I installed the new front Upper Control Arms from Carl/JTS Parts & Accessories 2-nights ago. The installation was straightforward and took me approximately 2 1/2-hours to complete (including jack time, tool cleanup, etc.). This might have gone quicker if not for the corrosion issues my rig suffers from.
I had a complete alignment done by a local expert alignment shop (Mike @ Sunshine Automotive) where I have had alignments performed in the past on this rig after lift, etc. I have had other shops align the front end of this 100 but Mike always hits the bullseye...he is one of very few that knows what he is doing...and the results always speak for themselves!
The Carl's/JTS Parts & Accessorie's UCAs are supposed to offer some caster correction and the ability to increase the overall front A-arm assembly travel distance/articulation. I already have the Fox shocks which allowed quite a bit (relative to an IFS/100 anyway) more droop than the OME shock setup. It doesn't look like I can get much more droop with the new UCAs...maybe another 10-15mm...which still would be beneficial given the restrictions we face with the IFS 100 system.
But after driving my rig post install and post alignment yesterday and this morning at a variety of speeds including highway speeds I am 100% happy with the increased caster due to the design of these UCAs and 100% happy with my $995 purchase (plus alignment costs). Not since converting to the 35" and taller lift have I been happy/content with the steering response, particularly at highway speeds, due to not being able to get enough caster correction.
The difference with my set-up is night and day. The truck is once again near stock stable at highway speeds (75mph) and a pure joy to drive again due to the lack of "nervous steering" that results from not enough caster. The caster could not be returned to bona-fide stock amount but its darn close...close enough to notice a night/day difference/comparison.
Time will tell if the uni-ball is as durable and maintenance free as the stock ball joint. Carl has relayed to me he has torture tested his beta pair over the last 12-months and 20K miles without issue.
This upgrade really only applies to those that are running 35" and ~3-3.25" lift. Although it might benefit those running 33" and 2.5" of lift (this is what I ran up until 2-years ago) I can't remember what the steering was like compared to stock back then.
Just an FYI.
Dan
I had a complete alignment done by a local expert alignment shop (Mike @ Sunshine Automotive) where I have had alignments performed in the past on this rig after lift, etc. I have had other shops align the front end of this 100 but Mike always hits the bullseye...he is one of very few that knows what he is doing...and the results always speak for themselves!
The Carl's/JTS Parts & Accessorie's UCAs are supposed to offer some caster correction and the ability to increase the overall front A-arm assembly travel distance/articulation. I already have the Fox shocks which allowed quite a bit (relative to an IFS/100 anyway) more droop than the OME shock setup. It doesn't look like I can get much more droop with the new UCAs...maybe another 10-15mm...which still would be beneficial given the restrictions we face with the IFS 100 system.
But after driving my rig post install and post alignment yesterday and this morning at a variety of speeds including highway speeds I am 100% happy with the increased caster due to the design of these UCAs and 100% happy with my $995 purchase (plus alignment costs). Not since converting to the 35" and taller lift have I been happy/content with the steering response, particularly at highway speeds, due to not being able to get enough caster correction.
The difference with my set-up is night and day. The truck is once again near stock stable at highway speeds (75mph) and a pure joy to drive again due to the lack of "nervous steering" that results from not enough caster. The caster could not be returned to bona-fide stock amount but its darn close...close enough to notice a night/day difference/comparison.
Time will tell if the uni-ball is as durable and maintenance free as the stock ball joint. Carl has relayed to me he has torture tested his beta pair over the last 12-months and 20K miles without issue.
This upgrade really only applies to those that are running 35" and ~3-3.25" lift. Although it might benefit those running 33" and 2.5" of lift (this is what I ran up until 2-years ago) I can't remember what the steering was like compared to stock back then.
Just an FYI.
Dan
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)...but the fronts are relatively easy. And Carl is running OME rears with the Fox fronts...
