Aftermarket UCAs - When Worth It?

[Johnny4runner]

First, I would like to thank all of the contributors to this forum. My 2003 Sport V6 4WD (Galactic Grey - if you must know) is going to retire as my daily driver, and I am planning making it my trail rig. I have spent numerious hours reading about everybody's 4runners and the mods you have done to them.

So my question is, I am planning on doing a 2-3 inch lift (OME or something similar, probably not spacers) and fitting some larger tires. Would I get any benefit out of replacing the UCAs now also? I have read that wheel alignment can become a problem with a front lift, and new UCAs can fix that, but it seems like a number of owners get along fine with lifts and stock UCAs also. Do the UCAs help reduce rubbing with larger tires? Any other benefits?

Also, does replacing the UCAs substantially complicate installation of new shocks and coils?

Thanks for the advice, JB

 

[THEROK]

First, I would like to thank all of the contributors to this forum. My 2003 Sport V6 4WD (Galactic Grey - if you must know) is going to retire as my daily driver, and I am planning making it my trail rig. I have spent numerious hours reading about everybody's 4runners and the mods you have done to them.

So my question is, I am planning on doing a 2-3 inch lift (OME or something similar, probably not spacers) and fitting some larger tires. Would I get any benefit out of replacing the UCAs now also? I have read that wheel alignment can become a problem with a front lift, and new UCAs can fix that, but it seems like a number of owners get along fine with lifts and stock UCAs also. Do the UCAs help reduce rubbing with larger tires? Any other benefits?

Also, does replacing the UCAs substantially complicate installation of new shocks and coils?

Thanks for the advice, JB

from my limited research, a 2.5" to 3" lift will not require UCAs so long as your tires aren't some crazy size.

i run a 2.5" lift up front with the 265 18" BFGs (a 32" tire) and it rubs without some fender adjustment and trimming. i did not need aftermarket UCAs at all.

 

[chayos00]

I don't have a lift or any larger tires. What I would suggest is get your lift and larger tires and see if the UCS's are needed or not.

 

[A10MileHusker]

First, I would like to thank all of the contributors to this forum. My 2003 Sport V6 4WD (Galactic Grey - if you must know) is going to retire as my daily driver, and I am planning making it my trail rig. I have spent numerious hours reading about everybody's 4runners and the mods you have done to them.

So my question is, I am planning on doing a 2-3 inch lift (OME or something similar, probably not spacers) and fitting some larger tires. Would I get any benefit out of replacing the UCAs now also? I have read that wheel alignment can become a problem with a front lift, and new UCAs can fix that, but it seems like a number of owners get along fine with lifts and stock UCAs also. Do the UCAs help reduce rubbing with larger tires? Any other benefits?

Also, does replacing the UCAs substantially complicate installation of new shocks and coils?

Thanks for the advice, JB

First, you say you're retiring it as your daily driver which means you want an off road truck. Go 3". Check out the Ultimate Lift kit by toytec FJ Cruiser/4Runner Ultimate 3" lift package - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits

I have the Spacer kit but will be getting the front adjustable coils, which are in the ultimate package, soon. This is the best kit IMO.

I also have a 1" body lift from Toytec. This gives it a better stance. The 3" was a good stance but just not enough for me. You can get a 1.5" BL from 4crawler but 1) I hate their site and 2) the 1" was perfect size for me.

I'm running 275/70/17 Wrangler MTR's and have slight rubbing on my UCA and in the wheel well when turned at full crank. My alignment can't be perfect so I'm balancing, rotating, and aligning A LOT to save my tires as much as possible. So, no, you dont really need them but yes they will help out a lot.

And no, It shouldn't complicate the process of installing the lift. They just go around the coil so you can slide the coils through them.

 

[G.I.G.]

Wheel spacers will help with any rubbing issues on the UCA. However, as A10MileHusker pointed out, it is difficult to get the alignment correct with the stock UCA's.

If you are looking to keep it relatively inexpensive, you can probably skip on the UCA's for now. If you want to "do it right" from the start, it might not be a bad idea to get the aftermarket UCA's.

 

[Maz]

"I also have a 1" body lift from Toytec. This gives it a better stance. The 3" was a good stance but just not enough for me. You can get a 1.5" BL from 4crawler but 1) I hate their site and 2) the 1" was perfect size for me."

Sorry if this seems like a silly question...but can you expand on what you mean by a better stance? Fro the uninitiated (including yours truly) that concept us a little hard to place.

 

[eskimochaos]

"I also have a 1" body lift from Toytec. This gives it a better stance. The 3" was a good stance but just not enough for me. You can get a 1.5" BL from 4crawler but 1) I hate their site and 2) the 1" was perfect size for me."

Sorry if this seems like a silly question...but can you expand on what you mean by a better stance? Fro the uninitiated (including yours truly) that concept us a little hard to place.

Press the quote button when trying to quote someone.

Personal preference it sounds like.

 

[Will_4R]

Does the body lift improve ground clearence, or just make more room for larger tires? I mean, does the body lift raise all the stuff like the the gas tank and t-case than hang below the frame?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Does the body lift improve ground clearance, or just make more room for larger tires? I mean, does the body lift raise all the stuff like the the gas tank and t-case than hang below the frame?

In general it mainly helps with tires only. Items bolted to the frame stay where they are BUT bigger tires=bigger tire radius=more ground clearance.

 

[A10MileHusker]

"I also have a 1" body lift from Toytec. This gives it a better stance. The 3" was a good stance but just not enough for me. You can get a 1.5" BL from 4crawler but 1) I hate their site and 2) the 1" was perfect size for me."

Sorry if this seems like a silly question...but can you expand on what you mean by a better stance? Fro the uninitiated (including yours truly) that concept us a little hard to place.

When I was writing that I was really skeptical to use the word "stance" but couldn't think of another word. It simply just ads another inch between the body and my tires. So it just looks better and bigger.

Yes it will allow for bigger tires too but I'll need to get wheel spacers before I get bigger tires.

 

[A10MileHusker]

Does the body lift improve ground clearence, or just make more room for larger tires? I mean, does the body lift raise all the stuff like the the gas tank and t-case than hang below the frame?

I mean, it kinda improves ground clearance. My bumper is an inch higher now. :lmao: But everything else is the same. Like CJ3 said, its mainly to allow for bigger tires in the future.

 

[Maz]

When I was writing that I was really skeptical to use the word "stance" but couldn't think of another word. It simply just ads another inch between the body and my tires. So it just looks better and bigger. QUOTE]

Oh, THAT kind of stance......:cowboy:

 

[Johnny4runner]

Cool. Thanks for all of the input.

The Toytech ultimate lift was at the top of my list for the project, and I was thinking about the 1" BL also. 10MileHusker, does the 1" BL leave much of a gap between the body and the front bumer? That was my only hesitation with the BL. BTW I was born and raised a Husker in Lincoln.

Does anyone have any experience with how much aftermarket UCAs can help with rubbing? For example, how much larger tires can you run after installing UCAs?

I suspose as G.I.G. points out, wheel spacers can do about the same thing and are probably less expensive than UCAs. What is downside to spacers -- additional stress on the hub?

Thanks, JB

 

[eskimochaos]

Cool. Thanks for all of the input.

The Toytech ultimate lift was at the top of my list for the project, and I was thinking about the 1" BL also. 10MileHusker, does the 1" BL leave much of a gap between the body and the front bumer? That was my only hesitation with the BL. BTW I was born and raised a Husker in Lincoln.

Does anyone have any experience with how much aftermarket UCAs can help with rubbing? For example, how much larger tires can you run after installing UCAs?

I suspose as G.I.G. points out, wheel spacers can do about the same thing and are probably less expensive than UCAs. What is downside to spacers -- additional stress on the hub?

Thanks, JB

Additional bearing stress too - it increases the moment on the entire assembly.

Wait to get the BL after your lift - you might be happy with 3".

 

[A10MileHusker]

Cool. Thanks for all of the input.

The Toytech ultimate lift was at the top of my list for the project, and I was thinking about the 1" BL also. 10MileHusker, does the 1" BL leave much of a gap between the body and the front bumer? That was my only hesitation with the BL. BTW I was born and raised a Husker in Lincoln.

Does anyone have any experience with how much aftermarket UCAs can help with rubbing? For example, how much larger tires can you run after installing UCAs?

I suspose as G.I.G. points out, wheel spacers can do about the same thing and are probably less expensive than UCAs. What is downside to spacers -- additional stress on the hub?

Thanks, JB

I'm not sure what you mean...The front bumper is part of your body. After the BL there are no gaps in your exterior. The only gap I noticed were my body and my sliders because i have bolt on sliders that are bolted to my frame, they stayed in place where the rest of my body went up an inch.

00Spark has the UCA's from toytec but he has a 3rd Gen. You may wanna check with him and see what he says about them.

You know, eskimochaos is right about the problems with wheel spacers but I know about 5 people that are running the spacers and they love them. It gives the 4R such a better stance instead of making it look like your tires are being sucked in by the body. If you do wheel spacers, I'd expect problems after 80,000 miles, if any problems at all. I have yet to hear of a member here or any other forum that has ran into problems because of their wheel spacers.

 

[ToyTec Lifts]

I would purchase the UCA's for better tracking down the road, a better alignment, more down travel with the suspension, and knowing you are getting a sexy, beefier UCA.

We just got in the 3rd gen 4runner and 1st gen tacoma UCA's in and I want a pair bad.

If you have just over $420 to spend, I would say go for it!