Gen 2 UCA Dilemma

Last year I purchased my 2009 Tacoma DCSB 4x4 with a 6” BDS drop bracket (DB) lift and 2.5” Fox coilovers (CO). The truck currently has a total of 6” of lift from the DB lift, but it looks like up to 2.5” more inches of lift could be cranked into the COs. The truck also came with Total Chaos (TC) upper control arms (UCA) and 35 x 12.50s.

I have not been able to get the truck properly aligned and have come to find out that this is because the DB lift has maintained the factory angles, but the TC UCAs are for a vehicle that no longer has factory angles due to a CO / non-DB lift. The truck did not come with the original UCAs. The way I see it, I have 2 options, so I would appreciate any feedback anyone may have on these options (or any options I may not have thought of):

Option #1 – Crank in enough lift into the coil overs to make the TC UCA come into alignment. I don’t need the additional lift; this would just be to solve the alignment issue. Has anyone put a CO lift on top of a DB lift before? Any issues? If there are no big issue with doing this, it seems like it would be the cheapest and easiest option (and who doesn’t love an excuse to get more lift?).

Option #2 – Replace the TC UCAs with UCAs that have factory specs. If I go this route, should I get OEM or are there aftermarket factory spec UCAs that are worth the extra money? I’ve seen some threads on here saying it’s probably not worth the money to scrap the OEM for OEM spec aftermarket, but what about if I have to buy something new regardless? I don’t mind spending extra $$ if it’s worth it. The uniball in the TC UCA started squeaking pretty bad recently, so I’m not sure how much more life the TC UCAs have anyway.

The main use of the truck is driving multiple hours on the highway to get to off-roading spots (mud, water crossings, and mild rock climbing), so I need a balance of on-road and off-road performance that can stand up well to dirt and mud. Ideally something reliable with minimal upkeep. Given these needs, the uniball TC UCA would not have been my first choice, but I don’t know if it is worth getting rid of it. Also, I live in the NE so the truck sees a good bit of road salt.

TIA for any feedback.

 

Sounds like cap. Aftermarket ucas can be used on stock trucks. Pretty sure the alignment guy just was looking for something to blame so he didnt have to work on your truck.

 

I'm no alignment expert, but I've been told the camber is off (the inside of the tires are wearing out faster). I took it to a regular alignment shop who was baffled and said it looked like the cambolt in my lower control arm was fixed or seized or something because they could not adjust it to fix the camber. Then I took it to a shop that specializes in off-road vehicles (I did a bunch of research and they were highly recommended in all of the local forums for aligning off road vehicles, so I drove 1.5 hrs to have them check it out) and they discovered the UCA issue. They said that the cambolt in the LCA was not seized, but was maxed out because the TC UCA was for a vehicle with sharper than factory angles and this DB lift still had the factory angles. I looked into it and the TC UCA I have is for vehicles "with 1.5"-3" lift kits". They have an optional heim pivot upgrade "designed for vehicles with a 6" or higher drop bracket lift kit", but it appears the previous owner did not get that upgrade.

Updated: here is a link to the TC UCA:
https://www.chaosfab.com/2005-2015-Tacoma-Upper-Control-Arm-Kit-96504.html

 

I forgot to quote you in my response above, so doing so here (Sorry, I'm new to this).

 

I don't think I have a printout from the last alignment, but will double check. I'll take a picture of the front and rear cam bolts tomorrow and post. Thanks!

 

Here is pictures of the front and rear cam bolts on the driver's side (wheels are straigth forward).

Front:







Rear: