles. Haven't needed the ECGS bushing either.

 

Replaced my stock UCAs at 218k.