Which lift, UCA's a must?

Hello all!

I have been lurking these forums for a long time now, and finally pulled the trigger on joining. I am planning on lifting my 2011 access cab with either the OME or Toytek kits (still undecided), and have been seeing talk about these so-called UCA's. Noooo idea what these are really, just curious if I have to get them? I will be running 265/75/16 Duratracs with 1.25" Spidertrax.

Truck is used for wellsite geology, so mainly highway driving, and some mud/dirt/ice/snow when getting to the wells. I constantly scrape the bottom, so lifting is required!

Any suggestions on how to lift would also be appreciated!

Thanks for all the help, and look forward to any suggestions!

 

UCA it the upper control arm it attaches to to top of the spindle. If you lift over 2-2.5" yes you need them to correctly align your vehicle. There is a group by right now on TW for the Light Racing UCA's for $355 shipped. Great deal it is for the second gen.

Group buy link.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/group-buys/235867-05-tacoma-light-racing-upper-control-arm-group-buy.html

Edit: You can lift with out UCA's but you risk tire wear wandering and your alignment being out. I lifted my truck 2.5" with Billy's and I have a slight wander so I ordered the UCA's from the group buy. So if I go any higher I will really need the UCA's.

 

If you lift it OVER 2.5" then there is a good chance you may need them, however I have 5100's set at 2.5" and have had no issues whatsoever with alignment so it's hit or miss really. You get different stories with different trucks & also depending on type of lift. I'm sure someone else will chime in & say this as well, so I'll get it out of the way & let ya know if you search different lifts, you will find ALOT of info on this very subject to see what suits your needs best. Good luck!

 

In all seriousness OP , you are doing yourself a favour if you just get and install new UCA's when you lift over 2"

 

Thanks 1st, I emailed the company the group buy is through about shipping to Canada.

 

+1

I really wish I had just purchased the UCA's to begin with because now I have to pay another $60 for another alignment. My alignment is in spec with out the UCA's but not by a lot. Personally I want my truck to be right. I have read a few posts where some one did not have UCA's then got them and realized after installing how much they helped.

 

Like I said before, some need them & some don't. I did not need them & my alignment could not be any better. If you have the extra dough to shell out, then by all means it would not hurt to do so but for 2.5" & under stock UCA's work just fine, simple as that.

 

What are your alignment numbers ?

 

I don't care what the alignment numbers are, what I do care about is that my truck rides straight like it should & has even tire wear like it should. OP asked if they are required, which at that height & under they are NOT for my truck & if he went with the same set up most likely would not be for his either. I've been using the stock UCA's for over 11K miles now, with zero problems. Like I said before, if he wanted to go ahead & get them then he MIGHT possibly eliminate any future problems with alignment that he MIGHT have, but then again he MIGHT not have any issues to begin with, so why spend the extra money if it's not needed? It's not like they cost $50. JS

 

So , just wondering , what are your alignment numbers ?

 

good one eh...

 

I think what OZ is saying is just because every thing seems right doesn't mean it is. Some times slow tire ware can take a year to show up- if you rotate maybe longer. Don't get me wrong my truck drives great with out UCA's but I imagine it will drive even better with them. My camber is .7 on both sides and my caster is 1.7 degrees. I actually need more caster even though I am "in spec". I might be different than a lot of people I know what my alignment numbers are and what they mean/do.

 

x2

Seriously... he was just curious what your alignment numbers are.

 

wut ?

You seem offended by my question for some reason , just wondering what your numbers are , what's your malfunction ?

 

x3

Only answer you will probably get is "it depends on the truck". My personal experience, just 885s without UCAs...caster was too low and it drove like crap at highway speeds. Got fed up after a month, put the UCAs on and I got 3* caster easy. Drives great now. I have never regretted spending the extra money on UCAs.

 

Me thinks he has no clue what his alignment numbers are

 

Bet he says "within specs"

 

5100's set at 2.5 on my '09 and the alignment numbers and the ride is great with stock UCA's!!

 

What are your alignment numbers ?