Everything you need to know about Upper Control Arms (UCA)

I originally had a 3” level with stock spindles as well, so I know where you’re coming from.

My BDS 7” kit comes with replacement spindles that are taller than oem. They aren’t just for 2wd trucks or lifts past 3” wouldn’t be possible. The control arms and tie rods require relocation after ~3” of lift. (Some people go 3.5”, but that’s pushing it)

 

Ahh, if you’d of said you were doing a bracket lift I wouldn’t of been mixed up lol. My bad.

 

Haha all good brotha, I had mentioned it in a few of my previous posts so I assumed you had already saw my lift set up. I’ll be keeping the page updated with how it all works (or doesn’t) out!

 

BDS new UCA’s aren’t Heim Joints.. and BDS Lift will fit their new UCA’s.. so why does having Heim Joint matter??

 

Here now at a BDS vendor..

 

@TundraDude772 so did you use the aftermarket UCA’s did they work?

 

I have 6112s maxed out up front.

Will I gain noticeable travel with those shocks after going to a UCA like total chaos? Or will my benefit be more in the area of alignment?

 

Most of my front end is still completely torn apart, so I can’t say for sure. I will note that if anyone uses these control arms with a reservoir shock set up, the UCA WILL contact the fitting coming off of the shock. The only way to fix this is to VERY slightly loosen the fitting so its angled more in-board. This may not apply if you aren’t using my exact set up, I will continue to update this thread as I find learn more.

 

What UCA are you going with?! I also spoke to BDS nad they said their UCA will work with their 7 inch lift with our withou the fox extended CO’s. Cause I’m eventually pulling out the extended strut spacer and putting the 7inch Fox CO’s

 

You should gain noticeable travel in the droop position if your angles are pretty bad with factory ball joints. I had no issues getting a alignment with my 3” level kit on stock UCA’s.

 

See post #139, I have the total chaos uniball with standard bushings. I’m sure their UCA will work with their 7” kit, but I have a 2.5” spacer on top of the coil. It’s too much angle for a standard ball joint.

 

OKAY!!! Im at Toyota now... .........

 

The BDS UCA's are different than the TC UCA's.

 

I was at 4 The Truck all day today and Toyota.. so I got the scoop on all this stuff..so you’re rigjt about the Heim Joint part on other Aftermarket UCA. They will fit but it over corrects the position of the spindle,, I think that’s what he said.. and you can get them on but you’ll have a terrible alignment.. thus having the Heim Joint gives you all the movement you need to correct it... the BDS UCA doesn’t have the HEIM Joint BUT.... it’s designed specifically for their Lift with the way the spindles are and there for doesn’t need to have the Heim Joint, since it will be sitting already OEM Spec... I think that’s what I got out of all that today.. I hope that makes sense

 

Do you know if there's additional travel with the BDS arms? Installing the TC arms from stock I noticed an improvement off road.

 

Yea, the bds rep told me you’ll get an additional 2 inch plus or so , and it leaves room for Coilover reservoir won’t get hit like others

 

Level spacer and UCA’s on

 

Nice !!! You already lifted befored you put spacer on?

 

Yes sir, it had the bds 7” with a 1” spacer. Now it’s the 7” with a 2.5” spacer (Plus a .75” body lift).

 

Wow, a little crazy I see lol.. you have the fox extended Coilovers ?

 

The ones that come with the bds 7” kit, yeah.

 

damn that's a lot of pre load

 

I have 6112's set at 1.9" up front and zero alignment issues. Question is: would I actually feel a difference on the road with upgraded UCA's? I know with upgraded UCA's you'll get increase in travel, and free-er movement, but would that actually be noticeable?

 

I'm glad you asked that. I have been curious about that since my last Tundra. The one that I own now is the first vehicle that I've ever owned with any sort of notable suspension on it. I am very interested in learning more about suspension as it is definitely something I know NOTHING about. So, to the forum, I pose the same question: would it benefit my PRO at all to install a good set of UCA's or is that something that I just need to leave alone? TIA

OP, thanks for the write-up.

 

Does this apply to 6112/5160s at 1.9"?

 

Thanks for the response. I appreciate it.

 

How much space is typical between the stock UCA and the tire? Just installed Michelin 285/65 r20 and I have approximately 5/8". Is that good or to tight?

Never mind. Found an old thread with the same question.