To UCA or not to UCA

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ayaws

ayaws

10 Year
Joined
Oct 4, 2014
Threads
7
Messages
65
Location
Littleton, CO
I'm strongly considering getting an OME lift from Slee in the next few weeks and am debating the needs of the UCA kit. Money isn't really a concern on this bit; mostly just a question around the benefits/detriments and some group-think.

What say you???
 
I'm also going to be installing a OME lift in the next few weeks or so. The research I have done has all pointed to doing the UCA's! And as a side benefit you'll proly get more tire clearance with an aftermarket UCA! just my 2 cents...
 
I'm running an ome lift with stock uca's no problems so far but if you have the cash at hand best is to install at the sane time. I've managed to get the alignment into factory spec but you can see the camber is slightly off. Another plus is extended droop with aftermarket uca. I'm still debating wether to go with total chaos or spc currently waiting on the diff drop parts to arrive.
 
Desert Nomad said:
I'm running an ome lift with stock uca's no problems so far but if you have the cash at hand best is to install at the sane time. I've managed to get the alignment into factory spec but you can see the camber is slightly off. Another plus is extended droop with aftermarket uca. I'm still debating wether to go with total chaos or spc currently waiting on the diff drop parts to arrive.
Click to expand...
what are the pros and cons you've found with either option? i.e. Total Chaos vs SPC?
 
Cost :hillbilly:. the spc iirc have rubber bushings while the tc are poly which would need routine greasing especially in my dusty climate. The tc i can buy locally but are currently on back order. Supplier as well has put a huge mark up on price. I can order one online from the us and pay courier charges to air freight it to me for the same price. And since I've had the lift, the money put aside for uca seems to always find itself getting thrown at other random things.
 
Kreiten,

Your posts on the duratrac inspired me to get a set. Very minimal rubbing. When slee did the ome lift and their uca's for me I had significant rubbing on the flaps and kdss bar. You can really move the wheel around in there via alignment. It took a few tries to get it right and I still had to heat and mold some of the mudflaps. Just a heads up. All that said, the ride is 10x better and worth every cent.
 
I went with SPC. My alignment is now back within specs.
 
Sorry to jack this thread but is anyone holding out for the new OME set up which supposedly comes out Q2 next year? Or are you just going with current version?
 
They are only 2" shocks, not 2.5".
 
From Slee's website:

Many Toyota trucks and SUV's run out of factory adjustment when you install a lift. These upper control arms provide an additional +/- 2 degrees of camber and 0 degree to + 4 degree of caster change. Built with an OE style ball joint and new SpecRide(tm) bushings, these arm's are designed to correct alignment angles while maintaining factory ride quality.
Adjustment Range:
Camber +/- 2.00 degree
Caster 0.0 degree to +4.00 degree

I put an OME lift on my 80, and most likely will do so on the 200. What the mission of the vehicle is would be the deciding factor. A dedicated trail rig vs. a DD with more capability. I'm sure you've talked with Slee, but my thought's are to go with the UCA's to retain alignment, especially for a vehicle that will see more pavement than not.
 
Is it only speculation on the 2"? I haven't seen anything concrete unless I missed it. Otherwise I think I am holding out for this.
 
codyaustin5 said:
Is it only speculation on the 2"? I haven't seen anything concrete unless I missed it. Otherwise I think I am holding out for this.
Click to expand...

the suspension is called BP-51, for ByPass(internal bypass valving similar to fox) and 51 for the 51mm pistion size. 51mm equates to 2" so no it is not speculation. the new ARB will be a 2" piston. not a 2.5 like radflo, king or fox.
 
Well, I decided to go ahead and pull the trigger on the lift and the UCAs. Dropping it off on the 27th with Slee! They quite strongly recommended the UCAs and have them on their shop 200.

I'm not going to wait for the '15 changes and am going to go with what's available now. Not really any additional rationale there other than some impatience and the ability to swap out if I ever desired.

(My LC's purpose -- DD with more capability.)
 
I don't understand the UCA argument. I have the OME stock load lift with sport nitro shocks and my guy got the alignment within Toyota specs. I've hauled my 80 like a boss. I guess it comes down to preference. When I start doing 4's and 5's I'm sure I'll need them. Until then I'll stay with stock.
 
Footwork said:
I don't understand the UCA argument. I have the OME stock load lift with sport nitro shocks and my guy got the alignment within Toyota specs. I've hauled my 80 like a boss. I guess it comes down to preference. When I start doing 4's and 5's I'm sure I'll need them. Until then I'll stay with stock.
Click to expand...

Hopefully someone can answer this far more technically than me however I chose to go ahead and do the UCA install for a few reasons.
  • While the stock alignment (camber/caster) can get close to stock measurements, UCA installs make it absolutely possible and enables additional tire fitments.
  • Obtaining proper alignment should make tires wear more evenly. Hopefully cutting down on the $1.5K+ recurring purchases.
  • If I ever decide to go further up the scale, it's already done.
  • F-it. It's an $81K truck. $600 installed is relatively inconsequential. ;)
 
Footwork said:
I don't understand the UCA argument. I have the OME stock load lift with sport nitro shocks and my guy got the alignment within Toyota specs. I've hauled my 80 like a boss. I guess it comes down to preference. When I start doing 4's and 5's I'm sure I'll need them. Until then I'll stay with stock.
Click to expand...

With a lower setup, you are probably OK without them. However the alignment spec has a range that is acceptable according to Toyota, however when you approach 2" of lift, you are at the edge of the alignment spec and even though it is technically in spec, you can have better driveability when you have the UCA's. Remember the amount of alignment adjustment available from the factory is there to align the vehicle at stock ride height and will allow some adjustment for variations in parts. However that range of adjustment falls short when lifting the truck.
 
Any thoughts or benefits on using UCAs on stock height? I have a set of light racing UCAs from when I installed the Radflos but never installed them. Sitting in garage.
Can you dial in more camber for better on road handling? Or just sell them?
 
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