Aftermarket UCAs

[SHAGGY101]

Has anyone had any experience with these? Do they really help out in allowing the front to droop more? If so, how much? Do these make the lower CAs the weak/ limiting factor or the CV shafts?

https://forum.ih8mud.com/jts-parts-...8-land-cruiser-uzj100-hdj100-long-travel.html

Also, are there any aftermarket LCAs to match these that are not some sort of pre-runner setup and sacrifice turning radius?

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[one4x4dad]

Has anyone had any experience with these? Do they really help out in allowing the front to droop more? If so, how much? Do these make the lower CAs the weak/ limiting factor or the CV shafts?

https://forum.ih8mud.com/jts-parts-...8-land-cruiser-uzj100-hdj100-long-travel.html

Also, are there any aftermarket LCAs to match these that are not some sort of pre-runner setup and sacrifice turning radius?

Thanks,
Ryan

They squeak about 1/2 the time, a loud groaning with every movement unless you hit them with lubricant every week or so.... Its frustrating....Other than that the wheels have kept spinning for 30k odd miles. Guess you could upgrade speakers to avoid the sound, but everyone around will stop and look at you when you pull up groaning and squeaking....

 

[TheFuzz]

Thats a little discouraging. I was taking a hard look at these as part of my wish list. Other than the noise, do they function pretty well as far as increasing droop?

 

[Skidoo]

How hard do you run your rig? If you run as hard as Spresso, they are going to need maintenance.
Have had mine for a couple of years and they are holding up well. Yes they are noisy.
The offset uniball allows for wheel alignment to specs on lifted rigs, stock UCA will not.
Gives me a bit more clearance for tire chains.
Between the UCA and the Fox shocks rig has a much improved ride. Not sure how much I would attribute to increased droop.

 

[snapaxle]

What would make these so loud. I have had a couple of sets of Total Chaos UCA's on a couple of trucks and had no issue with noise?

 

[steenh]

I haven't had mine on long. Maybe 4k miles but haven't noticed any noise, and have much better ride performance than before. More droop that is now OME shock limited, not UCA limited.

Maybe they'll get noisy, but nothing so far. Very happy with them.

 

[jgolden]

Did you guys have any issues getting your rig aligned after install?
I've had mine at 2 different alignment shops and it's still not right.
Any advice?
Also, mine squeak really bad. Drives me nuts.
I hit them with lube every couple of weeks.
I assume you could upgrade the uniball to help prevent squeaking?

 

[SHAGGY101]

Do you guys have the boots on yours? I noticed that he started selling the boots later on.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Why the desire for such a modification? Another one-inch front travel maybe? Other reason? If it's the added inch then the cost is EXCESSIVE! Then there's added maintance and noise others reported. Again, what do you gain in the end?

OK, so we always want more articulation on our trucks. So what do think makes more of a difference on the trail?

1. Adding 1" wheel travel to the front?

2. Adding 3" wheel travel to the rear?

Unless you road race your Hundy around Laguna Seca where the one-inch extra front droop will help then the answer is NUMBER TWO! WAIT...if you race the Seca then you won't have a lift so adding droop gains you nothing any how.

On the trail the extra 3" to the rear makes for a large GAIN. No added maintenance or noise either. My advice for those wanting trail perfomance...address the REAR FIRST if your desire is better articulation.

 

[snapaxle]

I choose option 3. Alignment. Racing around Laguna Seca is entirely foolish, much more fun on the Nurburgring.
.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

LOL!

I thought #3 was to fit:

Tire chains (though you could use spacers for a much lower cost and R&R them off season)

I different (specific) application shock

 

[snapaxle]

Spacers have always made me very leery. I guess I am scarred from seeing one to many chevy trucks ridding around with 10" wheels sticking out a foot past the body. WhaddaIknow?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

A good reason for the UCA if you need lift to run large tires and want your alignment in spec.

Anyone looking to dump there Carls UCA PM me.

 

[spressomon]

John: The issue isn't with the concept of a modified front upper control arm. Its the components of the UCA that need to be addressed. The modded/aftermarket control arm offers a number of benefits. The negatives can easily be addressed.

I applaud Carl and the folks that bought them to get the ball rolling. We had to start somewhere as there are truly very few, almost zero compared to FJC aftermarket suppliers for instance, companies offering 100-Series aftermarket parts.

I'm hoping the next gen will resolve the issue(s).

As they say: 'Its not WHAT you do...its HOW you do it'

 

[Fireguy]

John: The issue isn't with the concept of a modified front upper control arm. Its the components of the UCA that need to be addressed. The modded/aftermarket control arm offers a number of benefits. The negatives can easily be addressed.

I applaud Carl and the folks that bought them to get the ball rolling. We had to start somewhere as there are truly very few, almost zero compared to FJC aftermarket suppliers for instance, companies offering 100-Series aftermarket parts.

I'm hoping the next gen will resolve the issue(s).

As they say: 'Its not WHAT you do...its HOW you do it'

Are there any second generation UCA's on the works right now from any of the various venders?

 

[Skidoo]

Since us pioneers are still collected data on UCA value, I can postulate that my steering rack will last twice as long as lifted rigs without, because I can align my wheels to spec and not torque the crap out of it.

 

[tarmacblack]

Since us pioneers are still collected data on UCA value, I can postulate that my steering rack will last twice as long as lifted rigs without, because I can align my wheels to spec and not torque the crap out of it.

How do the UCAs allow you to get correct alignment that decreases steering rack load? I don't follow, can you enlighten me?

thanks

 

[Skidoo]

Sorry for any misunderstanding. This was my tongue in cheek jab to those who diss the value yet have not tested nor collected data on UCA.
As they have issues with racks and certain mis-alignments will increase steering force, just extrapolating from there.
Since discussion deviated from data based a while back seemed like a fair thing to say.
I have no data one way or the other at this point on steering rack life, just seemed in realm of possibility based on how few UCAs are out there.
I do know that for washboard roads the setup is way better than OME. For my driving I have twenty times more washboard miles than crawling miles. So from my experience maybe that (1" in front is better than 3" in rear). With all due respect to John I do not find myself in the holes he shows in his photos, we drive different roads.

 

[SHAGGY101]

I choose option 4: BOTH...why not?

Also, is anyone running the boots on their UCAs?

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I choose option 4: BOTH...why not?

Also, is anyone running the boots on their UCAs?

Why not?

*Because the 100's alignment can be aligned into spec without them

*Because some (like me) will not embrace the noise and added mainenance to be worth the small gain.

*Because I (my opinion) believe the added CV angle is not good for the truck.

I can see where UCA's on certain rigs (like FJC's) could make for a decent addition. Not on a 100 though. Not on my 100...at any cost and any brand.