Planning on lifting truck, what are the pros of replacing the upper control arm?

Hey Tacomaworld! I'm looking for some guidance on lifting my Tacoma about 3". I am looking into Bilstein 5100 shocks with OME coils and I was wondering what the pros were to replacing the upper control arms vs the stock ones. Being as the lift kit is around $800 already I wasn't sure spending another $600+ on control arms was worth it. I do some moderate off-roading in my truck but nothing serious.

This is the kit I was looking into:
http://www.nexgenoffroad.com/product-p/5100888kit.htm

any advice on lifting and on different kits would also be appreciated!

Thanks,
Brady

 

I'm looking to get 888 coils as well and from everything I've been reading, when you go over 2" in lift, you need UCAs. Installing new UCAs will allow you to keep your truck in alignment specs and provide even more adjustability to get everything to fit + drive correctly. I personally wouldn't advise using the stock UCAs with 888 coils. I plan on getting SPC UCAs.

 

If you're lifting 3" you'll want UCAs to get the truck in alignment properly. The stock arms won't let you if you go that high. Its an investment but I'd recommend them if you're going to do a lift. Heard good things about the SPCs and the JBAs

 

Same category different question though: can you throw a 2” kit in the front and one I. The back to get a leveled look? Thanks for the thread

 

Yes

 

uppers are to be able to get corrected alignment with 2.5-3" lift and smoother articulation with suspension travel. Factory upper ball joints are designed to move full travel of stock height vehicle, when you lift it, you are putting factory ball joint at almost full motion, then add your new articulation of lift kit, things start to bind and you max out alignment limits.