Anyone Running Dobinsons UCA? Opinions?

[Crikeymike]

[MENTION=148378]Dobinsons Mike[/MENTION] I finally have my Dobinsons UCAs on the way and I have an installation question. Do you guys recommend lowering the vehicle back to the ground before torquing to spec, as I have seen recommended on UCAs with greasable bushings? The UCA installation pdf doesn't mention anything about lowering the vehicle but I think maybe that's because the Dobinson's bushings don't require grease.

Thanks man.

Yes, all suspension components should only be tightened on the ground with the weight of the vehicle on them.

As the bushings are vulcanized to the sleeve in the middle, if they are tightened in the air, then the bushings would be pre-loaded when the car is on the ground, adding tightness to the bushings and that would most likely cause them to wear out prematurely. It's the same effect on shock bushings too, especially the front lower strut bushing. The main reason people have those fail is when they tighten them in the air instead of on the ground.

You're right, it's missing from the instructions somehow.

 

[Hydguy]

Just installed Dobinsons UCAs. Got alignment done today and after lots of wrenching the guy could only get +3º caster. When turned closer to +3.5º it pushed the camber out of spec (0.7 to 1.0 degrees) so I had to settle for only +3.

My setup is: Bilstein 14" springs, Toytec 1/2" top plate spacer, and TRD struts. My front bumper adds 90 lbs so I don't think I'm too much over 3" of front lift. I'm happy with how it drives, but I know 4º caster would feel better. I watched him adjust the cam bolts all ways seemingly possible, is this as much caster as I can get?

How much lift are you running? The rear tire looks pretty close to the front of the wheel well.

Which brings me to another question: when lifting, how much does the rear axle housing move from center? I know in my Jeep TJ, if I went with any more than 2", an adjustable track bar or track bar drop bracket was recommended to move the rear axle back to center and adjustable lower arms were recommended to push the axle housing back.

 

[Cement4R]

How much lift are you running? The rear tire looks pretty close to the front of the wheel well.

Which brings me to another question: when lifting, how much does the rear axle housing move from center? I know in my Jeep TJ, if I went with any more than 2", an adjustable track bar or track bar drop bracket was recommended to move the rear axle back to center and adjustable lower arms were recommended to push the axle housing back.

It's a weird camera angle -- here's a more straight on shot of the rear tire. It's fairly even in the wheel well.

Lift is probably a little over 3" front and 2" rear. My centerline measurements are 23" F and 24.25" R.

 

[DurangoMax]

Status 1 year later?

I have the UCAs and the lift from Dobinsons and am very happy with both. Alignment went well, no issues with the UCAs so far, but they've only been on 3 months.

I got them due to being pretty low maintenance, price, and too many horror stories about the light racing SPCs. Although most likely the cause of the stories is that 80% of the forum bought the SPCs.

Looking at upgrades to my 2016 TE with KDSS and saw your post and garage info. Wondering how you like your setup over a year later. I am thinking about the Dobinson setup to get 2" up front and 1.5" in the back so I can put on the 275/70 17 KO2s (I have 265s now) - also going to add C4 Fab Lo-pro bumper and probably the Dobninson winch - so need to upgrade suspension regardless to handle the weight.

Cheers

 

[Crikeymike]

Had a look at the latest batch of UCA's that arrived yesterday and the welds are much smoother now than ever before. Still have never had a single warranty claim on any Dobinsons UCA's.

There's a limited amount of 4Runner UCA's left in stock after fulfilling all backorders. Details are here:
Dobinsons 4Runner UCA's - Front Upper Control Arm Kit for Toyota FJ Cruiser, 4Runner 2003 to 2020 + Lexus GX470 + GX460 | Exit Offroad

 

[16RedRunner]

Had a look at the latest batch of UCA's that arrived yesterday and the welds are much smoother now than ever before. Still have never had a single warranty claim on any Dobinsons UCA's.

There's a limited amount of 4Runner UCA's left in stock after fulfilling all backorders. Details are here:
Dobinsons 4Runner UCA's - Front Upper Control Arm Kit for Toyota FJ Cruiser, 4Runner 2003 to 2020 + Lexus GX470 + GX460 | Exit Offroad

Good to hear I will give you my opinion when mine show up tomorrow.Then I can finally get my lift on.

 

[16RedRunner]

Had a look at the latest batch of UCA's that arrived yesterday and the welds are much smoother now than ever before. Still have never had a single warranty claim on any Dobinsons UCA's.

There's a limited amount of 4Runner UCA's left in stock after fulfilling all backorders. Details are here:
Dobinsons 4Runner UCA's - Front Upper Control Arm Kit for Toyota FJ Cruiser, 4Runner 2003 to 2020 + Lexus GX470 + GX460 | Exit Offroad

Got mine yesterday and they look great!!

 

[Crikeymike]

I put together this video last week to get a better visual of the arms.
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[buffalojay]

I put together this video last week to get a better visual of the arms.
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RgyemIrnzsQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>m
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In the video you mention greasing the machined surface of the joint. What kind of grease should be used here and around that Oring? This is my next big purchase along with some rear upper and lower control arms. Also the T4R coupon code would be much appreciated. If I can receive that in my PM.

 

[Ogre75]

I've had my Dobinson lift including UCS's for a bit now and am impressed with the ride and handling on all surfaces I have encountered. The shop that installed mine usually works on Jeeps and trucks and installs a variety of manufacturers lifts. He said this was one of the best lifts he's installed in regards to quality and handling.

 

[Crikeymike]

In the video you mention greasing the machined surface of the joint. What kind of grease should be used here and around that Oring? This is my next big purchase along with some rear upper and lower control arms. Also the T4R coupon code would be much appreciated. If I can receive that in my PM.

Just any grease you have will work. The same you use for u-joints would be fine. It's just to add another level of sealing to that part.

 

[Crikeymike]

I've had my Dobinson lift including UCS's for a bit now and am impressed with the ride and handling on all surfaces I have encountered. The shop that installed mine usually works on Jeeps and trucks and installs a variety of manufacturers lifts. He said this was one of the best lifts he's installed in regards to quality and handling.

That's some really good feedback!!

 

[Chubbypanda]

Hey Mike,
Do you have any coupon codes we can use?

 

[Crikeymike]

Hey Mike,
Do you have any coupon codes we can use?

Yeah, in my signature there's one

 

[Chubbypanda]

Yeah, in my signature there's one

Ah thank you!

 

[kman79]

Hey Mike,

Is it possible to get 4 degrees of caster with the Dobinsons UCAs? I'm reading 3.5s on this thread, which may be fine; I have a 2.5" lift on my t4r, and currently ha e 4 degrees of caster and I really like how stable the drive is.

I'd like to get these for the low maintenance reasons over my current UCAs, but I don't want to give up not able to run 4 degrees of caster.

 

[SpeedyKevin]

Hey Mike,

Is it possible to get 4 degrees of caster with the Dobinsons UCAs? I'm reading 3.5s on this thread, which may be fine; I have a 2.5" lift on my t4r, and currently ha e 4 degrees of caster and I really like how stable the drive is.

I'd like to get these for the low maintenance reasons over my current UCAs, but I don't want to give up not able to run 4 degrees of caster.

I'm running a 2.0" lift with 3.9 caster. Never asked the tech to max the caster so maybe it could go above 4.

 

[Finslayer83]

love mine, I'm at 3.7* of caster if I recall.

 

[Crikeymike]

Hey Mike,

Is it possible to get 4 degrees of caster with the Dobinsons UCAs? I'm reading 3.5s on this thread, which may be fine; I have a 2.5" lift on my t4r, and currently ha e 4 degrees of caster and I really like how stable the drive is.

I'd like to get these for the low maintenance reasons over my current UCAs, but I don't want to give up not able to run 4 degrees of caster.

I have about 3.5 degrees of caster on my 4runner and zero complaints. The majority of techs seem unable to know how to max out the caster during an alignment anyway, it's a huge issue where "they know what they're doing" but they don't always.

The less lift you have, the more caster you can get in it.

What UCA's are you running now?

 

[Crikeymike]

Dobinsons UCA update!! The container is on the way and due right at the end of the month, so the first week or 2 of July, all pending backorders will be shipping out and there are a lot in the container also, so we can take new orders for them as well.

4Runner UCA's by Dobinsons also suit GX470 GX460 and FJ Cruiser