Prerunner owners out there, did all of you need new UCAs after 5100s?

I seen your thread, and saw you got them. Nice truck btw. See, I figured you need a set. I just don't get how some people say they need them, and some don't. But I think its like what the other guys said in that thread, they do not know how much better the truck can drive with them. I would like to know the caster spcs of the guys who did a 2.5" lift and did not get the UCAs.

 

I have the 5100s set at 1.75 and I have the rear TSB done. I want to add a 1" block to the rear so it will have a little more rake to the front OR drop the 5100s to .85. Since I like the lift I will most likely raise the rear a little.

I am running 265/75/16s... I got the tires a couple of weeks AFTER the lift so I did drive with the stock tires.

The truck drives good.. on a scale of 1-10 it is a 7... not perfect. I dont think it was a 10 the day I drove it off the lot though.

Just like the other poster said... it wanders a little at 70+ MPH... feels like the wind is pushing it all around. It has always done it to a lesser degree but now it is a little annoying. If it never got better I could live with it. My FJ drives WAY better... but it always has. Go figure.

However.. I know it can be better. Once I put the rear blocks in or do whatever I am going to do I am taking it for an alignment. If they cannot get it perfect with the stock UCAs then I will buy new ones.

My gut feeling from what I have read is it possible. Some trucks will be perfect and some just get close.

The dealer did do a wheel alignment as part of the TSB but I think they may have just used some factory settings or a "range" the factory gave them to get it close. Those numbers may not have taken into account the lift in the front.

Thats my take on it for what it is worth...

I will post the results when I get them.

Greg

 

i have 2.5coilovers up front cranked down so i get 2.5 almost 3 inches of lift, and dont have the UCA's and it drive great as long as u stay under 50 lol.. it wonders around pretty good at 70 , im going to get the uca's to correct this but i just dont have the cash at the moment..

 

Not prerunner, but I'm 3"+ on stock UCAs and it drives just fine to me.

 

Mine are set at 2.5, drives ok but I do think it should be a little better. It does wander a bit and it grabs highway ruts, but I'm not sure if it's the 285's on 10" wheels with 5" backspacing or the caster not being optimized. Kinda hate to drop 5 bills to experement though.

 

So many different damn opinions! LOL I have a feeling that to make it right perfect, they are needed, and now i better start saving....

 

i have dysfunctnlretard 's set up now and im running with stock uca's and ti think they feel good.i asked the shop that did my work and they took it out to test it and told me im good to go with my stocks.

 

which is why you just need to run w/o them and see....then you will get FACT!!

 

X2

 

I am still thinking of trying it without them. But then I need to pay for an alignment twice if I need them!

So, while we are on the subject, which are the cheapest UCA? I do not do any hardcore offroading. Which can get the job done at a reasonable price? Are the LR ones the cheapest?

 

get a lifetime or 3 yr one, sometimes only 20-30 more than a single alignment...much cheaper than the cheapest lightracing UCAs that are used for budget alignment correctors...!

 

Isn't it much easier to install the UCAs while you're putting your lift on though? If so just do it right the first time. Who wants to wander all over the road while doing 70 on the interstate?

 

I did just that, 5100s at 2.5 with oem ucas and the wandering sucked, that was my FACT!! Everyone's set up will not be the same obviously for whatever reason but do agree about the part about doing the lift, getting alignment and seeing if you need them. I did need them and got them and installed them and got another alignment and no more wandering. True, caster being off won't wear the tires but it is stupid annoying having the wandering. IMO, the coin for the LR UCAs was well worth it. I also appreciate the beefiness compared to oem. I say gitchasum when u can.........

 

Not really any issue doing them after the lift. Just as simple, You'd just be saving an alignment but as was stated, buy a yr, or 3 yr or lifetime one so it won't matter. It's good to go have it done every once in awhile anyway as I have found the toe doesn't like to stay perfect running bigger tires and playing around in the dirt and stuff.

 

my FACT...i ran the 5100s at 2.5" for about 2.5 years w/ great tire wear and no wondering....

 

Yeah, read that and all the other posts too. That's why I posted this...........Everyone's set up will not be the same obviously for whatever reason but do agree about the part about doing the lift, getting alignment and seeing if you need them.

 

group hug?

5100's @ 2.5 here and stock uca's. no major issues. wanders a little at high speeds.

 

thanks. my caster specs without UCAs were 0.3 and 0.1. everthing else with stock ucas was good. i'm now at 2.1 on both sides with lr ucas.

 

My caster was similar poopoo with oem UCAs after 2.5 lift.....they were around .8 and 1.2 or so before and right at 2.8 on both sides after LR UCAs were installed. Camber & toe have never been issue either way.

 

Where is the cheapest place to get LR UCA? LOL... I never been so indecisive, this thread keep changing the way I think everyday. Plan and simple, I do want want any wandering. I tow a 5500lb car trailer a few times a month long distances, the last thing i need is wandering on the freeway.