2007 FJC: Replace UCA's when upgrading to Radflo coilover?

[BretEdge]

I'm in the process of building up my 2007 FJ Cruiser into an overland rig. I've been running a medium duty Old Man Emu lift kit for the last 5 years. Last week I installed front and rear Expedition One bumpers and a winch. The rear suspension is holding up okay, at least for now, until I add a drawer system and fridge. The front suspension - not so much. I ordered some Radflo adjustable coilovers yesterday to replace the OME fronts and am considering replacing the UCA's when the new coilovers are installed. After much research, the only two brands I'm considering are the Camburg performance UCA's and Total Chaos UCA's. My questions are:

How necessary is it to replace the stock UCA's when adding a 3" lift? I've read that aftermarket UCA's allow for better alignment and less wander on the highway as well as slightly more suspension articulation and a more durable build. Just curious to hear from a few folks "in the know" before laying out the cash.

Does anyone have experience w/ Camburg or Total Chaos UCA's and if so, which do you recommend?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[joneseyyy]

I run the Camburg Uni-balls on my 4runner, have had them on for ~30k miles and am happy with them. Wipe off the Uni-ball once very few weeks and squirt in some Teflon lube and they stay squeak/groan free.

 

[Cytocycle]

My limited research has found that aftermarket UCA's allow more droop than stock and, and like you said allow for correct alignment.
2.5" lift works fine with stock UCA's but going over that alignment may or may not. Because the of the better articulation you have to dry lube it because the joint isn't sealed in a boot. Build quality is similar, but I've seen some better reports of service from Total Chaos.

I'm looking at doing the Total Chaos UCA's with Radflow Extended coilovers on my Tacoma. Post back what you decide on what you think of the difference compared to OME.

 

[mrvandelay]

On my T4R, which shares most of the FJC suspension, a 3" lift required aftermarket UCAs to get the alignment back within spec. I went with the Light Racing UCAs from MetalTech4x4

 

[DanKunz]

I would do it (I have total chaos on my GX and love them). You will need them for full flex once you lift it. I hose mine down after each ride and squirt in some lube and no squeaks. I hear there are also heim joint UCAs now too that don't make noise.

 

[2025 deleted member]

I went with the light racing on my 2012 fjc. If its only going to be 2.5 of lift after bumpers you might not need the uca's. I think I would have been fine without them.

 

[cnynrat]

I'm running about 2.5" of lift on my FJC with King shocks. I still have the stock UCAs, and there is no problem getting the alignment in spec. I may not have maximized my droop, but it's an overland oriented rig, not a rockcrawler.

I don't think you really need aftermarket UCAs with a 2.5-3" lift. If you want aftermarket UCAs the alignment rationale can be convenient.

 

[BretEdge]

Thanks for the feedback. Like I said, I've been running an OME medium duty lift on it for 5 years w/ stock UCA's and haven't run into any issues. But, the OME kit only provides 2" - 2.5" of lift, at most. The new Radflo's are adjustable up to 3.5" although I'll likely set them at 2.5" to 3". Hmm...

 

[ReadyMedics]

I also run Kings with stock UCAs and no issues. I did have a set of AP UCAs but hated all the noise...no issues with alignment.

 

[Wainiha]

If you decide you want UCAs you should get the extended travel C/Os to get all the benefits. You may get an extra inch of travel or so. As far as lift with adjustable coilovers goes the limits include CV angle and up/down travel. Too high and you have no downtravel(rough ride) and a CV angle that will wear boots out and wreck the joints.

Camburg and Total Chaos are both good companies. Wheelers Offroad has the best prices I've seen.

 

[BretEdge]

Thanks for the info, ReadyMedics and Wainiha. Much appreciated.

ReadyMedics: Were you getting a lot of squeaking from the ball joint?

 

[targa88]

Running Total Chaos on my FJC.
Very satisfied for the last 3-4 years.
Bit of squeaking unless I keep them clean.
Need to find some of that Teflon lube

 

[Sebori]

I have ICON stage 1 with the Total Chaos UCA. Hitting 185K with them and have no problems the the UCA. Just had the bushings and zerk fitting replaced.

Had my share of the ICON squeak but replaced the upper and lower bearings and that took care of the noise.