uca question

tddfj · 02-14-08, 07:46 PM

getting ready to get lift installed was curious abou the ucas and caster. how many of you other that have a lift have had to change to a aftermarket uca because of alinment problem. if you have is this the norm or something that need to be done down the road after the lift has been on for awhile. just see that some people have changed theirs and some have not.

underthehood · 02-15-08, 12:42 AM

I had a 2.5 spacer and my alignment was fine but the uca would hit the spring when fully decompressed. I recently got 0-3.5" Donahoe coilovers and added the Camburg uca. I have not got it aligned yet but I feel it was totally necessary in order to get the clearance from the spring and for my future alignment. Good luck..

Corey · 02-15-08, 05:20 AM

Yes I had to, made a difference.
IH8MUD.com Forum - View Single Post - A few mods from 7-25-06

ropedrag · 02-15-08, 05:17 PM

I've had Donahoe front coilovers for over a year and was able to get the alignment very close, meaning no unusual tire wear or numbers that would make an alignment tech uneasy. However I just added Total Chaos upper control arms.... what a difference, the thing handles so MUCH better! Should have done this awhile ago.

KightOwl · 02-15-08, 06:29 PM

I have a 3" lift w/ stock UCA's and it "wanders" something fierce. Get new UCA's that add more caster. I am going to ASAP.

tddfj · 02-16-08, 02:10 PM

kightowl what kind of lift do you have. just wondering if that makes a difference also.

PhilC64 · 02-16-08, 07:46 PM

I did a 3 inch Toytech 6 months ago and did not change UCA's. There is no reason to unless you're having rubbing or interference issues. A decent alignment shop should be able to correct any "wandering" issues you may get.

KightOwl · 02-17-08, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tddfj

kightowl what kind of lift do you have. just wondering if that makes a difference also.

I have Fox Shox 2.0 from All Pro.

Brock · 05-07-08, 07:46 PM

there is not much clearance between my UCA and the sidewall of my 295x70x17 Nitto Terra Grapplers running oem 17" alloy wheels....so have a couple questions:

1- is there a reason this might start rubbing during offroad wheelin or other...have not been able to determine any rubbing yet but it is likely only 1/2" clearance between sidewall and uca.

2- will replacing the UCA with something like All Pro or others...correct this and give more clearance for the tire sidewall

I was thinking that the way the wheel articulates it follows the same path up and down and wont be issue....maybe during a hard turn if it made tire flex.....or if I aired down and caused sidewall to bulge.

Any comments or options keeping my oem wheels?

Toledo FJ · 05-08-08, 09:43 AM

It depens on the lift you are using and how high you are going. If you stay under three inches, the general consensus is that you don't need new UCAs. If you go over that height, you need them for sure. I have the OME lift on now and didn't need them. I'm upgrading to the ICON long travel lift and new UCAs are required with that kit even though I'm not going over three inches. I think I need them because of the extra travel. Look at the light racing UCAs if you are going to upgrade. They don't look as pretty as total chaos and ICON, but IMO they are better. They use factory style bushings and a sealed ball joint just like the OE arm. This means they will be quiet (tc and ICON can be very noisy) and much better suited for east coast winters and road salt. An exposed uniball like in the ICON or TC arms is not going to do well with road grime and salt. The guy I bought mine from sells all three brands and recommended light racing over the other two, despite the fact that he would make more money on the other brands. I'll post some pics of them if you like.

ckline · 05-08-08, 12:50 PM

I had the DR coilovers installed as well. I had to crank them up because of the weight of the bullbar and winch to level the truck. I took to the dealership to see if I needed to switch anything out for warranty purposes and their answer was "no". I have also pressured down to 8-10 psi in sand/rock spots in Vegas and Cali and never rubbed. The BF is tall and thin though. I think I may have a problem if I go with the wrangler mt/r's though, since it adds an inch in height and an inch more rubber on the road. I fully expect to rub if I have to air down.

ckline · 05-08-08, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tddfj

getting ready to get lift installed was curious abou the ucas and caster. how many of you other that have a lift have had to change to a aftermarket uca because of alinment problem. if you have is this the norm or something that need to be done down the road after the lift has been on for awhile. just see that some people have changed theirs and some have not.

TDDFJ what size wheel are you running? Looking at your truck, I thought it was already lifted. I've seen many trucks like yours in my area, same wheels with the procomp 6" on them. Everyone of them I have spoke with though have never taken their FJ OH. I ask myself why they spent the money, but its theirs to spend. Its an avatar so its hard to see exactly what kind of wheels they are, but if they are the same as the ones i see, do they do well on the trails? personally i wouldn't want to scratch those up!

Mountainclimber · 05-08-08, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toledo FJ

It depens on the lift you are using and how high you are going. If you stay under three inches, the general consensus is that you don't need new UCAs. If you go over that height, you need them for sure. I have the OME lift on now and didn't need them. I'm upgrading to the ICON long travel lift and new UCAs are required with that kit even though I'm not going over three inches. I think I need them because of the extra travel. Look at the light racing UCAs if you are going to upgrade. They don't look as pretty as total chaos and ICON, but IMO they are better. They use factory style bushings and a sealed ball joint just like the OE arm. This means they will be quiet (tc and ICON can be very noisy) and much better suited for east coast winters and road salt. An exposed uniball like in the ICON or TC arms is not going to do well with road grime and salt. The guy I bought mine from sells all three brands and recommended light racing over the other two, despite the fact that he would make more money on the other brands. I'll post some pics of them if you like.

I'd like to see pictures of the Light Racing UCA's.

Toledo it sounds like you have a pretty sharp rig. Do you have a bunch of photos posted anywhere?

tddfj · 05-08-08, 04:56 PM

ckline the wheels are dick cepek dc-1 black 17x9. it is lifted 3 inchs and has been off road. rims didd great but a tree limb did find its way into rim. but thats what i bought them for they have a high load capacity for offroading.

02-14-08, 07:46 PM	#1
tddfj IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: louisville ky Posts: 221	uca question getting ready to get lift installed was curious abou the ucas and caster. how many of you other that have a lift have had to change to a aftermarket uca because of alinment problem. if you have is this the norm or something that need to be done down the road after the lift has been on for awhile. just see that some people have changed theirs and some have not.

02-15-08, 12:42 AM	#2
underthehood IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: santa barbara,ca TLCA# 17696 Posts: 79	I had a 2.5 spacer and my alignment was fine but the uca would hit the spring when fully decompressed. I recently got 0-3.5" Donahoe coilovers and added the Camburg uca. I have not got it aligned yet but I feel it was totally necessary in order to get the clearance from the spring and for my future alignment. Good luck.. __________________ '07 FJ Cruiser TRD Bud Built skids.(ALL) All Pro rear bumper and trailing arms, Demello sliders and High Lift jack mounts, Demello front bumper with t-max 9k winch(synthetic), TRD cold air intake, 305/70r16 BFG MT'S, 2.5 inch leveling kit(no tire rub), Inchworm e-locker cover

02-15-08, 05:20 AM	#3
Corey IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Auburn, WA. Posts: 658	Yes I had to, made a difference. IH8MUD.com Forum - View Single Post - A few mods from 7-25-06 __________________ Corey '07 FJ Cruiser, '91 4Runner is gone ARB bumper, Warn XD9000, OME lift, custom rack goodies, so much more, see my website My Forum - My Website - My Rigs Build-up - Roof Top Tent - Video Of My Penthouse

02-15-08, 06:29 PM	#5
KightOwl IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 86	I have a 3" lift w/ stock UCA's and it "wanders" something fierce. Get new UCA's that add more caster. I am going to ASAP. __________________ '07 FJC, auto, Silver '92 Toyota Pickup, Red, SR5, 4X4, For Sale "Run when you can, walk when you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up."-- Dean Karnazes

02-16-08, 07:46 PM	#7
PhilC64 Huh? Who me? Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Peoples Socialist Republic of Chicago TLCA# 17885 Posts: 531	I did a 3 inch Toytech 6 months ago and did not change UCA's. There is no reason to unless you're having rubbing or interference issues. A decent alignment shop should be able to correct any "wandering" issues you may get. __________________ "We are not the base, we are the 2% lunatic fringe." - Ed97Fzj80 89 FJ62 - nicely modded (OME heavy lift and shocks, lunchboxed rear, ProComp M/T's w/ Rockcrawlers, 4Runner front d/b's, de-smogged) 07 FJC - nicely modded (Toytec lift,OME shocks, Digger Link LCA's, Revo's, JBA headers, aFe CAI)

02-15-08, 05:17 PM	#4
ropedrag IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 15	I've had Donahoe front coilovers for over a year and was able to get the alignment very close, meaning no unusual tire wear or numbers that would make an alignment tech uneasy. However I just added Total Chaos upper control arms.... what a difference, the thing handles so MUCH better! Should have done this awhile ago.

02-16-08, 02:10 PM	#6
tddfj IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: louisville ky Posts: 221	kightowl what kind of lift do you have. just wondering if that makes a difference also.

05-07-08, 07:46 PM	#9
Brock IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Charleston TLCA# 18493 Posts: 617	there is not much clearance between my UCA and the sidewall of my 295x70x17 Nitto Terra Grapplers running oem 17" alloy wheels....so have a couple questions: 1- is there a reason this might start rubbing during offroad wheelin or other...have not been able to determine any rubbing yet but it is likely only 1/2" clearance between sidewall and uca. 2- will replacing the UCA with something like All Pro or others...correct this and give more clearance for the tire sidewall I was thinking that the way the wheel articulates it follows the same path up and down and wont be issue....maybe during a hard turn if it made tire flex.....or if I aired down and caused sidewall to bulge. Any comments or options keeping my oem wheels? __________________ I have a high art, I hurt with cruelty those who would damage me. - Archilochus, 650 B.C. ------ 08 FJ Cruiser aka "Brick House", Nitto TG 295x70x17, BudBuilt Rock Sliders 84 FJ60, Blue, BFG, 2.5inch; lift, Warn hubs, etc Lowcountry AMSOIL Products

05-08-08, 09:43 AM	#10
Toledo FJ IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toledo, OH; Grayling MI; Missoula MT Posts: 343	It depens on the lift you are using and how high you are going. If you stay under three inches, the general consensus is that you don't need new UCAs. If you go over that height, you need them for sure. I have the OME lift on now and didn't need them. I'm upgrading to the ICON long travel lift and new UCAs are required with that kit even though I'm not going over three inches. I think I need them because of the extra travel. Look at the light racing UCAs if you are going to upgrade. They don't look as pretty as total chaos and ICON, but IMO they are better. They use factory style bushings and a sealed ball joint just like the OE arm. This means they will be quiet (tc and ICON can be very noisy) and much better suited for east coast winters and road salt. An exposed uniball like in the ICON or TC arms is not going to do well with road grime and salt. The guy I bought mine from sells all three brands and recommended light racing over the other two, despite the fact that he would make more money on the other brands. I'll post some pics of them if you like. __________________ Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find, me unafraid. -William Earnest Henley

05-08-08, 12:50 PM	#11
ckline IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: THE Lone Star State TLCA# 18688 Posts: 159	I had the DR coilovers installed as well. I had to crank them up because of the weight of the bullbar and winch to level the truck. I took to the dealership to see if I needed to switch anything out for warranty purposes and their answer was "no". I have also pressured down to 8-10 psi in sand/rock spots in Vegas and Cali and never rubbed. The BF is tall and thin though. I think I may have a problem if I go with the wrangler mt/r's though, since it adds an inch in height and an inch more rubber on the road. I fully expect to rub if I have to air down. __________________ *2007 Black FJ. Donahoe Racing* coilover suspension lift, *TRD CAI, Mangaflow Catback, ARB* Bull Bumper, *ARB ROOF RACK, ARB MOUNTS AND ROOF TENT, WARN* winch, *ARB* sliders, *American Eagle Wheels* and *Goodyear MT/R's 305/70/17's*

05-08-08, 04:56 PM	#14
tddfj IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: louisville ky Posts: 221	ckline the wheels are dick cepek dc-1 black 17x9. it is lifted 3 inchs and has been off road. rims didd great but a tree limb did find its way into rim. but thats what i bought them for they have a high load capacity for offroading.

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