To UCA or not to UCA?

Switching to OME coils is a night and day difference!

 

To each there own

 

what uniball issues?

 

the one I witnessed the UCA ball joint separated from the arm, wheel flopped over on it's side, ball joint was still stuck to the spindle and a pain to get out while on the trail.

 

Plus I hear they're a bitch to keep from squeaking

 

My tire flopped and got pinned under the rocker rail, I slid on the tire for 100' or so through the lane to my right and came to a stop. Then came the tow truck. lol. It would be an absolute bitch to deal with on the trail. That sucks

 

I don't think you'll find anybody who has experienced upgraded control arms who wished they hadn't done it, but you'll find plenty who have not had them who say they're not necessary. That should tell you something.

 

For those that skimp on something as important as a UCA, would you skimp on your brakes and tires? In my opinion, skimping on these components is like skimping on safety as well. When lifting these trucks, UCAs should be a no brainer.

 

It'll say that it's a luxury that's nice but not totally necessary?

Did you upgrade your LCAs? That's pretty vital

 

Never had upgraded UCA's, eh?

 

Nope! I put the money towards other things. I may upgrade at some point, but that's a lot lower on my priority list.

 

Not that I would ever wish it on anybody, but having a tire fall off your truck at speed will change your mind on that instantly and permanently.

 

What items are higher on the list?

 

Please enlighten me on how many people on this forum have run lifted tacomas with stock UCAs, and had their wheel fall off. I'm waiting

Bumper, winch, skid plates, roof racks, camper shell, drawer system for the bed, tires. Luckily I have most of those things now, with the two big ticket items left sliders and a high clearance rear.

 

Well it happened to me on my '96, for one. And @JDAM said earlier that he watched it happen to someone else, so there's two. And thats just on this one page in this one thread of this huge forum we all love so much. I don't know how many others it's happened to but what I do know is that the factory ball joints are relatively weak in comparison to aftermarket uniballs, and when you lift the truck enough it causes them to bind. Binding causes excessive and premature wear. And excessive and premature wear causes them to snap... when you're driving... and that only has to happen once to make you realize that $600 isn't shit compared to continuing to draw breath.

 

Ahhh, that explains why you're so adamant about this. Glad that you're still here today to debate the subject, and not worse I'm sure I'd feel the same way.

 

Gonna list my Camburg Ball Joint UCA's tomorrow with 2 replacement Ball Joints and 2 new UCA Bolts and nuts if anyone is interested. 20,000 miles on them with absolutely no wheeling. 1 Boot is torn hence why I am including new Ball Joints. Paid 600.00 looking for 300.00 or Best Offer

 

I plan to. But you do know the LCA can withstand a lot more abuse than the UCA, right? Just look at its construction compared to the UCA. An aftermarket UCA is obviously more a priority in terms of suspension travel and alignment/drivability. For my purposes, upgraded LCA's are not a huge priority, but it will get done.

 

Oh yes obviously, silly me.

 

That's a lot of money in "luxury" items.