2003 Toyota Tacoma UCA's.........

[joker2041]

Hey everyone,

I have an 03 DC Tacoma running a 3" Toytec ultimate lift. What aftermarket UCA's would you recommend running for best results?

Also, what are the advantages to running aftermarket UCA's?

 

[SOAZ]

I personally don't think there are any. The lower roll center is theoretical and the increased travel isn't actually fact either.
You can run the "extended" coilovers with stock arms because balljoints actually have greater movement than uni-balls.
If the balljoints are worn, be sure to replace them though! :victory:

.Disclaimer. This opinion is based on working at one of the companies that produce these. :smiley_drive:

 

[Box Rocket]

The other issue that I think is a factor is that the aftermarket arms don't hold up that well in wet/snowy climates especially if they salt the roads in winter. Not the arms themselves, but the uniballs.

I don't have any firsthand experience with aftermarket UCA so I can't make a recommedation on which ones to go with. Sorry.

 

[joker2041]

The other issue that I think is a factor is that the aftermarket arms don't hold up that well in wet/snowy climates especially if they salt the roads in winter. Not the arms themselves, but the uniballs.

I don't have any firsthand experience with aftermarket UCA so I can't make a recommedation on which ones to go with. Sorry.

I am not dead set on getting some, I was just curious as to what the big plus is for running them.

If they dont hold up well to weather, then they wouldn't be good for the winters here.

 

[Wes Craiglow]

I personally don't think there are any. The lower roll center is theoretical and the increased travel isn't actually fact either.
You can run the "extended" coilovers with stock arms because balljoints actually have greater movement than uni-balls.
If the balljoints are worn, be sure to replace them though! :victory:

.Disclaimer. This opinion is based on working at one of the companies that produce these. :smiley_drive:

Interesting take, and one I've never heard. I have long doubted the "generous increases" promised by many AF UCA manufacturers.

Thanks for the insight.

 

[Ric]

Ive got the LightRacing UCA, they seem to be holding up pretty well, along with having 2degress of camber built into them, this helps with the alignment, and also allows for a little wider tires without spacers.

 

[SOAZ]

also allows for a little wider tires without spacers.

Good call Ric. I forgot about that. The ability to run a wider tire without rubbing on the arm while having the stock backspacing is one.

Of course, I've always been a fan of tall skinny tires so it's never been an issue for me, but that is a legitimate feature. I've run 255/85/16 and 285/75/16 and 32/11.50/15 and 265/75/16 and 295/85/16 so far without issues on stock upper arms. No issues with those. All tires were BFG AT's and MT's except for some Cooper ST's.

 

[Landay]

I also have the Light Racing UCA's. I would agree that there is little advantage for aftermarket UCA's if you're not running any more than 2" of lift. If you run more lift than that then you will go through ball joints and I don't think it's safe using the OEM UCA's. Aftermarket UCA's also assist in getting your alignment back into spec, correcting any steering irregularities you get from altering the front end suspension geometry (read: lift).

Light Racing and Camburg both have UCA's that use an OEM style sealed ball joint that will be just as hardy and resistant to corrosion and debris as the OEM UCA would. Those are great options.

For reference, I have an '08 FJC with 0 offset wheels and 305/70/16 BFG KM2's. I have no rubbing issues on the UCA or on sway bar. I'm running just over 3" of lift. I did, however, have to get a body mount chop. Sometimes you can avoid doing the body mount chop by putting more positive caster when aligning it.

 

[TacoDell]

The primary purpose of AM UCA's is the extra travel afforded by the Uni-ball assemblies...

Of which would not come into play, when dealing with oem suspension travel perimeters...

Now for those whom are running Extended CO's up front...
the AM UCA's would be detrimental in maintaining alignment and the free movement of the ball joint (Uni's in this case) at full droop.

Only advantage of running UCA's without extended CO travel ?

alignment ease and flexibility to increase castor, camber outside of what is attainable within the oem suspension travel perimeters...


In laymens term...

if you have yer junk pre-loaded to the moon...
You probably have a hard time meeting alignment specs...

an aftermarket UCA... could ease that issue up some...

But the oem travel perimeters remain... well... stock... no matter how you slice it.


JM 2cents.

 

[penangtoy]

Good call Ric. I forgot about that. The ability to run a wider tire without rubbing on the arm while having the stock backspacing is one.

Of course, I've always been a fan of tall skinny tires so it's never been an issue for me, but that is a legitimate feature. I've run 255/85/16 and 285/75/16 and 32/11.50/15 and 265/75/16 and 295/85/16 so far without issues on stock upper arms. No issues with those. All tires were BFG AT's and MT's except for some Cooper ST's.

Hi tim
what size is the 295/85/16 tire ? does BFG make that size of a tire
?

 

[SOAZ]

Just an FYI, but a uniball have less travel than a balljoint. Not more. Common mis-conception since they use uniballs on the "extended travel" kits. It doesn't seem logical, but it's true.

Hi tim
what size is the 295/85/16 tire ? does BFG make that size of a tire
?

Yes, they used to make them in a AT. I thought it was still available in that size. I used it on an old tacoma I had. Now I used the 255 style for the 4runner. Seems to pull the skinnies a bit better with all of the weight on her. :victory:

 

[7wt]

I have looked on and off at doing the uca's on my truck but I think I will just put the idea in the bin. The winter in CT is a pretty harsh environment for trick racy truck parts and unless there is a huge improvement in droop then it wouldn't be worth it. I have decided to come down on the side of brute force reliability over the slight if any performance increase. It's kinda a theme with my truck.

 

[flyingwil]

Ive got the LightRacing UCA, they seem to be holding up pretty well, along with having 2degress of camber built into them, this helps with the alignment, and also allows for a little wider tires without spacers.

I was going to recommend the Light Racing UCA as well... added benefit of helping with alignments.