UCA and alignment question

I just installed 2nd gen 6112/5160 on 5th notch over the weekend. I was expecting to get 2.5” up front but ended up with about 3.75”. I was thinking I’d be borderline for needing UCAs but figured I would definitely need them after the amount of lift I got. Well I took it to Firestone this morning to get aligned and seemed to drive fine on the way there except for slight rotational vibration which I’m guessing is the needle bearing. So they said they were able to get everything into spec and didn’t think I needed UCAs replaced. They also said if anything they would replace the LCAs because that’s where all the eccentrics are and is the easiest way. Now I’m completely confused because I’ve never heard of that at least here on the forum. I don’t know if I should take it somewhere else or if I should trust these guys or what. Truck is driving perfect right now besides the slight vibe which I’m planning on the ecgs bushing. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Also not sure if it matters but my tires are 275/65/18 even though the sheet says 265/60/18

 

Something is installed wrong show some pics of the shock tower.

 

Hey man, people with more knowledge than me will inevitably chime in... but here are my observations.

3.75” is way too much lift - you’ll ruin your CV’s.

The ECGS bushing is a very easy and inexpensive mod. I recommend it, sounds like you’re already on this.

1.0 caster is way too low - I’d take it somewhere else AND throw the UCAs on. You should aim for 3-3.5* caster.

 

also this. you shouldn’t get that much lift out of 6112’s if installed correctly.

 

I'm thinking the perch is upside down.

 

First two pics are passenger side. Second two are driver side with 1/4” spacer. 6112s came assembled from headstrong.

 

Can you give us a measurement from the center of your wheel hub to bottom of the fender?

I was thinking the same as Rick, but the perch doesn’t look upside down now that I can see what you posted.

 

It also doesn’t look like 3.75” of lift, by looking at control arm and cv angles. But obviously pictures can be deceiving.

 

24.25” both driver and passenger side with 1/2 tank of gas. Started at 20.5”. Only weight is sos concept sliders

 

There was another member on the 6112 thread that recently put 2nd gens on his 3rd gen and got 3.75 as well.

 

So I took new measurements today because this has really been bugging me. I’m not sure what happened but everything came down about an inch and now sitting at 23” front and rear center hub to fender. That gives me the 2.5” up front and 2” in the back I was expecting.

 

Do the recommended alignment specs change based on the amount of lift you have? Are they different from 2nd gen to 3rd gen?

Does the new measurements change anyone’s recommendations for UCAs being needed? If they are still recommended, being in western NY where there is a ton of snow and salt, what brand would hold up the best? I’ve heard SPC LR and JBA but any other suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks again!

 

I think those would hold up better against NE salt than a uniball. I think @Unchained 5150 coated his JBA’s with some kind of clear coat before installing them. Might be a good idea.