UCA question!!

Yo folks! I’ve always wondered if you “feel” a difference with upgraded UCAs. I know that alignment is more accurate with a lift. But I’ve heard you don’t need them under 3”. I have a 2-1/2” lift. Bilstein 5100s all around, but I intend to upgrade those later.
So do they enhance the performance of your suspension at all?

 

Other than allowing for a better alignment, I don't notice a different handling feeling.

 

Gotcha. Do you do a lot of off-roading?

 

Not in FL lol.

 

Short answer it YES. Take a hard look at your OEM UCA... while they will hold up, they aren't built as well as aftermarket UCA's and do not have the same adjustments. If you don't plan to do any medium off-road trail stuff I wouldn't upgrade. If you plan to off-road and run bigger tires with a lift kit, etc. I would recommend swapping UCA's.

 

Those simply help your ability to align. So if you can’t align it they are worth it. If you can’t... uca.

there is no difference in the ride. Show me someone that has wadded a stock UCA on 5100s and I would be dang impressed.

 

Dang. No mud boggers and hitting the swamp?

 

I off-road a ton. I’m on 2-1/2” lift up front and 1-1/2” rear. On 35’s.

 

I felt a difference since it’s poly bushings vs rubber bushings. It is only obvious on rough terrain though, I loved the TC uppers I used to run.

 

I bent a UCA, Spindle and ruined a steel wheel off-roading in my FJ. Ever since then I have always upgraded my UCA's, Spindles (with gussets), and Coil Overs. I run SPC's as they are bulletproof, have a ton of adjustment, and are somewhat affordable. (They are the Ashtabula BMX forks of the 70's) I ran Icon's once and had ball joint issues under 4k... needless to say I moved to SPC's and haven't looked back. There are a ton of great aftermarket UCA's out there. (I have had them on 3 FJ's, a Taco, and 2 Tundras... I currently still own an FJ and Tundra)

 

Were you on 5100s?

because if you’re wheeling hard enough on them to bend all that on 5100s... well I’m not saying you deserved it but it was inebitable (say it like in Team America)

 

If you have no problems right now with OEM, then I’d wheel em till they fall off. That’s what I did took me only 6 months after buying the truck to tweak them out of shape.

 

I like the fact that my spc's can be greased. Nothing like good clean lubrication on mechanical moving parts.

 

I dig that. I don’t wheel crazy as hell, but since I got my sliders I’ve gotten much more brave as far as challenging stuff. So I assume breakage isn’t far in my future. Haha.

 

Just an update. After installing my UCAs, there’s a small difference on the road. But off-road, there’s a huge difference in ride quality. The truck absolutely feels more planted. Less body roll over rolling whups and uneven ground. High speed driving over the trails make the truck feel more solid, and I definitely have more control. They are amazing, and I recommend this upgrade to anyone who off-roads or needs them for a more accurate alignment.

 

Shit, the hell with performance... Those look amazing!

 

Thank you, sir!