Is a new control arm needed?

I recently installed a revtex leveling kit witch lifted the front 3 inches and the rear 1.25. I also installed Belstien 5100 front and rear. After I installed it the place that did the work said that my alignment is back to factory alignment. After ready all the forums it sounds like that is not possible. Sounds like I need to get a upgraded control arm. I was looking at the Total Chaos control arm. So my question is 1. is there a need for a upgraded control arm with my set up 2. what is the best brand to purchase? 3. Once you install the new control arm is there a requirement to grease it so it wont squeak?

 

I think the best thing you could do is post your alignment specs on here and have some other guys with more knowledge take a look at it. From the sounds of your 3/1.25 lift you will need aftermarket UCA's to get your alignment closer to factory specs, but if you don't feel any driveline vibes or anything of that nature and your comfortable with the ride then you COULD not get them, but it is advised. My question to you is the revtek lift an above coil spacer lift?

 

Above coil spacer.

 

What are your billies set at and are those stock coils?

 

The coils are stock and the shocks are set at stock height.

 

I don't know your current financial situation or why you bought 5100's AND a spacer lift, but I recommend getting some aftermarket coils i.e. OME 885's or 887's which run about $160 a pair and you could take those spacers out to REALLY improve your ride quality. either way though, with coils or spacer you should get aftermarket UCA's with a full 3 inches of lift. which from headstrong offroad run 375 shipped. Do some research on here about spacer lifts vs. suspension lifts and you'll find some horror stories not to mention the toll it takes on other suspension components. Some people have no problems with them though. It's really a personal preference.

 

If you allignment truely is in spec, then you DO NOT NEED UPPER CONTROL ARMS.

 

I was told it's better to use spacers instead of maxing out the belstiens. I will totally get some new springs but where should I go. What do you recommend I get?

 

Who told you that?

 

Headstrongoffroad.com and talk to Marie

 

4wheelparts.com
Damn so might of wasted my money. The ride is great and I really don't get to crazy off road. With my space what coils should I get.

 

If you're happy with it - don't change it. If you start doing more offroading - it'd be a good idea to "space out" your front bumpstops by about as much thickness as your top plate (the thin one above the coil, not the thick one in line with the coil)

That'll protect your shock so that the bumpstop takes the load of bottoming out, rather than the shock. The shock isn't designed to take that load and can break. That fact is a source of a lot of the "hate" on TW towards space lifts.

If you're happy with how the truck drives, don't change the upper control arms. If you find it "twitchy" (not centered enough, excessively responsive to steering input) then think about switching control arms.

You'll get a lot of advice on here to junk everything you just did and start over. But a LOT of folks run Revtek lifts and are happy with them. Don't second guess a decision you already made. Be happy.

If you start doing more offroading and find that your suspension is limiting you - THEN think about upgrading.

On pavement, there's not much to recommend more expensive coilovers vs. the spacer lift.

 

Spaced out bumpstops with 6 fender washers:

 

booo yea ^ !!!

 

That seems kinda funny advice. Basically, using the revtek "in line" spacer has exactly the same effect as adjusting the position of the spring perch on the 5100 shock.

But like I said - the Revtek isn't hurting anything. Run what you've now got until there's some reason to change it.

 

ok I think I am going to replace front strut spacers with
1. OME 887
2. 1/4 top plate spacers for driver side
3. Light Racing UCA or icon UCA but icon is pricey as hell.
would that be a better set up then whats shown above?

 

could also look into all pro's or camburg.


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/all-pro-uca-group-buy-4runners-and-tacomas.376663/