New UCAs when doing a lift?

jamiemac1

jamiemac1

New member
If any of you experts out there are willing to chime in, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm getting ready to have a Toytech Ultimate lift (3"/2") put on my 4Runner and was wondering how pertinent it is to replace the UCA's? I was told by Toytech that it helps with the alignment and the camber, but it seems like many people do this mod without getting the UCAs.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.
 
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jamiemac1 said:
If any of you experts out there are willing to chime in, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm getting ready to have a Toytech Ultimate lift (3"/2") put on my 4Runner and was wondering how pertinent it is to replace the UCA's? I was told by Toytech that it helps with the alignment and the camber, but it seems like many people do this mod without getting the UCAs.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Toytec is correct. With aftermarket control arms, you're able to get back to factory alignment specs and decrease uneven wear on your tires. Without them, you'll notice after your lift your truck it will feel like it's wandering on the freeway.

I noticed this when I had to put my factory UCA's back on for a week.
 
I installed the Toytec Ultimate lift on my 2010 Trail Edition and did not upgrade the UCAs. When I first installed the lift the front was pretty high, about 3.5 inches and everything was pretty far out of alignment. I have since adjusted the front to about 2.5 inches and had the alignment done. The guys at the shop were able to get everything into spec except the caster. There wasn't enough adjustment to do it all. My understanding is that UCAs like the light racing or others add quite a bit of additional adjustment which would help with this. That being said, even though they could not get my caster back in spec, it is even and is ok to drive and shouldn't wear the tires. Steering is a little heavier than before and it requires a little more steering input to keep it straight but it's not a big deal.
 
chipr3 said:
I installed the Toytec Ultimate lift on my 2010 Trail Edition and did not upgrade the UCAs. When I first installed the lift the front was pretty high, about 3.5 inches and everything was pretty far out of alignment. I have since adjusted the front to about 2.5 inches and had the alignment done. The guys at the shop were able to get everything into spec except the caster. There wasn't enough adjustment to do it all. My understanding is that UCAs like the light racing or others add quite a bit of additional adjustment which would help with this. That being said, even though they could not get my caster back in spec, it is even and is ok to drive and shouldn't wear the tires. Steering is a little heavier than before and it requires a little more steering input to keep it straight but it's not a big deal.
Click to expand...

With the LR UCA's that I just got in the mail today, it states that it adds up to +4 degrees of additional adjustment of caster(??).
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I think I'm going to bite the bullet and put the racing UCAs on. I'm a little OCD about my steering alignment, noises, etc. Therefore, it's probably worth the extra few $ to avoid potential irritation with the upgrades.

Much appreciated!
 
If I remember right from reading up on lifting our 4Runners, after about 2.0" you need UCA to correct the alignment issues. I'm gonna go ahead and just get some LR UCA when I buy my OLW Lift in the next month or so. I drive my 4Runner hard and want it to handle well at speed.
 
I can confirm the issue with caster if you use OEM UCA. We did the Toytek Ultimate lift on our FJ and used the LR UCA. no issues at all with alignment. Without the UCA the front tires seem to float a bit.

I was told that the LR UCA haveare prone to slip a bit if trailed hard but I have no experience with that. We dont do any hard runs.

I will be putting the same setup on my 4Runner next summer.
 
jamiemac1 said:
I was told by Toytech that it helps with the alignment and the camber, but it seems like many people do this mod without getting the UCAs.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...


IIRC, the LightRacing UCA has 2degrees of camber built into the design of it, making it better for lifted rigs, they also, are not as wide, where the top of the tire would meet the arm, it does give you a little more room there to allow for a wider tire, its about a 1/2 more of clearance.
Ive used both the stock arm and the LightRacing, Id suggest going with LightRacing
:girl:
 
Desert Fox said:
I was told that the LR UCA haveare prone to slip a bit if trailed hard but I have no experience with that. We dont do any hard runs.
Click to expand...

I had some LR UCA's on my 2008 Tacoma, The driver side slipped on me while I was out off roading in the desert. It threw out my camber, caster, toe, steering wheel, everything. On this trip I forgot my Ratchet at home too, luckily I had brought my Cordless Impact and was able to fit that in the wheel well after jacking up the front all the way and tighten it back up near where it was originally. I hit something pretty hard this trip though.

I'm thinking the bolt was just not tightened enough. To all those that have LR arms, make sure you tighten them up to spec, or even a little more to prevent the bolt from sliding.

I sold them after this trip and have avoided them ever since, although many people have no issues with them both off and on road.
 
Hit up fat bobs garage for the best prices if you plan to go with LR UCA's. Call them for the lower price thats not advertised on their site.
 
yup Light racing is the way to go IMO. Unless you are going long travel that is :)

Ive got a set for sale :banana:
 
Once again, thanks for the replies everyone! It is great having a resource like this to get experienced opinions.

bt216: I think I'm going to go for a package deal with Toytech. Price is right with discount code. Thanks though!
 
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