UCSs vs lotus Axel

[CentrlCoast4Runner]

UCAs vs lotus Axel

Hey everyone. My name is Ryan and I bought Santa Cruz Runners 3rd gen. Its a great truck that he put some good time and money into. I haven't posted a pic cuz I haven't changed anything yet so I don't want to bite on his build. My question is this....I'm having trouble deciding on putting on Total Chaos UCAs or Lotus axels. The alignment is fine, it barely rubs the UCAs(slight paint removal it appears). For $250 more bucks I wouldn't ever have to worry about breaking and Axel. I don't think the diff is going to explode by moving the "weak link". Part of the benefits of UCAs is helping with the CV angel right? Why not put in bombproof axels and be done? Any experience or insite would be great. Love the site!

 

[KidVermicious]

If you're gonna wheel it hard, and you upgrade the axles, you absolutely are risking the internals in the diff. An ARB would fix that.

 

[CentrlCoast4Runner]

Does anyone think the improved angle from the UCAs will help preserve the axels enough to warrant the cost of the UCAs? An ARB is on the wish list but not for a while. A quality winch is coming before an ARB

 

[Fishwerks]

Does anyone think the improved angle from the UCAs will help preserve the axels enough to warrant the cost of the UCAs? An ARB is on the wish list but not for a while. A quality winch is coming before an ARB

UCAs have no effect on the CV angle. CV angle is dependent on the amount of front lift you are running and if you have a diff drop installed.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

I am assuming you bought Drews rig. He wheeled it and didn't have problems with the CVs. I would say put the money towards the UCAs to get better alignment. But if you say it is fine then maybe a different set of wheels or wheel spacers to push the tire away from the UCA.

Remember it is cheaper to replace a CV then a full diff.

 

[CentrlCoast4Runner]

Right on. Thanks for the advice. Since the UCAs are sitting in the garage I guess I better put them on.

 

[osphewr]

you absolutely are risking the internals in the diff.

 

[cbr900boy]

I 2nd the UCAs. I was in the red with caster before the UCAs and after installing them Im now in the green. Street drivability has increased 10 fold, it feels rock solid. I also have the TC UCAs and I love them. They are top notch. BTW do not use any lubrication on the uniballs not even drylube. This is straight from the horse's mouth at TC. They just say to keep them clean with a wet rag. Ive been doing this and i have zero squeaks.

 

[sn0wrunner]

Just a heads up, the Lotus axles are not "bomb proof". They can still break. Last I talked with Glen from Lotus I believe there had been 3 or 4 people that have broken one. But with that said, they are still much stronger than the stock ones. I've been running them for almost 5 years now with no issues. Prior to that I was breaking axles all the time. Now I did blow up a front diff on my '96 when running these axles. The stronger cv's may have contributed to that, but I also wheeled the piss out of that rig and it had 275k miles on it. I'd say get the axles now and upgrade to an ARB later down the road. ARB locker + Lotus axles is where it's at!

 

[CentrlCoast4Runner]

Thanks for all the great info. Axels and an ARB are on the wish list for now. Maybe a fat Christmas bonus will help with that! I think a winch will come before the ARB though. I will wipe down uni balls like u stated. My CBI rear arrived yesterday so I've got a project this weekend!

 

[hawnrsen]

you absolutely are risking the internals in the diff.

 

[crashman]

Just a heads up, the Lotus axles are not "bomb proof". They can still break. Last I talked with Glen from Lotus I believe there had been 3 or 4 people that have broken one. But with that said, they are still much stronger than the stock ones. I've been running them for almost 5 years now with no issues. Prior to that I was breaking axles all the time. Now I did blow up a front diff on my '96 when running these axles. The stronger cv's may have contributed to that, but I also wheeled the piss out of that rig and it had 275k miles on it. I'd say get the axles now and upgrade to an ARB later down the road. ARB locker + Lotus axles is where it's at!

Sn0wrunner
you have been running these for 5 years? what kind of maintenance have you had to do? I am in need of new cv's ( from my stupidly) and just put in arb's front and rear. I was worried about them just having a 1 year warranty
thanks

 

[sn0wrunner]

Sn0wrunner
you have been running these for 5 years? what kind of maintenance have you had to do? I am in need of new cv's ( from my stupidly) and just put in arb's front and rear. I was worried about them just having a 1 year warranty
thanks

Sorry for the delayed response.

Honestly I haven't had to do any maintenance on them. I haven't had to worry about them at all. It's been great. Granted I haven't been wheeling as hard as I used to. The boots are just starting to show signs of wear. I think I'm going to pull them this winter and take them over to CVJ for a reboot. I need to go through my spare axle supply and sell some of them. I'll keep two as spares, but I think it's safe to say I don't need three sets of spares anymore.