Toytec Ultimate Lift Kit: UCAs or not to UCAs...

[W8kbrder]

That is the question.

About to order the Toytec Ultimate Lift. I'm on the fence about getting UCAs or not. From what I've gathered, getting them dialed-in can be a hassle depending on who's doing your alignment.

I plan on doing a 2.5" lift. 90% of my driving will be local ( I have wife and 2 small kids)...10% light off-roading. With that said, I'm not needing anything crazy.

So, do I need UCAs or not? Are they worth it or do that just cause more possibilities of getting things out of whack? What are the benefits of having them vs. not having them replaced? Your thoughts?

 

[LandCruiser]

Lift heights over 1" will need longer UCAs so you can dial your front wheels in properly. The stock ones are really short.

 

[Stifler]

Lift heights over 1" will need longer UCAs so you can dial your front wheels in properly. The stock ones are really short.

:der: while it is highly SUGGESTED and beneficial for OPTIMUM settings there are MANY people running up to 2.5" of lift with stock control arms.

 

[LandCruiser]

:der: while it is highly SUGGESTED and beneficial for OPTIMUM settings there are MANY people running up to 2.5" of lift with stock control arms.

I'd think skimping on control arms and having wonky alignment is pretty bush league for an expensive truck as a 4Runner.

Nice truck like that deserves a proper lift job.

When I get to CO, I'm getting new UCAs and a 2.5" lift, haven't decided what kind, yet.

 

[Jeremy556]

About to order the Toytec Ultimate Lift. I'm on the fence about getting UCAs or not. From what I've gathered, getting them dialed-in can be a hassle depending on who's doing your alignment.

Actually, it is much easier to align with aftermarket UCAs. The problem is many (most?) people doing alignments either don't know how or don't want to expend the effort to do the job properly, with or without aftermarket UCAs.

Without the UCAs you'll never have a decent caster spec, so it will be more twitchy on the highway and not want to track as straight. Depending on tire choice, you may run into rubbing issues as well.

 

[Stifler]

I'd think skimping on control arms and having wonky alignment is pretty bush league for an expensive truck as a 4Runner.

Nice truck like that deserves a proper lift job.

When I get to CO, I'm getting new UCAs and a 2.5" lift, haven't decided what kind, yet.

again highly RECOMMENDED but not MANDATORY in all cases

 

[W8kbrder]

Thanks guys. This sums it up for me.

 

[W8kbrder]

Can anyone tell me the best place to get the Toytec lift w/ UCAs right now? Best price?

 

[Stifler]

direct from toyec

coupon code: 112710 should still be good

 

[mfregeau20]

So what i take from this is do the lift, if it is in your budget get the UCA's at the same time. If not it is not the end of the world but should be on the list to get next.

NOTED!

 

[LandCruiser]

So what i take from this is do the lift, if it is in your budget get the UCA's at the same time. If not it is not the end of the world but should be on the list to get next.

NOTED!

If you're paying someone to do the work for you, the money you "save" on not getting new UCAs will quickly get gobbled up by labor costs to install them later.

Just a thought.

 

[NorthWest 4R]

Can anyone tell me the best place to get the Toytec lift w/ UCAs right now? Best price?

Metal Tech is having a sale right now 17% off LR UCA's http://www.toyota-4runner.org/metal-tech-4x4/149859-september-october-sales-metal-tech-4x4.html

 

[Jeremy556]

So what i take from this is do the lift, if it is in your budget get the UCA's at the same time. If not it is not the end of the world but should be on the list to get next.

To me, it doesn't make sense not to do the UCAs at the same time. You are already doing 90% of the work to install the UCAs when you have the front end apart, and if you add the UCAs later, you will have to re-do the work and get it aligned again. Lots of work, hassle, and having to drive it with a crappy alignment to maybe save a few hundred bucks. If you pay to have the work done, and later to decide to get the UCAs, you'll have spent more than doing it right the first time.

 

[mfregeau20]

If you're paying someone to do the work for you, the money you "save" on not getting new UCAs will quickly get gobbled up by labor costs to install them later.

Just a thought.

Totally agree, good thing I have done suspension before on lowering Vehicles so I plan to do this in the garage when I finally pull the trigger.

UCS's I may do my self as well when the time comes

 

[Stifler]

If you're paying someone to do the work for you, the money you "save" on not getting new UCAs will quickly get gobbled up by labor costs to install them later.

Just a thought.

true statement

 

[mfregeau20]

To me, it doesn't make sense not to do the UCAs at the same time. You are already doing 90% of the work to install the UCAs when you have the front end apart, and if you add the UCAs later, you will have to re-do the work and get it aligned again. Lots of work, hassle, and having to drive it with a crappy alignment to maybe save a few hundred bucks. If you pay to have the work done, and later to decide to get the UCAs, you'll have spent more than doing it right the first time.

guess i will have to do some additional sweet talking in order to spend an additional minimum $450 on suspensions as I see on ToyTec website for Light racing UCA's.

Good thing I plan on taking her to SF Union Square shopping. Nothing like a 8 story Nordstoms to sweet talk the wife:humble::humble:

 

[Scott@Hightech]

most of the things said in this Thread are true, They are not Mandatory for proper operation of the vehicle, however they are needed to get any sort of "good" alignment. I put it in quotes as it doesnt matter what parts you have if the person installing and aligning the truck doesn't know what they are doing.

If your interested in driving up here i will see what i can do on the kit and install.

 

[ImOnAPlain51]

I recently put an ICON lift on my 4Runner and was faced with the same question. I got the same advice as you did. Felt like I was spending quite a bit of money already, might as well do it right. The guy that did my alignment was quite surprised at how easy it was to align with the UCAs installed, said he usually hates doing alignments on lifts.

Amazon has these for 390$ w/prime eligible shipping btw. And good luck at the Nordstroms :wow2:

 

[Antman]

most of the things said in this Thread are true, They are not Mandatory for proper operation of the vehicle, however they are needed to get any sort of "good" alignment. I put it in quotes as it doesnt matter what parts you have if the person installing and aligning the truck doesn't know what they are doing.

If your interested in driving up here i will see what i can do on the kit and install.

What is the max caster you can get without the UCA's with a 2.5" lift? (on average)

My FE guy said he was able to get mine to +2. Just curious...

 

[sportyota]

I would get them. I bought the toytec ultimate 3" lift with the light racing uca as a combo and that was $50 saving. You're already tearing into the suspension so might as well swap out the stock uca while you're in there