Best UCA for 3" lifted mostly pavement driver?

[starclassic]

So, I've got a 3" lift on my '97 SR5. My front UBJs are really deteriorated and starting to leak grease. I still am running the stock UCAs. I've been told that with the lift, I should look at aftermarket UCAs to help strengthen the front suspension and alignment.

I don't do any off-roading right now (Chicago-based) but hope to get off the road in the near future. I'd like to find the right set of UCAs given my lift and the way I drive (mostly).

There are tons of opinions and options out there, but I've been looking at the Camburg uniball UCAs.

Wondering if I'm overlooking anything? I realize uniballs will need some additional maintenance (lubrication) but is it really that challenging? Should I avoid uniballs given the cold/salty season here in Chicago?

Or am I overthinking this and shouldn't worry about replacing the UCAs?

 

[JayRolla]

So, I've got a 3" lift on my '97 SR5. My front UBJs are really deteriorated and starting to leak grease. I still am running the stock UCAs. I've been told that with the lift, I should look at aftermarket UCAs to help strengthen the front suspension and alignment.

I don't do any off-roading right now (Chicago-based) but hope to get off the road in the near future. I'd like to find the right set of UCAs given my lift and the way I drive (mostly).

There are tons of opinions and options out there, but I've been looking at the Camburg uniball UCAs.

Wondering if I'm overlooking anything? I realize uniballs will need some additional maintenance (lubrication) but is it really that challenging? Should I avoid uniballs given the cold/salty season here in Chicago?

Or am I overthinking this and shouldn't worry about replacing the UCAs?

Your stock UCA's really are not holding you back. You can get a little more caster if you get aftermarkets but is really not needed. They also help you clear larger tires.

If you go with uniball UCA's you will need to keep them greased. They are an open ball design so after some time they will start to squeak. My brother has icons on his 4th gen and they are super loud and need maintenance all the time. SPC light racing arms are adjustable and use a ball joint with rubber boot. IMO just replacing your ball joints is all you really need on a road rig.

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

So, I've got a 3" lift on my '97 SR5. My front UBJs are really deteriorated and starting to leak grease. I still am running the stock UCAs. I've been told that with the lift, I should look at aftermarket UCAs to help strengthen the front suspension and alignment.

I don't do any off-roading right now (Chicago-based) but hope to get off the road in the near future. I'd like to find the right set of UCAs given my lift and the way I drive (mostly).

There are tons of opinions and options out there, but I've been looking at the Camburg uniball UCAs.

Wondering if I'm overlooking anything? I realize uniballs will need some additional maintenance (lubrication) but is it really that challenging? Should I avoid uniballs given the cold/salty season here in Chicago?

Or am I overthinking this and shouldn't worry about replacing the UCAs?

Not really overthinking it. With a 3" lift you lose quite a bit of your caster range. Caster helps with the steering wheel returning to center after a turn and on the road "wandering" which can be important after a lift because raising the center of gravity on a vehicle can make things feel a little unstable. Think of caster in terms of a motorcycle chopper ( lots of caster) and a shopping cart wheel ( no caster). Ever see what a shopping cart wheel does when it's being pushed and every little bump and rut does to it? The more caster the better ( without rubbing of course). The printouts I've seen on here after a 3" lift put the caster at or just below the minimum spec of 1.7 degrees which may be fine for some people but I personally didn't like the ride with the caster the way it was.

I have and recommend the LR UCAs. Less cost. They've been redesigned with better bushings and UBJs. And they are super adjustable to get back any lost caster (and camber) Also, the UBJ is conventional so you don't need to worry about lubricating it. Since your not really off-roading it would seem like a better choice.