Need UCA for extended coils...and recon?

Hi, I have a set of Fox 2.5 extended travel coilovers waiting to go into my 2017 dcab. Planning to keep them at the factory 1" lift, maybe to 1.5". I was told that I need UCAs for the extra droop and space to fit. I prefer a balljoint UCA not a uniball. I was looking at JBA but don't want the caster to be out of factory spec....I live next to the police station and drive through Waikiki, I want recon.

Anyone have experience with JBA or SPC and getting recon on a 1" lift? I want to make sure I can get into factory specs....unless that's not needed for recon?

 

I might be crucified for saying this, but I've always felt the SPC UCA's looked really flimsy . I got the fox extended travels too and am going with baja kits boxed uca's, because if it's strong enough for LT, it's strong enough for extended travel. Why are you trying to avoid uniball? Seems like everyone's complaint just revolves around them getting squeaky.

 

If you want easy alignments go with JBA, they have a factory and +Caster option so make sure you get which one you want.

With SPC you have to find someone who isn't a putts and is willing to do their job.. I've had a hell of a time trying to find someone that's worth a damn more than a toe-n-go. The SPC arms have been great, taken a beating(I bent a spindle and the arms didn't flinch), the adjustments if tightened correctly will not move.

 

High maintenance.

 

Fair enough.

 

and price, but I see you went with something that makes Camburg look inexpensive.

 

True. We all have different price points. Like we used to say to the new riders at bike meets, "just ride your ride", or i guess in this case, your wallet. I have heard good things about both JBA and SPC, I just chose to go with something different got my own reasons. Maintenance also doesn't bother me, but that's me. In the end it comes down what is best for the individual and their needs/situation.

 

Yea, i hear ya. I just can't justify spending the money on something overbuilt when something like SPC/JBA does the job well, granted that's for rock crawling and not Dune jumping.

 

For sure. I have a bad habit of over building my shit lol. My wife hates it. It's like an addiction.

 

Thanks @Sandman614 and @justyr1

Yup, looking to avoid the uniball maintenance. The JBAs are nice, I just want to make sure I can get the caster into factory specs before ordering them. I emailed JBA.

Good to know the SPC arms are beefy! The way the balljoint mounted worried me. They are around the same price so maybe I’ll look into those and caster adjustability.

Getting in specs for recon is pretty important to me. After recon it can relax and bump up the caster. They do check caster at the recon station right??

 

@nairb Give 4wheelparts a call. Only reason I saw this is they might still have some good discounts since Truck and Jeep Fest was a couple weeks ago. They might not be discounting anything anymore, but it's worth a shot to ask. I know when I was doing my Fox's and Dakars through them they were trying to sell me on the SPC's and they had a decent discount then.

 

I actually ordered my Fox setup from Mike just after the show. Their sale price plus $60 shipping was a pretty good deal. Mike told me about SPC but hasn't worked with JBA before. Maybe I'll send him a email and see if the SPC UCAs can get to factory specs with a 1" lift.

Are you going to increase the lift on your Fox's? I'm debating making them a little higher and getting a AAL 3 leaf no overload in the back.

 

Icon with delta joint

 

I've only read the requirement for aftermarket UCA's if you have more than 3" of lift. I’ve never heard anyone struggle or complain about the stock UCA’s with a lift less than 2”. I wonder why the person/shop told you that you needed aftermarket UCAs?

Recon only looks for a "green sheet" from an alignment shop that provides you a copy to give to the Recon station. I believe the "green sheet" means that your alignment is within factory specs. Just be sure you let your alignment shop know you need the paperwork for Recon.

Also, any adjustment to your suspension will require Recon. I don’t think it’s an option or a matter of want. It’s the law here on Oahu.

My truck came with a 1.75” TRD tuned lift, and I initially added a thicker coilspring seat for additional 1” of height. This minor adjustment requires Recon. My limiting factor was my stock UCA’s, but it really didn’t bother me much and the truck performed well on and offroad.

Also, curious why you went with Fox 2.5 extended travel coilovers when you are only setting them at 1-1.5”?

 

If you look at the Fox site at their coilovers for the Tacoma's, there are two different 2.5's listed. One is like the Kings and Icons and you can use your stock UCA. The other says that it requires and aftermarket UCA. The guys at 4WP talked to fox when ordering it for me and (i'm paraphrasing here, plus it's a little bit of the telephone game, so take with a grain of salt) they said the one's that need the aftermarket UCA have more travel to them and a slightly different construction, so they need the UCA because the stock one will hit the coil and limit movement.

 

I want to go around 2.5". Maybe more, maybe less. I just listen to the dude who does the installs and knows what he's talking about, and do what he recommends @hacklerjason

 

4wheel told me I couldn’t get the oem uca arm on because of the larger fox body.

I got the extended so if I ever wanted to go higher than 1” I could. I’ve had a bad experience in the past with adding preload and making the ride really bad. Same price so why not??

Ahh ok, anyone know what the range is for green? Was it 2.7 degrees max?

 

Haha smart. I’m still under warranty and was told not to go crazy with the lift and I’ll be ok with service and issues.

 

I'm still under warranty too haha.

 

Are you going to change out your needle bearings too? I figure I’ll just drive it until it goes bad then take it in under warranty.