Question about aftermarket UCAs

M

mscot

New member
I'll be upgrading my suspension at the end of February. I'm only doing a 2" front/1" rear so I don't technically need aftermarket UCAs.
However, I've been told that they will improve the ride a great deal over the stock UCAs.

So I come to this non-biased group ;) for your advice. New UCAs installed will cost me $750 additional (just started new job and have a toddler so I'll be paying someone to do the install).
Is that worth it?

Usage: daily driver, occasional colorado trails, a moab trip, mostly just using it to get off the beaten path and away from people for weekenders.
 
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I would skip them and see if the alignment is good enough without them. If not.. add them later. Most people end up with them in the long run, but you may not really feel the need for a while.

They don't improve the ride... just the handling via more + caster. You will need them if you add any down travel (extended travel...) or a top hat spacer.
 
UCA install is pretty easy with a few shop tools that you could end up using for other projects.

The only snag I ran into was a piece of sheet metal underneath my driver side fender that was just a hair too long and snagged the dog bone bolts on reinstallation. I was a to bend it with my fingers and push the bolt all the way through.

Unless your ride feels squirrely at high speed, they're not necessary.
 
Don’t add them unless you can’t get a proper alignment.

Oem UCAs are going to be quieter than anything else out there
 
Lifted mine 2.5” in the front now I’m shopping for UCA’s. Handling isn’t terrible but a bit “nervous” feeling on the freeway. Plus at full droop the stock uca almost hits the coil spring now.
 
wfo9 said:
I would skip them and see if the alignment is good enough without them. If not.. add them later. Most people end up with them in the long run, but you may not really feel the need for a while.

They don't improve the ride... just the handling via more + caster. You will need them if you add any down travel (extended travel...) or a top hat spacer.
Click to expand...

This is good advice. I ran stock UCA's for a long time with a 2" front lift. The caster was marginal - about 2.5, but it was fine for a lot of miles. I've since put on aftermarket UCAs. They do make it nicer to drive. Especially for long highway trips. It's something you could add later if you don't like it. The only extra cost would be paying for an alignment twice. They're very easy to install.

My only extra advice here - even if you're on a budget - stay away from the EBAY ones. You can search for info on them, but mine broke on day 2. Not worth saving a few extra bucks - especially when it means replacing brake lines, ABS wires, and other damage from the failure. Also stay away from the Tough Country ones. They would be fine if the geometry was correct. But they actually made my alignment worse. I also used them for a short time. I think the cheapest ones that work really well are the JBA and a lot of people like SPC ones. Most of the other ones are also very good it seems.
 
UCA for 2" lift

The need for better geometry on the UCA also depends on the size of your front Coil-over shocks. if you're going with 2" diameter shocks then maybe not. If you're upgrading to a 2&1/2' round shock then you probably need to upgrade the UCA.

Congratulations on the newborn baby. Good luck Dad.
 
DesertCanyons said:
The need for better geometry on the UCA also depends on the size of your front Coil-over shocks. if you're going with 2" diameter shocks then maybe not. If you're upgrading to a 2&1/2' round shock then you probably need to upgrade the UCA.



Congratulations on the newborn baby. Good luck Dad.
Click to expand...



Thanks. Can you explain why going with 2.5 warrants UCAs?



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I can't speak for all of the various coilovers, but I have Fox 2.5's with reservoirs and they fit fine with stock UCAs. The springs aren't any bigger outside diameter. Or if they are, it's very close in size. The shocks are just larger inside. The hose routing works okay with the stock UCAs too.

I've never personally verified this - although I anticipate doing so soon - I think most regular 2.5" coilovers have a thicker bump stop in them at the bottom to shorten the travel and the extended travel version is the same parts except the bump stop spacer is removed. I've read that Fox coilovers are that way. I can't say for sure until I stip one apart and remove the extra spacer though. The specs on the regular and extended are identical except for 1/2" longer extension on the extended travel version. Compressed length is the same. So if you're going that route - you can probably have them rebuilt down the road if you added UCAs and remove the spacer.
 
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